Should I convert a pc to Linux?

[Jim B (MSP)]

The main issue was to check whether the DVD read/write is fully functional.

I will do that on a test boot with Linux before I push it to the harddrive.

I would wager ¢a$h money that Mint will recognize and read music CDs and data DVDs.

You won the audio CD. Gave me 2 choices of players, one called Rythmbox. It worked.

The bigger win was that it also read my old data backup cd's. I could transfer them to a another thumb drive, so life is fine.

DVD came up with Celluloid as a player. It didn't work.

I went and downloaded VLC for Mint, it wouldn't install -- "Failed to download repository information".

I'll play with it more tomorrow.

Not a show stopper, as I could buy a dvd player/writer for my Win 11 machine if I wanted.

Last time I ran Linux Mint, an application to burn CD/DVD was not installed by default. Previously, I had used Brasero and/or K3b (from KDE). If nobody else has tried this, I'll fire up my Linux laptop and check Software Sources.

--
Jim
"It's all about the light"

 

[Jim B (MSP)]

Consider converting to a NAS. It may cost you some money to get more storage. That is what I did over Christmas last year. Very rewarding.

Thanks. But I don't need storage, as this is intended to be a dedicated machine to 3 websites.

 

[New Wrycuda]

XiaoDeer wrote:.

OMG, the command line.

I can install a whole bunch of apps with one line like this:

sudo pacman -S zile vlc apache conky geeqie handbrake sqlitebrowser pwgen regexxer qbittorrent audacity gwenview gimp yt-dlp darktable digikam rawtherapee libreoffice qalculate-qt

That would be very convenient, provided that you know the correct text.

There’s a considerable ecosystem of Linux applications and utilities, and even searching for recommended Linux apps is rather daunting. I had considered installing an API and refreshing my skills, but I’m a bit reluctant to launch something like that unless I have a stand-alone Linux system.

API? Application Programming Interface. See, this jargon is catching. ;-)

On other distros that might be more like...

sudo apt install zile

That looks more familiar. Very impressive for the uninitiated.

It will find and install the correct version, install any dependencies, validate all the checksums on the downloads and everything else that needs to be done.

Do you really think that's harder or more tedious than the Windows way?

Windows installations have become a little more complicated over the years, and uninstalls requires several steps. Linux just needs to reverse the installation with the remove command. In the case of apps with a graphical interface it can be easier, often without those pesky “Are You Really Sure?” prompts.

 

[XiaoDeer]

I can install a whole bunch of apps with one line like this:

sudo pacman -S zile vlc apache conky geeqie handbrake sqlitebrowser pwgen regexxer qbittorrent audacity gwenview gimp yt-dlp darktable digikam rawtherapee libreoffice qalculate-qt

That would be very convenient, provided that you know the correct text.

Many of the listed apps are pretty well known and more than half are also available on Windows.

There’s a considerable ecosystem of Linux applications and utilities, and even searching for recommended Linux apps is rather daunting.

Ditto for Windows apps. And like Windows, we often try multiple products to find one that meets our needs and preferences. With Linux there are many forums where one can get community help from other very competent users.

 

[CAcreeks]

I would wager ¢a$h money that Mint will recognize and read music CDs and data DVDs.

You won the audio CD. Gave me 2 choices of players, one called Rythmbox. It worked.

The bigger win was that it also read my old data backup cd's. I could transfer them to a another thumb drive, so life is fine.

DVD came up with Celluloid as a player. It didn't work. I went and downloaded VLC for Mint, it wouldn't install -- "Failed to download repository information".

Possibly at install time you need to select "third party media plug-ins" or something like that. Mint used to bundle them by default, but stopped doing that years ago.

If you are still running from USB media, don't neglect this step during install to hard drive.

 

[Jim B (MSP)]

I ended up with installing Linux Mint, Cinnamon as a single boot on the old HP. All is good.

I really had no use for a dual boot system, and the advice I had here matched what I had from a couple of other knowledgeable friends , and my own best assessment.

The installation test from a thumb drive went well, and as I said above, the optical reader would not work in a dvd mode, nor could I install VLC Media Player.

However, once I installed the Linux OS to the C drive, VLC installed easily and the CD/DVD works just fine. It is an extra added attraction. The CD reader reader still works fine so I can review photo files from all the old back up cds I created almost 25 years ago.

