Windows to Linux - operating systems
Created; December 2013, Changed; 05/06/2023 - 06/06/2023
An evaluation of Desktop Computer Operating Systems
I looked at Linux occasionally, but then started using a Linux desktop in 2013 when using a Linux distribution became easy.Windows XP was in full support 2001 - 2014 then it entered end-of-life support that was reduced progressively to just security updates then no updates, eventually fewer optional features and drivers and by November 2021 no support and unable to authenticate an installation or new installation. Drivers had been withdrawn by some computer manufactures websites such as Sony and therefore Windows update, consequently whilst those versions of Windows were in support or End-Of-Life support. This is not the case for US companies such as HP, XP 64 drivers and optional features are still available on HP's website. Lenovo computer's latest BIOS update of 2012 leaves the PC unable to power off (As of January/February 2019 and March 2020);
Windows 7 is in end-of-life support and receives security updates only (December 2021 until about June 2023?) And also earlier versions of Windows 10 on some PCs can not be updated (2020 and 2021).
Picture right Lubuntu 18 is similar to Windows 7 but plainer. The desktop shortcuts to partitions are generated automatically and change if the partitions change.
Allegro for printed circuit board design was ported from Unix/Linux to Windows.
Linux and Windows programs and operating systems have become more similar looking.
Cadence Allegro - version OrCAD PCB Designer Lite
Very Unix/Linux like Windows program with a command window bottom left as an alternative to the GUI.
The auto-router operates differently from how probably all that went before in that it takes many passes rather than working in a single pass. The auto-router does a little with each pass, putting more effort into completing copper track routes with each pass. This strategy of only planning or working as far as can be seen has transferred to many things, including Windows Defragment and engineering management. Auto-routers have become very good, many engineers use them for low speed digital design, but they have become used less. I never used the auto router, but semi-automatic track routing is very useful, making tracks, data pairs and buses tidy to become orthogonal with radius and 45' corners as you draw them.
The Allegro auto router, is similar to Windows 7 or more recent defragmenters, but by comparison Linux filing systems do not fragment files even when the partition is very full.
Cadence circuit CAD (Capture) file format remained unchanged between about 1995 and 2006 (when the Layout tool was changed to the Allegro version), so circuit design work can be shared on different versions of the Capture. Capture the circuit design CAD used to only be available for Windows. It has many output formats and can be used with many makes of PCB CAD tools.
Word processor such as .doc and OpenOffice files are similarly fairly compatible with older versions, but much CAD does not easily allow you to save work in a newer version then open it in an older version of the CAD. Many programs when installed or updated convert an older profile and configuration found, but this is not necessarily the case with Thunderbird email client.
Thunderbird for email is not like this, but must go up one significant version at a time. If you have Linux that has not been run for a while, it is likely to jump many versions of Thunderbird and corrupt the old email. A way around this is to not use the Linux repository version but use an old downloaded version and in that way, Thunderbird will manage its own updates step by step converting your profile with each update to the next version until it reaches the current version. In the same way that Thunderbird works on Windows. Otherwise, the Linux repository version is a fine and safe option where a computer is used fairly regularly. See Thunderbird Email
Ubuntu 22 - Gnome desktop is like Unity desktop that preceded it. The icons with dots indicate those applications are running in this case minimized, there is one dot for each instance.
Picture above is the task window of the installer, which is also running to try the desktop, carry out some maintenance before and whilst installing the operating system. Also create and save these print screens to my photos.google.com. Picture below is the application screen also showing the current task in use.
Linux's desktops distributions provide all the common things' people generally use a PC for, games, office, camera tools, picture scanning, downloading, and web browsing. Linux desktop's also have many of the specialized things e.g. picture editing tools and computer-aided design, embedded programming. But if want you to use a Windows program, then have the system dual boot Linux or Windows is the usual option. Many very expensive CAD tools that were once only available on Unix also run on Linux, FreeBSD, and Unix, with lighter versions also ported to Windows. Windows Office, other programs, and moderately high-end CAD started for Windows but in the past decade have been made available for Linux.
My objective is to consider operating systems that are reasonably flexible but not overly technical; To be able to fix or make adjustments without needing a deep technical knowledge but have enough control and context-sensitive help or support groups to be able to set up what I need, for example, a printer. I have found in the years that I have been using Linux, those things are different to Windows but are covered well. I believe Linux does not have the registry wear out and become broken issues that are a big inconvenience in using Windows 95 to Windows XP. Linux filing systems take care of themselves, don't fragment files (and therefore do not slow down) even when the disk is very full. Linux used to periodically check the filing system when you power up the computer, now it does the filing system checking on every power-up, but it is quick. You never get an hour or many minutes of disk checking, installations or configuring at power up or power down, Linux either wholly or mostly takes care of those things in a plain and discrete way whilst you are logged on and running.
I am not trying to review all Linux’s, Distro Watch does that well. What I have said about Linux changes, and these two pages are not updated often. By comparison, I find Windows 10 just gets slower, continually carrying out major updating and more cluttered with more unwanted applications and widgets that you may have previously removed. Windows 7 is now in the nice end-of-life period of receiving security updates only, but with no clutter being added (March 2023).
Can't turn Windows off - Windows takes a long time to turn off or on, when waiting for updates to complete. About once a month, it is necessary to leave a Windows PC switched on for a day to allow updates, as well as the usual Defragmentation and Check disk.
Companies that use Mechanical CAD run an early version of a supported Windows interconnected with a proxy server and use that server to prevent "updates" and block viruses. This stops PCs from running progressively more slowly as update patches would have been installed.
Kent Libraries also do this with their public computers and keep their chosen model of computers running longer. This is probably a cost-saving exercise because the browsers are out of date and the language is set to the USA, although GB versions of web browsers and most software.
Linux Distributions will do all or most updates whilst it is running. Some distributions need to be turned off, others like Debian XFCE have been running continually for over 20 years and are kept up-to-date.
Although major updates of Linux are a little slower, they do not slow down as much as major versions of Windows do with time. In other words, Linux is probably fixed rather than patched up as a software maintenance strategy.
Ubuntu and some of the smarter Linux's have become slower to turn off in recent years because they now carry out some updating at turn off.
Once every 1-2 to 5 years, it is useful or necessary to leave the PC running all day to carry out a major update.
