Which Linux Distro to completely replace Windows?

I'm sorry but you are sorely mistaken. As a "good American" you just look at your navel. Outside the United States there is life, you know?
The xp continues to be massively used in other continents, central and South America, Africa, Asia and many countries of Europe, China uses it (and they are not few...)
I don't know what it's like in the States, but here in Europe the muitibanco machines (machines that belong to the banks where you can withdraw money), work all, but even all with xp.
I advise you before making statements so inflamed, use our friend google, to get to know a little better the rest of the world.
Signed
A citizen of the world

I'm not defending the windows. Currently use w10 on my laptop and Lubuntu on my desktop. I prefer by far the Linux, but it is unrealistic to say that Linux fully replaces the windows, when the world is scheduled for the massive use of this. We can't be fundamentalist to the point of saying that we don't need windows for nothing.
We all know that suddenly end the windows the world was collapsing, because there was no alternative OS to replace all programs made for windows.
Linux can never replace a corporate giant like microsoft and its windows.

 

You appear to be the one that's mistaken. So sorry but that's not our problem and why blame the US for your problems? Again, Windows XP is used by a very small fraction of the OS pie. It's old and a security risk. Speaking of Google I guess you overlooked this story?

"Looming XP Embedded End of Life Puts 65,000 ATM's At Risk"
http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer...embedded-end-of-life-puts-65-000-atms-at-risk

Once again, that's not our problem. Europe paid Microsoft millions of Pounds and Euros to support and run an outdated OS which is a security threat. They should have moved onto a newer OS like the rest of the world. They have received warning and warning from Microsoft that they were shutting down support for XP.

Nothing in my reply or remarks to you were inflammatory. You appear to be someone who's easily offended but doesn't mind giving false information . You made a statement and said it was false, that Windows 10 is free. Your statement is in fact FALSE. Windows 10 is free for anyone who has Windows 7 and higher. As you yourself said, if you had used Google, you would have noted that Microsoft has wanted to kill off Windows XP for the last 10 years but couldn't. No one should be running a Swiss cheese security threat operating system. If my Bank or financial institution were running Windows XP, i'd walk out the door.

 

"Microsoft, like most global companies, decided to end with XP and force us to buy your new w10 (I say is a lie it be free). You must work for microsoft, to say that you have nothing to do with the problems of Europe or the rest of the world in abandoning the xp. So much patriotism, sounds like arrogance and ignorance, in fact two adjectives that exemplify the way of thinking of Americans."

Microsoft gave Europe years worth of repeated warnings to move on past Windows XP and what does Europe do? They paid Microsoft millions to continue support. They could have used that money for an upgrade. It's an unsecure OS and there are far better alternatives. Windows Vista was a disaster for Microsoft and they shutdown that OS and quickly moved onto Windows 7. That's why they chose Windows 7 as the starting platform for Windows 10 as a free product.

There is no arrogance on anyone's part, other than to do away with outdated software technology and steer everyone else including businesses to a better solution and alternative choice.

It's not a free OS to you because you feel entitled to be included in an OS free program that doesn't apply to a product that is long past it's prime. As I said, and it's common knowledge via a Google search that Microsoft has wanted to close the door on Windows XP for at least 10 years and was unable to until Windows 7.

 

To me it was for free, because it had the w7 in three laptops and all run 10 now. But many people still had the xp and the horrible Vista. and these are going to have to pay for it, where is the free in these cases?

Always talk that microsoft warned Europe of the XP dead, and we don't care to notice.
But the alternative at the time was the Vista, and only a fool would spend millions on a OS so bad, later appears the w7, shortly after the w8 and how gave tent, soon appeared theW 8.1,
In which of these companies should have bet??? The companies had no confidence in the OS the microsoft after the XP, because if they were that good because it changed the so quickly?
Forget that the problem is global, not only in Europe and the other continents?
I already know your answer. What we have to do with the rest of the mortals?? Microsoft became a dictator and leaves us no alternative. Change for W10 or we start using massively free software like Linux. The Germany and France already is replacing Windows by linux in his State administration.

 

Your angst against Microsoft is misplaced. Microsoft saw the writing on the wall. They've been dealing with free Linux and Apple moved it's OS to a service by providing it for free to it's Mac users. Up until recently Apple charged for it's OS. Now for the last few years it's free. And guess what, they too have a cutoff period on their hardware. So if you own a Mac that is beyond it's end of life, there's no free OS from Apple and you have to buy new hardware.

It's another reason why Microsoft switched to a subscription for it's Office Suite and the rumor is that Windows might follow in the future. Contrary to what you may think, i'm not a MS supporter, in fact I passed on Windows 10. But to think Microsoft is a villan and money gouging it's former customers is misplaced. They are just following the new OS business model and they are quite generous allowing everyone from Windows 7 onward to get a free copy of Windows 10. Even those who illegally obtained a copy of Windows 7 or 8 can use Windows 10 with certain restrictions. But to reiterate they decided the cutoff was Vista and there was a lot of hatred for Vista. Windows XP was to Windows users what became Windows 7.

Windows XP is just not a good choice to run in a business environment that's connected to the internet because it has way too many security holes.

 

Ever thought about some business applications and some industrial gear. I have some Windows 2000 and XP systems used for on air recording/playout use. To upgrade the OS, we'd have to buy new expensive software, new hardware, and very expensive AudioScience sound cards alone. Not that simple to upgrade. Those sound cards are very expensive, $350 per machine at cheapest up to $3500 a machine. Those machines don't get on the internet or outside our Intranet where they only network with the production room and main automation servers and scheduling/traffic/billing machines. These machines when they die will get replaced with newer equipment if not new.

 

Guys can I run Linux on a Full UEFI enabled boot ?

