I've thought about posting this for quite a while. I'm not selling anything, and in fact it's the opposite. I wasn't sure if this discussion really belongs on this forum, but it does fit into the idea of the Great Awakening and sticking it to these tech corporate oligarchs. With Tim Cook you have a loathsome buttpuppet who fancies CCP enslavement, and Bill Gates is a villain obsessed with reducing the world's population through vaccines. Both are New World Order turdcopters who only seek to kill, oppress and enslave.
For myself, I've been getting sick of Bill Gates's crap for years and I'd been wanting to switch to Linux, but did not have the motivation. I was happy with Win7 and I refused the "free" upgrade to Win10. I did not want Win10 and every computer at work that was upgraded got slow. I'd resolved to never pay money for another Microsoft OS again. So when MS announced that they would cease support for Win7, that was my motivation to break free from my comfort zone.
In February 2020, I migrated from Win7 to Linux and I have not regretted it. Not only does Linux install on pretty much anything, uses less resources, makes older computers run more smoothly and it is completely free, but it is also far more secure. Say goodbye to malware, trojans, and viruses. You see? Bill Gates has conditioned everyone to not only become used to enduring a barrage of concocted viruses in real life, but for your computer too. On the day I migrated to Linux, I cancelled my Avast Antivirus membership, which was incidentally soon after they got into trouble for selling their users' data and apologized for getting caught.
Maybe 20 years ago, Linux was intimidating for most people. Then Ubuntu came along, and made Linux far more user-friendly. Because of its wide support base, it made Linux easier to acclimate to. You see with the Mac/Win situation, it's like Dairy Queen. You only get two flavors: vanilla and chocolate. With Linux, it's like Baskin Robbins: there are so many flavors you don't know where to begin.
Look: I won't give a whole presentation on the various types of Linux. Just know that there are many different OS to choose from, and each OS will have different user interfaces (GUI) to choose from. As I mentioned, Linux is far stabler, more efficient, and more secure. Linux Mint seems to be the most popular OS as it is built upon Ubuntu as a version that is tailor made to appeal to Windows users who liked XP and 7, but do not like the bloated puke that 10 is. Its foundation is the user-friendly, widely-used Ubuntu and it takes it a step further to appeal more to Windows users who look for a Windows alternative that is not outside of their comfort zone. With Mint, there are choices of GUI to choose from. Cinnamon provides a very Windows-like, elegant and charming presentation. Mate is more versatile and customizable. XFCE is more of a no-nonsense GUI that is best for older hardware. As for myself, I went with Mint Mate.
Another OS that is easy to pick up and learn is Zorin OS. I haven't used it myself, but I plan to test it out sometime. With Linux, you can't go wrong. Even Microsoft uses Linux for their servers rather than their own crap. https://www.cybersecurity-insiders.com/microsoft-uses-linux-instead-of-windows-for-its-azure-sphere/
I see a lot of Linux users recommend newcomers to install VirtualBox and make a test install on that. I tried that, but I did not care for it as I have an older computer and it was rather laggy. No, if you can just burn an install DVD, you can just boot up to that. I made an install DVD for Mint and once I had booted my computer off of the DVD-ROM drive, I could actually use the OS to get a feel for how it works. It's so no-nonsense that you can run programs right from the install disc. I got into Firefox, logged into my Gmail, and then I could do a Hangouts video call with my friend. He's a Unix admin and even he was floored that I was just running my computer off the install DVD. Give it a try. You can use the OS without even having to install it. When you have all of your stuff backed up and are ready to make it happen, then you just click the install icon on the desktop. It's that simple.
You really don't have to bother much with drivers. Drivers are the software that interfaces with hardware, but Linux acts like that software itself. I imagine that this is why it runs slimmer. All I can say is just try it out. Unless you really must use some proprietary software like Microsoft Access or Adobe Photoshop for your work or something, you can find alternatives. Best of all is that it's free. Linux was doing the whole "app store" before Apple did. You can easily just install software from the software manager, or you can just pull up the terminal and type in the request to install a program. No more having to hunt down installation files off of various websites. Give it a shot! Let me know what your experiences are with this.
Libre office is very well compatible.
You can establish a writer document in ods, safe it in docx format, or take docx and safe it in ods format.
The same goes for Excel and calculator, and presentation vs impress.
That said, Libre office is compliant with the agreements on standards, which Microsoft on occasion transgresses against.
There are particular import filters you can use and even design, should need arise.
But it is not 100% compatible.
You might want to check out Calligra suit.
For those tied to Microsoft Projects, there is ProjectLibre.
When it comes to databases, well, Access is a gem in many ways. I designed several systems for financial industries tying a lot of external and internal processes within the financial supply chain together.
That said .... I happen to like the free databases that come with linux like sql, mysql, postgress, etc. And on top of that, free from the system, you build your queries and views in whatever language you prefer.
In my experience there is a severe downside going for linux, inhibiting acceptance. Zoom calls are a drag because it eats resources. There are much lighter and better alternatives, without the spying, but you would have to set it up.
I notified some counter parties of this issue by simply saying: I am committed to continued safe and smooth video conferencing, where privacy is well respected and our data is safe. Based upon the risk profile, I have determined to abolish using zoom, meetme and the likes, as it is spyware and the sensitive material we are discussing is not secure and puts me square in violation of GDPR. So, my only video conferencing is done on matrix.io.
Loo and behold. Suddenly, a lot of people remember big tech spying.
If you must use teams ..... and other microsoft or google related software/applications, consider setting up an MXlinux USB stick with persistence. OR, if you are really into it, Quebes. But that takes a different way of thinking and at least 32G of RAM. So, for most people, that would be not the default solution.
This way you put a strong firewall between what your company requires and your personal use. Some things should not mix at all.
Another very handy tool: Master PDF editor 4. Not 5 or 6 or 7, unless you wanne pay. It is a free pdf editor that lets you add your comments, strikethroughs, add links to other files and websites, etc, etc.
So you can use docviewer to read any pdf doc, and for alterations after seeing it is secure, you can use Master pdf.
For making memes or image manipulation, use GIMP.
===== Issues:
If you run into an issue, do not worry. search online first and read. That is how you learn. There is a steep learning curve, because you are the owner of your own box, the author of your own life.
So, for instance, if you have a bluetooth problem, because your headphones do not connect, or has no sound, read the best explanation over on archlinux. They have the best info, last time I checked, with good explanations how it works, which commands in the terminal to use and how to troubleshoot.
You can always search for answers over on linux-questions and post a question there. But remember, if you do not research for yourself first, and explain what you have done, by showing what you have done to troubleshoot, they will shoot you!
So, saying: my headphone is not working, will get you nowhere.
The terminal is an old friend. A grey beard, but very powerful. It's like Gandalf. A bit peculiar, standing out in this day and age where everything is GUI by default, the terminal can work miracles. Just like wizards and warlocks.
====================== Imparting some wisdom to the wise:
First: backup you data, and by default, differentiate between data and operating system. So, OS goes on one disk, Data goes on another.
Second: if you screw up your OS, it is then easy to install a new version, or, setup timeshift. So, before doing an update, make a timeshift image and then update.
Sometimes, especially with older laptops and gear, the new linuxheaders can screw up the use of that gear.
Case in point, I have keyboard illumination (backlight) and the new header was putting the use of it out of order. Loading the OS with older headers can be done in the grub menu, until such time the bug is solved.
Third: before you commit: test!
So, a linux live CD does wonders.
Thanks a lot. Very useful info.