To install Windows10 on an old legacy boot PC, with a solid state drive for example, version 1708 will install but will not update. 1803 Will install and is the highest version that will install on a 64 bit legacy boot PC. It will then update in one step to version 22h1 (February 2023).
Windows generally does not let you update from one major version to another. There are exceptions, but these do not always leave the system clean and tidy, or they did not use to.
Windows is varied, but in any case there is a period of time when you can not use the computer. The installation does not complete but carries on for a number of days, often adding things that clutter and are not wanted.
Some Linux distributions can be updated and run whilst you continue using them, they will go up one significant version at a time.
For others, you must stop using them while they update, and
For others again, you need to download the new major version and install that, and it will mostly replace the operating system but may keep your data if you select that option.
In any case, do make a Windows 7, and 10 legacy boot start up disk (or keep the Windows installation disks) and in addition a Boot repair disk (very small Lubuntu based Linux) will fix things in both Windows and Linux. For example, you might need to set the boot and ecp flags used by Windows using gparted provided on the boot repair disk.
A Windows 7 start up disk might repair Windows10 start up when a Windows 10 startup disk fails to. These tools have no use for Linux only PC's.
Linux Boot repair disk will restore the boot if Linux is removed. It also has Gparted which can be used to change partitions and correct where the boot flag is placed where Windows repair tool has incorrectly moved it to another partition.
It is important that the Boot flag be placed in the small, usually first partition, of the Windows system. Ubuntu creates a new partition (for secure boot), which I found Windows did not boot with. By moving the Boot flag to the first partition and running the Windows repair disk (if necessary) a legacy boot PC would run again.
If you do not have a 32 bit or a Legacy boot PC then Windows 7 and an older Legacy boot Windows 10 is not necessary, a new version disk can be kept instead.
Windows tools Defragment must be used weekly to keep the PC running at reasonable speed and reliably. Check Disk be run weekly or when advised to in Windows 10.
Windows 10 has some support for Solid State Drive's (SSD) but requires the Defragment tool, which its function is changed to the Trim tool, but to be run once a week as you would run Defragment with a hard disk.
I understand that Windows 7 does not support an SSD, but the SSD manufacturers provide utilities to maintain it. Therefore, do not use defragment in Windows 7 with a solid state drive.
There is no Defragmentation required on Linux, it is taken care of as part of the filing system and ChkDsk called fsck is carried out automatically. fsck may be required exceptionally, such as if a hard disk is failing.
Solid State Drive - different Linux's may handle them automatically, such as Ubuntu, but others many require trim be run once a week.
By comparison, Debian 8 started to run slowly after a week until the trim function was used every week.
Memory sticks, use flash memory like SSD's, must not be defragmented either, but you do need to run Windows ChkDsk with them often if it is partition in a Windows format. I found that they only save small files, not very large zipped (usually no more than 1-2 GB with the larger 128G) such as for back up. exFAT filing system is designed for them, but others work. Partition Encryption is available, search the web for information.
I have made a 2010 built Compaq laptop much faster replacing hard disk with a SSD but an older Toshiba Laptop was not improved by fitting one, this is because the SATA interface was originally slow, but newer versions are faster. Many SSDs have high endurance, but may have flaws in their firmware.
Slack or free space required. Samsung's data on their EVO 850 and similar - requires 10% slack or free un-partitioned space at the top of the SSD in order to manage what is commonly called garbage collection, but is good data collection. The computer will start to run slowly and then very slowly after 25 hours use or so if the SSD is very full and trim is not run. THE FIRMWARE IN THIS SSD IS FLAWED AND THERE IS NO UPDATE, AND THIS MAY HAVE A BEARING ON WHY THIS SSD REQUIRES TRIM TO BE RUN PERIODICALLY?
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Traditionally desk and home computers use local time but main frame and servers use UTC (GMT).
Servers, mainframe and desktop computers are virtually interchangeable, but for the extra error detection and higher quality components used in servers. The best quality components are now made for the automotive industry and the most robust and complex systems probably made by Google and other internet providers for their own servers, search engines, and software. Major web service providers would use CAD tools developed for them, but with much lower cost versions sold to industry.
Windows sets the PC's clock to local time. More recent versions of Windows can be configured, so they set the PCs clock time to be Universal time.
There are Windows command terminal commands to change the PCs RTC to be set to UTC. Windows still display in local time by adding summer and time zone corrections.
Most distributions of Linux keep the PC's clock set to local time, and are therefore compatible when dual boot with Windows or other operating systems. Some distributions require that you chose local or UTC at installation time.
Ubuntu and its variants set the PC's clock to Universal time, and so mess up any other operating system expecting the PC clock to be set to local time. This is a nuisance because it causes time-wasting fault-finding this issue. There is a temporary terminal command fix for Ubuntu which is removed by major software updates - Ubuntu do not intend to fix this, issue, and they do not see it as a problem.
Ubuntu Terminal command; "timedatectl set-local-rtc 1" You need to do this again on every major update of Ubuntu.
If you need support, looking at either the Debian or the Ubuntu forums or Wiki's and may others will help you for any Linux Debian or Ubuntu based distribution. Mageia or other Wiki forums for Redhat based (.rpm) distributions. There are also groups on Facebook. There are differences between the Linux Distributions, so advice from one may need adapting when applied to another or for a different version, often the security 'sudo', 'su' or the terminal used differs.
Generally the help explains the solution using the terminal and typing text, but very often there is an easier GUI solution. You need to look at the keywords and consider those when using a GUI.
The chosen desktop runs on a choice of Window Manager's - which also affects things such as speed and appearance. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window_manager
Debian 11, which is the current version being rolled out over the next year or so, LXQt desktop installation option gives you a choice of two window managers. When installed, the login options at the top of the screen include Lxqt or Gnome (November 2021). Some Linux distributions offer a choice of window manager's also in a pull-down, usually at the top of the screen at login.
GNOME - other screens. Some variants of Gnome, such as Unity, place a dot next to the favourite for each instance of that favourite running. Debian Gnome screens pictured above;
Debian LXDE 32 and 64-bit update from 8.x to 9.x to 10.x and 11.x ran amazingly smoothly and without fuss, no need to restart or discernibly slowing an already slow computer on the times I carried the update out. I continued to use the computer without interruption in both cases.
