Over the decades, I have used every version of Windows,

beginning with W3.11, most recently, W10 and W11.

W10 was problem free (a bit slow) running on my ancient Dell Optiplex 780,

did everything I needed it to do.

 

Not much of a Windows fan, but it ran my software with no issues.

As you probably know, Microsoft is done with W10 and the ol' Dell is

way too old to upgrade to W11, even if I wanted to do that, which I don't.

 

My MacOS experience is about 30 years old, so I'm not familiar with recent releases.

Then, there's Google Chrome OS Flex, intended for use on old chromebooks.

I put it on a usb drive and following instructions, tried to install it on several chromebooks.

The original chrome os on the chromebooks could see it, but refused to let it boot up.

 

I'm not using W10 much anymore, since it "expired."

I turned off networking (internet),

so Microsoft is no longer bugging me to ditch the old Dell and buy a new $$ W11 computer.

If you decide to dual boot (see below), it is very important to turn off the internet on

Windows so malware can't get on your drive.

The few W10 programs (see below) I still use don't need internet access.

 

I have a newer Lenovo Think Centre that came with W11 on it, though I rarely use that Windows anymore.

I'm actually afraid to boot W11, without disconnecting the Ethernet cable from the router,

then let it boot and turn off networking. 

 

Seems the recent W11 updates have problems and I just don't want Microsoft to access it.

 

So, what OS am I using to type in this article? LINUX!

This ol' Dell is set up to dual boot with Q4OS Plasma, used every day.

 

Few people know that Linux runs on almost all of the

world's servers, supercomputers and data centers.

Only a few use Windows anymore.

 

Computer makers such as Dell, HP and Lenovo

are offering new PCs with Linux pre-installed.

 

SpaceX uses Linux on the primary flight computers of both the Dragon

and its rockets (Falcon 9 and Starship).

Android and Linux are related to each other.

 

Perhaps you are curious about Linux or just looking to find some alternatives to Microsoft, Apple and Google.

I've been playing around with Linux for over 15 Years, so I have some interesting experiences to relate here.

 

FREE!

Linux has no trillion dollar company behind it!

99% of distros and app software is FREE. No fees,

no subscriptions, no "free" trials, no registrations with your email.

Complements of the thousands of people in many countries who write the code

because they enjoy creating an OS better than all the others

and give it to the world for free.

 

DISTRIBUTIONS DISTROS

Actually, there are many small organizations that produce what we call distributions or distros.

Most of these distros are based on the Linux kernel, originally written by Linus Torvalds back in the early 90s.

Coders from all over the world have contributed components to Linux over the years, making constant improvements.

 

INSTALLATIONS

If you've ever installed Windows, remember the stressful process involved.

License keys, MS account creation or sign in, internet connection needed,

hardware compatibility tests, several reboot cycles and updates, etc.

 

What decades ago was considered to be difficult or only for techies and hackers, isn't anymore.

Installing Linux is far simpler than installing Windows.

Download a single file (on another computer), Copy it to a USB thumb drive,

Boot from it, work thru the installer, reboot and presto, you're done.

Internet access not required, but recommended.

More details below.

 

Linux has become a mature and polished OS that installs easily and just works great for about 95% of users.

 

MORE DISTROS

There are so many distros out there, making it a challenge to decide which one you want to try.

Some distros are specialized, while most are aimed at the typical user.

For example, I have installed Ubuntu Studio on the newer

Lenovo Think Centre as a dual boot with W11.

It has the latest greatest software for A/V creation all preinstalled.

Wonderful distro! I'm barely getting started on that.

 

This ol' Dell 780 is running the Q4OS with Plasma desktop installed alongside W10.

It's my daily driver. Never slow or laggy. I'm very happy with it.

 

INSTALLERS

Installers are one of the high points of most distros.

To install Linux, you first need to decide which distro you want to try out.

YouTube has plenty of videos about the various distros.

