Why switch to Windows 10 or a Mac when you can use Linux Mint 17.3 instead?

zdnet ^ | February 3, 2016 | Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

[dennisw]

My buddy David Gewirtz recently wrote about the question of whether you should move from Windows 7 to Windows 10 or a Mac. I have another suggestion: Linux. Specifically Linux Mint 17.3, Rosa, with the Cinnamon desktop.

Linux Mint 17.3 is a great replacement for Windows 7. In fact, it's a great desktop operating system period. sjvn

Yes, I'm serious. I use all the above desktops -- yes I'm a Windows 7 and 10 user as well as a Linux guy -- and for people I think Mint 17.3 makes a great desktop.

I've been using Mint as my main Linux desktop for years now. Unlike some desktops I could name -- cough, Windows 8, cough -- Linux Mint has never had a flop. Every year that goes by, this operating system keeps getting better. The other desktops? Not so much.

Let's take a closer look.at Windows 7 vs. Linux Mint 17.3

UI Differences

There's really not much. While it's even easier for a Windows XP user to move to Mint than a Windows 7 user, any Windows user won't have any trouble picking up Linux Mint with Cinnamon. There's a Start Menu and settings are easy to find.

I regard Cinnamon 2.8 as the ultimate Window, Icon, Menu, Pointer (WIMP) interface. Is it ideal for tablets or smartphones? No. Is it perfect for long-time PC users? Yes.

Cinnamon does add some nice features. For example, if you mouse over the Window list, you'll now see a thumbnail for each application. It also has improved performance, system tray status indicators, and music and power applets.

What I like best about Cinnamon is that it doesn't get in the way. There's no learning curve. You may have never used Linux in your life but you can just sit down and start opening directories, runing applications, and modify your PC's settings.

One small feature I like a lot, since I always run multiple workspaces, is that the workspace switcher applet now shows a visual representation of what's running in each workspace.

Don't like Cinnamon? Unlike any version of Windows, Linux Mint comes with many different desktops. These include KDE, MATE and Xfce. Find one you like and enjoy,

Application Selection

It's true that Linux doesn't have as many application choice as Windows does. But, how many applications do you really need in 2016? I do most of my work these days on the cloud with software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications. These apps work just as well on Chrome, my favorite Web browser, on Mint as they do on any other desktop.

That said, there are many excellent Linux desktop programs. For example, instead of Microsoft Office I use LibreOffice 5. I don't use it because it's free, although most Linux desktop applications won't cost you a cent, but because it's an excellent office suite in its own right.

I also use Evolution instead of Outlook for e-mail and GIMP instead of Photoshop for my basic graphic editing needs. The bottom line is that are many great Linux programs that you can use in place of Windows appliations.

Are there some Windows programs that you can't live without? Well, you don't have to live without them.

There are two ways to run Windows programs on Linux. One is to use CodeWeaver's CrossOver Linux. This program enables you to run many popular Windows applications on Linux. Supported Windows applications include Microsoft Office (from Office 97 to Office 2010), Quicken, and some versions of Adobe Photoshop.

The application you absolutely must have won't work with CrossOver? Then run it on a virtual machine (VM) program such as Oracle's VirtualBox.

I use both methods and they work well.

Mobile Ecosystem Compatibility

I don't care what some people say, Windows Phone is dead to me. And, pretty much everyone else.

Mint, however, is a pure desktop play. Yes, Android is Linux, but it runs in parallel with the desktop Linux distribution. That may change as Android creeps toward the desktop, but we're not there yet.

Ubuntu, which is Mint's foundation Linux distribution, parent company Canonical is working hard on making its same code base work on PCs, smartphones, and tablets. So, eventually, you may be running Mint on smartphones. I'm not holding my breath.

If you want one operating system family on all your devices, don't waste your time -- for now -- on either Linux or Windows. Just go ahead and buy an iPhone and a Mac and be done with it.

Reliability

This is not even a conversation.