An added attraction - Chrome installed just fine as well, and I have good access to the Google Drive I use if I ever need outside storage - I doubt it. And who knows where Google will end up.

I still intend to use this pc as a dedicated financial site machine. Firefox will only visit my sites, and nowhere else, including email.

Thanks to all

 

[bridge77]

My primary goal is for a single browser visiting 3 financial websites; no email, no other apps running. Though reality probably must include LibreOffice to copy info into, and perhaps an outgoing email or two once a month.

If those are your requirements, an alternative approach that you might consider is a Chromebook, which will work very well for your needs.

There’s lots of Google apps included (Chrome browser, Google Earth, Google Maps, etc.), and a collection of Office alternatives that are very similar to LibreOffice with excellent cloud-based converters that help with MS-Office imports. This latter tool is very impressive.

I am quite familiar with the Google Apps. I like them.

I converted quite a few "old" donated pcs a few years ago for needy students. It was easy.

Yes, I installed Linux (a version on CD) on a few old computers that I donated to worthy causes. Linux gave a new lease on life for older hardware, and the included apps/games were quite useful. Strangely, one institution that helped homeless people rejected the offer “because it wasn’t Windows”.

i wish MS would come out with Windows Linux and stop trashing millions of computers with demands for unneeded requirements.

kinda day dreaming today; but it would be worth buying a License to keep these old Puters alive.

some of us just keep on trucking. thankfully Windows 10, Linux and Rufus is coming to our rescue.

deciding which one it the hard part

BTW, everything equal, any opinions on security - ChromeOS of or Linux?

My understanding is that ChromeOS is based on Linux, so it should be quite secure from virus and malware, while the Linux “Container” hosted by ChromeOS should add an extra layer of security.

I’ve been running Windows for a long time without any security issues. Originally using Norton AV, and Defender more recently. Other than that, I take the precaution of trialling new software and MS updates on one of the lesser computers before letting them loose on the main computers. Years ago, I did have a ransomware attack on a test computer that was being used by a visitor.

BTW the only CD/DVD that I have now is an (external) USB model that was Windows plug and play. I wonder if Linux would support this type?

 

[Breakfastographer]

I ended up with installing Linux Mint, Cinnamon as a single boot on the old HP. All is good.

I really had no use for a dual boot system, and the advice I had here matched what I had from a couple of other knowledgeable friends , and my own best assessment.

The installation test from a thumb drive went well, and as I said above, the optical reader would not work in a dvd mode, nor could I install VLC Media Player.

However, once I installed the Linux OS to the C drive, VLC installed easily and the CD/DVD works just fine. It is an extra added attraction. The CD reader reader still works fine so I can review photo files from all the old back up cds I created almost 25 years ago.

An added attraction - Chrome installed just fine as well, and I have good access to the Google Drive I use if I ever need outside storage - I doubt it. And who knows where Google will end up.

You can install Chromium from the Mint repository, which (largely) omits the spyware parts of Chrome and will update as part of all your normal system updates rather than being a separate update process. Personally, I would also trust Chromium installed that way to remain more reliably compatible with the Linux Mint system because that build comes directly from them or the Ubuntu/Debian mothership (as applicable).

 

[Jim B (MSP)]

.........

An added attraction - Chrome installed just fine as well, and I have good access to the Google Drive I use if I ever need outside storage - I doubt it. And who knows where Google will end up.

You can install Chromium from the Mint repository, which (largely) omits the spyware parts of Chrome and will update as part of all your normal system updates rather than being a separate update process. Personally, I would also trust Chromium installed that way to remain more reliably compatible with the Linux Mint system because that build comes directly from them or the Ubuntu/Debian mothership (as applicable).

Thanks. I may give it a try someday. Right now the pc is just a one horse system, Firefox, that will only look at 4 financial sites. Very simple.

 

[skyglider]

Thanks. I may give it a try someday. Right now the pc is just a one horse system, Firefox, that will only look at 4 financial sites. Very simple.

Very wise to have a PC dedicated to ONLY financial websites. No web browsing, email or anything else internet related.

 

[Jim B (MSP)]

Thanks. I may give it a try someday. Right now the pc is just a one horse system, Firefox, that will only look at 4 financial sites. Very simple.

Very wise to have a PC dedicated to ONLY financial websites. No web browsing, email or anything else internet related.

I used to do this years ago, but with moves et al I got away from it.

However, I see the AI directed malware, scams, etc increasing in time. This just gives me another layer of protection.