That is, if you leave a Linux PC running unattended but doing some work for you won't return to find the work abandoned, and the PC has restarted unlike Windows having completed a Windows update. You can configure Windows to not do that in the power settings. But you will probably find a Linux desktop PC has stopped processing your tasks and gone to sleep, so the power settings will need to be altered from their default state, usually.
I set the power settings for any operating system to dim the display after a few minutes then turn the display off after say 5 minutes, and I may set a screen saver. The important power setting is to ensure that the computer does not sleep or turn-off, but continues to run the task you have left the computer on to carry out. For laptops, put the computer in to hibernation when closing the lid, but sleep may be the only option. The power button to power off the computer.
----- Linux Distributions ----
Linux's distributions are generally not based in one country, but are part of many worldwide projects and individual involvement. Improvements pass freely between all who take part in those Linux projects. There is a lot of good checking before and after a part of Linux is shared. There are rules on sharing and use that insist on openness, sharing, including source code. There is a provision for commercial licensing parts, but in a not restrictive way.
I am not considering forks from the Linux Kernel, such as Android or Apple. Or how well Windows 10 implements Linux type Bash terminal, which I don't know in any case.
Easy to install, but if not, there may be an alternative full installer;
Mint Mate - Is a very safe choice. So is Mint XFCE. Mint Mate was the first one I used in 2013. Mint is Ubuntu-based, which in turn is Debian based.
Mint Cinnamon (includes WINE) - Cinnamon looks similar but has nice expanding and closing windows. Suits a PC with suitable graphics hardware, otherwise it is slow.
Mint XFCE - also looks similar but is slightly plainer and is the fastest desktop that Mint offer.
Mint also have their LDME version that uses Debian instead of Ubuntu packages.
Despite some weaknesses, Mint Mate is one of the most recommended Linux's to start with ; (March 2020)
Mint uses old software, which is not generally a problem, except when EXT4 partitions stated to be used. There was an update to EXT4 that Mint did not implement for a long time.
Mint 18 and 19 still did not support Ext4 properly, but supports the earlier version. Ext4 partition type was introduced in Debian 8, and was soon amended in a higher version of Debian 8 in 2016. Most and now probably all Distributions support the updated version.
The problem is, if you try to manipulate a partition or data on another distribution with Mint, a feature difference will cause a warning and prevent you doing what you wish to do. That is, there will be no harm, but you will be blocked.
When dual boot, you probably need to paste this line into terminal; timedatectl set-local-rtc 1 to set the clock to local time. Such as if you are also running Windows.
Mint Cinnamon 18.2 to Mint 18.3 and to Mint 19 update works but unlike Debian update, the PC will be impractically slow whilst this is occurring to do anything else with it.
Ubuntu - The long-term stable version is also a safe choice, very different slick comparable in speed to a well-running current Windows 7 but faster than Windows 10 (April 2020). I have used this for many years, it is the flagship Linux desktop. Ubuntu' was a branch off from GNOME and was called Unity, but now Canonical has sold Unity to Microsoft and has returned to being part of improving GNOME, as of April 2018. Some of the Ubuntu versions did not support Dropbox properly for some years, but that is fixed now (April 2020).
Minimal; This desktop is minimal, and you will find it difficult or complicated to do anything but the simplest file managing things with Ubuntu. For example, you need to use the terminal to create a symbolic link, whereas on many Linux desktops you either drag a file and choose symbolic-link or right-click send-to-shortcut. This has become more so in recent years, but it is very uncluttered consequently and opposite to the strategy Windows and many of the tablet operating systems have gone. (December 2021).
Canonical Ltd of London funds Ubuntu set of desktops and the development is based in South Africa. Ubuntu is an African word for Human. These are the easiest to use, and most features are very well-developed, but they do not run so fast on a PC as other Linux distributions, but they are faster than the current Windows.
Software Update - can be slow and may need to occur at shutting down, meaning you have to wait to turn the computer off, though usually not for long.
Weaknesses are that it is the flagship, therefore, leading Linux and so seems a little less stable than others. Conversely, many issues will also be fixed sooner.
Xubuntu - Stable version is fast and is a safe choice and is very like Windows 7. The XFCE desktop is one of the oldest current desktops. KDE then XFCE, GNOME were all launched in about 1996-1999. That is before Windows introduced some of the same features such as typing the program name in the search window that Windows 7 Introduced a decade later.
Lubuntu 19.04 (LXQt)- This is less complete, so issues will arise. It is preloaded with Thunderbird, LibreOffice etc. Odd numbered versions have a shorter life and are more leading edge.
Alternatively; Lubuntu 18.04 (LXQt) - Is a more complete and is the Long term stable release version and is preloaded with lightweight email and office programmes. I switched them to Thunderbird, LibreOffice etc.
Lubuntu - (was LXDE is now LXQt 18.04) is the fastest and lightest of the Ubuntu set of distributions and runs well on a low spec. PC even so just 1.5 GB DRAM 64Bit PC but will run faster with the 32 version installed. It is not restrictively cut down but is something like a Windows XP or 7. I've used this on a lower spec. old computer. Dropbox may work, and other applications run with little issue.
The desktops Linux's above have uniquely a very user-friendly application store where you can purchase or add for free many things. You can review them as well, and it is set out in a neat and ordered way. Everything about Ubuntu and Ubuntu-based distributions, including installation and support is plain and straightforward (04-2020).
Lubuntu is now one of the fastest full feature, supported Linux's using Kernel 4.x.x that I've evaluated.
LXDE which is an old and is mostly replaced by LXQt desktop is still in support and Debian still also offer both desktops. Some distributions, LXDE does not include the command/search window for finding programmes loaded.
The Alternative installer will install on older computers than the regular installer will. This fairly easy installer is text based, similar to the Debian full installer.
Prestigio Tablet running Android 4.2 Purchased in about 2014. I stopped using it in 2023.
Tablet computers have a short support life, but the programmes continue to run and be updated for many years. It appears that Tablet computers are sold new despite being out of support, such as with Android 8 loaded, though the current version is 13. Once out of support, can not be updated if that has not been done during the support period.
PC's by comparison with Windows, when a Windows PC is sold new the version is featured at the time of selling, support maintained for a long time there would be an easy or an automatic fix for most issues. By comparison, there will usually be a fix for Linux Desktop, but it will need more technically deeper help to resolve those things. Linux tends to continue to be supported on new and older PCs. Also, various manufactures keep the drivers available indefinably or in the case of Sony withdraw them everywhere after 10 years.
