A Free Windows XP Alternative - Comments Page 2

I switched to Ubuntu about 5 years ago. Never looked back. I read some of the issues listed above. I experienced many of those challenges as well in the beginning. But Google is your friend. You would be surprised how easy the solutions are. Ubuntu is easier and safer than Windows.

Never having tried a Linux program, do you have to install a specific security program or is the one used with windows okay to use.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Generally, no anti-malware software is needed for Ubuntu!

You printer might not work at all, or you might have to jump through hoops to get it to work.

I'm one of those also concerned about drivers. I'm concerned about my old HP parallel port printer and old Canon scanner (USB) working. I like Konti's idea above about a future article about Ubuntu drivers.

Thanks Bob for attempting to give an alternative. With so many XP users happy with what they have, why the heck would Microsoft stop protecting it? Makes you wonder. If they stop supporting us, why should we support them? I won't purchase a computer with their OS ever again.

Okay ... Bob, thanks for this very informative article. I have never wanted to use Linux anything and still don't.

I was a XP user and lover, for years. I didn't want to change, one thing about XP, period!!! I fought and fought looking at Windows 7. Heavens, Win 7 didn't even have my favorite Outlook Express!!! How could I live without Outlook Express??? Plus, I would lose so many games, that I had purchased ... They simply would not work in a newer Windows environment, since, so many were still basically Win 98 games.

Last May 22, 2013 ... I took the BIG step and purchased Windows 7 Pro SP1 - 32bit. I know, it cost me some money, but, I honestly felt that $139.00 was not too bad, considering what Windows 8 was/is costing. I want all of you to know, I was pleasantly surprised, that my oldest daughter, who is a computer geek, as well ... Was totally "right on", saying that there wasn't that much difference between Windows XP and Windows 7.

The perpetual "learning curve" was much shorter, than I expected. It really took me longer, to adjust and learn Windows XP, going from Windows 98 ... Then, it did me learning Windows 7. YES ... I did lose many of my purchased games, it happened to me, when I went to Windows XP, too. It just happens to be, the "nature of the beast." However, I have gotten so many newer games, that I love just as much, that really do work!!! It took going to Win 7, for these games to get the "full treatment" of working properly.

Just to let those know ... I got my Windows 7 Pro SP1 - 32Bit at Newegg. The price, I got it at, is still the same $139.00, for both the 32Bit & 64Bit. Windows 7 SP1 Home Premium - both 32 & 64 Bit is selling for $99.00. Yes, that is expensive ... But, I think, good prices for a product that will work with almost all of your peripherals and components. Leastwise, it did with mine and some were fairly old. I am also, sure that you can find even lower prices on eBay or other websites ... But, I felt safe using Newegg and KNEW that Newegg would NOT be selling any pirated copies!

This is just my thoughts on this issue. I know that there are many, many fans of Linux and Ubuntu and swear by them. However, I guess I am just a Windows fan and simply, didn't want to change operating systems. As mad, as I get at Microsoft ... Windows has worked for me, extremely well, since, September 1996, when I got my very first computer, using Windows 95-B to Win 98 and I jumped from Win 98 to Win XP Pro, then jumped again, from Win XP Pro to Win 7 Pro.

I have also, been very pleased with the Windows Pro versions. I have found them to be solid performers and very little BSOD or continual "rebooting", which can be a sign of driver and component issues, not just viruses and the like. As I have stated before, on other issues ... I LOVE the NTSF format!!! It just works, for me at least.

Bob, you may want to point folks to the LTS versions of Ubuntu. I prefer to have my family members use the Long Term Support versions. BTW, the LXLE project should work well for older XP type hardware.

I've been almost MS free for two years now having switched to Linux. The learning curve actually wasn't too bad. On my daily machine I use Linux Mint. I'm currently trying out other distributions that have the look of XP. The challenge will be trying to get my partner to switch from XP. She likes her XP and doesn't seem worried about the consequences of continued XP use. I'm playing with Zorin Linux and LXLE Linux both based on Ubuntu). Light weight distributions and straight forward installs although I have older machines. Free ISOs of course and burned (in my case) to DVD. Most Linux distributions can be run 'Live' from CD/DVD or USB drive before installed to the hard-drive. Pleased with both but will the 'missus' be convinced?

For those having trouble installing Linux on their hard drive, Linux can run from a "live" version on CD or DVD, or a pen drive if you have a flash drive slot on your PC. For the latter, a lot of information is available on pendrivelinux.com
If you want to run linux from a CD, DVD or pen drive, you'll want a linux which is designed to run that way, vs one which mainly gives you an into, but gives most happiness when installed.
Puppy linux is one you can run forever from usb thumb drive, CD or DVD.
There are a lot of spinoffs to Ubuntu, a tried and true workhorse. The most popular now is Linux Mint, per distrowatch.com. This one, however, will not update normally, but requires you to keep the the linux in a seperate partition from your personal data and programs (the HOME folder).
For everyone with driver problems, there are a lot of Ubuntu how-to pages out there. Look it up using startpage.com (google not spun in favor of ads it thinks you want) or duckduck.go You're best off using info not more than a couple of years old, altho you might luck out if it's older.
I've run linux for quite a while, now, and favor Ubuntu and its clones, but also like Puppy and playing with others loaded onto flash drives. Happy exploring, everyone, and remember my motto for linux: "We drive you crazy for less!" :)

To those who are wondering about security/antivirus - On Linux you do not need to install such programs. In fact, there really aren't any. So far as I know they all come with a good firewall that is enabled by default and there are graphical frontends for it if you want to specially configure it, but aren't comfortable on the command line.