While Windows 7 is far more stable than any other version of Windows, I haven't had Linux Mint ever -- ever -- stop working.

If you want a desktop that can take a licking and keep ticking, you want Linux, not Windows or Mac OS X.

Security

Really? Do you even have to ask?

Every lousy day a new piece of Windows malware shows up. Windows is more secure than it once was, but it's still easy to bust. Linux, on the other hand, despite the garbage you read about Linux viruses and such, is almost never sucessfully attacked.

[Bikkuri]

You can have it partition the HD for you, and it won’t even mess with your Win.. (when you run the livedisk, it will give you the option.

When you boot after the install, it will give a bootscreen with a choice of which OS you want to boot into.

[Bikkuri]

.---------------------------------------------------------------------------.  
|       Unreal Tournament for Linux from Epic Games and Loki Software       |\ 
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------|\|
| In many situations, it's crucial that you meticulously plan and organize  |\|
| your combat strategy, carefully executing it when the moment is right.    |\|
| This isn't one of them. After all, when your enemies are wielding weapons |\|
| like the murderous Redeemer, there's no time to think -- there's only     |\|
| time to fire fast enough to ensure that the blood on the wall isn't       |\|
| yours.                                                                    |\|
|                                                                           |\|
| Welcome to the gut-wrenching, heart-pounding world of Unreal Tournament   |\|
| by Epic Games, a universe where it's better to shoot first and shoot      |\|
| again -- then reload. Unreal Tournament pits players against ruthless     |\|
| bots or other human players in one of six game modes, each with totally   |\|
| new weapons and over 45 levels to use them in. Hone your skills in        |\|
| single-player practice mode, and then join a server to see how you rank   |\|
| among others in true multiplayer mayhem!                                  |\|
|                                                                           |\|
| And best of all, it's for Linux -- the mass destruction of heavy weapons  |\|
| meets the firepower of your favorite operating system!                    |\|
|___________________________________________________________________________|\|
 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|
.---------------------------------------------------------------------------.
| Title   : Unreal Tournament for Linux                                     |\
| From    : Loki Entertainment Software and Epic Games                      |\|
| Version : 436                                                             |\|
| CPU     : Pentium II                                                      |\|
| RAM     : 64 Mb (128 Mb recommended)                                      |\|
| Space   : 550 Mb                                                          |\|
| Video   : OpenGL compatable video card                                    |\|
| Sound   : OSS compatable sound card                                       |\|
| Kernel  : 2.2.X or above                                                  |\|
| glibc   : 2.1.X or above                                                  |\|
| Xfree86 : 3.3.5 or above                                                  |\|
| Format  : ISO9660 CD-ROM Image 554 Mb or 581287936 Bytes                  |\|
| Files   : 40 files in archive, 8Mb each                                   |\|
| Notes   : There was never an Unreal Tournament for Linux sold, but if     |\|
|         : they did, it'd look something like this package. If you don't   |\|
|         : burn a CD, then you'll have to set SETUP_CDROM to where the CD  |\|
|         : is mounted, look at the README file for more information.       |\|
|___________________________________________________________________________|\|
| If we buy more Linux games, then more Linux games will be made.           |\|
|                 If you like this game, then please buy it.                |\|
|___________________________________________________________________________|\|
 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\|





;^)

[Bikkuri]

It has improved LIGHTYEARS to how it used to be...

Just run a livedisk to try it out. If you don’t like it, then move on.. but, I think you will see the difference.. Like I mentioned earlier, I had wiped Win7 and had Mint 17.3 installed in less than 20 minutes on a used laptop.

As long as you have Internet connection while you are installing, the drivers install flawlessly (with no need of a console (or console commands)). :^)

[Bikkuri]

I have a dozen friends using Linux Mint KDE 64 Bit. They are very happy with it. The updates are easy and the system is solid. All were ex-Windows users and it was easy for them to convert over to Linux.