 

[skyglider]

Thanks. I may give it a try someday. Right now the pc is just a one horse system, Firefox, that will only look at 4 financial sites. Very simple.

Very wise to have a PC dedicated to ONLY financial websites. No web browsing, email or anything else internet related.

I used to do this years ago, but with moves et al I got away from it.

However, I see the AI directed malware, scams, etc increasing in time. This just gives me another layer of protection.

And don't network that Linux computer to prevent it from picking up an infection from other computers that do email and web browsing. It needs to be a complete island onto itself.

 

[bridge77]

Thanks. I may give it a try someday. Right now the pc is just a one horse system, Firefox, that will only look at 4 financial sites. Very simple.

Very wise to have a PC dedicated to ONLY financial websites. No web browsing, email or anything else internet related.

wow. almost like using Burner phones.

thanks. anyone else do this; first i have heard of a Burner PC

 

[Breakfastographer]

Thanks. I may give it a try someday. Right now the pc is just a one horse system, Firefox, that will only look at 4 financial sites. Very simple.

Very wise to have a PC dedicated to ONLY financial websites. No web browsing, email or anything else internet related.

wow. almost like using Burner phones.

thanks. anyone else do this; first i have heard of a Burner PC

The more technical term I've seen is "airgapped". For the non-burner PC, if I understand your use of the phrase correctly. It seems sensible to assume the term originated before wireless internet.

--
39 raw converters tested:
https://breakfastographer.wordpress...erters-compared-including-on1-photo-raw-2019/

 

[bridge77]

Thanks. I may give it a try someday. Right now the pc is just a one horse system, Firefox, that will only look at 4 financial sites. Very simple.

Very wise to have a PC dedicated to ONLY financial websites. No web browsing, email or anything else internet related.

wow. almost like using Burner phones.

thanks. anyone else do this; first i have heard of a Burner PC

The more technical term I've seen is "airgapped". For the non-burner PC, if I understand your use of the phrase correctly. It seems sensible to assume the term originated before wireless internet.

ok, then 'air gapped'. had to look it up; apparently i do this already with an old PC that holds all my big Drives but parked with no Ethernet connection to the machine.

it would be safer after reading this to have a PC that only does Banking, and another that only orders from Amazon/other.

all new to me.

for now, come October, prolly best to not use a Windows 10 machine for Banking; we got some refurbished i5 Windows machines with Windows 11 to avoid the issue.

the old Windows 10 boxes are for everything else. from there it will be time to experiment with Rufus or Linux.

this explains 'airgapped' for the Rest of us: https://www.howtogeek.com/687792/the-ultimate-defense-what-is-an-air-gapped-computer/

 

[New Wrycuda]

Thanks. I may give it a try someday. Right now the pc is just a one horse system, Firefox, that will only look at 4 financial sites. Very simple.

Very wise to have a PC dedicated to ONLY financial websites. No web browsing, email or anything else internet related.

wow. almost like using Burner phones.

thanks. anyone else do this; first i have heard of a Burner PC

OP seems overly cautious with his burner PC, but then I have no idea of the exact nature of his dealings with those financial institutions.

Members who know me will not be surprised to learn that I don’t do any transactions on-line, in fact our major accounts have been set up to disallow on-line transactions.

About 10 years ago, I used to manage my everyday account on-line, but only with multi-factor authentication…

• On-line account number (not the same as the physical account number).
• Password.
• Security code Fob.

These days, “Cash is King” and each week, when I take my dinosaur for a walk, I call in at the bank. :-D

.

Recently, some retirement fund members lost $$$-large, after passwords were stolen and funds were directed to foreign accounts. An obvious preventative would have been to restrict payments to established account numbers, but this wasn’t in force.

 

[bridge77]

Thanks. I may give it a try someday. Right now the pc is just a one horse system, Firefox, that will only look at 4 financial sites. Very simple.

Very wise to have a PC dedicated to ONLY financial websites. No web browsing, email or anything else internet related.

wow. almost like using Burner phones.

thanks. anyone else do this; first i have heard of a Burner PC

OP seems overly cautious with his burner PC, but then I have no idea of the exact nature of his dealings with those financial institutions.

Members who know me will not be surprised to learn that I don’t do any transactions on-line, in fact our major accounts have been set up to disallow on-line transactions.

