Which one?
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Not exactly sure where to put this for maximum returns. If this is the wrong place please move it?
Which OS due you prefer Windows or Linux and why?
I'm seriously considering moving to Linux and want some informed feedback. Keep in mind I'm a beginner at Linux. I know enough about Windows to get into trouble and not get out of trouble.My main complaint with Windows is...MS sends out a patch to fix another patch which created another problem to fix. Then they try to fix a fix that failed to fix another fix. This just keeps going on to other fixes that didn't fix the fix it was to fix in the first place. Get where this is going?
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@Para-Noid We don't have a category for general operating systems so I just moved it to the tech forum.
If you made me pick one I'd probably go with Windows. Most of the programs I use work primarily on windows and though you can hack your way around it to get them working on linux, I don't really see much of a benefit.
Also, though I'm sure this will be a minority opinion, I like the Windows interface. Again, with enough time spent I'm sure you could get a linux desktop & window manager to look right.
The big draw for me is being able to use linux command line tools, but I can get those natively on windows 10 now anyway, which means I can just have the best of both worlds.
The only major downside to windows is the fact that it's properietary and comes with all the baggage that proprietary software enjoys, but that's not enough on its own to put me off.
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@Para-Noid As always when this question is asked - the answer is really, "It depends on your needs/preferences"
Fortunately, you do not need to make a blind decision, why not install a Linux flavour alongside windows and run both (dual boot) for while? You can then easily uninstall one Linux and install another until you have enough information to make the decision.
Just be sure to create separate hard disk partition(s) for the linux (root/home etc).
As an aside, if you are into gaming then you WILL probably want to keep Windows anyway.
Although, Linux updating is much better than Windows (considering BOTH O.S. and apps) - IMHO.Plus, on Linux it is a lot easier to have Vivaldi Stable and Snapshot at the same time
Also, have a look at this old thread https://forum.vivaldi.net/topic/407/linux-flavours
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@TbGbe I have been running Linux off a Live USB and I'm really enjoy using it. I have ran Mint in a VM for quite some time.
@LonM I must admit I do like the Mint Cinnamon desktop. The "Terminal" has more functionality than the Windows "command line".
@Gwen-Dragon Most of the software I have installed is freeware. In fact the only "paid" software I have is my printer and Malwarebytes. The rest is freeware. A good sized portion of the freeware is open source freeware.I am very comfortable with Windows but...It's proprietary and constantly needing patched/fixed. I'm not a big fan of dual boot systems. I may be comfortable with Windows but I'm not satisfied. Ah...the pros and cons of each system.
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@Para-Noid Of the ones I've tried, cinnamon is by far my favourite linux desktop. And if you only use freeware and already have a preference for another desktop, then I don't really see much to lose in switching.
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I use both. I have a laptop that is solely Linux (Manjaro at the moment, because I like the rolling nature, but I may play with Mint), and a desktop that dual boots Win 10 and Manjaro. I like Xfce, but I see the attraction to Cinnamon.
I primarily consider myself a Windows user. I'm most familiar with the file structures, installing software, and running programs. I'm afraid that I won't be able to run everything I want (games mostly) on Linux.
But, I love experimenting with Linux. Being able to update everything with a few strokes in the terminal or through the software center is hecka useful. I don't tend to get really creative with my desktops, usually only changing the wallpaper or icons. I like the paradigm Windows setup (though I do move my task bar to the top of the screen now, even in Windows , at eye level!).
Most software I want is available on both. I've found some new software I'd never considered before using Linux, like Libre Office and various media players. I enjoy learning both and becoming fluent in Linux, though I'm no power user. I can usually fix what I break or load a fresh install in short order, and distro hopping has helped me know what to install and how to install it quickly.
If you can afford a refurbished laptop, maybe pick one up and install the Linux distro of your choice, and use it for a week (or more) and see if you can live with that, knowing you can't just boot into Windows to solve a problem.