There are Linux versions for some tablets and smartphones - I am advised that it is better to keep the old tablet going with its most update original OS as long as possible. I have not managed to swap the operating system myself. They can sit on top of the old OS or replace it.
MX Linux - This Linux is very light, fast and installation is straightforward. The user interface is plain, and I find its single click configuration makes it difficult to avoid clicking the wrong thing. Functional and will run on most PCs that are now too slow to run anything else. It will also automatically find all the drivers, better than many Operating Systems.
The XFCE desktop has a command search line like Windows 7.
MX has many maintenance tools included. So it is quite a good OS to have alongside your favourite operating system(s).
MX 16 which is in long-term support gets some security updates but had not got a security update, and it was necessary to download an updated public key in order to continue using the repositories in 2019.
MegaSync (mega.nz) application for Linux could not be updated through a normal secure repository channel, and a new version needed to be downloaded and installed.
Thunderbird and Firefox were downloaded and run outside the repository system. This meant updates occurred in sequence, walking through changes to my profile step by step. This was still working in Autumn 2021.
MX 17 32 bit installed fine on another computer, then updated to MX21 and allowed me to install Megasync for Debian 9 but not 8 or 10 on it. MX 18 32 bit installed, but the update failed, and the operating system would not start up. It installed Megasync for Debian 9 but not 10 similarly.
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AntiX - This is a lighter, faster, small but much more fiddly to use as a desktop. Also offered by MX.
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Fairly easy to install; The installation media has some repair tools
Debian 10.3 LxQt - Dropbox first time launched.
After Dropbox is installed and launched it will download and update itself periodically. With many installations on Linux, Dropbox will download and update daily.
Debian promises to be excellent when Debian version 10 is developed further and things like the icon tray and the country setting are resolved (April 2020).
Debian has become easier to install (02/2017) and usually installs and runs very well. GNOME and CINNAMON are very nice uncluttered fast desktops and Debian is easier to install than it had been. XFCE, LXDE are fast and LXDE is the fastest and Is the nicest fastest plain smart I've come across, but there can be a little work to add some things to Debian after it is installed. Download the *-1.iso full download version.
Debian 10 is the stable version and now includes the LXQt desktop option (November 2021). Therefore, version 11 is recommended for download if you are happy to use a desktop operating system that is not so finished off, yet you will be part of its final testing and finishing off.
The installation usually goes through easily, but you may then need to add missing non-free drivers subsequently this is not done automatically or semi-automatically unlike other distributions, for you. This is why I have recommended MX Linux above or both if Debian does not work out for you.
The repository entry should have "non-free" added so that you can add those drivers by a safe channel. (Last two lines are altered repositories)
You need to switch off, so remove the repository link to the installation media and turn on the repository to the website repository. (2 and 3 lines disabled)
Source code is not required, it takes up space.
If other software not provided in Debian repositories is added such as by using gdebi then more entries repositories may be added - such as Google Chrome or Megasync do this. (New first line added automatically)
These simpler Debian desktops run an older, more stable update and software managing tool called synaptic package manager. If you want to add software not in the repositories, then install gdebi.
Debian 10 LXQt 64 bit is about the same speed as Lubuntu 18.04, but is preloaded with the regular rather than lighter programmes. This distribution is faster than Lubuntu 19.04 though. The wireless uses Connman utility that could be turned on without needing to run Windows by comparison with Lubuntu. On the other hand, It needed three non-free drivers to be installed, but one of those (r300_cp Video) may cause the HP nx6125 Laptop to overheat and freeze, so I have not installed it (there are other issues including a poor connection to the screen and reduction of the heat sink efficiency). The other Non-free drivers are; Broadcom tg3_tso5 and particularly required was the Broadcom b43 wireless driver.
Other drivers may be missing, you notice at turn on a message in some of the lines of text that go up the screen - note them, then search and install them from the Synaptic Package Manager. [they are in the non-free repositories]
Debian 10 LxQt still is one of if not the fastest full features, supported Linux's that I've evaluated.
The other Debian Desktops are all faster and nicely finished off.
Mageia - Is more technically orientated but plain and very attractive looking. I used it from time to time since 2013 version 3. Sometimes it is too difficult to install or will only install from a DVD, but not a USB stick. Version 7 updates from 7 to 8, but it cleans up, so it is necessary to reinstall everything you need again. There seems to be more issues unresolved with this distribution.
Mageia was the best Redhat based distribution I tried at that time. RedHat and Debian are two of the oldest Linux distribution developers, their distributions were first launched in 1993.
Faults - Earlier version 4 and others did not recognize changes in petitions and some did not start up, consequently if a partition had been removed these issues were resolved during Version 7.
Some or all versions after 4 to 7 would not install from a memory stick, but version 8 did in May 2023. At least some of those versions would install from a DVD, though.
Features;
Many ways of connecting to a network
After installing the GRUB bootloader configuration GUI is very good allowing ACPI, APIC and other options which can prevent start-up to be configured. The search and addition of all other operating systems when you connect other HDDs feature works easily.
Many desktops offered from the single large download.
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Harder to install and or use
I had put Fedora in this category, but all Linux's have got easier, and the very good ones have stayed very good. Fedora looks very good but turns out harder to complete setting after basic the installation was completed even so. It seems crippled, and you are probably better off paying for Redhat or SUSE distribution?
Arch Linux - is reckoned to be one of the hardest to install, but with the strongest security. There is an easier Arch-based Manjaro - this is easy enough to use, but there are fewer (.arc) applications than there are for Debian/Ubuntu (.deb) or Redhat (.rpm) for it.
Puppy Linux - These are a collection of the fastest, smallest operating systems that are very plain. If you need that also look at AntiX it is fully of manual settings, but installation is very easy and everything is set up ready for you when it is completed.
By comparison, Windows XP or earlier were not straightforward to install all British English and because some of the settings are not apparent, but there are three places you set the language, two are in sub-menus of the installation procedure and one then lets you remove the USA. A lot of improvements to Windows have crossed from Linux distributions, such as the easier installation.
