Linux masterminds. Get in here.

[Dennisch]

After yet another brilliant Windows 10 screw-up, I am pretty much done with it. I won't go into detail as there are plenty of rants found online.

Now here are my questions.

How will I get the best Windows like experience in Linux, I need that because the missus will be the one using it the most, and she's a bit autistic when things are new and different.

What functionality will I lose (if any) by not using Windows anymore?

She's using web based email stuff, Skype, Open Office, Facebook calling or whatever it's called.

I mainly use it to stream video, x264 and stuff.

So. Help.

 

[Scaff]

I run Linux Mint as a good alternative to windows, it's a good starting point in terms of Linux as it comes with most of the applications and programs you need already installed.

User friendly, light and well supported.

It's what I started with when I was in the same position.

https://www.linuxmint.com/

 

[Scaff]

Forgot to add.

I would run it with the Cinnamon desktop.

I'm running V17.3 at the moment, but will be upgrading one of my laptops to 18.0 tonight (I don't run any windows machines at home any more), personally I would go straight to 18 as its got quite a few nice new 'toys' around the desktop.

 

[BobK]

So. Help.

I would echo @Scaff's recommendation of Linux Mint, I'm running it myself on one of my linux boxen.

However, there's a distro aimed specifically at people coming from a windows background who have no experience with Linux. Like Linux Mint it's a Ubuntu derivative. Its name is Linux Lite, but don't be fooled by the name; it refers more to its modest hardware requirements.

It comes with most everything most users would want (as does LM) and it's very easy to install other common apps.

I've been playing with a copy of it for a while now and I'm quite impressed.

Their website is here and you can view the manual here.

 

[GTP_Dutchy]

would recommend you run it in dual boot so you always have windows as a back up system in case the missus doesn't like it and you have to convert back. It's also handy for those applications that don't run on windows. Or when the linux learning curve is too high.

 

[Dennisch]

would recommend you run it in dual boot so you always have windows as a back up system in case the missus doesn't like it and you have to convert back. It's also handy for those applications that don't run on windows. Or when the linux learning curve is too high.

I have an old pc laptop that's no longer in use, and I will use that one to install Linux as a tryout for her. I've been browsing the links and I think we'll get along just fine with just a Linux install. I'm so done with that wonky Win10.

 

[BobK]

After yet another brilliant Windows 10 screw-up, I am pretty much done with it. I won't go into detail as there are plenty of rants found online.

Now here are my questions.

How will I get the best Windows like experience in Linux, I need that because the missus will be the one using it the most, and she's a bit autistic when things are new and different.

What functionality will I lose (if any) by not using Windows anymore?

She's using web based email stuff, Skype, Open Office, Facebook calling or whatever it's called.

I mainly use it to stream video, x264 and stuff.

So. Help.

Apologies for not addressing your questions earlier.

The best Windows-like experience of the distros I've worked with would come from Linux Lite although LM is a good alternative.

The biggest loss of functionality will be cutting edge games. You also won't have Cortana; whether that's a plus or minus is a matter of opinion. You won't get "helpful suggestions" about stuff available in the Microsoft Store.

LL comes with Skype preinstalled, LM does not although it's easy enough to install. Both come with Libre Office. Both also come with VLC preinstalled.

My personal favorite distro is Slackware, but it's decidedly not for beginners. For instance, I typically install new apps on my Slackware box by downloading the source code and compiling it.

 

[Dennisch]

Games won't be an issue. I have the ps4. Cortana. I pretty much remove everything standard from Windows/Microsoft. I prefer my installs to be as light as possible. Stuff like the store are the first to go.

I have scavenged my old laptop, I'm going to tryout Mint first.

 

[Sanji Himura]

I also third the recommendation of Linux Mint. I have enough space at the moment, so I will set up a dual boot system later today because I missed it so much.

 

[BobK]

I have scavenged my old laptop, I'm going to tryout Mint first.

So the next question is, which desktop environment to use... this is something Windows users don't have to worry about, as there is only one available.

@Scaff recommended Cinnamon, and that's not a bad choice; it's LM's preferred "flagship" desktop. Mate is easier on system resources, and is the other "official" LM desktop.

I use KDE on both my LM machine and Slackware systems. It's far more customizeable than either Cinnamon or Mate but it potentially uses more resources depending on how it's configured. An older laptop may struggle with it. Accordingly, it might be best for you to pass KDE by at least for now.

A good compromise between whistles & bells and resource usage is XFCE. A truly lightweight desktop intended for older hardware is LXDE. LXDE is the default desktop on the Raspberry Pi.

I'm sure Mate would work well for you. Cinnamon probably would as well. The best part is if you don't like one it's easy to switch to another. Having said that, some say that it's a bad idea to have multiple desktop environments installed on the same machine. I've had no problems but YMMV.

 

[Dennisch]

First thoughts about Cinnamon, on a 9 year old 2gb laptop.

Perfect. Runs smooth enough for what I expected from the laptop. Everything installs so far and all hardware has their drivers.

Minor issue. I shouldn't have chosen Dutch* as the system language. Makes things difficult to find when you're used to using English for everything.

I'm going to fiddle some more with it tonight, to see if I can get comfortable with the behind the scenes stuff of Linux.








*Simple example.

USB Stick in Dutch is USB Stick.

In Linux it's USB Staafje, which means little rod.

 

[Dennisch]

This is going great.

3 hours into slowish Linux laptopping and I haven't heard a complaint yet.

Gents. I'm going to build my new pc with a fresh Linux installation. Thanks for the insights. 👍

 

[Scaff]

This is going great.

3 hours into slowish Linux laptopping and I haven't heard a complaint yet.

