I read recently that Windows is about to get some Linux software included! Not sure of the details, must check it out. I never thought that would happen!

I to have the latest Ubuntu 2019. I have been using Ubuntu for about 15 years. Yes Libra is I think better than windows version. Different in some ways but, still better. I dual boot kali and Ubuntu.

Used mint for many years

A user since 1999.

Started on DeadRat (RedHat), then RHEL (never with any support packages), CentOS, Fedora, and now seduced by Debian mostly - Stretch/Wheezy/RasPi on my various ARM boards/SoC, and a copy of Ubuntu 18.04LTS on my primary desktop machine (well, it's a laptop, not a desktop, but it sits on the desk wired in and not lapping or topping).

I refuse to use M$ or Windoze, last dirtied my fingers with XP and haven't had to touch it since, luckily. Apple can go fornicate it's plagiaristic closed-source software and it's overpriced hardware. Hate all Crapple with a passion, but it has the positives of being easily used when needs must as it's just a *nix running kinda like in special Toddler&Preschooler mode, where it won't let you do s**t or change anything, but it'll let you poke around in a limited, supervised, sanitised shell.

As for Android... I hate Java with a passion. But it's the only choice - the only IOS I interact with doesn't run on silly, overpriced white phones, it runs on silly, overpriced, noisy, large grey boxes 19" wide with a logo that looks a bit like this: 1u._.u1 (with lots of cables attached and bristling with LFLs and 4 LRFs[LFL: Little Flashing Light; LRF: Little Rubber Feet]).

With Apple basically running an Apple-ised GNU system (it _IS_ Linux, just without the Kernel ;) ) and M$'s "PowerShell" almost fully POSIX-compliant you could argue everyone is using Linux these days!

Got Linux Lite on an old laptop - for emergencies = slow but Always reliable.
Dual boot on main laptop, Linux Mint sarah I think, and 7.

Ok I see a lot of Linux users. That is interesting really. Are there any developers on here? I started with P7 from PCLinux then moved to VectorLinux and now onto a combo of Linux Lite and pure Xubuntu. Ease of use is Ubuntu based but for speed Slackware based distros can be built extremely fast.

My Linux (Ubuntu) is on a Dell laptop which has just died. The mains charger is 'not recognised' despite being the same one that came with the laptop. So the battery does not get charged. Must get it back to Dell to see if they can do something.

I have never had a Dell so I am not completely familiar, why not just buy another charger, or take to Best Buy and see if that is the issue, instead of sending the whole unit back in, as for batteries I used an old Toshiba for years with a dead battery and only the charger.

I've been refurbishing and giving away desktops and laptops (and recently a surface tablet) for some years now. But Win 7 support has ended, the manufacturers have taken their drivers offline and so I am exploring Linux to give older hardware a second lease on life.

It looks like LXLE 18.08.3 is the best distro for that purpose and now I'm in the process of configurating the panels to look like Windows.

It's a LOT of work.

Hi Arminius, I think if you search a site called 'Major Geeks', there may be someone has done that already and you can download and install it without all the work. They have heaps of freeware.

Haven't tried LXLE, but Ubuntu would be a pretty solid choice and it's similar to Windows look and feel.

What exactly do you know bout Hacking Techniques

Get a rusty pair of scissors and drop out of hairdressing school. You'll be a master hacker.

Linux Mint Mate 20.

I started with Ubuntu about 15 years ago and went to Mate when they adopted unity.

The only problems I've ever had were PEBCAK.

My first pc was an Amiga. I used to write programs for myself with AmigaBasic. It was essentially a keyboard that you plugged into a TV. I bought a printer and wrote a program to print some work stuff for me.

When Amiga died, I had to use MS. Nothing but problems for years until, out of desperation I tried Ubuntu on advice from a co-worker (who used ms). I have never looked back. Unfortunately there is nothing like AmigaBasic. I still write programs for myself though. Python, Lua, even tried some HTML.
I have customized the GUI to suit my preferences.

I use Firefox and DuckDuckGo as well.

I had to use Chrome at work once. I was amazed that I couldn't download anything. Totally new experience to this Firefox user. I've even installed Mate as a dual boot at work a couple of times. While the tech guys are setting up everyone to use the printer, Linux found them all without me doing anything. I've never had any issues using Libre office.

But still nothing has ever matched up with that Amiga. It worked the way I expected a computer to work. Being able to easily write programs for work and play with a language written for the OS. Total access for customization. That's my idea of a computer.

I am using Ubuntu 20.04.

Anyone have any simple projects that can help me learn how to use it better?

I JUST started fiddling with Linux after failed windows 10 Bootcamp installation.. wanted to have an open OS to learn about hacking and security.. if anyone can help with that i’d appreciate it!

using Manjaro with KDE Plasma Desktop.. love the endless customization of it all, it’s taken some adjustment with switching between mac and linux commands but i’ve found myself adding said commands into mac LoL.

what would you use to UEFI boot and be able to read the mainboard manufacturer

through the BIOS after?

My choice is Centos, however built new system with GForce video. Centos wouldn't install, now running Ubuntu 20

This site is not unlike exchanging messages in bottles. [long lag time... I don't visit very often.]

It's been a long slog even to get where I am now, having gone through about 10 distros (Linux Lite, Lubuntu, Chalet, Peppermint, Mint, Puppy, MX, AntiX, Q4OS, LXLE and now SparkyLinux). I am limited because I am trying to keep the installs very light, as I am trying to revive older hardware. This limits your options and even middleweight install can choke an older machine.

Results: Q4OS is fast and light and easily made to look akin to Windows (see XPQ4), but device recognition (WiFi cards, webcams, etc...) is a royal pain. Debian is like that.

SparkyLinux, also Debian-based, comes in different DE's and I'm trying Xfce, which themes easily, but once again, device recognition is an issue.

LXLE (a re-spin of LXDE) is fast and light, easy on the eyes. It is Ubuntu-based so device recognition is much better than Debian. Downside, you'd better get used to a Linux-looking desktop, because the menus, icons and taskbars don't like to move off the default. Basically, load it and take it as it is. If you can live with that, it looks okay in Trinity.

Best so far (with a more powerful machine, 64 bit, twin cores, more RAM), is Cinnamon. Really pretty, not slow.

LINUX IS A LOT OF WORK.

Yes, I didn't read all the posts. I have 4 Raspberry Pi 3b's, a few ZeroWs, For the winter I'm mostly on a Pinebook Pro laptop. All with Debian or Raspbian. I enjoy programming, have half a dozen or so programs on Sourceforge.