When have you tried a Linux distro last time? IMHO you are parroting an old stereotype (red)...you have to 'configure' the software to your needs no matter if windows or Linux...when installing a soft which is compatible to the distro, then it runs as easy as on windows. One just needs to know HOW to install on it...
Yes... I currently have Qimo Linux running on an older Dell box I have set up in the living room for my grandson. It's not that I am against linux at all, Just trying to point out that Mr. Manix's reason for using Linux is not going to encourage anybody that's using Windows, by insisting that it must always be configured. some *nix distro's are very easy to use but still a PIA to do anything that requires anything more than installing set and go software, like VLC or Flash player, no configs needed. I've noticed that some *nix folks get their panties in a big wad if someone criticizes their precious o.s. and prefers to use windows
Myself, I'm retired. I want to tinker with Linux, just to understand it. And I have the time. I just have to decide on what distro I want to start with. Other members in the chat box have made recommendations to Me, and have offered to help. I'm sure glad that MDL is here. If there were not 'nix people here who are as nice as they are, I wouldn't even attempt it.
well.. as a linux user for a long time all I can say to you that intend to go for linux side is that: dont!. linux is great if you want a secure, locked, personalized, "your way", almost unbreakable, "no need to shutdown or reboot", os. But when it comes to play games or do some work with good software then you are f$ed. I can recomend you 3 linux distos, in that order: ubuntu linux > ubuntu MATE > OpenSUSE. That order is for usability and a simple way to go into linux, but if You dont mind, just take the inverse order on that list. But you need to have something in mind: when running linux (nomatter what distro you use) you will have to re-know how your video-card works. On linux You will not have a good video-card driver as You have on windows. On linux you will not have all the proper drivers working as you have on windows. On linux You will not have consistence on the Desktop Environment You choose, just like You have on any edition of windows. Today I run Ubuntu MATE + Ubuntu Desktop as 2/3 options on 3rd boot with win 7 and I always take a look at how my machine is running with its linux drivers and everytime I do that I realize that im wasting my time. Linux is not going to be GREAT, even with the steam machines coming along. this will not maki any diference on the amd/intel side of things. they just dont care enough to make linux drivers equal do windows. thats it...
For starting out for the first time, I would highly recommend openSUSE. They have always had a straightforward installer and great package management, along with a nice balance between stability and bleeding edge. The majority of what you need can be done with comfort within graphical environment and as you feel more comfortable, you can roll up the sleeves and tinker as you wish. And if embedded devices are your thing, I would strongly recommend OpenWrt for tinkering. OpenWrt is a phenomenal Linux system for WiFi routers and such, and with some tinkering, you can make those devices do all sorts of tricks. The sky is the limit there, or should I say a great creative mind and hardware would be the limits. That can be a fun and interesting hobby. Especially now with backing from prpl Foundation, manufacturers and chip makers. I wish you good times on these upcoming adventures and have much respect for you that you are willing to dig in and learn.
Paranoia (from Windows 10) is a very serious diseases. It's not mere superstition! I recommend move out from civilization and live in cave. @Michaela Joy: CentOS is modern and thin distro based on Red Hat, compatibile with many developing tools and design simulation tools like LTSpice.
I'm the OP, after realizing there is really no escape from Microsoft spying (was thinking of moving to Windows 7 rather than Linux, only to find out Microsoft plans to include telemetry in all its core updates eventually), I went back to give Linux another try. With most people saying Linux Mint is good, I went with that. Ubuntu I am avoiding despite recommendations because of rumours that it is spying, I am not moving from one spy to another spy. The hardest part was to set up OpenVPN which I regard as essential for privacy. Yes it is a pain in the arse doing all the steps to get it working. But after that it is not too bad. I'm slowly getting my head around how the software managers work. I was annoyed all the software in the default software manager was out of date, but the alternative included software manager Synaptic allowed everything to be updated to the latest. It is also strange some popular software had only a handful of reviews, most of them with negative reviews. Another gripe is the lack of a proper realtime anti virus and anti keylogger software, I feel so naked without one. Now my problem is finding a network manager tool to monitor all my traffic, the equivalent of TCPView for Linux. There is none and I find this hard to accept! Some people say use TCPDump but all that text scares me.
A good equivalent for TCPview is Wireshark. The lack of anti-virus and anti-keylogger is that there is no need for them really. I'm not sure exactly how Mint does their packages, but they might offer a "testing" repo where you can edit your software manager to get packages from there and you will have the very latest versions of software available. But use that with caution since "testing" repos are just that, testing and can cause breakage or the software may not function at all. So you're probably doing good with that where you're at.
