How much different is it than Win 8.1 to navigate in? I’m afraid of the unfamiliarity of different screens, and the confusion that comes with learning new things (not easy with CFIDS.) CFIDS has a built-in learning disability, so I couldn’t be trained for a new job and couldn’t go to school. It sucks to be a PWC (Person With CFIDS)
I really hate fighting with Win 8.1 and think it should never have been released on the general public.
Is there a manual I can get that has a tutorial or better yet, everything I need to know?
There are probably lots of books including for-dummies versions. I would say nearly every Linux distribution (distro in geek-speak) is easier to work with than Windows-from-hell - er - I mean - Windows 8.1.
Linux was originally command-line only but there are lots of versions with windowing environments and there are lots of them that will load on standard PC hardware without any intervention from you. They will also tend to set up their Internet, including wi-fi without you having to peak under the hood.
If you need Microsoft Office, you’re basically tanked, but a lot of people use Open Office (free) and are very happy with that. You would probably have to learn a new email client.
I’m pretty good with these things so I’m not your best source, but I would say that moving to various flavors of Linux is no harder than moving to Mac and MUCH easier than moving to 8.1.
linux.com recommends the following top 3 distributions for people new to Linux:
Ubuntu
Linux Mint
Linux Deepin
They compared user-friendliness, common apps, and a modern interface. They said you can’t go wrong with any of the three.