For those who would like to move away from Microsoft, Linux offers a much safer environment. No malware, viruses, trojans or browser hijacks to grind your PC to a snail’s pace or to threaten your data.
Many new users have been surprised by the easy transition from Windows XP, Vista, W7 and W10 and have quickly adapted to the simplicity, power and security offered by a Linux operating system.
We ourselves have used the Debian “flavour” of Linux as our own preferred desktops and servers for many years and have installed it on countless computers, laptops and netbooks of varying specifications, manufacturers and ages.
In the last 6 or 7 years, however, we have moved over to MX-linux on our own and our clients’ computers. MX-linux is actually based on Debian but has been adapted to be very slick and amazingly easy to install and use, with most of the most commonly used software already installed and integrated. Everything is quick and easy to upgrade, keeping all packages up-to-date and secure. You can even try out a full version by starting up your computer using a “live system” on a USB stick. No need to install it to try it!
Unlike Microsoft and Apple, everything Linux is free, not only in terms of cost but also because the source code is free. This means that the usual licensing issues don’t apply and you can install it legally on as many computers as you wish.
Linux has many other advantages over Windows or Mac:
- Linux systems are very stable and rarely crash; if there is a problem, the whole system doesn’t go down and that “blue screen of death” familiar to Windows users is not a worry for Linux users.
- Linux can breath new life into old computers. If you have an older computer or laptop, you can install Linux on it and in essence you have a new computer! In many cases, the Linux system may even run faster than before and you will be able to do all of the basics such as browse the Internet, read/write your email, play games, Skype, Zoom, download YouTube videos and create and edit documents, spreadsheets, and ‘PowerPoint’ presentations.
- With Linux, you will have access to free software which numbers in the tens of thousands of programs! This includes just about anything you can imagine, such as games, educational software, image, video and audio editing programs, office suites, DVD conversion and burning tools, music recording software and much more! One very nice aspect of these repositories is that the software found in them has already been tested for compatibility and safety.
- With Linux all software and security updates are downloaded, installed, and updated from a central package management system provided by the system. The result is a very smooth, secure and seamless software updating process for Linux users.