@Jan: Thanks for pointing out CentOS. I will definitely take a look at it. As soon as I get the generators in the cave up and running. :MJ
I used Wireshark for Windows before, and remember it was a nightmare keeping up with all the realtime traffic, it did not categorize everything neatly like TCPview does. I shall give it another shot on Linux. I will avoid the testing repos, with security being my primary objective. I wanted latest versions of some software like Firefox and ClamTK because the latest versions are supposed to have better security. Why do you and everyone think anti-virus and anti-keylogger is unnecessary for linux? I read that vulnerabilities in cross platform browsers like Firefox exist as much for linux as for windows, and malware can get into linux that way. How do you stop that? For windows there is software called Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit to protect browser exploits, but none for linux. And if you look for leaked documents of spying companies Gamma International and Hacking Team, they have trojans for Linux. How do you protect yourself from these, without Linux security software?
Doesn't Ubuntu have the 346 Nvidia package, and isn't it just as easy to run PPA and add the newest ?. Isn't Crossover and wine bringing DX 11 into Ubuntu ?. Isn't Valve bringing Steam’d penguins ?.
Wow, 18 pages of threads, it shows there is plenty of Linux users here! To the original OP, you might be having a difficult time with Linux depending on your learning curve and the distro you picked. When I started messing with Linux I started with RedHat back in the day just to get my feet wet. Over time I deleted it, re-installed it, and the vicious cycle always occurs. I always just want what's new. The easiest linux I found to use was Linux Mint. It's basically Ubuntu, or at least it feels that way to me. There are plenty of support forums and discussions with Mint all over the net that will give you tips, advice, repo's etc. Kali linux is pretty straight forward as well, but just depends on what you want to do with Linux. Don't give up if you really want to learn it. It may seem difficult to secure linux, but it's already better than other options straight out of the box. Chances are if you are thinking it, someone has done it with Linux.
I see Intel, Realtek, Nvidia, AMD all have some Linux drivers. It's too bad when people visit these sites they don't take the survey and in the notes section say, you need to make newer and more drivers for Linux. I constantly tell Intel to keep release notes for RST in one place, and to make a CPU with no IGPU in 1150/1151 and add either more lanes or cores, but both would be the best.
My two cents... - When you ask 5 people about the 'best' Linux distro, then you get 5 different answers. To me most important thing is that I choose a distro where I have friends around using the same. All the rest is less important. We are all intelligent enough to deal with any distro....the motivation to use it comes from the convincement that a change is reasonable...if some hardware should be incompatible than one can change the distro and try another one. It's not about a complete replacement of windows, it's about a replacement as ONLINE OS!!!! To say that Ubuntu is for dummies and does not count (count to what?) is an useless statement of ego and no advice at all. I have decided to go for Linux Mint cinnamon 64-bit. I'll test it on a USB 3.0 pen drive installation first, then I'll get a 850/EVO or PRO for it. - The term paranoia is frequently used to be a serious disease of a particular group of people to raise one's ego and to diminish others. Each individual suffers from paranoia per se...more or less... parà = against νοῦς noûs = reason That means if one encounters something that is against one's individual reason, one is paranoid. Only an enlightened person has no paranoia at all. The simple fear of death is a paranoid reaction...actually.
The way Linux is designed, users run with limited privileges. Root access is required to install the malware. This is MUCH more secure than on Windows, where MOST users run as an administrator.
@Nimbus2000: That makes sense. The Linux system would have to be compromised in some other way before the malware could be installed. I believe that, in the same way that virus definitions need to be kept current in Windows,Security flaws need to be patched and updated in Linux.In any OS, You have to be diligent. You have to maintain it and do upkeep to keep it safe and in tip-top shape. You wouldn't run you car for 10,000 miles without checking the fluids or kicking and rotating the tires, would you? Same thing.
Ubuntu have a "new" repository for nvidea drivers, its true, but have an nvidea card? plug it, install ubuntu and install the proper driver. then comeback to say something about glitches and resources and driver power to use the vga aspects.. Run wine with these crap vga drivers on linux is the same as running windows 10 + amd r9 nano + microsoft windows video driver... jus try it for yourself.. Steam OS / Steam machines are not the solution to linux problems in desktops. see, for the past 10 years nvidea and amd are still struglering to put some "simples and good" drivers on linux. its not steam that will magicaly make these enterprises bring some advanced drivers in months .. please, do not be a fanboy of linux. linux is great and I use it, but it can not suply the demand by windows users looking for an alternative. it simple havent the resources to it. an example: my motherboard has components from realtek and amd for audio, video, usb3, etc. the amd catalyst for components on linux doesnt exist. linux recognize my usb3 but with the simple drivers that can not handle, in a good bay, charge/transfer from usb3 devices connected. the audio driver is from linux kernel itself and there is no official driver from realtek to my component. the audio works and the audio from hdmi works too, thanks to linux kernel bloatload drivers, but it doesnt not work as it should work, like it works on windows. and its just simple examples. on the vga side of things, there is no mechanism to measure efficiency/voltage and so, there is no way of covering temperatures accuracy on linux, and its for amd and nvidea. the both has their linux drivers "for some card" but both strugle to release drivers that can handle all the axpects of the card. I realy hope for linux to evolve on desktop/home, but I can not ignore what is fact and what is dream about it.
Thanks Yro, was hoping for more positive comeback with DX coming and steam'd, figured this would make it seem more attractive, but with what you say, looks like dual boot is still needed.