25-08-2024, 03:20 PM
One of the problems of moving from Windows to Linux is the huge number of available distros (short for distributions). You can scare yourself here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Li...tributions Many have their own fanbase - the wars can get to almost religious intensity.
This is one of the reasons why Linux is on so few home PCs. All the average Windows user wants is a pain free move to Linux. They don't want any part in distro wars, nor do they even much want the "try before you install" approach of live systems on a memory stick. Though that's useful.
There are a few distros that fulfil this. Mint (as suggested by Mike Watterson and myself) is one. It's very widely used though you have to choose between several editions. You can switch between different editions without too much trouble though I haven't tried it. I have no intention of going to war with Mike over my choice of Cinnamon versus his of Mate. I've tried Mate and XFCE - the last is good for lower spec hardware but that's not my problem. I started with Mint and stayed with it.
This is a well respected site: https://www.techradar.com/best/best-linu...dows-users Here's their opinion on distros for Windows refugees.
Most of what you want to do will work "out of the box" with many distros. My printers and scanner were all found automatically though the print drivers are slightly buggy. So were the Windows drivers but in different ways.
What problems have I found?
* I've tried different scanner software from the Mint repository and use what is best for a given task.
* I've had loads of trouble with networking, but few people will be trying to use ancient XP and W98 machines on their home network.
* I've still not found a PDF reader that I like as much as what I used to use in Windows. The default Okular reader is just about good enough
* I've had odd problems with file ownership when transferring them over the network from other PCs. This is a nuisance rather than serious
* My (Android) phone gives an error box when I connect but works anyway.
This is one of the reasons why Linux is on so few home PCs. All the average Windows user wants is a pain free move to Linux. They don't want any part in distro wars, nor do they even much want the "try before you install" approach of live systems on a memory stick. Though that's useful.
There are a few distros that fulfil this. Mint (as suggested by Mike Watterson and myself) is one. It's very widely used though you have to choose between several editions. You can switch between different editions without too much trouble though I haven't tried it. I have no intention of going to war with Mike over my choice of Cinnamon versus his of Mate. I've tried Mate and XFCE - the last is good for lower spec hardware but that's not my problem. I started with Mint and stayed with it.
This is a well respected site: https://www.techradar.com/best/best-linu...dows-users Here's their opinion on distros for Windows refugees.
Most of what you want to do will work "out of the box" with many distros. My printers and scanner were all found automatically though the print drivers are slightly buggy. So were the Windows drivers but in different ways.
What problems have I found?
* I've tried different scanner software from the Mint repository and use what is best for a given task.
* I've had loads of trouble with networking, but few people will be trying to use ancient XP and W98 machines on their home network.
* I've still not found a PDF reader that I like as much as what I used to use in Windows. The default Okular reader is just about good enough
* I've had odd problems with file ownership when transferring them over the network from other PCs. This is a nuisance rather than serious
* My (Android) phone gives an error box when I connect but works anyway.
www.borinsky.co.uk Jeffrey Borinsky www.becg.tv
