Linux Mint 22.1

[Rednaxs60]

Getting back into Linux, played with it back in the late '90s with Red Hat and the likes. It was too agricultural, and being a good Canadian, I wanted easy - back to Windows. Tried Mac around 2008 or so. Found the transition too hard, back to Windows. Tried Mac again in 2018, made myself transition, and have used iOS and Windows since. I had a similar experience with schematic drawing programs. Tried many but never got into any. My ECU upgrade project made me pick a software app, KiCad, learn it and use it. KiCad is supported by Linux and is an app that you install and use.

Have browsed the various GW forums and have found Linux threads in each one, mostly older chatter.

Enter Linux. Researching Linux, the different "distros", and what is recommended. Was going to try ubuntu, but it would not load onto the boot USB drive for whatever reason, Mint 22.1 did so I am using Mint 22.1. Windows has been wiped from my PC laptop, it's now a Linux PC.

The initial install went well, a few hiccups because I did not understand what I was seeing, but once installed, Mint 22.1 on the surface looked just like a Windows install. Linux has matured significantly since the late '90s. The system settings screen is similar to a Mac iOS screen. Much like transitioning from PC to Mac, it's a look and see approach with the basic install.

An office suite is installed, LibreOffice - used to be OpenOffice way back when. Does everything MS Office suite does. The Mac has a Mac iOS office suite that is similar to MS Office as well.

This is where it gets interesting, configuring the install to do what you want it to. There is a need to learn the Linux syntax much like if you were to learn a new computer language. From what I can find, it's mostly for loading and configuring programs/apps, and as such, should be repetitive so that you're not always in the learning curve.

I use EFI Analytics software and this company has Linux versions of Tuner Studio and MegaLogViewer. Just have to figure out how to install.

Mint 22.1 default browser is Firefox, similar to a Windows browser. Lots of chatter about Firefox privacy and personal data use, but there are options.

Backup apps for system and personal data are many.

Videos for Linux Mint are available for viewing and some are quite detailed.

Transitioning to Linux will take me a few months, but I'm certain that I will be able to find a workaround to configure Linux to emulate what I am used to.

I remember when the Canadian military changed over to Word from Wordperfect. Went on a Word course, and everyone on course wanted a conversion course. There were features/functions of Wordperfect that were very nice, but these were not available with Word. After a while, any differences were a moot point. You got used to using what you have.

Having mentioned the above, have had a few hiccups already, but have worked through them.

Apps that I am looking into are, just to name a few:

KDE Connect
Aptik
Homi
Snap install (need for iCloud access)
Timeshift

There are so many options when using Linux, and you are able to add/remove apps as you want. There is a lot of activity behind the scenes with Windows and iOS.

A plus for using Linux is the absence of spyware and viruses, not to say there aren't any, but Linux is harder to infect/disrupt than Windows or Mac.

Information regarding Linux "distros" recommendations and why, experience with Linux to date, are welcome. My experience to date with Linux Mint is that in 2025, Linux "distros" have matured and are of the same caliber as Windows or iOS. Linux is different and may require a more hands on approach. The same can be said when transitioning between Mac and a Windows based PC. The Mac/iPhone world has some nice features/functions that are not available with a Windows PC. My partner is a Mac/iPhone person. Put a Windows PC in front of her and all bets are off.

Cheers

[Fred Camper]

Thank for the primer. I run windows and Firefox currently with no real issues but not as technical as many on here.

[Whiskerfish]

Way beyond me!! What do you mean here

It was too agricultural

[Rednaxs60]

No worries. I'm currently setting up the system backup utility "Timeshift" will be setting it up for an external hard drive or even an network attached system (NAS) system. Still have to figure out how to backup to an external hard drive that is attached to the Linux PC. Still have to install the app(s) for personal data backup such as my documents, photos and such. I have Windows on the Toughbook that I use Tuner Studio and MegaLogViewer on. Hopefully get to installing Tuner Studio and MegaLogViewer soon.

Having just installed Timeshift, have to go back and run through the process and make some notes.

[Rednaxs60]

Way beyond me!! What do you mean here

It was too agricultural

I mean that it was not easy to configure, apps/software inherently used the command line for an install, there was not the community available on-line as there is now. To configure Linux back in the late '90s was not the easiest proposition. The repository of Linux apps and how to install and use the app(s) isn't like it is now. Installing a Linux app today is much easier, may take a bit of time to get used to the app. You had to be committed to the process, and not let setbacks discourage you, you were your own computer OS specialist.

Been on-line viewing videos, going through the Linux Mint forum, and such. Incredible amount of information available. Wasn't the same 25 years ago.

Did not consider a move to Linux until a couple of years ago. Progress since the late '90s is significant.

Trust this explains my comment.

As an aside, have been viewing videos regarding using the Command Line in a Linux Terminal app. A lot of the commands are similar to what I used in my early computer days. Looking for a good Linux Mint book on using Linux Mint.

[Whiskerfish]

Ok yea.
So one more question if you don't mind. What is your motivation for doing this?

[Rednaxs60]

My motivation, good question. First point is that I had a Windows PC laptop collecting dust because I had transitioned to Mac, but have a Windows based Panasonic Toughbook for my ECU replacement project. This laptop is an excellent candidate to delve back into the Linux world.

Being dependent on the proprietary software that is prevalent in the Windows and iOS systems is another consideration. I have the software/apps that I need but if there is another app/software application that I need, may have to purchase it. I have already saved $150.00 CDN per year by not having to use virus and anti spyware software.

