I will soon be converting our Windows OS computers to Linux.
I’m about to download either Linux Mint 19 MATE or Ubuntu 18.04.1 LTS onto a flash drive.
I was wondering if any of you with experience in this area would have any tips or recommendations before I proceed.
Thanks!
I think either OS is a good choice, though I personally prefer Linux Mint 19 Mate. Are you going to dual boot with Windows? If so, be careful, for Windows sometimes doesn't play nice with other operating systems on the same PC. But it's been a while since I've done so, and maybe it's not longer an issue. Enjoy Linux.
I've been distro hopping for well...a very long time.
Around the time of Ubuntu 11.04 or 12.04 Linux became ready for prime time & I've gotten some of my friends who are devoutly non-techie very happily into being 100% Linux users with zero looking back needed.
I was not impressed with Mint - what it does mostly (IMO) is to take a lightweight start & bulk it up too much.
Presently I have Ubuntu Mate 18.04 set up with XP running in a VM for some apps that I could do without, but really like too much to just do away with - and it runs better as a guest OS than it ever did natively.
One great nicety about Ubuntu Mate is that it can easily be made to resemble the classic, ordinary desktop that so many folks have become comfortable with - which is the case with my 88 y/o friend as well as the 35 y/o friend - they love that it is so very trouble free and that they no longer have to pay the 'antivirus tax' as the older man always called it.
If you have some windows apps that you wish to keep using that aren't dependent upon excess stuff like dot net (I calls that dot krap...), it is also very easy to install & use wine to facilitate that usage.
Best Wishes - Enjoy your Linux Journey !!
Thanks much Isamorph and Extraterrestrial_Zoologist for your helpful posts!
Two points in particular made by Extraterrestrial_Zoologist have solidified my thinking:
1)“Presently I have Ubuntu Mate 18.04 set up with XP running in a VM for some apps that I could do without, but really like too much to just do away with - and it runs better as a guest OS than it ever did natively”
2)“One great nicety about Ubuntu Mate is that it can easily be made to resemble the classic, ordinary desktop that so many folks have become comfortable with”
I’m going to buy an Ubuntu MATE 18.04.1 LTS pre- loaded flash drive (less than $20). It’ll be simpler and error free for a novice like me.
My preference is Linux Mint with Cinnamon desktop. It runs and feels very similar to Windows 7 which was, arguably, the best Windows version.
My personal choice would be elementary OS.
It's not that difficult to download the iso image of Ubuntu Mate 18.04.1 to your computer and write or burn it to a flash drive and save yourself $$. There are plenty of tutorials on how to do so, and the Ubuntu Mate website probably has one. That said, if you buy, here's probably a good place:
https://www.osdisc.com/products/ubuntu ***If you have a dvd player on your pcs, you can install Ubuntu Mate with it. Only $5.95.
No argument here.
I think I’ll take Isamorph's advice and do the downloads myself. That way I can try a couple of distros without cost.
Thanks again to those who have posted here and contributed to my continuing education
Here is a good tool for burning or writing Linux OS images to a flash drive, and it works on Windows or Linux:
Thanks for the tip/link Isamorph.
After I downloaded the distros I used Etcher to create the flash drives. All went smooth and easy.
When I have some quiet time to focus , I'll do some live boots and start exploring
I've just spent all my free time for the last couple of weeks converting our laptops to Linux OS and upgrading a friend's computer to Window's 10.
All of my efforts and results with Linux were a joy!
Installing the Windows 10 upgrade was a no- brainer. BUT afterwards, I spent most of my time researching and eliminating intrusive programs and processes.
This all has been a watershed event for me.
Last thought.: Again, many thanks to Extraterrestrial_Zoologist and Isamorph who put me on the right path with Linux.
And one last thought : I have read with interest Chelle’s posts about Chrome. So that’s the next free time project for me to explore.
The Linux desktop is in trouble
I agree with much of the criticism presented in the article.
I recently installed Linux Mint on my MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2015). This after trying Ubuntu and Fedora unsuccessfully, both of which balked at the NVMe controller. Getting the Wifi working with Broadcom drivers was surprisingly easy, however.
Although I was eventually able to find and install close equivalents to software I use daily on MacOS, the overall desktop experience was lacking.
Wavebox is a robust app for managing multiple G-Mail (and other types of) accounts, available for Linux and other desktop OSes. Note: Annual fee for Pro edition. https://wavebox.io
On MacOS, I still prefer Mailplane, however. https://mailplaneapp.com
For IP camera surveillance (viewing only), I used Xeoma free edition. Xeoma – best video surveillance software [official page] by FelenaSoft – Felenasoft
The killer for me though is lack of iMessage and other integrations with iOS and Apple ecosystem (eg; iTunes).
My takeaway is that desktop Linux is great if you want to breathe new life in old hardware, but if Apple is still releasing software/security updates for your Mac there is no reason to switch.
Given the many people who favor Linux distros over Windows and Apple systems but still find it necessary to dual boot with a Windows OS on their PCs, it is apparent that only a small group of die-hard Linux (millions, though) users have totally given up their needs and desires for other systems, as attested by the many posts on Linux forums dealing with dual boot problems with Windows. Personally, I have a Windows OS that I keep on a separate hard drive for the few times a year I might need it, and because I have a phone license and system that will only work on Windows OS. That said, because there are certain features, such as iMessage, that will not easily sync between Linux and Windows and Apple, most people are understandingly unwilling to completely break from these two systems and completely embrace Linux, not to mention the fact that many businesses require the use of Windows. Linux is indeed in need of standardization, but Windows is itself suffering from being overtaken by Linux as businesses, Chromebooks, Android phones, etc., become more enamored of the powers of the Linux system.
"In fact, if it were possible to analyze every single piece of technology out there, Linux would almost certainly come out on top."
And at least for personal pcs, Linux distros are basically free, which is always attractive.
Add up the phones, servers, IOT devices and finally desktops - and this is a non-subject.
Linux has already been dominant for some time, very quietly.
Desktop users will remain desktop users if that is their desire - just as gamers will remain gamers.
The handheld revolution has been eating everyone's lunch...not just this desktop OS or that one.
Lots of discussion may also be found here:
Yes, I am the OP of that thread - and so what if folks prefer THIS over THAT - personal choices are GOOD !!