Choosing a Desktop - the basic user interface style
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Safe Web-browsing
Look at the URL to see if it looks correct or plausible. For example, if you wish to download Firefox the domain is; mozilla.org is highlighted and you will see something like;
https://www.mozilla.org/en-GB/firefox/new/
Thunderbird is now not part of Mozilla and the URL is;
https://www.thunderbird.net/en-GB/
Once again the registered domain is highlighted do not download it from anywhere else. But you should use the Linux repository version they are the safest and best version unless it is for Windows or you are running an out of support version of Linux distribution. Conversely, some programmes such as Chrome are best downloaded and installed from its website in order to accept conditions, pay or donate and so get all its features.
You can do some degree of checking a domain with whois.com;
https://www.whois.com/ then search "thunderbird.net" for example.
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Linux with older versions of Windows on a slower PC;
Just when the operating system is complete and running well, you have some years of smooth running until software loaded on it needs to be updated. Windows 7 is now at this stage, but security updates are due to end in June 2023 (I believe?) but AVAST, AVG, Panda, Thunderbird, Firefox and others are likely to continue to be updated or supported on Windows 7. Many not web based things can be run indefinitely, unless their licences are time restricted, of course.
Windows XP full support ended in April 2014.
Microsoft Security updates continued monthly until November 2016.
Microsoft Security Essentials continued ant-virus until June 2017.
Some programs were still available for XP, Firefox ESR continued to be supported until April 2018, and it loaded many websites still in April 2020. Skype for XP continued until at least Jan 2019. Java 8.201 does not run on XP any more (Feb 2019). Windows Live essentials feature has not been installable for a number of years since XP status was changed to end-of-life.
By November 2021 XP support had completely ended, and it stopped being possible to re-install XP and bring it up-to-date or activate XP. Some programs such as an older version of MegaSync and antivirus protection Panda were still running and being maintained, giving some web security.
NOTE; three laptops, each over 10 years old;
XP 64, SP2 is on HP Compaq Laptop (nx6125) and all drivers are available on the HP website.
XP 32, SP3 is on a Samsung R50 (I have the original installation CDs) and a Sony Laptops (PCG-GRT996ZP) the manufacturers have withdrawn XP drivers from their website.
Lenovo M71e Desktop the last bios update prevents the PC from turning off. This make has not got a good reputation. I have reverted to using an older 64 bit HP Compaq desktop DC7700p, briefly. The workaround was to clone Windows 10, and the system partition that was installed on a PC with legacy bios rather than UEFI secure bios, but the bios still support GPT multiple partitions. There are more details on how to set the bios Legacy BIOS v UEFI
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The first web browser;
Netscape Navigator - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netscape_(web_browser)
Internet Explorer - Introduced after Netscape split from Mosaic. I.E. credited Mosaic for some licensed Intellectual property it uses. There is a lot of cross-licensing which is evident when you see the similar error message "restore tabs" in Firefox, Chromium, Chrome and Edge.
Mozilla - http://www.mozilla.org/
But for name changes Netscape was the first commercial Web Browser it became free to individual users (Microsoft did not charge extra for IE 3.x for Windows 3.1), installing Internet Explorer made it easy to get a dial-up connection if you did not have a paid-for ISP such as CompuServe. Open Source caught on subsequently and perhaps that marks the end of using patent and copyright to take things created for the good of all away from all of us? Microsoft copied Sun Micro-Systems' Java calling it a Virtual Machine but had to stop doing that and supply Java on subsequent editions of Windows 98.
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Some PCs are more difficult to install an operating system on -
An unusual number of issues arose later, perhaps would not on a PC that had not
performed and lasted so well, would not have been compared to newer PCs?
Example; Sony Vaio - Is a heavy Laptop that requires a high power, expensive power supply. It has been out of support for a few years, so consequently the BIOS can not be updated, and Windows drivers have been withdrawn from Windows update and the Sony website.
Linux Kernel's up to 3.x.x will run on this laptop, but Kernel 4.x.x causes a failure at startup and mentions APIC timer 8254? There is a fix, that requires adding "noapic" to the Grub configuration file kernel line to work around the problem with APIC that the kernel reports. I have carried out this fix, but it may be difficult if the configuration file is rewritten so that there could be virtually no way of starting Linux and editing the file again if it is not possible to use kernel 3.xx? If the boot screen offers Grub edit "E" you can change the configuration this one time then change the configuration file using Terminal when Linux is running to make the change more permanent.
The commands in terminal, root terminal or other Linux terminal are similar to UNIX commands but less similar to DOS commands. Commands must be in lower case with a space between the command the options, operators and names are case-sensitive;
cd \ -- To change the directory, go down a directory level.
dir -- Display directory.
su -- To enter root terminal in some cases. To do root level things that could stop the Linux working. Some desktop terminals do not allow the su command to be used.
sudo - command line with switches and operators - -- To operate in root (administrator) mode for one command is required instead in some cases.
Mageia distribution allows you to set "noapic" in the grub boot setup tool, but you have to be able to start the distribution running to use the tool, which should be easy enough if you install an old enough version of Mageia in the first place which is not necessarily so easy to upgrade from?
I do not run this laptop now. It was very fast for its time made to last well with removable air filters, very high 120W power consumption. Unfortunately, Sony aggressively have drivers removed from their own and Windows updates, so it could not easily be kept running without using websites that keep libraries of drivers.
How to add "noapic" to grub configuration file *.cfg; https://access.redhat.com/solutions/58790
The GRUB configuration file lines are similar for Redhat and Debian based Linuxes. That is because the kernel is the same for all Linuxes.
When Debian LXDE is running, there is no brightness control or battery status. I did not find a solution, there are no drivers, apparently missing at startup. Debian 8 was updated to Debian 9 additionally leaving a number of older 3.xx Linux kernels that allow Linux to run but with the APIC warnings at startup.
I also tried Debian 9 to 10 update but running kernel 3.xx rather than 4.xx, but after more than 70 hours it had not completed it. In any case, the laptop was now running much faster with DDR increased to 1.5 GB and using another Linux desktop such as Lubuntu that may resolve the missing function's brightness, battery status looked more promising see below;
This laptop does not boot from a USB port and I used net install USB using a windows utility called Plop 5.15 https://www.plop.at/ which made it possible to boot and install from a small USB stick. The add to windows boot menu variant does not work well enough to run a USB Linux installer so I believe, it was a number of years ago, I used the add to MBR variant. I could have burnt a CD or DVD perhaps with a net installer for one of the distributions.
