It was good to read your post, Ian, and a warm welcome to you from a fellow UKer. You will certainly enjoy the forum and you'll get plenty of support though maybe you're not so new to Linux - I've been here 3 years and have learnt a lot from the ever-helpful community here.
Yes, like you, I have been put off Windows from the security & privacy aspects. At the time (2014), my move to Linux was prompted more by the official withdrawal of WinXP support, mixed with a desire for change and curiosity about free operating systems in general and the sense of adventure that goes along with that. However, I've now become more aware of security/privacy issues as apparently Win10's telemetry has now been applied to Win7 & 8 too
I haven't looked back since I moved to LL specifically, and Linux more generally - really glad I made the change. However, unfortunately, I still need Win7 in our house on at least one PC, for those tasks that are either too complicated or impossible to do with Linux, due mainly to a lack of Linux driver availability, e.g. for different scanner utilities, configuring a router, flashing BIOS, etc. I'd rather be in a Windows-free household but, maybe in time, such difficulties with Linux will eventually be ironed out if it becomes more popular (and hopefully it does) ...
Welcome again Ian, and enjoy the journey - I'm sure your computer help-desk skills & knowledge will be very useful here
Cheers
Mike
Yes, like you, I have been put off Windows from the security & privacy aspects. At the time (2014), my move to Linux was prompted more by the official withdrawal of WinXP support, mixed with a desire for change and curiosity about free operating systems in general and the sense of adventure that goes along with that. However, I've now become more aware of security/privacy issues as apparently Win10's telemetry has now been applied to Win7 & 8 too
I haven't looked back since I moved to LL specifically, and Linux more generally - really glad I made the change. However, unfortunately, I still need Win7 in our house on at least one PC, for those tasks that are either too complicated or impossible to do with Linux, due mainly to a lack of Linux driver availability, e.g. for different scanner utilities, configuring a router, flashing BIOS, etc. I'd rather be in a Windows-free household but, maybe in time, such difficulties with Linux will eventually be ironed out if it becomes more popular (and hopefully it does) ...
Welcome again Ian, and enjoy the journey - I'm sure your computer help-desk skills & knowledge will be very useful here
Cheers
Mike
64bit OS (32-bit on Samsung[i] netbook) installed in [i]Legacy mode on MBR-formatted SSDs (except pi which uses a micro SDHC card):
2017 - Raspberry pi 3B (4cores) ~ [email protected] - LibreElec, used for upgrading our Samsung TV (excellent for the task)
2012 - Lenovo G580 2689 (2cores; 4threads] ~ [email protected] - LL3.8/Win8.1 dual-boot (LL working smoothly)
2011 - Samsung NP-N145 Plus (1core; 2threads) ~ Intel Atom [email protected] - LL 3.8 32-bit (64-bit too 'laggy')
2008 - Asus X71Q (2cores) ~ Intel [email protected] - LL4.6/Win8.1 dual-boot, LL works fine with kernel 4.15
2007 - Dell Latitude D630 (2cores) ~ Intel [email protected] - LL4.6, works well with kernel 4.4; 4.15 doesn't work
2017 - Raspberry pi 3B (4cores) ~ [email protected] - LibreElec, used for upgrading our Samsung TV (excellent for the task)
2012 - Lenovo G580 2689 (2cores; 4threads] ~ [email protected] - LL3.8/Win8.1 dual-boot (LL working smoothly)
2011 - Samsung NP-N145 Plus (1core; 2threads) ~ Intel Atom [email protected] - LL 3.8 32-bit (64-bit too 'laggy')
2008 - Asus X71Q (2cores) ~ Intel [email protected] - LL4.6/Win8.1 dual-boot, LL works fine with kernel 4.15
2007 - Dell Latitude D630 (2cores) ~ Intel [email protected] - LL4.6, works well with kernel 4.4; 4.15 doesn't work