And Easy BCD can't run on full UEFI right but I have a doubt If I use
bcdedit /set {default} bootmenupolicy legacy does it enable to use the Easy BCD ? Sorry if this should go in Windows forum...


Thanks.

 

1) Yes, of course, depending on the distro but generally yes.

2) No clue, sorry.

 

Bit of a necro-post so apologies. Does the host system require the correct drivers to run such devices inside a client virtual machine?

So, for instance: Windows 10/8.1 doesn't have the correct drivers but would the device work when virtualised inside a Windows XP client? Internet access could be denied to the XP client to compensate for XP's end of MS support, with intranet enabled to communicate with network systems.

Any thoughts? Something I've always wondered.

 

Won't function in a VM environment. Has to be native.

 

Pardon my insolence, but it's very easy and absolutely free to get legal Windows 10 Pro copy on any machine capable of running it... until 29th July, that is. While it involves unnecessary risks for big enterprises, for small businesses and individual users the whole procedure is as easy as a pie. I believe everyone should at least claim their free upgrade for future use, regardless they need it or not - while they still can.

 

Are you talking about Amazon Lens in Unity? That's like what 4 years old now - is it even still bundled with Ubuntu??

I thought that whole thing was a storm in a teacup tbh although I agree it should have been an opt-in service.

 

As of 15.10 that seems to show as an option in search but won't turn on automatically unless you click on it.

There are actually not only Amazon, but a long list of Internet search providers including not-for-profits like Wikipedia, or more specific services like Weather Underground (nicely formatted, no ads beside its own name). Personally I do like it and believe it makes sense.

 

Matebuntu, it's the closest thing that you'll find to the classic Windows UI in an up to date distro with an actual community around it to help you if you need it, since it's an officially supported version of Ubuntu and all guides for Ubuntu will work perfectly for it.

 

Since TrueCrypt was compromised back in the day, what is the current standard for full disk encryption in Linux now?

 

@Starlight5
LUKS and dm-crypt.

 

Has it ever actually been compromised? I am talking about True TrueCrypt of version 7.1a. Looks like it never was compromised and that's why it was shutdown with a help of... men in black.

Found some info about so-called TrueCrypt evolution called CipherShed.
It's opensource but can be installed on Linux only if you compile it yourself because of some dual license which came out of TryeCrypt. More info about how to do it for Ubuntu is HERE.

 

It will not be easy for you I afraid.
While your hardware most likely will be all right out of box if you install Ubuntu or Mint or almost any actual Linux distribution, you'll have a problems with the software.

So far I can tell you can use another similar Linux software instead of the Odin which is Windows only application, take a look here. But you can't use Samsung Link at all on Linux without a wine. And if you try to do this I think it will be a challenge.
Wine also is the only option if you need a PokerStar client running on Linux

So it could be done but it will not be just an easy like replacing your old Windows XP computer with new Windows 10 one I afraid.
Take a look here for more info related about Linux software, it could be helpful too.

 

Please, recommend me a distribution. I am considering moving to Linux, and will use a spare SSD for testing purposes. I need full-disk encryption unlocked by fingerprint on logon (typing bloody long password every boot is not an option by any means) and touch-friendly desktop enviroment, which supports many keyboard shortcuts for different actions if possible. I will be running newrez, mixxx with JACK audio API, Steam, one or two games via wine. Hardware is in my signature.

Also, I would appreciate some advice on Manga Studio replacement, and an audio player that is able to record internet radio playback history to file.

 

If you are new to Linux - start with Linux Mint or Ubuntu - you can get help on their forums.

You should also consider running Windows inside Linux for apps you cannot replace. I run a Windows XP KVM virtual machine for Adobe Acrobat Pro & Photoshop (virtualbox & vmware are ok - kvm performance is better).

Office 2007 runs perfectly in WINE.

 

I'd shorten that list to just Mint. With Ubuntu, you still have to (at the very minimum) disable the bundled spyware. With Mint at least, it pretty much is an install-it-forget-it OS.

 

@itoffshore @Jarhead thank you both. Mint seems a much better choice for me, indeed. The fact that Mint (as well as Ubuntu) is Debian-based, which I am more or less familiar with, seals the deal.

 

I really need to look into this KVM business. Last time I tried it years ago it was a mess I never figured out.

 

So do all Ubuntu distros pack the spyware, or non Unity Ubuntu have it too (i.e. Kubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, etc)?

 

I haven't found it on any or my Mint installs, and it's definitely not in Ubuntu server.

 

Oh, so it's safe to use Ubuntu MATE then.
Though I kinda started to like default Mint (aka one with Cinnamon).

 

I think the Unity desktop is the only one with it, but dont quote me on that

 

I've read some stuff on it, and it appears to be the case.

 

Oh that brings back memories - almost the dictionary definition of a 'storm in a teacup'. Heaven alone knows how Stallman reacts to something that's actually serious. Only appeared in the Unity desktop. Could be turned off in 2 seconds in the preferences menu, under the privacy section, anyway.

Ubuntu MATE is miles better than Unity anyway - so use that and enjoy.

I tried it and got fed up - Virtualbox won me over due to features and ease of and I've stuck with it in Windows *NIx and OSX, ever since. May try it again this weekend and see how it's come on in the past year.

 

Yeah apparently I'd have to give up using my 780 Ti in Linux and instead use my HD 4600 if I wanted to use GPU pass-through which is the only reason I would use KVM or Xen over vmware anyway but it sounds ridiculously complicated and of course would require my PC to have 2 of my 4 HDMI ports on my TV as well.

 

I thought with ubuntu 16.04 the amazon / web search from the unity search bar is defaulted Off now?

 

Yes.

 

Huh.... news to me.

Still, personally I like MATE more than Unity

 

Agreed, MATE is still one of my favorite *Nix desktop environments.