Posted on 02/03/2016 11:22:43 AM PST by dennisw
My buddy David Gewirtz recently wrote about the question of whether you should move from Windows 7 to Windows 10 or a Mac. I have another suggestion: Linux. Specifically Linux Mint 17.3, Rosa, with the Cinnamon desktop.
Linux Mint 17.3 is a great replacement for Windows 7. In fact, it's a great desktop operating system period. sjvn
Yes, I'm serious. I use all the above desktops -- yes I'm a Windows 7 and 10 user as well as a Linux guy -- and for people I think Mint 17.3 makes a great desktop.
I've been using Mint as my main Linux desktop for years now. Unlike some desktops I could name -- cough, Windows 8, cough -- Linux Mint has never had a flop. Every year that goes by, this operating system keeps getting better. The other desktops? Not so much.
Let's take a closer look.at Windows 7 vs. Linux Mint 17.3
UI Differences
There's really not much. While it's even easier for a Windows XP user to move to Mint than a Windows 7 user, any Windows user won't have any trouble picking up Linux Mint with Cinnamon. There's a Start Menu and settings are easy to find.
I regard Cinnamon 2.8 as the ultimate Window, Icon, Menu, Pointer (WIMP) interface. Is it ideal for tablets or smartphones? No. Is it perfect for long-time PC users? Yes.
Cinnamon does add some nice features. For example, if you mouse over the Window list, you'll now see a thumbnail for each application. It also has improved performance, system tray status indicators, and music and power applets.
What I like best about Cinnamon is that it doesn't get in the way. There's no learning curve. You may have never used Linux in your life but you can just sit down and start opening directories, runing applications, and modify your PC's settings.
One small feature I like a lot, since I always run multiple workspaces, is that the workspace switcher applet now shows a visual representation of what's running in each workspace.
Don't like Cinnamon? Unlike any version of Windows, Linux Mint comes with many different desktops. These include KDE, MATE and Xfce. Find one you like and enjoy,
Application Selection
It's true that Linux doesn't have as many application choice as Windows does. But, how many applications do you really need in 2016? I do most of my work these days on the cloud with software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications. These apps work just as well on Chrome, my favorite Web browser, on Mint as they do on any other desktop.
That said, there are many excellent Linux desktop programs. For example, instead of Microsoft Office I use LibreOffice 5. I don't use it because it's free, although most Linux desktop applications won't cost you a cent, but because it's an excellent office suite in its own right.
I also use Evolution instead of Outlook for e-mail and GIMP instead of Photoshop for my basic graphic editing needs. The bottom line is that are many great Linux programs that you can use in place of Windows appliations.
Are there some Windows programs that you can't live without? Well, you don't have to live without them.
There are two ways to run Windows programs on Linux. One is to use CodeWeaver's CrossOver Linux. This program enables you to run many popular Windows applications on Linux. Supported Windows applications include Microsoft Office (from Office 97 to Office 2010), Quicken, and some versions of Adobe Photoshop.
The application you absolutely must have won't work with CrossOver? Then run it on a virtual machine (VM) program such as Oracle's VirtualBox.
I use both methods and they work well.
Mobile Ecosystem Compatibility
I don't care what some people say, Windows Phone is dead to me. And, pretty much everyone else.
Mint, however, is a pure desktop play. Yes, Android is Linux, but it runs in parallel with the desktop Linux distribution. That may change as Android creeps toward the desktop, but we're not there yet.
Ubuntu, which is Mint's foundation Linux distribution, parent company Canonical is working hard on making its same code base work on PCs, smartphones, and tablets. So, eventually, you may be running Mint on smartphones. I'm not holding my breath.
If you want one operating system family on all your devices, don't waste your time -- for now -- on either Linux or Windows. Just go ahead and buy an iPhone and a Mac and be done with it.
Reliability
This is not even a conversation.
While Windows 7 is far more stable than any other version of Windows, I haven't had Linux Mint ever -- ever -- stop working.
If you want a desktop that can take a licking and keep ticking, you want Linux, not Windows or Mac OS X.
Security
Really? Do you even have to ask?
Every lousy day a new piece of Windows malware shows up. Windows is more secure than it once was, but it's still easy to bust. Linux, on the other hand, despite the garbage you read about Linux viruses and such, is almost never sucessfully attacked.
Because you can’t play Call of Duty on Mint?
why own a Chevrolet, when you can by a Rambler?
Is Mint hardware? Because a Mac is the hardware. It comes with the software. Now it can also run Windows, and Linux.
But Mac is hardware. Very good hardware IMHO.
There’s that. I just found out “Homeworld Remastered” (an RTS game) is now available on the Mac.
Yeah!
Thanks! I will save this for when I get closer to the 2017 no more 7 updating. If it’s easy, it’s for me.
ping
Because I have these things called peripherals that I depend on, and would rather plug them in and have the machine make them work, than having to find bootleg generic drivers that dont really work, nor have to screw around with config files or a terminal in order to get them to sort of work.
Windows 7 will be updated until 2020. I have kept windows 7 and did not take Microsoft’s free offer of Windows 10.
After 2020 I will move to windows 8.1 or Linux. I might put Mint Linux 17.3 on a spare computer right now...in fact I should.
I put the soon-to-be ex on Linux Mint 17.2 so as not to have to deal with her complaints about Win x. No issues since. It all just works.
I use it on one of my older laptops and it’s great.
Tech Reference Bookmark.
Linus Mint 17.2 is particularly good about recognizing newly attached devices. Nice NOT to have to mess with config files.
LOL doubt my laptop will last that long. Maybe I’ll build my own.
I’ve been using Mint on my desktop and laptop PC’s for about a year. It is so fast and I have never had a crash or lockup. The pc’s are dual boot with Windows 10 (the snail), but I never boot up windows.
Would my Windows programs work with that? What about the older ones (XP-based)?
I thot you’d say that the soon-to-be would put OUT on her win-x!!!
my eyes glazed over.....tech savvy, not
Having spent most of my time in “corporate” versions of Nix such as RHEL, what’s the draw with Mint? I use Ubuntu at home, and I love it. Is Mint just dumbed down? Can you choose between Gnome and KDE, or is it pre-packaged?
I need music composition support.
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