It was easy for them because I installed the OS for them. It is an easy install and much easier than any Windows install I have done. Only a personal password is required and NO authentication is required.

The beauty of Linux Mint is that I can instal the complete OS with all the important applications on one hard drive and then duplicate that hard drive for other computers. All of the necessary drivers and built in. Linux Mint finds the wireless hardware almost automatically and is a snap to setup. (Try that with Windows and the included wireless setup CD)

Also going from Linux Mint KDE 17 to 17.3 is as easy as one click of the Update Manager. The Update Manager automatically checks for updates and does NOT bug you with Pop Ups. The manager icon merely puts a blue dot in its icon's center when an update is avaliable.

I am sure happy I cut the ties with Microsoft a year and a half ago.

Here is a link if you are interested in trying Linux Mint 17.3 "Rosa" KDE version.

Good Hunting... from Varmint Al I couldn't resist. Here is where you get Linux Mint KDE. 

Yay, another Mint KDE user :D

I remember the biggest obstacle for me to overcome was the 'password' for many things... I quickly adjusted and am as happy as a Conservative with the Constitution :^D

[ShadowAce]

I downloaded Steam, very few Linux games there when I had it.

They're up to over 1800 now.

[Justa]

Eh, I currently have 12GBs RAM on a 3+ y.o. I7 system. Next weekend I am likely upgrading to an AMD A10 7850 3.7 quad on the A88X platform with 16GB DDR3 2400 with dedicated video, everything OC-d to max. It’s on order and coming in next week.

Yes, the current system uses a 3 year old Intel an I7 quad overclocked to 3.9Ghz with an ASUS Sabertooth board running 12GB 1600 RAM also overclock to maximum board speeds. The problem with this system is the lack of SATA3 and some aging features. The board already lost its onboard sound and the Sabertooth is the last board for that version of I7 -it replaced a fried Gigabyte I7 board. So I’m stuck in an outdated I7 platform and don’t want to drop $600+ on an I5(K) CPU, board and RAM. So it’s EOL to me at 3+ years.

I also want to upgrade before the new AMD and Intel platforms come out which will not natively support Linux, only MS OSs (IMO hardware drivers + BIOS settings). There’s a run on the latest AMD platform currently. Prices are going up and supply is scarce. I had to buy the MSI mobo on Walmart.com. Amazon was out. Went with the MSI 8 SATA3 ATX ‘gaming’ board and trusting its Milspec hardware to make it past the No-Linux-hardware-support dustup.

[Justa]

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Computer-Motherboards-A88X-G45-GAMING/dp/B00IC5XZ98

Eight-SATA3-Ports. Supports my 3.5” drive bay hosting 2x SATA3 SSD hot swap drives for SSD-based transferring at SATA3 speed vs. USB3 -which usually share PCI-e lanes. SH estimate is SATA3 is about 4x faster than USB3 due to lane sharing amongst USB3 ports.

[PreciousLiberty]

“Because you can’t play Call of Duty on Mint?”

I have a bootable Windows HD for games, mostly running under Steam. Otherwise I’m booted into a more productive OS for software development, usually MacOS, sometimes Linux.

It’s great that Steam is getting a lot more high quality ports to Linux these days!

[PreciousLiberty]

“That is the Achilles heel of Linux... games”

Steam is doing a great job of pushing things forward. It now offers over 1,000 game titles running under Linux, and there’s a SteamOS layer you can install that’s pretty nice.

A lot of other Windows games (WoW for instance) can be run using Wine.

[PreciousLiberty]

“Linux is great for people who don’t have to do serious work on a computer.”

That’s a laugh. Linux is a far superior software development platform to Windows. Further, Linux is also a much more robust server OS, as well as powering some of the most powerful supercomputers.

If you need to run a Windows program, you can always run a VM in VMware or VirtualBox. At least the malware is isolated from the rest of the system that way...

[RebelTex]

Thanks for all your replies.

I have partitioned hard drives and edited boot files in the past, but it is so much easier and less time consuming when the new OS does it for you.

