Why you should replace Windows 7 with Linux
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@britur Well, 67 this year myself. Given my druthers, I'd probably go with Win10 if $$ is not an issue - strictly for the familiarity. And to enhance the familiarity further, I run ALL of my Win10 installs (7 of them) with OpenShell, because it makes the user interface look like Win7. I hate the "Metro" (that's the real name of it) appearance of the Win10 menu and store apps.
The reason I chose Mint to test in is it does not feel really foreign after running Windows. It's rather intuitive. I don't look up help topics on how to manage it, I just do what seems right, and it works. If one does not want to lay out the shekels for Win10, well, then, Mint is free, and it's fast, and pretty, and secure.
I always found Win10 was actually a better manger of resources than Win7, and actually runs better on the same hardware. Faster. Smoother. Mint is as nimble as Win10, or possbily moreso.
So that's all I can tell you about it off the top of my head, and I hope your decision comes fairly easily.
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Currently with Win10 I am also quite happy, It is also not a big problem to configure it to have a UI similar to W7, in fact, I now have the same desktop in 10 that I had before in 7, differences are only in the layout of some Configuration menus.
In Linux I had previously with Kubuntu very good experiences. As Mint also has an elegant UI and a handling quite intuitive and similar to the Windows, which therefore does not represent a problem for a beginner in Linux either -
@britur Also, if you're going to be running a bunch of Microsoft apps, like MSOffice, then Windows. I personally avoid MS apps like the plague. That's just me.
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@Catweazle and @Ayespy Moderator and Ambassador (wow) and 75 year determined Dummy.
Thank you both so much, feel I'm in very good hands with a Moderator and Ambassador no less. Am almost at the decision-making point.
From what you've said I understand first good step is a PenDrive with Linux Mint and Windows 10. Check these out and then either choose one to install on my Desktop or both in Dual Boot Mode.Have been experimenting with Windows BU and creating a System Image. Tried several times, and in all cases no success, not enough space according to Microsoft. They state I think I would need 4 TB of space.
So I think before proceeding I will buy another USB with 5 to 10 TB space first. Don't think too expensive here in Sweden.
Just checked, screenshot from Snagit (beautiful programme) but unfortunately can't copy the images as normal (could it be as not possible to paste into Vivaldi??!!GDrive 6 TB 2,379 Kr Dollars 250
WD MyPassport 5 TB 1,790 Kr Dollars 185The Windows 10 upgrade is again free so that is not a cost I have to consider. At least according to "How to Geek" link enclosed. They're usually pretty reliable.
https://www.howtogeek.com/509087/how-to-upgrade-from-windows-7-to-windows-10-for-free/
How big does the PenDrive have to be for the dual operating systems?
If I opt for Linux Mint will I be able to run all Windows programmes currently installed under Windows 7?Appreciate so much your generous assistance, with my non-tech skills I would really like to do something very good for Vivaldi here in Europe as very few people seem to know about it. The idea I have is if we set up in the forum a challenge to your users to provide a posting, of maybe not more than 500 words, where users try to give a non-technical overview of Vivaldi, how they use it, and its , customisable functionality. I would then undertake to publish these on my web site. Currently being restructured, but I think it would be perfect for spreading the good word about Vivaldi, you guys, ad this community. The risk is you might get overwhelmed!!!!
What do you think? We could even have a prize of a bottle of champagne which would be pleased to fund as a symbolic gesture of my sincere goodwill for what you are doing.
Or if you have any alternatives, which you think would be better or preferable, please don't be shy!!!! -
If you have Windows 10 installed on the computer already, I would leave it for now.
In my opinion the simplest solution is to install the live version of your chosen Linux distribution on the USB stick.
This way you can either boot into the existing OS or the Linux OS on the USB stick.
I found the following link after a short search Linux Mint Live, assuming you have chosen Linux Mint.
If you leave the hard drive unmounted this is a zero risk way of becoming familiar with Linux.
It looks like I'm just a young fella at only 57 but I started using Linux nearly 30 years ago and I am so glad I did. -
@britur
Hi, you will get problems to start Windows 10 from external device, MS does not like it.
For testing leave your system as is and use a good USB stick for Linux.
There is nothing to install only copy a Linux ISO file to a bootable USB stick.
There are several tools doing this.
You have to choice the boot device from BIOS but for testing it is OK.
