Window users who "don't want to learn anything about computers" are the ones crying about virus infection, or - the internet doesn't work. So, to say Windows users don't need to learn computers - they just have to know or pay someone too.

There are modern linux distributions which require little or no more understanding than a windows computer.

DJ

Thanks for the responses.
I could (and do) use GnuCash - just wish it had csv import.
And a HUGE thank you for the list of utilities that could be used to transfer files. The only one that I knew was Samba and I'm have trouble getting it to work now.
I could have set up a web site but was blocked because one utility required the database to be setup but I could find nothing on how it was to be setup or even how to get into it.
I do try to use the info files but either what I'm asking for doesn't exist (spelling?) or there's miles and miles (make that meters) of text that leave me confused.

To continue a revolution...

You can use Linux to bring old computers back to life. For example, I just resurrected a 10-year old laptop with 60 GB hard drive and 512 MB RAM and installed Vector Linux on it.

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i use Ubuntu 12.04.4 LTS
i found it usable and have installed it on the disabled Iraq vet laptop , the teenagers and his 10 yr old,, they can play their web based games and no troubles in 3 yrs !

for file transfers i use a 16 gig usb stick

I would have to add speed, cutting edge software and updates. In Manjaro even testing is very stable and there are so many desktops it is unbelievable what you can make any computer to do, even act, like an Apple or Windows. Do some research and find what you like, I'd suggest a site like distrowatch.com. There are many others, but, that site gives you reviews and news of updates and new operating systems.

One other reason I'd like to add, that I just remembered is GNU/Linux is an interface to hardware, and of many architectures for compatability. So that's pretty cool I think.

Well, I've used Linux since 2005 and since 2010 it's been my only OS. I actually can't imagine using any other OS - whenever somebody asks me for help, I'm always stunned at how difficult it is to do anything under Windows or on a tablet. Nothing beats the terminal and shell.

For any task you can do with some simple bash script, on Windows or tablet/smartphone you'd perhaps need to download some app (probably paying at least a buck for that).

Now, when it comes to average Joe - it's true he won't dare use Linux - but that's understandable. I've always believed Linux is for real computer geeks, and since the number of those geeks is pretty limited, the popularity of Linux won't be high, but that's good - it's kind of computer elite. And it's nice to be a part of that elite.

A plethora of choices any Linux can be a server and any Linux server could build into***

Ever heard of Richard Stallman?
He's one of the founders of GNU/Linux.
The whole idea behind GNU/Linux was to create a computer platform owned by no one.
Sometime in the 1980's, Mr Stallman discovered that companies were developing software privately: they refused to distribute the source code. Their programs were closed source programs. Closed source programs are potentially harmful, potentially hiding malicious features that can exploit your computer and your privacy. Not only that, closed source programs commonly uses licences that take away freedom from it's users, demanding that users must never tamper or distribute the software.

Richard Stallman refused to use software which was in complete control by companies. That's when he started the idea about GNU, an OS that wasn't controlled or restricted by anybody. Anyone had the rights to see the source code, understand the software, be able to change the software and distribute it, all in the aid to make software transparent an secure.
I like to think GNU/Linux is a software platform owned by people, not profit seeking corporate arses (that secretly sell your privacy for a few extra bucks)

Large corporations own huge software platforms. Microsoft Windows isn't your software, it's Microsoft's: you have no rights. Almost all of Microsoft's Windows is designed to hide the system from the user, keeping the users (and the developers) dumb.
Same with Apple's Macintosh OS X: It's not your software, you have no rights, the software belongs to Apple, of which they have full control and that is of your device, of your data, of your privacy and of your wallet. (Not forgetting their Developer community and the entire music industry, but hey, Apple product are sooo cool!)

So why use GNU/Linux then? Because you control it. You choose your software. Because it's open. People develop GNU/Linux. Anybody can view any of the source code and change it, redistribute it. GNU/Linux is a system to promote the removal of malicious software.

Thank you Richard Stallman and the many millions of people who have made GNU/Linux what it is today!

Also more reasons to use Linux over Windows or Mac OS X:[*]Windows 10 is incredibly slow and spies on you.[*]Mac OS X is incredibly over priced and slow, Apple being a very controlling company.[*]GNU/Linux is fun, fast, free and promotes freedom.

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playing with linux for a couple of years, its about 2 years since i switched
never felt better, with http,php,mysql server services running, ram is at 300 mb
with tens of browser tabs i barely go over 1gb ram usage

everything works, and i am really using my computer, not babysitting after it
no wasted resources for bloat i dont need

funny thing i saw a new malware for linux from china was getting in by bruteforcing ssh
just turn off,limit ssh or 30 char textonly password is enough
linux by design is so safe even in default settings, their only way in was weak passwords
most danger i saw were from wrong http server settings, php or cms bugs

like someone said before, im installing linux for computer illiterate people, just so they dont call me to fix it, thats how solid it is
have to remember this one "will recover your files but wont install windows"

i was rocking slimmed windows,rollback software(deepfreeze), imaging software, bootable winpe , hardware independent images, 10gb of driverpacks, on couple of cd's, usb's, a 2.5inch portable hdd

all this i replaced with a usb flash drive, from wich the 700mb antix iso, does more than the whole windows armory i was using

im telling everyone linux is the better way, but the human psychology kicks in and they try to tell me the opossite cause its all they know

the good side is, we'll always have something to laugh about: the slavery, dispair and wasted time of stubborn people who keep insisting on defending and using windows

I subscribe to a UK magazine - Private Eye. They mix investigative journalism with satire and I think they summed things up quite well. To paraphrase:


Take the easy choice, don't think to much

Do you have a smart TV, gaming station, DVR, a smart appliance, smart car, use a time machine(no pun\)?

http://archive.linuxgizmos.com/
http://www.unixmen.com/15-weirdsurpr...-run-on-linux/ ***

===================
First Reason: It can run unattended over the weekend without crashing.
..............I took the C source from our Window$ machines, the Fortran source for the VAX and both for the DEC and recompiled for Linux. With that in mind see next reason.

2nd Reason: I took the PC computers being replaced with new ones, loaded Linux, and outran the ew ones 3-1 in production. Ongoing. (Includes outrunning the other hardware.)

3rd Reason: Windows will tell you how to do your job. Linux lets your mind run wild.

4th Reason: LINUX is WAY cheaper than the others!

(5th) I looked it up. I've been using Slackware Linux since 1993.

Norseman01