Helpful in deciding.

 

The installer will ask if you want to install alongside Windows, called dual boot.

Keep more recent Windows or use the entire drive for Linux (way old Windows).

 

MORE DISTROS

Ubuntu (for the people) is very popular, many distros are based on it, adding new features.

Debian has been around for many decades and many distros are based on it as well.

Linux Mint comes highly recommended for those who aim to dump Windows.

KUbuntu (KDE), Linux Mint 23 and Zorin OS 18 are really good choices for beginners to check out.

 

For example, there are 2 distros focused on Ham Radio,

Andy's and Dragon, both installed on the old Dell Optiplex 780.

All the distros I've tried have a nice assortment of preinstalled software.

It's easy to find and install additional apps.

 

INSTALLING

Once you have decided, do a regular search for it.

You'll wind up on the distro's website.

You can read about it's features.

Check You Tube (YT) as well.

 

DESKTOP ENVIRONMENT

Linux distros generally come with a preinstalled DE.

They are interchangeable so it's easy to try them.

The DE is the top layer of the OS that you interact with.

 

KDE Plasma is super popular. I'm using it on the old Dell 780 right now.

Other DEs are CINNAMON, MATE, GNOME, XFCE and more.

It is even possible to run a Linux DE on Android phones and tablets.

 

Look for downloads of the latest ISO file on their site.

After it has finished downloading, copy it to a USB drive or dvd using rufus.

Rufus magically makes the USB drive bootable.

Turn off your computer, insert the ISO drive, turn it back on, press F12 or 10 and boot from it.

 

DUAL BOOTING

Once it has booted from the USB drive, you can choose to wipe out

Windows (probably ok on an ancient W-XP machine),

run from the USB (very slow), does not change anything,

or the best choice, install alongside Windows, called dual booting.

The next time you turn on your computer,

you'll quickly see a boot menu where you can choose Windows or Linux.

They are both on your hard drive. Couldn't be much simpler.

See the example boot menu at the bottom of this page.

 

On dual boot systems, one issue is where to store your writing, pictures, music, etc.

Both OSs have predefined folders for all your stuff.

If you save a file on Linux, Windows can't see it and vice-versa.

 

USB DATA DRIVE

The solution is a USB Drive that stays plugged in.

If you save your stuff on both Windows and Linux predefined folders,

simply copy them to the USB drive. If, heaven forbid,

you have to reinstall either OS, you won't lose anything.

 

A micro SD card is ideal, if your computer has a socket for those little things.

Format it to NTFS, Fat32, exFAT, Microsoft type file systems,

label it DATA and make some folders for your stuff.

 

My 15 year old Dell Optiplex 780 has an entire separate HDD as a

safe place to store all sorts of files, pics, music, etc.

Works great for both Linux and Windows.

 

Linux can use all the Windows file systems (even very old ones from MS DOS)

but Windows can't read any Linux file systems,

which would have been simple enough to implement,

MS just wanted to ignore Linux file systems.

Go figure.... Both Linux and Windows can read and write to the thumb drive.

It's like a bridge between Windows and Linux.

 

Another alternative is cloud storage services. Some are free.

The downside is an internet connection is required.

The external drive is always there when you are offline.

 

UPDATES

Updates are another high point in Linux.

Windows updates are simply awful.

Microsoft takes control of your system whether you want to update or not,

it takes a long time and reboots 2-3 times, pretty frustrating.

 

Here's an example:

About a year ago, during a W10 update that seemed normal on the Dell 780,

but it turned out to be a nasty one.

When I next booted W10, all the icons on the screen were scrunched up in the upper left corner,

piled on top of each other.

Along with changing some system settings that I didn't want changed.

Wasn't easy to fix.

It also similarly affected the Lenovo W11 computer which was on at the time.

Both are hardwired to the router, so somehow the W10

update communicated with the Lenovo screwing it up too,

even though it was running Windows 11.

