Thinking Of Switching From Windows 7 To Linux

I have a Sony Vaio E Series Laptop with Windows 7, whose time is up of course. I use Windows 10 at work and don't really care for it. I don't like tiles and I have a hard time figuring out where things are. Back when I had XP I just felt I understood the system better and each new version has gotten more inscrutable. I'm wondering if I should switch to Linux at this point, and considering Mint based on what I've read so far. My computer use is mostly internet, Word, Excel, and some music downloads for a trusty old portable device. No gaming or video editing or anything complicated. So my questions would be: Is Linux more/less secure? Will it be difficult to learn how to use it? What are its limitations for a home user accustomed to Windows 7? Are all web sites able to work with it? Any thoughts welcome.
P'lite
Sony VAIO
Windows 7

 

Why don't you try it? Download and burn to CD or to flash a live version. At the graphic interface level Linux is easy. However if you are finding 10 difficult behind the gui then you may struggle with Linux

 

Give Linux Mint a try. It's a "live disc", meaning that you can boot your computer from the DVD or flash drive and run Mint without having to install it. You can take Mint for a spin, and it won't touch your hard drive or SSD. If you decide that you like it, there's an icon on the desktop for installing Mint on your drive.

 

Thank you both - I didn't know this was an option.

 

Here is a list of most ready-to-go live cd's for running from a cd/dvd or a thumbdrive.
A good variety. Links are provided to the homepage, download, forum or other sites for more info. Not just linux. Some good ones in here....


https://livecdlist.com/media/usb-flash-drive/

 

You'll not be able to run MS Office, but there is Open Office or Libre Office, they can open MS formats but are not 100% compatible say with VBS - macros.
You can go to Win 10 and use software Open Shell or something like Stardock to make Win 10 appear like an older OS - Start 10 & Window Blinds.
Or this article https://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/make-windows-10-look-like-windows-xp/

 

1. More secure by far but few options to upgrade security if you want to do so.
2. Yes but how difficult depends on the distro. In any event, everything is different with Linux. Files will be accessed differently, OS features and tools are all arranged differently, and software compatibility is a little bit limited. Not likely to be a problem, but hardware drivers can be an issue. Also, things like backup and networking can be tricky if you want to do these as most/many do.
3. No MS Office, and a fair amount of the software available for Windows is not available for Linux. However, what does exist I would say more than compensates for what is unavailable. This is because there is a significant amount of software also that is written specifically for Linux.
4. This is one thing for which there is no problem. Browsing the web is 100% the same as with Windows.

With Linux there are 3 major types of distros:
1. Standard flash drive/DVD OS (see here):
https://www.fossmint.com/best-linux-distros-to-install-on-usb/
2. Annual/Semi-annual updates (reinstall the OS with each update-see below):
https://averagelinuxuser.com/rolling-vs-fixed-linux-release/
3. Rolling updates-OS that updates like Windows on a rolling/monthly basis where the OS is never reinstalled
NOTE: type OSes indicated by the red text are normally installed on a main disk

If you can settle on how you want to go with regards to updates, you will have eliminated a nice portion of the difficulty of choosing the best distro for you. If you need a real full service OS, you will probably want to go with a rolling release version like Manjaro. If not, Ubuntu, Mint, Debian, Fedora are all good. The pen ones designed for a pen drive are clever, but a little bit more limited software-wise. If you want to go this route check to see that there is support for software that you will need.

In spite of everything, I feel like the change is worth the cost. Linux uses less system resources and feels better written with little if any waste in the coding. Being a true "noob" is difficult for sure, but it's getting leaps and bounds easier each year. Hard to believe how much the Linux community has been able to work out the details over the last 5 years. Maybe it's the benefit of competition, albeit friendly, that has helped with this.

No harm in starting with a pen drive version, that's for sure. You can create a small partition on the system's main drive to use for a folder for file storage! That way you can keep your current installation of Windows 7 on the laptop. Otherwise, start with the information about types of distros, and branch your research out from there.

 

My main OS is Kali Linux the most difficult OS there is, and yes Linux is more secure then any Windows version every.
For someone just leaning Linux Go with Mint.

 

for easy transition from windows 7 to linux is linux mint.

 

I run Kali on 2 machines, its Debian based so no different to Ubuntu or the likes.
The basics of Linux remain the same, remember the hierarchy tree!! (relative. and absolute path)
Its just that Kali comes with a pandora's box of software applications, designed with Cyber Security in mind!
This makes it a slow OS to load, but once shes running it rockets on all fours!

Its a large OS @ 2gb 64bit installer

 

I agree Replicator Kali has nice programs built in to it. If you know how to use them.

 

The main tools of importance for me are Burpsuite as my intercept proxy, although because the pro version costs $, I have since shifted to ZAP by OWASP which is proving immensely versatile.......and Maltego is great for information mapping on your target.
Its also hard to beat WireShark as a traffic sniffer.

 

I didn't understand a word of that but now I must find a way to get Burpsuite into my life.

 

Primroselite learn how to use Linux mint first, to lean the basics of Linux. Me and Replicator are talking about Kali Linux, for advanced users of Linux.
Great bunch of programs there Replicator. Pretty sure I use them all. I was first taught the old way, like this: ifconfig wlan0 down
airmon-ng
airmon-ng start wlan0
iwconfig wlan0mon
wash -i wlan0mon
reaver -b(mac address) -c(channel) -i
And wait till it done.

 

Are ya'll talking Aussie, French or who?!!?

 

Command lines, in terminal. What it is, is a Brute Force attack. Use for many different purposes.

 

What your doing there is simply placing your Network Adapter in 'Monitor Mode'
Your adapter needs to support this mode apart from 'Manager Mode'

This is essential for using programs to Intercept traffic such as WireShark!

Well, almost.......Its a whole new area though based on Security and probably not relevant here your right!

@Primroselite
Linux is not hard--it's just not what you're used to if you've been using a Mac or Windows.
Change, of course, can be hard, particularly when you've invested time in learning one way of doing things!
Use the University of Youtube to answer any questions you may have!

 

Priroselite, You can also go to LinuxMintForums.com It's a site just like Majorgeeks.com