Sick of Windows spying on you? Go Linux

ZDNet ^ | 8/15/15 | Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols

[markomalley]

You can try to turn Windows 10's data-sharing ways off, but, bad news: Windows 10 will keep sharing some of your data with Microsoft anyway.

There is an alternative: Desktop Linux.

You can do a lot to keep Windows 10 from blabbing, but you can't always stop it from talking. Cortana, Windows 10's voice activated assistant, for example, will share some data with Microsoft, even when it's disabled. That data includes a persistent computer ID to identify your PC to Microsoft.

If you do use Cortana, you'll be sharing your keystrokes and voice with Microsoft. That's to make Cortana and other Microsoft applications work better; but if privacy is your first concern, just forget about using Cortana.

And, that's leads to another problem. You see, Windows 10 is Not a desktop operating system in the way every earlier version of Windows is. Windows 10 is a hybrid cloud/desktop operating system.

For Windows 10 to really show off its stuff it must share your data with the cloud. For example, not only is Cortana useful as an assistant -- in the way Apple's Siri and OK Google are -- but it also supplies the data for Microsoft's software-as-a-service (SaaS), business intelligence (BI) program the Cortana Analytics Suite.

So if your company plans on using Cortana to its best advantage, not only will all your keystroke, voice, and Edge and Bing data be collected, everyone else's data will be collected. That's great for big-data BI, but it may not suit you.

So, what can you do? Well, you can't go to Android, Chromebooks, iOS, or Mac OS X. All of them, to one degree or another, also share your data with their parent companies.

It's worth noting that Android and ChromeOS are both based on Linux, while Mac OS X traces its roots to BSD Unix. In all these cases, just like Windows 10, their vendors have decided that the cloud is where the future lies.

You know all that stuff you've heard about how all of IT was going to the cloud? Guess what: That's already happened for most major data center and server operations and now it's come for the desktop.

So, if that gives you a privacy panic attack, you can either stick with your old operating system, which is likely Windows 7, or move to Linux. Eventually, when Windows 7 is no longer supported, if you want privacy you'll have no other viable choice but Linux.

There are other, more obscure desktop operating systems that are also desktop-based and private. These include the BSD Unix family such as FreeBSD, PCBSD, and NetBSD and eComStation, OS/2 for the 21st century. Your best choice, though, is a desktop-based Linux with a low learning curve.

For Windows users, I think Linux Mint 17.2 with the Cinnamon interface is your best choice.

[KYGrandma]

Ok. I am now convinced that W10 is terrible. I hate it. How can I get if off my computer and get Linux on it? I am not completely computer illiterate, but being blonde and over 60 I have issues occasionally.

[Conservative Gato]

How would I acquire Unix or Linux for my W-7 machines? Do I have to unload Windows first? What are my odds of getting thru it with my puter still operating?

You don't have to get rid of Windows and just dual boot them. Many of the linux ISO's have that option during installation. When the computer starts it gives a Grub menu and you have a choice of operating systems you can go in to. If not picked after so many seconds it will default to the linux operating system.

Also, the ISO's are usually live CD's/DVD's so you can run your computer from the ISO to test and see if you like that flavor of linux without installing it first.

I dual boot on several computers now and rarely do I use the Windows side of things for much since there is many apps in linux that does as good of job as anything in Windows.

CGato

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

A few questions about that. Is a 8 gig usb big enough to give it a whirl? If I use that can I run it without making changes to my windows 8.1? If I try it and don’t like it does it leave any lasting changes on my computer? I admit I’m not an advanced user. Clueless would be a lot more descriptive of my abilities.

[wally_bert]

Use Ubuntu some in live mode after a long hiatus. On 10 now and am ok with it except it being a spy. There are maybe 3 or 4 things I have to use ‘doze for.

Never tried mint but might over the weekend.

[Conservative Gato]

Here is a site where you can read about different Linux OS's and download the ISO's and burn them to a disk for testing and installing. I use the LTS's or Long Term Service versions since they will be updated longer than the others.

http://distrowatch.com/

CGato

[WhirlwindAttack]

Bimp

[WhirlwindAttack]

UHh BUMP.

[Dr. Sivana]

2) What “must have” software is out there for Linux?

That's a problem. I use Excel with some very large flat file databases -- many more rows than OpenOffice's limits (~65K). (Before you tell me I'm using the wrong tool, the Rank feature in Excel works very well to manipulate the data between databases.)

I also use FileMaker Pro, which has nothing near a Linux equivalent for useability.

I have also run into problems with the quality of video drivers and scanners.