128 GB is more than enough for a full Linux install for the USB stick 8 GB.
You can use the Windows partition as storage for Linux, too.Cheers, mib
EDIT: buzzb was faster. -
@britur , a 10Tb pendrive is not needed for a Linux distro , they fit comfortably in one of 1 Gb. That is, if you have a pendrive from where you want to run Linux, one of 8-10 Gb is enough, to also have room for possible files , the SO as such, does not reach 1 Gb.
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@Catweazle
Hi, for testing it is OK but I have a 43 GB root partition and only 13 GB free space or you want to copy a Blue-Ray disk wich is 25 GB and so forth.
SSD are cheap now.CHeers, mib
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@mib2berlin , the investment in an SSD is of course recommended, the speed difference with an HDD is abysmal.
Running Linux on a pendrive to test it, of course, is the recommended option, to having a "portable" Linux, a pendrive with more capacity is naturally needed to also be able to save the files created in it. If they are office files, with 8-10 Gb is enough, to images something else.But the first line pendrive was for the test and for the installation of a distro, for this you don't need a pendrive with a lot of capacity, with one where the distro fits, it will be enough. Mint fits comfortably on a 750 Mb CD, to distribute it as a life CD or give it to a friend.
On my previous PC with Win7 I had Kubuntu in dual boot on a 25 Gb partition, which was enough. It depends naturally on the use that is given, if it is needed for graphic design and 3D rendering, it is logical that more is needed, but for navigation and office it is more than enough. -
@Catweazle Nearly there. After extensive testing, have discoered if Microsoft backup is ri be believe that a 5 TB USB hd is too small. So have ordered a USB 8 TB drive, with double USB 3.0 ports at reasonable price of 1,869 Kr nearly same as 5 TB. Will then test this, and then full speed ahead with BU and Linux options.
Take the liberty if asking one questio here.
When I have bookmatks in speed dialler bookmarks and down the left hand side, can I i multiple select 2 or more BMs to move thgem elsewhere in my system, would be very useful. But have not succeeded.
Any ideas anyone?? -
@britur use either the bookmarks manager or the bookmarks panel and you can definitely multi select and move. I'm not at my desk to confirm but I don't think it's possible to create selections within the speed dial itself. That's a special kind of start page, with different functionality as it core design than managing bookmarks. So the focus is on optimizing that UX, even if to your detriment of managing them as bookmarks.
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@bonetone Thanks v. much.
If I can't multi-select in Speed dialler. great shame, as I must then use areas outside SpeedDialler as multi-selection is very important for me. Unless there is some reasonable workaround!
Will try to see how it works there. -
@britur I guess I don't understand how using the bookmarks manager or the bookmarks panel is not a reasonable workaround for moving multiple speed dial bookmarks in one action. I do a lot of other tasks with respect to managing the speed dial in both of those tools, it's actually better in my opinion than using the speed dial. It's certainly easier to move speed dial bookmarks down multiple folders. Or to move multiple speed dial bookmarks that are stored in different folders into a common folder. These are scenarios that just aren't possible in a speed dial UI, enabling multiselect would still not enable these use cases that I have actually done. And those are just use cases involving a move action. There are still more than no Speed Dial could support that are easy in either the manager or panel.
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@bonetone Thanks v. much. Could it be an idea if exrensive reorgaisation of BMs is necssary to move them out of Speed Dialer to Bookmark Manager, reorganise there, when completed move back to Speed Dialler.
Does that make sense? -
@britur Speed Dial entries are merely bookmarks. They are already within and editable within the panel and/or the bookmark manager. No need to move them anywhere.
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@britur said in Why you should replace Windows 7 with Linux:
@bonetone Thanks v. much. Could it be an idea if exrensive reorgaisation of BMs is necssary to move them out of Speed Dialer to Bookmark Manager, reorganise there, when completed move back to Speed Dialler.
Does that make sense?Um, no, it doesn't really make sense. They don't get removed from the speed dial unless you move them out of the folders that have been marked as a speed dial. Speed dials are just a folder in your bookmarks that have the speed dial attribute enabled, by checking the box labeled speed dial. I have several folders that are speed dials, and each one is listed in the start page navigation (where you see speed dial, bookmarks, history). The bookmarks panel and manager are just a better interface for managing their organization, the speed dial is just a unique view into a select set of folders. That view is really nice to have in a new tab for accessing commonly used bookmarks
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Hello Olga, et al,
Long time Windows user and explorer of Linux distros.I ran across this forum after searching for a way to Windows-them Puppy Linux. I have to say that the comments section is chock full of experience and evaluation anecdotes, which helps my search immensely.