If you make a Debian 8 or Mint Mate 14.1 USB installer there is an Install or Mint program in the root of the USB that may allow you to install that distribution from Windows. A boot installs Linux option is added to a Windows startup menu.
The Debian 8 Install boots a CD or DVD much the same as most BIOS's can do in this case and was not useful. An uninstall is provided. Newer versions of Debian do not offer the installation from Windows.
The Mint mint4win.exe version can put the live installer on the Windows hard disk. Consequently, GParted is available for hard disk manipulation as well as installation.
In this case (Mint 14.1) I needed to ensure that there was just one Linux partition with the "/" entry point so therefore I needed to remove the "/" entry point for the liveCD. The consequence this left the live CD broken the installation crashed out at the end but was fine. You remove the install and if you wish install it again using mint4win.exe.
mint4win.exe tool did not work with Mint Mate 13 or 15 the tool filled the hard disk with 50GB then failed in Windows XP or Windows 7.
Mageia 8 - The laptop does not now work, and I could not evaluate this OS. Install should be the same as earlier versions. The GUI to set up grub also includes ticking options including one to not use APIC for Mageia, but you need to use Terminal to alter other Linuxes. It is also likely you can upgrade from 7 to 8 would not cause issues. Install Gparted and clone other Linuxes and use the boot setup GUI to automatically find (probe) and add those to the boot menu. If necessary, use Edit in the grub boot menu to add any options to the Linux to be launched.
Mint cinnamon LMDE (Debian based alternative installer) - To follow.
The DVD drive will only boot from an original CD or DVD, but a burnt DVD will not boot, and I do not have a Vaio compatible spare DVD. So the options are to create a netboot CD, install Plop and use a USB installer or install https://unetbootin.org which creates a selection at hard boot, and it puts all the Linux Distribution files in the C: root along with windows then changes the boot.ini file so that an option start Windows or Start Unetbootin you can run the Linux desktop live installer. I found only if you install to another disk say a USB stick but if you chose to ignore the working this broke the partitions partly with Mint Mate. There is a warning that the tool may only work with one of the Ubuntu desktops.
Debian 10 full installer - ran much too slowly after adding "noapic" so I gave up with it. That was using unetbootin.exe which copied then to the hard disk, then install from the hard disk.
Mageia 7.1 (reports as 6?) full installer (LXQt) - install then ran after "noapic" added by editing the boot options at startup then using Mageia control Centre - boot advanced to make that change permanent. That is, using unetbootin.exe. Note, Mageia 4 did not finish installing properly, but it turned out that it had finished and it starts up.
Mint Mate 13, 14 or 15 did not install using unetbootin.exe to the hard disk but did start to install until the partition creation then it left the disk partitions partly broken so that GParted did not work. Running unetbootin.exe a second time allowed you to remove the installation files and restore Windows back to as it was.
Lubuntu 19 alternative installer - did not install even after "noapic" added to the boot/grub/loopback.cfg. That was using unetbootin.exe to the hard disk
Also, another windows tool MiniTool Partition Wizard did not properly work, leaving the grub boot broken with a Grub rescue message and the hard disk not manageable with GParted.
Grub Rescue
This helped, see; https://askubuntu.com/questions/232215/stuck-in-grub-rescue-mode Which I have copied below, but I did not use step 4, but it also works.
1. Command:
ls
It will list all your drives and partitions, like:
(hd0) (hd0,msdos2) (hd0,msdos1)
2. If you don't know your Ubuntu boot partition, check them one by one:
ls (hd0,msdos2)/
ls (hd0,msdos1)/ When you hit the right one, you'll get a line mentioning lost+found, more importantly, boot, and so on.
3. Assuming (hd0,msdos2) is the right partition:
set prefix=(hd0,2)/boot/grub
set root=(hd0,2)
insmod normal
normal
4. Now you'll be able to boot into which Linux. Once you do, execute the following commands:
sudo update-grub
sudo grub-install /dev/sda
5. Extra step if necessary, take care - Edit the boot/grub/*.cfg file to add "noapic". I have not carried out this, but you need to use the root terminal or terminal logged in as an admin or sudo command using a text editor such as gedit.
Take care with Windows partitioning tools both those with Windows and third-party Windows tools may delete Linux or Windows partitions, but Linux GParted is much safer to use by comparison. Just use the Windows tools to resize a partition but not create or delete partitions, particularly if you have any Linux partitions on your hard disk. Some of the Windows third-party tools are more careful with Linux Partitions, can copy but not paste any partition type safely? So if you need to clone a Linux least risk is to clone to an otherwise empty USB stick then use GParted to clone to the target PC.
If you do lose a Linux partition where Grub boots from and there is not another Linux to recover, see above, then there is nothing that Grub can boot. So here is how to get back to Windows boot by restoring the MBR; https://www.tomshardware.com/uk/news/win7-windows-7-mbr,10036.html But do use gparted, such as from the boot repair, disk or Linux installation disk to ensure that the boot flag is marked on the boot partition usually the first partition before using the Windows install or recovery disk.
Using newer programs on older Linux distributions in order to maintain the PCs speed;
Add more DRAM in this case increasing to 1.5 GB from 1 GB DDR1 allowed Windows 7 32 bit to run well when XP had been the only viable Windows before and also some of Linux's to run faster in the case of the Sony Vaio PCG-GRT996ZP.
All operating systems require more and more memory and processor power, but not all computers can be updated adequately even so. Not that I recommend doing that, but you can install an older version of Linux Distributions that are out of support. Older Linux operating systems may run newer versions of Firefox or Thunderbird the Mozilla website explains how to download unzip and run those, and they will then keep up-to-date using their own systems. This gives you some security and comparability with nearly all websites. A Web browser is likely to be the slowest application, and older versions of web browsers do not work with all websites?
In order to run newer versions of thunderbird and Firefox, it may be necessary to install other library programs. I found in 2021 that neither thunderbird nor Firefox would run on Debian 8. The solution was to try to start them in Terminal then read the warnings, I then installed the most similar library and both programs then ran.
I am also running MX16 multi-boot as described here, in the Vaio laptop above and below - this distribution has taken care of finding and installing the correct drivers most likely from the Debian repositories.
Sony Vaio, PCG-GRT996ZP Laptop. - Grub boot screen, Select Debian Advanced;
Go down the list select and to start with an older 3.x.x Linux Kernel.
Debian 9 will now start running with an older 3.x.x Kernel is in full support at the present time and will continue to be supported but will move to End-of-life support this year until June 2022.