Big hassle. Anyhow, see what I mean about Windows.

 

Linux updates are never forced.

The OS  regularly checks and when updates are available,

you'll see a little red dot on the right side of the taskbar.

Clicking on it pulls up the update program.

Just click update all, put in your password and kick back & watch.

You'll see the list as it's working, something Windows doesn't do.

Windows only shows a more or less useless %

Most Windows updates require 2-3 reboots.

 

When finished, the update program displays

up to date and you're done.

Most updates are instantly effective.

Once in a while, you'll need to reboot.

 

Very unlike Windows, ALL the software on your

system updates automatically along with the OS!

With Windows Update, most of your programs both

Microsoft and non MS  programs need to be

updated manually, another MS hassle.

 

Many Windows programs have a similar program written for Linux and the MacOS,

called cross platform.

For example, the very mature GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program)

does everything Adobe can do and more. I use it a lot.

 

Libre Office is actually better than MS Office.

Finding and installing additional software not included in the distro is

super easy and there's a vast amount of well written apps out there.

Both GIMP and Libre Office are cross platform for all 3 OSs.

 

I'm not much of a gamer, but support for games written for Windows is there now.

Check out Wine Proton Valve and Steam.

 

OLD COMPUTER RESURRECTION

Linux can resurrect an old computer.

Install it, use it and you'll see an amazing transformation.

There are a few strip down distros (AntiX, MX and Q4OS) that work well on very

ancient computers that originally had W95 or 98 on them.

Example below.

 

Most distros work plenty fast on old W7 or later computers.

Linux is naturally faster and perhaps best of all, it is FREE!

Most app software is also FREE!

 

Linux automatically manages memory (RAM) and keeps the hard drive clean and defragged.

Though antivirus programs are available on Linux,

they are rarely needed, Linux is very bulletproof.

You don't have to deal with this stuff.

 

PRINTER

My HP Envy 4520 all in one printer has no issues.

Linux detected it automatically using HPLIP.

HP engineers have written plenty of software for Linux.

 

ISSUES TO CONSIDER

Like Windows and MacOs, Linux has some issues you may want to consider.

Probably the worst is external hardware compatibility, usually fixable with drivers.

.

Being a HAM, I like the new Software Defined Radio programs.

You can tune into any frequency and mode.

I use an SDR Play RSP-2 interface, analog to digital.

It has 3 analog antenna inputs and connects to the old Dell computer using USB.

Super simple. My favorite program is SDR Console

which sees the RSP-2 just fine under Windows 10.

Works great. Unfortunately, SDR Console is

Windows only, no Linux or MacOs version of this fav program.

There are 5 SDR programs written for Linux, easy to find and install.

So far, only 2 of them, CUBICSDR and GQRX see the RSP-2,

both programs work well on multiple computers that I've tested.

 

SDRPlay has released a new program called SDRCONNECT,

written for Linux, supports most of their interfaces including my RSP-2.

I just installed it on the old Dell Q4OS computer,

as a replacement for SDR Console, I'm very happy with it.

 

So, I'm still using W10 when I want to run SDR Console,

but will be using SDRCONNECT more as I get used to it.

 

Another example, I have a PSG-9080 signal generator

that connects to the old Dell computer using USB.

It has a program that controls the generator.

It's a program written for Windows.

I haven't tried to install it on Linux just yet. So it's W10 for that one.

 

Linux has a program called WINE, a compatibility layer.

It is possible to install some programs written for Windows using WINE.

I will eventually try that, see if I can get it working.

 

TERMINAL

Then there's the dreaded TERMINAL (also called bash or shell).

Long ago, using the Terminal was needed for some aspects of Linux.

Some people are intimidated by it, but these daze, it's much easier.

You don't have to be a programmer or hacker to use it.

Modern distros can be used without ever needing to use the Terminal,

as everything is graphical and very easy now.

Once again, look to YT for videos about the Terminal.