Anyone see a class action lawsuit coming? They're leaving the elderly extremely vulnerable since they are unlikely to understand any of this. Their personal information will be exposed.

I tried to install Ubuntu on my Acer Ferrari laptop. I couldn't get it to install even with the support of an IT expert so I abandoned the idea.

I Have a duel boot with Linux and XP. Is my computer safe as long as I don't boot into XP or do I need to uninstall XP?

EDITOR'S NOTE: You are safe. If Linux is running, your Windows system is dormant and can't be attacked.

Many thanks. But isn't it still a security issue to keep the XP software on the computer? This lack of MS support of XP may be the impetus I need to start using Linux, at least on my old laptop so I can have a workable spare. I've been wanting to try it for more years than I care to say!

EDITOR'S NOTE: There's no security risk in having XP on your computer, as long as Windows is not the currently active OS.

For newbies, I would suggest Xubuntu. I feel it is closer to Win XP. The problem with Linux distros is that they come in ISO downloads. You need something like UNETbootin to get the ISO file ready for xubuntu. I have a dual boot system Win8 + Xubuntu.
Note there is a free online linux course at edx.org however, it starts in Sept 2014 not too far off. It is FREE.

I have systems running XP, Vista and Windows 7 (both Starter and Pro) and have yet to find any "new" OSs that can do much better than good old XP for what I do. Plus a quick check of the computer controlled equipment at my place of employement shows XP is still the good, basic workhorse. And it seems that most of the equipment companies the stuff comes from have basically said they have no real need or intention of spending the time and money "updating" their software to work on anything else. The smart money in my book will be on someone who "takes over" the updating of XP when MS quits. They will find plenty of manufacturing and other businesses happy to hire them to keep the machines humming. And I don't doubt such a service will find customers all over the globe where users/businesses want a basic dependable OS rather than the frills.

Also the hard-drive filling "bloat" the new OSs bring, plus the high demands on hardware just means more older but perfectly useable (and paid for) computer hardware will be heading to the already bursting landfills. "Progress" that produces such waste is not progress at all.

I just get so tired of the attitudes that "newer," "frillier," and more expensive somehow trump "tested. true, dependable, (relatively) simple, and (finally) decently priced."

I'm sure Linux is nice and all, but why get something I would have to modify with this that and the other thing to get what I already own (software and hardware)to work?

Most of the people I know who use computers just want off the shelf plug and go for their email, eBay, and solitaire games. Dealing with all the bells and whistles of the newer OSs just frustrates them, and they certainly aren't going to want to deal with trying to figure out how to get a different OS to work.

I just needed to vent a bit.

I wouldn't touch linux with a 10 foot pole if it were not required. I had to use it at work for a little while writing some software for it because a customer of our customer used it. What a pain to use and to find and install any software for it. We used Redhat, not Ubuntu, so maybe there's some difference.

Howdy Bob!

I have to question Ubuntu about the (quick)release of the new/updated versions and how those installations have to be installed.

Is the updated version "clicked-on-and-installed" or does the entire computer system/hard drive have to be backed up, the new version of Ubuntu installed on a formatted hard drive, then the backup re-installed?

Oh, just in case I might be mis-understood, I am only speaking about the full install onto the hard drive (with no other OS installed on the hard drive), not the "live CD" versions or a virtualbox "install".

Just wondering if you have info on that.

Thanks!

Just to FYI, I tried Ubuntu *years* ago and it just wasn't my cup of tea - fun to play with, but it was not at the level it needed to be (for me). However, now I have one PC with the current version of Ubuntu installed on it, one with PCLinux installed on it, one with Windows Vista installed on it, and another with Windows 7 installed on it. My main machine is running Windows 8.1 and I have no qualms with it. Or the other computers. But, still my question keeps coming up.

Bob
You have once again excelled yourself with this article my personal thanks , how do you store all this info , i wish that I had your knowlege . I am going to try Ubunto as asecondary OS aside with windows 7 home
Thank you bob for this article and help which you give .Regards Sky Dive

Bob:

Seems like there is a support program that will keep your Win XP running.[In their words]

Reimage - an easy-to-use optimization program - detects errors on your PC. It removes and replaces damaged files. During this repair process, the sophisticated Reimage replaces deleted and corrupted files with fresh Windows files. Your Windows XP computer's performance and stability can be improved and restored.

I have not used it ,but thought I should bring it
to everyones attention.