Alternatively, MX16.1 can be running but using Thunderbird email program (client) download, not the normally recommended repositories version.
Most distributions do not install on Sony Vaio PCG-8P1M from the USB port, so I have - installed plop which allowed the USB under 2G to boot but alternatively, a CD or DVD could have been used.
The highest version MX that will install and run on this Laptop is MX16.1, this OS does not update any higher and a higher version may run with the noapci option added to the grub configuration, but I do not know if it can be installed.
Repositories must be changed when using unsupported old versions of Linux.
For Debian 8 look up the Debian Wiki but for MX 16 which is partly supported lookup the MX Wiki, it will advise you to change some of the repositories.
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Debian Linux uses a more stable version of Firefox-ESR because this distribution is particularly robust.
The Windows XP version of Firefox-ESR is different and has been out of support since about April 2018.
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Warning; There are differences between 32 bit and 64-bit operating systems and applications. For example, AVG and Avast work on XP 32 bit and 64 bit, but Panda does not work with Windows XP SP2 64 bit (3/2020). There is other antivirus software for XP, but the three I mention are the only free ones that work when I evaluated a range in 2018/2019.
32 bit and older 64-bit computers use legacy BIOS and MBR partitioning, Newer 64 use UEFI boot system and GPT partitioning. GPT partitions do not require the creation of extended partitions in order to have more than 4 of them on a media (hard disk).
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Which version of Linux or any program to download and install
If you are up for testing a very new release, like all distributions, you will get new features, but issues will arise. Long Term Stable versions are all more stable, and all of them are more stable than the current versions of Windows. These current versions have been tested and are the downloads you are invited to take from the distribution's website and its Wiki pages, discuss.
All the variants of Ubuntu desktop have an LTS Long Term Stable version, so if you rather not have the most current but have a more stable reliable with fewer changes, this is a good choice. A new LTS version is not the most stable at first but becomes so. Debian has simply one variant, the current which is well tested and receives updates, the previous version which is stable that receives security updates only. Along with those, all Linux distributions have versions that they are working on that you can use and end-of-life versions that get security updates for a short period.
The meaning of LTS version (look at the distribution's Wiki) but approximately; Ubuntu LTS version that is going to be supported for a longer period of time it does not start out stable, but it is well tested and tend to be even numbers 14. 16. 18. Debian's meaning of LTS version is the previous version that is now stable. Mint's meaning of the LTS version is a long period of support and stability, but not all versions of Mint become Long Term Stable.
Debian is even more stable which you manually update, then everything will run okay. That can be straightforward, or can take some rereading of the Debian website and talking to people on social networking or a Linux forum. Some of the newer Debian high-end desktops have a more automatic update and may also be completed briefly at the shutting down of the computer.
Mint is also more stable, but you may find old drivers can be a limitation. On the other hand, it has all the automatic updating and driver updating the Ubuntu's have. Like many, some are based on Debian 8 which is not receiving updates now but Mint, MX and other supported versions are.
Obviously, you can select the lowest version that is still in support for maximum stability. But many people run Linux distributions that are out of date because they are faster and work fine on old computers. These will be comparable to using Windows 7 which is getting security updates only (12/2021).
The thing that can arise if you install an old version OS is that the security certificates have become out of date, so then software update and install may not work. I have seen this with Mageia 7 to 8 and with MX Linux.
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Getting the Best from Firefox
The number of open tabs that this browser can cope with depends on the operating system and computer speed as well. Firefox (30) and (57) were markedly faster than previous versions - like most things, periodically parts of this software are taken apart and put back together tidier. Netscape/Firefox launches a version every few years that greatly improve on what went before.
If you set Firefox to open old tabs [restore] and you have a lot of Tabs running, it will go progressively more slowly. This is true of either Windows or Linux versions. The remedy is to, close Firefox, when the disk activity stops, open it again. All the tabs will be there again, memory straightened out, and the tab you are viewing will be the only one running. It will then go full-speed, you can also open a few more tabs if you chose to.
Firefox has always used lots of memory. It also fragments or uses more memory the longer it runs. So closing Firefox and re-opening it is a good strategy. Do that before the computer freezes up. The issue is also apparent in other browsers.
Other web-browsers also slow down when many tabs are open, and they have been running for a while. They also benefit from closing and re-opening periodically. They probably use the same Firefox intellectual property.
Irrespective of the operating system, Firefox operates faster with more RAM and 2 GB is a lot better than 1 GB for example.
The main point is an issue arises you can google and if that fails ask for help on a forum or Facebook group etc. for most things.
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Some disk maintenance tools run on XP, but there is a catch, Reconfigure or repair and also bios updating is more complicated and may not be possible in another OS other than what was originally loaded on that PC. Unfortunately, in some laptops, the catch is that the BIOS cannot be updated (easily) without Windows XP running or what was originally installed and having a good battery.
Bexhill-on-Sea Old Town May 2015 - nothing to do with computer operating systems but to break up the text a bit. The bendy road leads your eye into the picture.
Why alternative operating systems should be considered now?
Many Linux distributions can be Installed on most computers in a straight forward way, It did not used to be like that. There are also many Linux's which you do need to be a Linux Nerd to use. In any case you need to be reasonably comfortable with technology. Unlike Windows though, you don't need to worry about; virus updating and scanning, registry maintenance, disk de-fragmentation and ChkDsk to keep it running efficiently. Also updates occur whilst you are logged in, so there are no delays whilst the operating system configures or updates when starting or closing down, they don't do those things that way.
AntiX Linux is very fast, light and full of manual controls. To get to all my programs and all the settings plus update I first click on the pull-up then click on Applications and all I would have on another desktop is there. This is not really a regular desktop, for example I have to manually start up everything.
Dual boot windows and Linux.
Ubuntu and some distributions based on Ubuntu the clock may be wrong in the UK in the summer. Debian is fine though if Windows is present it sets it time to local time if not it asks at installation time if you want to use Coordinated Universal Time (UTC or GMT) instead.
The fix for Ubuntu is straightforward, to set Linux to use local time in the same way that all PC's running Windows have always worked. This command-line may need to be carried out again after applying a major update of Ubuntu (update from 18.? To 20.? For example).