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I currently have Microsoft Windows 10 Home, with some of my computers on Evaluation copy. Build 18343.19h1_release.190219-1422. I have 1 of my computers on Microsoft Windows 10 Professional, and an old computer on Mac OS 7.5.2. I grew up with S.C.O. Unix Revision 5, now Xinuos OpenServer, in the 1980s, but I am going to install Linux on a current machine. I have Linux Mint 19.1 Tessa Cinnamon 64-bit ready to install, but I have considered Ubuntu 18.10. I also have these downloaded, and ready to install, Arch Linux 2019.02.01, Fedora 29.1.2, Kubuntu 18.10, Manjaro 18.0.2, PureOS 8.0, Pop!_OS 18.10, and Zorin OS 12.4. I believe more, and more computers, are going to use Linux. Almost every software I use, with a few exceptions, is available on Linux...
Best wishes,
Lloyd
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@Gwen-Dragon I agree with what others have said: it really depends on your needs.
For actual development, the Linux machines work best for me. I have a PC running Ubuntu 18.04 and another running Solus 3.9999 -- both Linux machines (FYI, I LOVE Solus!). We also have a PC running Windows and my MacBook Pro laptop running OSX. I use the last two for testing and social media interactions.
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To all who replied...A great big, huge Thank You!
I was 99% sure I was going to migrate to Linux Mint. There is always that 1% that holds one back. To heck with that 1%. Your input is what did it. It helped to give me the confidence to make the switch.
I am now running Linux Mint v19.1 "Tessa" 64 bit with the Cinnamon desktop. The Cinnamon desktop feels a lot like Windows 7. Only faster. Now I get to transfer all my personal files from external HDD to my "Home" directory. I have more music and documents than I thought.
FYI, the erase and install option didn't take long. It took less time than installing Win10 from a DVD. It took less time than installing/updating the annual fall Windows updates. My Linux install was from an ISO image I burned on a DVD. My install was the "erase and install" option. The erase and install option is it erases your HDD/SSD while it installs Linux at the same time.
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Each OS has its strengths and weaknesses, there is none that is perfect for all uses. Which one has preferences depends more on the use we give it.
I currently use Kubuntu, which in many aspects gives me more functionality than Windows, but in others I miss some Windows functionalities, starting with file management and certain compatibilities and availability of some software that in Linux does not have an equal equivalent
But in my case they are minor problems that do not affect much in what I need, but they can be a problem for other users. -
@Catweazle I am anything but a power user. So having software with a lot of bells and whistles is not important. For me the switch was more about the dysfunction of Micro$oft and their inability to push out a "fall update" that works than the euphoric feeling of having something new. Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed playing with Linux in a virtual box and a Live flash drive. Liked it so much I decided to go with Linux Mint. Maybe I should have tried out other distros but I fell in love with Mint right off. Mint with the Cinnamon desktop has the "feel" of a Win7 including the "aero" taskbar. My biggest problem right now is...why didn't I switch a long time ago?
Until I started researching Linux I had no idea there were so many different "flavors". I found there is a multitude of distros. Many having more than one desktop. Whereas if you choose Windows you're stuck with basically no choice. ATM, you're stuck with a Win7 on death watch, a dreaded Win8.1 and an equally disliked Win10. M$ could solve all their problems by going back to Win7.
Linux Mint v19 will be supported till April 2023. I don't have to worry about much or do much of anything for the next four years. All I have to do now is make sure I install the correct updates. Which is super simple. I regret not migrating to Linux a long time ago.
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@Para-Noid If it's your primary OS and has access to your entire HDD, well and good. If you have installed it on a smaller partition, such as, say 60GB, know that it will run out of room and quit booting. Make sure it has enough HDD space to expand more than you expect.
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@Ayespy Linux Mint is all I have installed.
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I love devuan linux. However, due to dependency on a few programs which are impossible to run on linux I'm still running Windows 10 part of the time.
If you're using windows 10, definitely get the 'debloat' powershell scripts which will improve the privacy and performance of the OS
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