New Linux User

[Tay Sondelski]

Hi! 

I'm looking into using Linux as the OS for my desktop, and I just wanted some advice. 

I've only used Windows and Apple IOS before, and this would be for personal use only. I'm leaning towards Linux Mint because you can switch between that and Windows, and it seems beginner friendly. I'm switching because I'm concerned about security. I'm a student and use my devices in all sorts of public places. I also live in an apartment building with internet included, so I get a little worried about my desktop. I use a VPN of course, but Linux is more secure than Windows. (according to my professor lol) Plus, and I don't know if this is relevant, but I HATE how Windows is constantly pushing it's AI tools. I don't mind AI, but I would like the option to disable the features when I want to. (Looking at you Google, eugh) 

Is this a good choice? Are there better options? Is there anything in particular that I should know beforehand? And is it possible to put it on my laptop as well, or just my desktop? Most of my homework is done through virtual machine labs, would switching affect that?

I'm a newbie so any and all advice is appreciated!  

[Tom P]

Linux is generally more secure than Windows, or at least less often attacked. 

Linux Mint is a good choice for people coming from the Windows world. 

One difference between Linux and Windows is that Windows version X (10/11/ whatever) looks and feels the same across all Windows machines running that same version. Windows 10 is Windows 10, apart from maybe changing the desktop wallpaper. 

Linux, however, is slightly different, in that there are more than one desktop environments available. Any given version of Linux can have the Gnome desktop, or KDE, or LXDE, or several other choices. You can even switch desktops on the same machine without reinstalling. 

Other people here can chime in on what desktop is the most Windows-like. I've heard that the base Mint install does a very good job making Windows users feel at home. I think MATE and Cinnamon are the two most common desktops for Mint. I  also hear that  XFCE is a good desktop with a lot of Windows-like features. I personally use the KDE desktop almost everywhere, on Ubuntu and Fedora Linux. I don't have any direct experience with Mint. 

But as I said, Linux Mint out of the box is pretty good, and there are ways to change the desktop later, if you want to. 

A lot of people dual-boot between Windows and Linux. If you have some must-use Windows application that you can't do without, that may be the case for you.  PhotoShop and one or two others come to mind. But there are so many equivalents to Windows programs that you may find you don't need to jump back and forth.

Good luck, and let us know what other questions you have. 

-Tom

  

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[John Tankersley]

Hello

I am John Tankersley. I was wondering what happened with Roger Jenson?

Did he retire or take another job?

I was working with him remotely to be trained on Linux.

John Tankersley

johnta...@gmail.com

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/MilwaukeeLUG/CAE1P%2B1dzRTXUGak5ZsoSC4zybuQ03cf2p7XiY66QApM-o-gA%2BA%40mail.gmail.com.

[John Tankersley]

Hello,

I am John Tankersley. I was wondering what happened with Roger Jenson?

I was being trained with him remotely on Ubuntu Linux?

John Tankersley

johnta...@gmail.com