Updates and security bug fixes, iOS is getting just as bad as Windows regarding this.

I'm hoping that using Linux will extend the life expectancy of a laptop. Windows and iOS laptops have a life expectancy, support issues, determined by the manufacturer. Cell phones are notorious for this.

I also like a challenge. Getting back into the Linux world reminds me of my early days in computers, started in '85. Stopped being so adventurous in '92 when I had to switch from DRDos to Windows. Held out as long as I could, but in the end, couldn't keep up with the computer world.

When I get the Linux OS configured as I want it to be, Windows OS will not be long for my world. The Mac is a different story.

A few stats that you are probably aware of, I wasn't, is that the Android OS has almost 50% of the world OS market and is based on the Linux kernal. Next is windows followed by iOS and Linux. Apparently Windows OS has a relationship with Linux as well. World corporate use of Linux is quite large, Linux having replaced the Unix environment.

Lots of reasons, but suffice it to say that the Linux OS is a good alternative to the Windows environment, just has a good learning curve.

There are so many options, apps and such, overwhelming really. Going to be hard to say "enough" to what is available.

I have mentioned that I have a timeline for the conversion, and if all goes well, the coming fall season may become a pivotal time in my computer experience as I go forward. I'm quite excited about this project.

[Shadowjack]

When Microsoft mandated that your system had to have certain security features built in to run Windows 11, and Windows 10 will sooner or later be unsupported, all of a sudden there were tons of perfectly good computers and motherboards on the market. Linux, being free and almost as easy to run as Windows in the modern versions (but not a complete replacement), is the obvious choice.

[Whiskerfish]

My PC is a communications tool and a picture storage device. I can not remember the last time I asked it to do any "real" work beyond that. Even with that small of a profile I understand the limitations of Windows system. I run a free antivirus but the boot time is crazy while it goes though everything and checks for updates. So I can understand the desire to get away from that requirement. And yes the systems requirements for Win 11 are crazy. This machine I use daily was built about 15 years ago and is not even close to up-gradable any longer. Have all the hardware to build the new one just need the time. I think that will be a post knee surgery job.

[Liam]

I am a long time user of linux Mint. I have an old Lenovo desktop that XP brought to its knees about 12 years ago or more. Was going to dump it but instead got an earlier version of mint with the Cinnamon environment and I still use it. Updated it several times to latest versions. I have been using Firefox for many years also started using open office back around 2007 ish when Microsoft changed the look and feel of Office. The 4 letter file extensions annoyed me at the time, so I jumped ship. Never went back. Moved to libre office when I tried Mint. Still use it for all my documents. I use Thunderbird as an email client, this is supported by Windows and linux, as is Dropbox which I use for my cloud stuff.

[Rat]

Hmmmm … seriously above me this stuff … I run an out of the box Ipad … stock …

Gord

[Rednaxs60]

Linux, Windows and Mac iOS are just operating systems (OS), each with pros and cons, and everyday annoyances. Linux Mint is going retail, I've seen Linux tablets/laptops.

Linux going retail will have issues, computer tech certification, knowledge of Linux apps and how these apps relate to the Windows and Mac iOs apps/software. Store availability, where can I get help and work done if required. As mentioned, the more common Linux variants such as ubuntu and Mint 22.1 have a lot of pre-packed apps/software that requires a more modern PC. For example, the arch Linux .iso file (installation file) is approximately 1.2GB, Mint 22.1 - 2.5GB, ubuntu 6.2GB. The more we ask for, the more bloated the variant becomes. The issue with this is that most users will never use everything that is installed. Will Linux become the new "Windows", having so much installed it becomes annoying and less dependable? Interesting premise.

I have kubuntu configured so that I could if I wanted to, switch and use it for my daily PC, but have opted to not do this and take the time to learn more about Linux, what it can do, and what I want it to do for me. There a significant number of pre-packaged apps that I will never use. Will be investigating how to remove safely and completely.

Gord: Transitioned to a Mac back in 2019 I think. The transition from Windows to Mac was annoying, very much a PITA. Took some dedication and determination, but if I had to go back to Windows, there would be a learning curve. The new Linux desktop environments (DE), specifically KDE plasma, is so close to Windows (you can configure it to look like a Mac as well) that a person would be hard pressed in passing to say the DE was not Windows. The KDE Plasma has a systems settings screen that is the same look and layout as the Mac.

I have found a Linux app for almost everything I want to do. I have access to iCloud, KDE Connect allows me to access the files, photos, videos on my iPhone (waiting for an update that allows me to send to the iPhone from the Linux PC), have found a work around that will allow me to access texts - specifically texts based on iMessage. My email client is Evolution, works fantastic.

Liam mentions LibreOffice. I submit that this is similar to the office suite pre-installed on a Mac. The Mac office suite is different than MS Office, but it does everything that MS Office does. LibreOffice is exactly the same. Once you are familiar with the differences, it's onwards as per normal.

Been working on installing Arch Linux. A bare bones Linux OS that you build from the bottom up. The Terminal interface is the bread and butter of this OS. The first Arch Linux install, had no WIFI. Back on-line, found a possible fix, didn't work as advertised, found another one that did - have a "How To" that will go into my Linux binder.

Linux isn't for everyone. Suggesting to a Mac/iPhone user to switch to Android and Windows (some do) is sacrilege. Once you are committed to a computing environment or any other system - battery tools come to mind, hard to change.