[Stentor]

Interesting about the eee Notebook running Peppermint - I have one of those laying in storage, as it could barely run XP - It would be a handy machine if I could get it to run quicker...

elementary OS

Recommended System Specifications 1 GHz 32-bit or 64-bit processor

1 GB of system memory (RAM)

15 GB of disk space

Internet access

[Tonytitan]

I’v been on Mint for about 2 weeks now. Once I sort out Linux audio and how to get my HTPC to pass all the 7.1 audio formats(DD+, DTS, DTS-HD, DTS-MA) to my AVR as seamlessly as Windows does, Microsoft will become a memory.

[Ghost of SVR4]

2) What “must have” software is out there for Linux? I’m talking antivirus, VLC for media, DVD burners, Firefox for Linux, Open Office, others?

Not sure if you are not in the know or just advising..There is antivirus, VLC and mplayer for media, A litany of browsers, Libre is a solid office suite.

These days, unless you are on the bleeding edge with printers or games, I can't see a reason not to run linux. If you absolutely need to run a windows app, install windows as a VM on VirtualBox and run the app there.

Personally, I like openSuSE but that is still too geeky and not ready for primetime. Fedora or Mint are excellent choices as viable candidates to get off of windows however.

[Ghost of SVR4]

You might want to look again. I just a few quick searches via google and found success with the three you named on linux. Some links go back to 2009.

[roamer_1]

elementary OS

Thanks so much - I will give it a try. Hopefully it will find my WNIC, which has usually been the problem for me with portable nix...

[markomalley]

Is a 8 gig usb big enough to give it a whirl?

Yes, absolutely.

If I use that can I run it without making changes to my windows 8.1?

If you use a Live USB like I suggest above, it won't make any permanent changes.

If I try it and don’t like it does it leave any lasting changes on my computer?

A live USB stick like I describe won't make any permanent changes to your computer.

The only change you MIGHT have to make is in your BIOS to change which order your computer looks for a bootable drive. If you can post your computer model number, I can see if it is necessary and if so, tell you exactly step-by-step how to do it.

I admit I’m not an advanced user. Clueless would be a lot more descriptive of my abilities.

I'm not saying that this is for literally everybody. But it doesn't take a PhD in CSci like a lot of people claim.

[markomalley]

That's a problem. I use Excel with some very large flat file databases -- many more rows than OpenOffice's limits (~65K). (Before you tell me I'm using the wrong tool, the Rank feature in Excel works very well to manipulate the data between databases.)

Actually, I have Excel 2010 running on my Mint desktop. It runs just fine. I don't want to run into compatibility issues with work (do a lot of the VBA, so that is important for me)

I also use FileMaker Pro, which has nothing near a Linux equivalent for useability.

There are development environments out there, such as Glom, that might work. But if you're familiar with a tool and need to make money with it, then familiarity is crucial. Have you ever tried running Filemaker under Wine?

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

I have a Surface Pro 3 running 8.1 if that helps.

[markomalley]

1) Any associated costs. Assuming a Windows user who wants something like typical Windows use, what is it going to set me back to get a close approximation?

MOST Windows software either has a native equivalent or will run under Wine. I recognize that there are some that don't do as well under Wine as under Windows, but that is increasingly becoming the exception.

2) What “must have” software is out there for Linux? I’m talking

• antivirus,

I use CLAM. Free of charge

• VLC for media,

VLC is native for Linux, so no problems

• DVD burners,

Multiple options...plenty of them out there

• Firefox for Linux,

I prefer Chromium personally, but Firefox is ported to Linux as is Opera

• Open Office,

I prefer LibreOffice, but Open Office works as well. There are other choices as well

• others?

I like running gpodder as a podcatcher, Clementine as a streaming audio client, Thunderbird for email client, GIMP for graphics (admittedly not the easiest piece of software to run and I think a very poor second to Photoshop), Eclipse (not essential for 99% of people out there)

[FLAMING DEATH]

You should have been here a decade or so ago. The “Linux Wars” were epic. One character in particular, named “Golden Eagle” was a delightful and charming advocate for all things Microsoft.

Those were some hilarious threads. Eventually, we compiled a “Golden Eagle Lie List” that we would just post whenever he decided to speak.

Good times.

[markomalley]

I have a Surface Pro 3 running 8.1 if that helps.

I won't advise for a Surface Pro. I have no experience with them at all and don't want to risk screwing it up for you.

Maybe somebody else does but that is one place I won't go.

[markomalley]

By the way, here’s an article on the subject: http://www.geek.com/microsoft/linux-users-rejoice-heres-ubuntu-on-the-surface-pro-3-1594864/