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Switching To Linux Mint From Windows – My Mega Resource List

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I made the switch from Windows 10 to Linux Mint about a year ago. I’ve never looked back. It has greatly improved my work flow and time online. It might sound strange, but becoming a Linux user really is empowering. It is a significant way to break free from Big Tech. We might not be able to do it in every part of our life today, but every bit we can chip away diminishes their power.

I would like to encourage others to find the same freedom so I will continue to write about my experiences. I’ve assembled this post of helpful articles as you think about making your own switch to Linux.

Windows Updates vs. Linux Updates

If I had to say there was ONE thing I hated about Microsoft Windows above all else (besides the expense, rampant security and privacy issues, and the fact that Bill Gates is apparently a psychopath), it was the updates.

There was one massive Windows update a few years ago that took over my computer for literally hours one morning. I had work to do and it was maddening. No warning it would take hours. None.

I normally don’t respond to the “give us feedback” requests at the end of such things. That time I did and they got an earful. That was the beginning of the end for me and Windows.

With Linux it is completely different. You control it ALL.

You don’t dread it. You look forward to discovering the neat new things people have developed that are open source!

And Linux always asks so politely when there is an update to download.

It’s a totally different experience.

Is there a learning curve with Linux? Yes. There are new terms you have to learn and it can be a little overwhelming at first.

Linux is not as “user friendly” as Windows for the average person. But it is so worth the extra effort to be free from Windows and their vulnerability-plagued operating system.

I mean, why do you think Linux servers run a great deal of what is going on in the background of our world? Did you know that?

Regular people use Windows (and Apple) because they have been aggressively marketed to us. A significant number of large corporations and government entities use Linux because it is the best option by far.

I would never go back.

Deciding To Switch To Linux

I wrote my own story of deciding to switch to Linux: I Switched From Windows 10 To Linux Mint

Linux is significantly more secure than Windows. Here’s a brief look at why.

Think about the issues raised in this article. They are important at this point in time.

Choosing A Linux Distro

A distro in the world of Linux is an operating system. Here’s an article that will help you  choose the distro that best meets your needs.

Many people bring older computers back to life by installing an appropriate distro. So find an old computer in the closet and try it out!

Linux Mint

I settled on Linux Mint (Cinnamon) and have been very happy with it. These articles and videos focus on the process of getting Linux Mint set up on your computer.

Linux Mint Reviews

Three reviews of Linux Mint to help you decide if it might be right for you.

Free Linux Mint Wallpapers and Backgrounds Collections

This website post has a really interesting collection of Linux Mint themed wallpapers and backgrounds. Linux Mint comes with quite a few options, but it’s always fun to see something new!

This collection focuses more on nature and such.

Two collections with a focus on sleeker looks featuring the logo

This website has a unique and fun collection.

Helpful Linux Posts, How-To Articles, and Groups

Here are some helpful how-to resources as you get started:

An overview of how to use the terminal:

Real people if you have questions:

If you prefer looking through books, here are a bunch of suggestions. I personally think it’s easier to learn Linux through videos and asking questions in chats/groups/forums, but books can sometimes also be helpful.

Browsers for Linux

I have been using Brave as my main browser and have been happy with it overall. I will sometimes launch Firefox which comes installed with Mint, but I quit using Firefox as my main browser when they went woke.

I’m currently in the process of switching to Vivaldi for reasons I’ll get into in another post. Vivaldi is another popular choice for Linux users. They have rolled out so many fantastic features that I decided it’s time to make the switch.

But both Brave and Vivaldi are highly recommended for Linux if you want something other than the Firefox that comes with Mint.

Linux Apps

These are some of the apps I use and others that come highly recommended.

Ebook Manager for Linux

Bible Apps for Linux

Joplin – Free open-source Evernote alternative for Linux

  • Joplin is newer and therefore has less bells and whistles than Evernote. But it’s free and designed for Linux so wins all around for that! I use Joplin for my homeschooling record keeping.
  • Joplin Forum

Using LibreOffice On Linux

Because David was an adjunct college instructor for so many years, he received Microsoft Office for free. Now that he no longer teaches, his subscription has ended. We really did not want to pay for it if we didn’t need to.

I’ve been using LibreOffice ever since I made the switch to Linux Mint several months ago. I had ZERO problems making the switch. David decided to try LibreOffice on his Mac (which is NOT running Linux). He said it’s better than Microsoft in so many ways. Best of all? It’s free and open source!

Even if you don’t switch to Linux right away, you can get rid of Microsoft Office and use LibreOffice!

And the really important question – Adding Times New Roman to LibreOffice

Best Email Options For Linux

I returned to Thunderbird when I switched to Linux. After doing a lot of research, I decided it was the best option for me at the moment (plus it is free). I only use Thunderbird for email so I don’t need a lot of bells and whistles. Here are several options to consider.

Linux Phones

Many people not only switch to Linux on their computers, but their phones as well. We have not been able to make this jump yet because Linux phones are pricey. But I would switch in a heartbeat if I could.

I hope you find this information helpful as you think about making the move to Linux and greater freedom from Big Tech!

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  1. David

    I’ll add my comments to Sallie’s post that the only thing that would prevent me from switching from Mac to Linux is that the Adobe Creative Cloud apps are not available for Linux. If they were, I’d switch. But regarding the use of LibreOffice, it opens all the Word files I get from clients, and can save them as .docx or the .ods formats of LibreOffice. The only negative would be that the Impress feature, which is their PowerPoint alternative is hit-and-miss. I have a client that sends me PowerPoints to edit and modify, and usually Impress handles the changes well and saves it in a .ppt file, and then I have Microsoft Office to check it with (MO will open files and review them but not be able to save or edit them unless I reactivate the subscription). I did have one client send a PowerPoint project that I couldn’t do because it had some higher level complexities that Impress couldn’t handle, so I declined that project. But I can say that LibreOffice seems to handle most of the main functions of a Microsoft Office file very well, and that there are some better features in some cases where they kept a feature that MO removed a couple years ago that I was glad was still around (can’t think of it at the moment but it made me glad to see it).

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