Linux a nice history

[WoodPeckr]

Started using Linux if 2007. It's now my main OS and IMHO far superior to Windows or Mac.

There are over 100 Linux versions.
Here is a link that rates the top 100 versions used today:

DistroWatch.com: Put the fun back into computing. Use Linux, BSD.

News and feature lists of Linux and BSD distributions.

distrowatch.com

 

[sammysweets]

Pretty interesting watch. I've always been interested in Linux but I'm just too ingrained in the Windows ecosystem

 

[WoodPeckr]

M$ wants to keep you hooked.
The popular Linux versions listed in link posted above are about as easy to learn as the Mac OS. You can see this all on YouTube.
I can run all 3 but dismissed Apple as just too proprietary and pricey. Linux is FREE.

 

[KidCdn]

Pretty interesting watch. I've always been interested in Linux but I'm just too ingrained in the Windows ecosystem

Are you using Windows 11 now? It's terrible. Linux is a breath of fresh air, very snappy and fast.

 

[OpXXX]

Pretty interesting watch. I've always been interested in Linux but I'm just too ingrained in the Windows ecosystem

Started with Slackware back in 1992. What a PITA to get it working with i386 hardware. It's come a long way but it heavily depends on what software you're using and what you might have to support. I usually need 2 machines, as Linux does not support 90% of the professional software that I need to know for consulting. There is a reason why Windows has a 70-80% of market share of business desktops.

 

[KidCdn]

Started with Slackware back in 1992. What a PITA to get it working with i386 hardware. It's come a long way but it heavily depends on what software you're using and what you might have to support. I usually need 2 machines, as Linux does not support 90% of the professional software that I need to know for consulting. There is a reason why Windows has a 70-80% of market share of business desktops.

The world basically runs on Linux, while desktops are with Microshit. It's too bad because Linux is so much more efficient.

 

[peeler_feeler]

How difficult is it to set up a laptop that can run either MS Windows or Linux? Can it be done by a non computer professional/geek?

 

[JohnHenry]

How difficult is it to set up a laptop that can run either MS Windows or Linux? Can it be done by a non computer professional/geek?

Yes.
Method 1. Download Linux Mint Cinnamon iso and either burn it to a dvd or download iso2usb and create a bootable usb stick. Boot the laptop using this iso. Once running, you can try Linux without affecting your hard drive, and if you like it, click on the install icon and answer the questions. You need sufficient free disk space (at least 60gb ) to assign to linux. Downside, you can only run either MS or Linux at any given time. If you decide not to continue with Linux, in MS fdisk, delete the linux partition and expand the MS partition.
Method 2. Download and install Oracle VirtualBox. Use it to install a Linux VM from the .iso file you dowloaded for method 1. VirtualBox will ask the same questions as method 1. Upside, both MS and Linux are available at the same time. But, you will need at least 8gb of memory and sufficient disk space. If you don't like it, delete the folder containing the linux vm.

 

[P0Pewlar]

How difficult is it to set up a laptop that can run either MS Windows or Linux? Can it be done by a non computer professional/geek?

Boy are you in for a big surprise.
Wait until you see how smooth and fast Linux is compared to Microshit.