Gents. I'm going to build my new pc with a fresh Linux installation. Thanks for the insights. 👍

Once you get used to it windows sucks in comparison.

 

[BobK]

Once you get used to it windows sucks in comparison.

Couldn't agree more!

 

[Scaff]

Posting from my fresh upgrade to Mint 18 (from 17.3. Straightforward and no issues at all.

 

[Dennisch]

Posting from my fresh upgrade to Mint 18 (from 17.3. Straightforward and no issues at all.

I have the 18 too. I need to check up on a couple of things but I think that my laptop will also go Linux before the week is over.

 

[BobK]

Posting from my fresh upgrade to Mint 18 (from 17.3. Straightforward and no issues at all.

How did you do the upgrade, if I may ask? sudo apt-get dist-upgrade or the wipe & reinstall that LM recommends?

 

[Scaff]

I followed the sudo apt-get dist-upgrade path as I'm reasonably comfortable working with Linux and in part because I just fancied giving that route a go.

I had backed everything up, so worst case I would then be able to do a clean install, but it all went smoothly and no issues at all.

 

[BobK]

@Dennisch, not sure if you're aware of this or not but there's a package called wine which allows some Windows programs to run under linux. It can be hit-or-miss sometimes; some apps work perfectly, some don't work at all, and some work but with quirks. If you have that favorite Windows app that you just can't do without, see if it works with wine.

It's listed in the Linux Mint software manager, near the top of the list in the "featured" category.

 

[Dennisch]

@Dennisch, not sure if you're aware of this or not but there's a package called wine which allows some Windows programs to run under linux. It can be hit-or-miss sometimes; some apps work perfectly, some don't work at all, and some work but with quirks. If you have that favorite Windows app that you just can't do without, see if it works with wine.

It's listed in the Linux Mint software manager, near the top of the list in the "featured" category.

Yup. I was clicking my way through everything available and that was one of them. Might come in handy.

 

[Danoff]

@Dennisch

My current plan for my next machine is to run my copy of Win 7 from within linux. That way I can have access to windows-specific software if needed. I'm hoping, fingers crossed, that by then the hardware and software will be good enough to run games from Win7 within linux. If that's not the case, I'll have to dual boot and dedicate the windows copy to games.

 

[BobK]

@Dennisch

My current plan for my next machine is to run my copy of Win 7 from within linux. That way I can have access to windows-specific software if needed. I'm hoping, fingers crossed, that by then the hardware and software will be good enough to run games from Win7 within linux. If that's not the case, I'll have to dual boot and dedicate the windows copy to games.

That would be with VMware or VirtualBox, correct?

Not sure how useful that might be for @Dennisch as I am under the impression his machine is fairly modest.

But then again, I believe he's putting together a somewhat more capable machine

In any case, it can be a better way to run Windows apps on Linux than wine if you have the hardware for it.

 

[Dennisch]

I have found nothing yet that requires me to have some sort of Windows install.

Even my old laptop, which was running XP and solely used for OBD and car/motorcycle documentation, now serves as the Linux tryout machine, will stay Linux, albeit a bit lighter than Mint. Because even for Linux there is OBD software available.

 

[imported_rik19]

Thanks for this thread guys, I downloaded and installed MINT on a seperate SSD, I like it, quick question if anybody knows, how do you get all the drivers and stuff, as I have these on discs for a windows install, the only one that came up when I used the hardware setting part was for the processor...

What about USB 3 drivers/ adio and codecs and all that other kind of stuff.......my keyboard and mouse worked, but the lights on them didn`t? Its an illuminated keyboard and it wouldnt light up..

My printer was detected and worked ok.

I have a zotac zbox..

 

[Dennisch]

how do you get all the drivers

On my 9 year old laptop Mint installed all drivers automatically during the installation.

 

[imported_rik19]

On my 9 year old laptop Mint installed all drivers automatically during the installation.

Ok cheers might try again with it..

 

[BobK]

As I recall during installation there's a checkbox for "install extra drivers and codecs" or something to that effect. Make sure it's checked.

 

[imported_rik19]

Hi guys, one for the linux experts, using mint do i need to get all the usual anti virus stuff like on windows..thanks..


Also still cant get my illuminated keyboard to work when plugged into to pc when running mint, works fine on other usb stuff..you just press scroll lock button as it has a lightbulb symbol on, and lights up, just tried on ps4 etc...anybody know why it dosent work now?

 

[Epic B]

Hi guys, one for the linux experts, using mint do i need to get all the usual anti virus stuff like on windows..thanks..


Also still cant get my illuminated keyboard to work when plugged into to pc when running mint, works fine on other usb stuff..you just press scroll lock button as it has a lightbulb symbol on, and lights up, just tried on ps4 etc...anybody know why it dosent work now?

You can probably get away with not having antivirus. Although there has been a few cases of malware over the years, Linux is much less vulnerable than Windows can be. So you should be find. As for why your keyboard's not working, not sure.

 

[BobK]

Hi guys, one for the linux experts, using mint do i need to get all the usual anti virus stuff like on windows..thanks..


Also still cant get my illuminated keyboard to work when plugged into to pc when running mint, works fine on other usb stuff..you just press scroll lock button as it has a lightbulb symbol on, and lights up, just tried on ps4 etc...anybody know why it dosent work now?

As @Naveek Darkroom says, Linux is much more secure than Windows. It's also a smaller target for the malware writers; they aim at the systems that 80% of the world uses, which is Windows. Linux users tend to be collectively more knowledgeable which makes it an even harder target. Would you write a virus that could potentially affect 1000 systems, or 10 systems?

As for the keyboard, there's a very good possibility that the manufacturer didn't write a linux driver for it so basic functionality would work but not some whistles and bells. This kind of thing is unfortunately not uncommon in the linux world.