Posted on 11/01/2018 4:08:48 PM PDT by DUMBGRUNT
Most Linux distros these days have a "software manager" program of some kind. You just type in a keyword, and it lists out all the programs that match. It's all quite straighforward and painless. If you want to go outside of the default software repositories, it can get more complex, but most of that is just a simple google search to find what you need. I just fired up the software manager on my desktop, and it shows that it has 78,268 packages available. It sounds more impressive than it is, really, because many times if you want to install one particular program, it will require some related packages to be installed as well. On the other hand, many of those support packages (libraries and other stuff) are used by other programs as well, so even if you want to install 2 different programs that share the same libraries, you'll only install the libraries once.
In addition, updates for everything is centrally managed, so you can easily keep everything up to date with minimal hassle. I normally get updates once a week. I haven't completely automated that because I like to see what's being installed. About the only time you end up having to reboot after an install is when you update your kernel, and even that isn't really necessary. I always reboot after a kernel update because I got into the habit of doing that years ago and figure it's a good policy to make sure nothing broke with the kernel upgrade so I can back it out immediately if I have to.
When I put Linux on my wife’s computer, our daughter said: “Mom will never be able to use it”.
After two or three days, she never looked back.
An eighty-year-old friend, with very slight computer experience, did the install without any assistance and zero problems.
There are many different versions, sometimes called flavors of Linux. There are some specific advantages to most versions.
I do not keep up with all of them, they are always advancing.
For ease of use and support, Ubuntu is near the front of the pack, and completely free of any costs.
If your computer is not too old (8-10 years?)
The current version: Ubuntu 18.10 LTS (LTS stands for long-term support — which means five years, until April 2023, of free security and maintenance updates, guaranteed.)
https://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop
Installing from a USB Memory stick may be the simplest and you can run (a bit slower) from the memory stick without installing.
Or download the OS to a DVD and install from the DVD.
And a few other ways if so inclined.
You probably want ‘DUAL BOOT’, a simple option, that asks if you want Windows or Ubuntu each time you start the computer. Just select the Dual Boot option during the install. Yes, this uses up some additional hard drive space.
Ubuntu comes with most of the basic applications, word processor, spreadsheet, A NICE CAD..., superb photo editor, GIMP...
Many, many others available from the Ubuntu approved servers.
But wait! There is more, lots more, but it gets a bit techy.
The single largest downside, in Linuxland everybody knows everything, and I know nothing. The first step can be steep. Finding a group or guru that you like may take a bit of looking around.
If you are a power user of an application, the slight variances of the Linux version can be distracting.
On the upside, when ransomware was going around, I clicked on a site and up it popped! A RANSOM REQUEST! I ran to a different workstation and googled around, thinking I can wipe and reinstall run backups...maybe 45 minutes?
THANK YOU MR TORVALDS!!! Zero problems, I ran a few diagnostics, all A-OK.
I HAVE PURCHASED A FEW GOOD APPS, USING ONE AT HOME TO RUN THE SECURITY CAMERAS FROM THE BUNKER.
I like it.
Go for it!
PS:
Take a few minutes and look around at different writers of instructions, read it through and see if it makes sense to YOU.
There are many sets of install instructions, find one you like.
Marry in haste, repent at leisure.
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