Thanks for the tips. I think I will try Mint on my VistaHP64 system (not the Win7 laptop).

Vista has become buggy with some critical and some recommended updates refusing to install correctly. The problem might be related to the fact that I’ve hidden and not installed (all, I hope) updates designed to ease migration to Win10 (and then nag you unmercifully to upgrade - NOT going to happen).
8>(

[r_barton]

I don’t think Vista will nag you to upgrade to Windows 10. The Microsoft free upgrade offer to Windows 10 only applies to Windows 7, 8.0 and 8.1. If you want to install Windows 10 on a Vista system, you have to buy it.

[Bikkuri]

Sadly, VISTA was like a BETA for Win7 (I have been a beta tester since XP).. Win7 was the best (user-freindly-wise) since XP.

At the same time, I was experimenting with Linux... In the earlier days (1999+), Linux was a real pain ITA, but has improved by FUJI size with userability.. (user-friendly).

To get the easiest transformation (WIN - Lin), Cinn.. to actually have control of PC, KDE... to have complete control (but needs some knowledge) Xfce.. ;^)

[rdl6989]

I made the jump to Windows 10, but I should have kept 7. I’m getting rid of this old laptop soon anyway. I’ve also got a macbook.

[Crusher138]

As long as you have Internet connection while you are installing, the drivers install flawlessly (with no need of a console (or console commands)). :^)

Funny, because the last struggle I had with Linux was recognizing the network adapter in the computer. I spent hours looking for the drivers (on another computer). Could only find old ones with very arcane instructions for installing them. Finally gave up.

[RebelTex]

“I don’t think Vista will nag you to upgrade to Windows 10.”

Not yet, but the updates that I hid all indicated that they would ease the transition, so I assumed that they would also start nagging like Win7 did. (It took me a couple of weeks to finally kill that, hehe.)

[RebelTex]

I’ll probably install the ‘Cinnamon’ version 1st and learn more about Linux, then try the KDE version later (or on an older machine).

[AFreeBird]

There was never a Homeworld for Linux that I’m aware of. Homeworld 2 was the only version that had an original Mac version that I’m aware of. Cataclysm was PC only.

Gearbox bought the rights from relic, and remastered in in HD. Aspyr did the MAC port of the gearbox code. So far both have said no Linux version in the works. I used to play it on my Thinkpad, which ran Linux, inside a virtualbox VM running Windows 2000.

The reboot looks fantastic on the 55” HDTV.

[dennisw]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H7Z7YMI?keywords=A10-7850K&qid=1454617529&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1

Eh, I currently have 12GBs RAM on a 3+ y.o. I7 system. Next weekend I am likely upgrading to an AMD A10 7850 3.7 quad on the A88X platform with 16GB DDR3 2400 with dedicated video, everything OC-d to max. It’s on order and coming in next week.

Only $104 for a very fast processor with high benchmark of 5567. I am stuck with a CPU @2900 benchmark. 8GB ram on one computer and 16gb on the other with the same CPU.

I also want to upgrade before the new AMD and Intel platforms come out which will not natively support Linux, only MS OSs (IMO hardware drivers + BIOS settings). There’s a run on the latest AMD platform currently. Prices are going up and supply is scarce. I had to buy the MSI mobo on Walmart.com. Amazon was out. Went with the MSI 8 SATA3 ATX ‘gaming’ board and trusting its Milspec hardware to make it past the No-Linux-hardware-support dustup.

I never heard of this before. If someone wants to put together a Linux desktop two years from now what does one do for a motherboard. I have been building my own for years. I put an SSD in one last Christmas and they really speed things up

This one would work with Linux?? And the AMD A10 7850 CPU you bought http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-A68H-SATA-Motherboards-GA-F2A68HM-H/dp/B00T7XTT6C/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1454618037&sr=1-1&keywords=fm2+motherboard

 

[Banjoguy]

Thank you.