Microsoft just took a huge leap backwards into enshitification for me today & it sucks ass. Love that there are 0 good options for a company or system to use & it just keeps getting worse. Don't suggest Linux unless you plan to spend all the time w me training me how tf that works either bc wut.
Comments
https://github.com/memstechtips/Winhance
Netflixes of the world in their vain attempts to combat piracy make it really hard to get HD playback on Linux.
Anyways, yes, that would be different.
The problem is so called "digital rights management", and that beast would already be defeated by the time the video files are on your harddrive.
https://system76.com/
A good replacement for Office
This is the easiest one for Windows users. You can try it from the USB without installing anything on your computer until you're ready.
https://linuxmint.com/
That said, if you wanted to try Linux after you get it installed it not as difficult as people make it out to be. Linux Mint or Zorin OS are nice options for new comers.
https://itsfoss.com/install-linux-mint/
It's still genuinely in the category of "invite over your nephew who's good with computers to do it."
A bootable USB is a USB that can run without an operating system.
If you go to the Linux Mint page I linked you, scroll down to the image below and click on the top link. The download will start.
It's 3GB, so it may take a while.
Since you're a novice trying it out on a USB you can skip the verification part for now. You can learn about that later if you decide to go further.
https://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=319
I am willing to help if you need :D
My mom used both already.
Only big difference is that it won't run .exe, because it's a windows format. So if a software doesn't have a Linux version, you may have to search for options.
It's easier than it looks, trust me.
i actually dropped an article on my blog not long ago breaking down a few distributions and their histories for a beginner
i intend on crafting hubs to onboard Linux newcomers :)
That said, my new PC build last year is 100% Kubuntu and I'm loving it.
No problem.
Google Chrome runs on Linux. Opera is fine, too. @zen-browser.app is really great but lacks streaming. Streaming, except for HDR and some HD streaming, works fine.
You can experiment with a bootable live USB without installing to see if your wifi, sound, etc, all work first
There are different distros to find your flavor. You don't have to be a coder.
Yes: I'll help you figure out which distro works best for your hardware and for your needs and tastes, how and where to download, how to install.
*IF* you mostly use web based applications, it should "just work". Something like Mint is easy to use.
Arrghh.
I still remember the "Zune", Microsoft's answer to the iPod. Oh, how we laughed.
When that happened I switched to Debian Linux with MATE desktop - which is pretty much Win 95ish and I've been using it for donkeys without any problems.
Same is for O365 replacements.
It's all shit.
Microsoft makes crappy products, whether software or hardware.
Otherwise, I will gladly install and configure any Linux build for friends who hate Windows.
are you referring to the permission level of root, or calibre of expertise?
Source of knowledge: I’m a Unix-type sysadmin with 30+ years experience
i am perhaps a little biased because my multi-monitor setup requires Wayland to handle its multiple refresh rates properly but i'd argue that's less bias and more just xorg being crap these days lmao
Had it before. It was good.
Early 80s - learned DOS to use 1st home computer
Mid 80s - Windows 1.0 was a whole new learning curve
2014 finally talked into switching to a MAC laptop AND
I'M STILL BAFFLED BY THE DAMN THING!
You may still want to look into Linux mint or zorinOS and get someone to teach you. Would be worth it ultimately
for simple things.
Small steps.
Us Federal Developers ought to get together here on bsky.
Start a dialogue, maybe start a business after they fire us.
https://bsky.app/profile/zzennon.bsky.social/post/3liluk2fkxk2p
but even ignoring that you need to get comfortable with using a terminal and know your way around many of linux's quirks.