The takeaway from this comment thread is to explore SOLUS as a Linux distro, at least for my specific requirements.
https://www.linux.org/threads/new-user-locating-and-installing-device-drivers-in-debian-based-q4os.29253/page-2#post-93880I will, however, say this as a Windows user wanting to select a Linux distro instead of going to Windows 10. As bad as Windows is, as expensive, bloated, vulnerable and invasive as it is, it is still more user-friendly than Linux. As secure, as easy to install and as free as Linux is, it still is stuck at about 2 percent of the laptop / desktop market, versus about 88 percent for Windows.
I say this, not to tweak Linux users, since I want Linux as a system overall to develop sharper elbows and start to make serious inroads on MS's market share. After all, absolute market share corrupts absolutely, and Redmond needs some serious competition to realize that it cannot act so imperious to its users.
So, if Linux is willing to listen to some constructive advice, I would like to offer some.
Linux is really geared to those who LOVE computers and working with computer code. Windows is geared to everyone else. As an OS, it comes installed on a machine from a big box store and while it can do many things, most users will simply turn the machine on and use it for their own niche use, be it for business spreadsheets, school homework, internet games, reading the news, swapping emails, SKYPING and downloading music.
The other 98 percent of its capability remains unused for any particular user, but any given user is okay with that. I will venture to guess that the Windows users of various kinds, save for those specifically hired to administer the IT section of any school or business, uses the computer the way an old lady of 17 year old girl uses a car. The care not a whit how it works. They just want to turn it on and then USE it for their particular purpose.
For these, the Command Line Interface is alarming or annoying. [b]However[/b] if at least one distro of Linux can overlay the CLI with a point and click, or click and drag GUI, with no need to compile drivers or worry about dependencies, that distro will start taking serious market share from MS.
Remember, before there was Windows, there was MS DOS (a-ha! a CLI.) And then there was Mac, with its wonderful point and click GUI. Windows essentially copied the look and feel of Mac, right down to the trash can, for which Mac sued, but lost.
In other words, if Linux can copy ENOUGH from the Windows Look and Feel, and yet keep the wonderful speed and security aspects of Linux, and even charge a modest amount for the packaging, Linux can do to Windows, what MS did to Mac.
Just my 2 cents.
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I agree with you, and that's the point. Linux is made for power users. Which is why all Linux distros combined comprise less than 2 percent of the laptop / desktop market, while Windows, as bad, as buggy, as expensive and invasive as it is, commands over 88 percent of the market.
Most people USE their computers the way a non-mechanic uses their cars. They don't care about sudo apt get any more than Aunt Sophie cares about how to tear down and rebuild her transmission. She just wants the car to get her to work and back reliably.
The vast majority of Windows users are NOT power users. They are simply users.
They could have adopted Linux in the almost 30 years its been around, but have not. Windows looks pretty, is user friendly, and does (for the most part) what they want it to do.
Until there is a PLAYSKOOL simple and attractive version of Linux released to the public, Linux will remain the exclusive plaything of power users.
More's the pity.
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@johnconnorbear:
I'm not re-inventing anything. Linux is stuck at less than 2 percent market share for a very good reason. It is work intensive compared to Windows.
Sure, Windows comes pre-installed on machines, but they have tried selling machines with Linux pre-installed for years, and they have never caught traction.
Linux has co-existed with Windows as long as Windows has existed, and Linux has always been free, save for some pre-packaged distros, complete with manual and Tux desktop figure.
Corporations will spend millions on market research to figure out how their target market thinks and what their wants, needs and desires are. When you don't bother with that approach and expect them all to become software engineers, the failure is not on the part of the using public for not becoming software engineers.
The failure is on the part of the vendor who doesn't try to find out what the user wants and needs.
In all fairness, Linux is powered by Geeks who love computers and code, not a massive megacorporation whose purpose is financial profit. There is a substantial motivation for a corporation to find out what the basic user WANTS and will pay money for.
The Linux user is likely more motivated to making the code do what he wants it to do.
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@HAL2000 said in Why you should replace Windows 7 with Linux:
Linux is powered by Geeks who love computers and code, not a massive megacorporation whose purpose is financial profit