[NTLUG:Discuss] Conversion from Windows

[Leroy Tennison]

Well, you're getting plenty of opinions.  I'll add mine: try Ubuntu 
14.04 LTS.  Yes, I know, 16.04 is out but I've had enough bad 
experiences with video when installing it that I wouldn't recommend 
going that route at this point in time.  Rebooting to a blank, black 
screen after upgrade is more than a little disconcerting (twice on 
servers, once on a desktop).  If you need odd software Ubuntu seems to 
have the largest selection.  OpenSUSE is next.  Unless you're working on 
a certification desirable in corporate America or need something special 
like FreeIPA or SELinux then avoid CentOS.

Concerning OpenOffice versus LibreOffice, I use both and prefer 
OpenOffice although LibreOffice is clearly better in some areas. The 
nice thing is both are free and co-exist well together, unless you're 
constrained for disk space install both.  I agree that KDE is going to 
be more Windows-like than others.

A Virtual Machine isn't a bad idea but I'm not sure I'd recommend that 
complexity of setup as a place to start.


On 12/07/2016 12:34 AM, Gilbert Morrow wrote:
> Try opensuse, works with more hardware than most.
>
> Sent from somewhere in space.
>
>> On Dec 6, 2016, at 11:42 PM, Stephen M <smelheim85 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Try to either setup dual boot or a virtual machine.  There are plenty of
>> free software out there to help.  I'd go slow at first or else to might end
>> up hating Linux which is bad because Linux is cool.  There are very few
>> programs in Windows that you won't find in Linux.  As suggested you can try
>> LibreOffice.  I've never really worked with OpenOffice but what I remember
>> it's suppose to be free or at least a part of it.  But for the most part
>> you can find most anything you would use in WIndows in Linux.  If you are a
>> gamers that's a toss up really on who you speak with.
>>
>> My suggestion would be try either Mint or Zorin, both are pretty good for a
>> transition.  I agree with using KDE because of the similarity as Windows
>> start menu and how the task bar functions.  It's been years since I've made
>> the move but still pretty happy actually. I haven't been able to convince
>> any of my family yet other than setting up LibreOffice on my brother's
>> Windows 10 laptop. Still trying to convince my farther to put WIndows in a
>> hyper-visor for my mom though with Linux as the host.
>>
>> Best of luck though and hope it works out for you.
>>
>>> On Tue, Dec 6, 2016 at 9:31 PM, Greg Edwards <greg at edwards-tx.us> wrote:
>>>
>>> I would suggest Mageia distribution with the KDE desktop.  KDE has a
>>> Windows feel to it with a "start" button.  Get to know the virtual desktops
>>> feature, you'll love it.
>>>
>>> I like OpenOffice and run it on both my Linux and Windows machines. It
>>> does a good job of reading MS documents.
>>>
>>> Good luck, the group is here if you have questions along the way.
>>>
>>> Greg
>>> http://greg.edwards-tx.us
>>>
>>>
>>> Gb91302 wrote:
>>>
>>>> Win10 has finally pushed me over the edge (no pun intended). I want to
>>>> set up a Linux laptop and 'test the waters' again. My last attempt was
>>>> so-so several years ago.
>>>>
>>>> All I need now is Open Office and a web browser.
>>>> Plus an email app that has a robust AutoComplete feature so I can type
>>>> 'ntl' and get 'North Texas Linux User Group'. I'm a hunt-and-peck typist.
>>>>
>>>> I am looking for someone who has 'recently' converted from Windows (the
>>>> latest msg on the discussion list is in 2001!);
>>>>
>>>> Anyone?
>>>>
>>>> Gil…
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
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>>
>>
>> -- 
>> Stephen Melheim
>> 602-400-7707
>> SMelheim85 at gmail.com
>> _______________________________________________
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