About 10 years ago, I used to manage my everyday account on-line, but only with multi-factor authentication…

• On-line account number (not the same as the physical account number).
• Password.
• Security code Fob.

These days, “Cash is King” and each week, when I take my dinosaur for a walk, I call in at the bank. :-D

.

Recently, some retirement fund members lost $$$-large, after passwords were stolen and funds were directed to foreign accounts. An obvious preventative would have been to restrict payments to established account numbers, but this wasn’t in force.

could not the Bank go and retrieve those funds?

would a Bank CD, Certificate of Deposit protect those funds?

is the safest way to put funds in non internet available locations? thanks.

 

[New Wrycuda]

Thanks. I may give it a try someday. Right now the pc is just a one horse system, Firefox, that will only look at 4 financial sites. Very simple.

Very wise to have a PC dedicated to ONLY financial websites. No web browsing, email or anything else internet related.

wow. almost like using Burner phones.

thanks. anyone else do this; first i have heard of a Burner PC

OP seems overly cautious with his burner PC, but then I have no idea of the exact nature of his dealings with those financial institutions.

Members who know me will not be surprised to learn that I don’t do any transactions on-line, in fact our major accounts have been set up to disallow on-line transactions.

About 10 years ago, I used to manage my everyday account on-line, but only with multi-factor authentication…

• On-line account number (not the same as the physical account number).
• Password.
• Security code Fob.

These days, “Cash is King” and each week, when I take my dinosaur for a walk, I call in at the bank. :-D

.

Recently, some retirement fund members lost $$$-large, after passwords were stolen and funds were directed to foreign accounts. An obvious preventative would have been to restrict payments to established account numbers, but this wasn’t in force.

could not the Bank go and retrieve those funds?

would a Bank CD, Certificate of Deposit protect those funds?

The retirement funds involved were not very diligent, and the aggrieved members only found about their loss a week later when they received one of those annoying messages…

“Were you satisfied with our service?”

I’m not sure of the outcome of this matter.

is the safest way to put funds in non internet available locations? thanks.

Seems that way.

I make no apologies for being conservative, and I banned all (Anti)-Social Media years ago, with no regrets.

 

[Breakfastographer]

Thanks. I may give it a try someday. Right now the pc is just a one horse system, Firefox, that will only look at 4 financial sites. Very simple.

Very wise to have a PC dedicated to ONLY financial websites. No web browsing, email or anything else internet related.

wow. almost like using Burner phones.

thanks. anyone else do this; first i have heard of a Burner PC

OP seems overly cautious with his burner PC, but then I have no idea of the exact nature of his dealings with those financial institutions.

Members who know me will not be surprised to learn that I don’t do any transactions on-line, in fact our major accounts have been set up to disallow on-line transactions.

About 10 years ago, I used to manage my everyday account on-line, but only with multi-factor authentication…

• On-line account number (not the same as the physical account number).
• Password.
• Security code Fob.

These days, “Cash is King” and each week, when I take my dinosaur for a walk, I call in at the bank. :-D

.

Recently, some retirement fund members lost $$$-large, after passwords were stolen and funds were directed to foreign accounts. An obvious preventative would have been to restrict payments to established account numbers, but this wasn’t in force.

could not the Bank go and retrieve those funds?

would a Bank CD, Certificate of Deposit protect those funds?

The retirement funds involved were not very diligent, and the aggrieved members only found about their loss a week later when they received one of those annoying messages…

“Were you satisfied with our service?”

I’m not sure of the outcome of this matter.

is the safest way to put funds in non internet available locations? thanks.

Seems that way.

I make no apologies for being conservative, and I banned all (Anti)-Social Media years ago, with no regrets.

Not sure what this is shooting at, but a lot of manipulation to obtain passwords and credit card details still happens via phone and email.

 

[skyglider]

Thanks. I may give it a try someday. Right now the pc is just a one horse system, Firefox, that will only look at 4 financial sites. Very simple.

Very wise to have a PC dedicated to ONLY financial websites. No web browsing, email or anything else internet related.

wow. almost like using Burner phones.

thanks. anyone else do this; first i have heard of a Burner PC

I've been doing it since early 2023 when I became a victim of ID theft and the ID thieves installed a keylogger in one of my PCs. Back then, I bought an inexpensive HP i3 Win11 PC and use it ONLY to access my financial websites. No web browsing or searching, no email, nothing else internet related. No networking with my main tower PC or my laptop.