Execute the terminal command line in the case of Ubuntu 16 and 18:
timedatectl set-local-rtc 1
Or (for Lubuntu 18.4)
sudo timedatectl set-local-rtc 1
See: https://askubuntu.com/questions/169376/clock-time-is-off-on-dual-boot
MX or AntiX Linux - set the clock to local time (not UTC) during installation.
Windows 10 - I found it necessary to do the above change as with any other Windows, but then I needed to manually change the time after the autumn hour change go back and do the same on Linux. This solution works after over a year (Feb 2019).
--- Partition numbering; Windows XP, 7 or 10 seems to matter, so Windows can delete the highest number partition if the partitions are numbered out of order 1-2-3-4-5... etc. By comparison, Linux does not care about the partition numbering other than to obey the rule that primary partitions are numbered 1 to 4 for MBR type and will renumber primary partitions rather than delete other partitions by comparison with the Windows partition tool ---
The problem arises if you move a Windows partition to another disk, then repair the installation in order to make it startup. Installing Windows 7 does re-order partitions so that they are numbered consecutively, including any Linux partitions.
Windows 10 can add or change partitions during the regular update process, breaking other windows or Linux distributions existing on the hard disk. I have seen this with GPT partitioned and MBR partitioned hard disks.
I have found that GParted Linux partition tool is very clear so and is as safe as is possible for a tool that manipulates partitions. Some of the propriety add on tools for Windows are also safer as possible and are much safer than using the tools integrated with Windows. The tools integrated with Windows are quick and work on a system with just one instance of Windows installed but do not show the extended partition, so it is not apparent why a partition can not be resized making the graphical representation looks like GPT partitions but not working properly.
It is usually the case that Windows tools provided are minimal and work safely but some of those tools can be poor and that is the rare case where another tool eg Paragon is a safer tool.
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What an awful work cell he is working in?
The guy in the picture picks the computer up and chucks it, then smashes it. The World is full of demanding expectation, intolerance, discrimination and good legislation that is not enforceable.
w Personal comfort with a Computer
Set the Contrast and Brightness at a noticeably low level, And you will find you can do intense work for much longer.
Break off from work periodically and have proper tea and food breaks. They are statutory (Trucking Acts) built into work to increase your productivity as well as keep you well, so they are mutually beneficial.
Move the mouse onto the desk so that you have to reach a little.
Avoid resting your wrist on the edge of the desk. Such as moving the keyboard as well.
Position the screen fairly vertical to avoid light reflecting from the screen.
Plan things on paper before you do anything on a computer. When you have years of experience using a computer, you will find this tip less important. But anyway plan as much as you can see, when you can see further plan some more but only detail as much as you need to or as far as you can see - the plan will change anyway.
As with anything, break off from what you are doing and do something else periodically. When you come back to it, you often see that you were a little on the wrong track, so you can put that aside and explore that better possibility.
Change things and move before your physical aches set in.
The Borg cube (from Star Trek); "Resistance is futile"
Alternatively, be patient, do something else, come back and try again you will find a solution.
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DISTRIBUTION can be the Linux Kernel, the desktop {the main Graphical User Interface (GUI)} and a collection of other applications web-browser, office and GUI's for configuration. There are other Distros or Distributions that instead of the Linux kernel may use a variant of the same desktop but with UNIX or FreeBSD kernel. Other tools with GUI's rather than using the text terminal are; installers, configuration and also be complied for a specific set of electronic devices, in this case I am considering a PC (@IBM). PC although originally was supplied with IBM DOS or CP/M 86 but is an open specification to allow a range of operating systems. PCs are not made specifically for Linux, Windows or other Operating Systems - the operating systems are made for the PC or other.
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The best home computer
The best-performing home computers of the 1970s-1980s were the Acorn Atom, BBC micro and this latter computer displaced the Commodore PET as the desirable home computer. The microprocessor used in these and also the Commodore 16 and 64 was a Rockwell R6502. The R6502 microprocessor was not pin interchangeable unlike the R6501 with the by then quite old MC6800 (the MC6800 was used by the military, I understand, for quite a long time before its commercial launch in 1976 hence it has a very well refined architecture). The two-phase clock input of an MC6800 had to be carefully designed, whereas all other microprocessors were handled internally. MOS Technology 6502 - Wikipedia
These home computers generally consumed 5W plus 100W for the monitor. Compared with 250W power supply that a modern PC is fitted with. Notebook PC's power consumption is more modest but still, they consume much more power than an Acorn Atom. A laptop's power supply is 60W or less.
The value of second-hand computers like most things used to be high and the value of a computer remained high for many years, say 80% of its new cost. The term dumping for selling new products cheap went out of fashion in the 1980s, banks were deregulated, and much more money was created. Buying from abroad was the thing to do instead, and much higher levels of wastage became fashionable.
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Keeping a Back-up.
Memory sticks and large serial flash used to only tolerate being formatted FAT and the sector size should not be changed. I have found though that USB sticks usually can be formatted to other Windows or Linux formats reliably.
USB memory sticks should be formatted; FAT, FAT16 or exFAT impose less wear on the memory stick which in any case the memory stick takes care of data reliability.
Make sure that there is a DOS partition zero, the first partition, so that that one partition can be used on a Windows computer. This is a Microsoft limitation.
Cheap (discounted) things found in supermarkets and discount shops; May not be set up properly or customers returned product but not fixed properly.
A USB memory stick 64 GB in one case was formatted wrongly, but after reformatting to exFAT became full spec. capacity.
Another was not fully USB compliant and does not operate with USB 1.1.
A number of the older 1 and 2 GB USB sticks fail after being used to install an operating system after a few cycles of reprogramming. This is inconvenient because many Linux distributions only require 1 or 2 GB memory sticks and in any case, the BIOS in the Vaio laptop above will only read those smaller USB sticks.
I have found that zip such as 7-zip running on Windows does not reliably save to a large 64G or 128G memory stick. To save to a hard disk and then copy to the USB stick. From Linux seems okay.
Using a cloud drive and backup to the PC
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Conclusion - What you get with Linux is not better, but it is different.
Linux is better all the same.
Note - the animations and cartoons do not belong to me, if they belong to you, and you would like to be acknowledged please tell me.
Unfortunately, this Google hosted website does not allow the animations to run.
One Page Linux Manual Basic Linux Commands YouTube (These have been recommended, I have not used them much)
To discussion this, go to; blog.andrew-lohmann.me.uk