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Thread ID: 135989	2014-01-07 02:22:00	Linux Mint a good alternative for "oldies" ??	Misty (368)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1364469	2014-01-07 02:22:00	I am a member of SeniorNet (Committee and Tutor). At the moment we offer coaching in a wide variety of programs, etc on OS's Windows 8.1, Win 7, Vista and XP. Almost exclusively retired people voluntarily teaching other retired people to use IT. Shortly we will stop actually putting XP into our timetable, but still have it available on demand to those who wish. We have 285 members of which 40% would still be on XP. Although we like Windows 8.1 we are having issues with its teaching and some with performance. We have looked at Linux in the past, but have discounted, because of the steep learning curve. Now we are looking at Linux Mint and understand that it is more stable and easier to learn than previous Linux options. Are we deluded or is that the case please ? What we have in mind is dual-booting on the machines that have Windows 8.1 loaded at present, so that it would be an alternative. Essentially would Linux Mint be a reasonable and good transfer, mostly for those of our members still on XP ? Many of these users have been on XP for around ten years. They happily do basic tasks such as email and internet. A few Skype and programs at that level and not much else. We don't want to encourage older people to transfer to a system which they will find to hard, or is not reliable. Be really glad to hear your thoughts !	Misty (368)
1364470	2014-01-07 02:57:00	Linux Mint is OK, BUT if someone has learnt certain functions on XP then Mint will be a learing curve still There would be no easy simple swap, you will still have the same learning curve as changing from XP to Windows 8 or 8.1. Most of the linux users will say no problems etc, BUT they have already learnt how to use it or are proficent in computer usage before hand. beginners WILL have problems changing from One OS to another. Just do a google search for "linux mint is it mainstream ready" read all the opinions and then decide. If the PC's powerful enough and capable, I wouldn't Dual boot, I'd use a VM on another OS (Virtual Machine) with Mint, that way once setup you can take a copy of the VM, and then doesn't matter what happens to the original, if it gets totally toasted, mucked up, simply drop the copy back in and alls fixed.	wainuitech (129)
1364471	2014-01-07 04:12:00	In my opinion Linux is for enthusiasts and their families (so they have support) rather than for the general PC user community. Linux advocates will say otherwise, and certainly Mint is quite similar to XP for basic tasks and easy to use for web browsing, E-mail and the like, but good luck explaining to someone why the new printer they just bought won't work, or why that interesting program they downloaded won't install, or what a dependancy is. Linux has certainly made big strides, it's easy for a novice like myself to download and install Mint or Ubuntu and generally it detects most hardware and works. Sometimes quicker and easier than windows does. A standard installation usually includes enough software for most common tasks. But so far I've given up on it every time I've tried it, there's always something that ends up taking me days of research and trial and error and ends in frustration. My last serious attempt at linux was as a media player for the lounge, It would not work with my TV tuner and could not play blu-ray at all. After a week of effort I managed to get a screen full of static in myth TV proving that I was talking to the TV tuner, never did figure out how to get it to tune. Took 10 mins in windows.	dugimodo (138)
1364472	2014-01-07 04:35:00	Since I mentioned a VM, I thought I'd just try loading in Mint on it, HMMMMMMMMM :groan: Had MANY problems with Mint not liking PC's saying not enough resources etc :groan: Heres whats loaded on the VM at the moment: 5441 The PC is Rinning Windows 7 (the Base OS) as well as Windows 8.1 & Windows 7 in a virtual Machine all at the same time with ease, Yet MINT when trying to load it into a VM, with nothing else running apart from the Host W7, says there are not enough resources and the CPU will work at 100%, and drivers not available ---- Errrrrrrrrrrr hellooooooooooo. If you dual boot with 8.1, also be prepared to "fix" Windows. Dugimodo's post above sets it out very nicely, with the exception of the hardware picking up, so far I've tried 3 different versions of Mint on as many different computers and none work correctly.	wainuitech (129)
1364473	2014-01-07 05:41:00	As long as they recognize it's not a 1:1 identical switch, then sure. Back in the day it was Lycoris Linux that people used. Dunno now, I stick with Mint myself. Might be worth trying this though, it looks quite promising! http://www.zorin-os.com	Chilling_Silence (9)
1364474	2014-01-07 07:00:00	As long as they recognize it's not a 1:1 identical switch, then sure . Back in the day it was Lycoris Linux that people used . Dunno now, I stick with Mint myself . Might be worth trying this though, it looks quite promising! http://www . zorin-os . com You may be onto something there Chill :thumbs: Had a look at Zorin -- downloaded it, and installed in a Virtual Machine, ( host is windows 8 . 1) Working really nice, went straight in, and worked perfectly, sees the network easy, also picked up both my networked Laser printers and installed fine . Suggestion -- If you want to use a different OS Forget Mint, try Zorin, looks more like XP / W7 and wouldn't need much adjusting . ( maybe just different programs like Office etc . Screen shot below: 5444	wainuitech (129)
1364475	2014-01-07 07:15:00	Just adding to my last post -- You will still be in the same boat though as Dugimodo Mentioned earlier on --- "Linux is for enthusiasts and their families (so they have support) " The question would be if you got members to use Zorin, who would support it when something goes wrong ?	wainuitech (129)
1364476	2014-01-07 08:04:00	If all you want to do is use your computer for simple everyday tasks, then Linux does not mean a big learning curve. I have a friend who for a number of years installed Linux as a replacement OS for dozens of mainly elderly users and there have been very few issues. I don't believe dual booting is the answer. Unless you MUST have (and I really mean must) particular applications that only run on Windows, then don't do it - you will be forever rebooting your PC to get access to the "right" application. Virtual machines (VirtualBox) is a much more practical solution. But if you are wanting to depart from MS Windows, make sure that Linux is the host OS. There is no "better" long term version of Linux - it is all about personal choice. However if Senior Net were to begin to use Linux seriously, then one would be needed as the standard. My choice these days is Ubuntu with the Unity interface - simple, easy to use and does not get in the way of doing the job. It is a modern interface that is much easier to use than Windows 8 IMO. Since SeniorNet is a voluntary organization, hopefully it should not be hard to find a local Linux supporter to give a hand if needed. I have tired to suggest Linux to SeniorNet in the past but they were not interested since it was not MS.	johnd (85)
1364477	2014-01-07 08:17:00	Learning curve aside, or what version if Linux is used, one point has not been risen. WHO is going to convert all the computers currently being used, AND / OR new Computers Brought to Linux ? 40% of the XP users is over 100 computers Linux doesn't come preinstalled on New PC's brought from the local toaster shop stores. Its all very well saying " a local Linux supporter to give a hand if needed" for one or two problems but if the local supporter suddenly finds out his /her skills are going to be "Used" for more than helpful support they could tell you where to go or start charging for their services.	wainuitech (129)
1364478	2014-01-07 08:20:00	Choosing a Linux distribution is a little like being a car enthusiast trying out different engines - you will go through a stage of trying lots and move to a point of choosing one that suits you (or your organization). Other people's opinions are of some use but in the end it is your experimenting that will lead you to the best choice. The best vehicle to do this testing on is probably Virtual Box (I use it all the time in a teaching institution to run a number of different distributions of Linux as well as MS OSs).	johnd (85)
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