Hi all,

I am an activist. I am becoming concerned with security on line because I have posted videos exposing SERIOUS corruption within the government at all levels. With all the recent claims of executive authority in the name of cyber security and govt eavesdropping I am interested in finding a more secure op sys. Windows is to vulnerable. I have an HP7845 Sound Blaster 64 Sound card. Radeon 9800 video card. I have a large volume of videos and media/research reports I cant afford to lose. How easy is the conversion? And also concerned with software. Will programs work the same or at all?Is my equipment even compatible with other opsystems. Is there a risk of glitches that would curtail my efforts after attempting the change. I KNOW NOTHING about other systems hell I can barely run XP. However I would hate to lose files or go through a months long debugging venture.

Welcome to LQ The switch to Linux is very simple. However, I (and others here) would strongly recommend that you back up all of your data before making any changes - that way the data is secured in case something goes wrong.

Your hardware is supported by any of the recent distros, so that shouldn't be an issue. Without knowing which software you rely on though, we can't advise on the effects of a switch. Most Windows software has a Linux equivalent though.

In terms of the distro to switch to, I'd recommend Linux Mint, PCLinuxOS or Ubuntu as both are easy and simple to set up and use.

The first security rule is obscurity. Advertising yourself with these claims in a public forum is not going to help you protect your data, if you truly own that kind of data.

Windows, by default, is not a secure OS (can't comment on newer versions, though). However any given OS is just as secure as knowledgeable is the administrator. Linux can too be vulnerable. Most problems come via user actions. Linux can help you secure your box, but it's not the panacea.

Your sound card and your video card shouldn't be a problem. Linux supports most hardware nowadays. However you can always download a couple of livedvds, boot them and check yourself without having to install anything. You can as well set up a dual boot system, so you will have Windows available as a boot option while you become acquainted with Linux.

Linux will not help you to protect your videos from a failing hard disk, a fire in your house or an hurricane. You know it won't. You (and everyone knows) how to avoid losing data: it's a word called "backup", and every OS in the planet (even Windows) can do that. Again, the key here is the user. If you have a good backup policy you won't lose any data, it doesn't matter the OS you use. If your hard driver fails then you are screwed.

If you truly can't afford to lose this info that you are advertising you own in a public forum that every enemy in the planet can see, the first thing you should do is to put a couple of backups in two different locations that are far away from your house. And preferably, in places that are not related to you in any way.

It depends on the tasks you do and the software you use.

No. Windows programs don't work on Linux just like PSP games don't work on Wii. There are Linux versions for many Windows programs, and you might find suitable replacements for the rest. Just let us know what kind of task you do and what software do you use and we will try to do our best to guide you.

Welcome and good luck on your new adventure.