 

EXAMPLE CHROMEBOOK INSTALL

Below is an example of what Linux can do for seriously old, low spec computers.

About a decade ago, I wasted some money on a used Google Chromebook.

Google stopped updating it in 2017, so it has sat on the shelf for years.

Then, I recently found out about mrchromebox from a YT video.

Linux on an ancient Chromebook?

 

Intrigued, I read all the content of his website and watched several YT videos about how to do it.

It's not simple!

Chromebooks have the chrome OS locked down,

both hardware and software are protected from any attempt to change anything.

It won't let you boot from the USB ports.

I even tried the Google Chrome OS Flex, which is supposed to work on old chromebooks.

This should be easy, but no such luck. Darn Gaggle.

MRCHROMEBOX

Mrchromebox is a genius for figuring out how to get rid of Chrome OS.

Using mrchromebox requires some knowledge of the terminal.

You have to type in and run a complex script.

If you got it right (took me 3 tries), running the script erases Chrome OS and replaces it with his firmware.

See the pictures below.

 

Now, when you turn on the chromebook, you'll see a jackrabbit, it's called coreboot, then a boot menu appears.

If you have a USB drive with a Linux distro on it, the menu will show that drive.

Selecting it will boot from it, after a few minutes, the distro's installer loads.

Follow the step by step instructions and you"ll have

Linux on that previously useless 15 year old chromebook.

 

Actually, coreboot can install other OSs including Windows on newer

Chromebooks with higher frequency CPUs, more RAM and SSD space.

Even way older versions (like XP?) of Windows will overwhelm an old Chromebook like mine.

 

My Old Lenovo Chromebook has an Intel Celeron  core 2 CPU, 4 GB RAM and 16 GB SSD.

By today's standards, that is a really puny system.

However, it's a real computer with an Intel CPU and totally supported by mrchromebox firmware and Linux.

I did some research, looking for a distro light enough to run usefully on such a limited system.

 

Came up with the Q4OS. It comes in 2 versions, Trinity or Plasma Desktop Environment (DE).

Linux distros generally come with a preinstalled DE,

but you can easily change to a different one.

The installer lets you choose the DE as it's installing.

 

You directly interact with that top layer (DE). Like distros, there are about 10 DEs.

Q4OS comes with a very light one called Trinity,

which is the one I installed on the Lenovo XChromebook (now a Trinbook).

Big surprise, everything works as expected. No problems at all with that little thing.

I even got SDR working, installed Cubic SDR,

plugged in the RTL-SDR interface and it works just fine on such a puny system.

See pic below.

 

On this ancient Dell 780, Intel quad core CPU @ 2.3 GHz, 3 HDDs total 1.5 TB storage, 8 GB RAM.

Though it was made some 16 years ago,

it's still a pretty powerful system and I've upgraded it several times.

When I installed Q4OS, I chose the Plasma DE, runs just fine.

I'll probably still be using this system for the foreseeable future.

 

Plasma uses more system resources than Trinity.

Not meant for old Chromebooks or other very old computers, as it completely overwhelms them.

Plasma is very advanced and it can be easily customized for your preferences.

Plasma will work with most distros,

if the distro doesn't already install it by default,

as it's very popular. I really like Plasma.

 

So that wraps up my Linux experiences. Should you try it?

Yes, if you install it alongside Windows (probably XP or newer),

you'll still have Windows which, for me, made the transition much easier.

The RTL-SDR interface. This is the original, made over 10 years ago.

It is attached to the back of the Linbook with Diamond antenna.

Works just fine with Q4OS and CubicSDR.

Mrchromebox coreboot jackrabbit. Lets you boot anything from a USB thumb drive.

The Lenovo XChromebook, running Q4OS with Trinity DE. I now call it a Trinbook.

The white & red thing on the left is a SD card that is a copy of the DATA drive on the Dell 780.

This is what the Q4OS Trinity DE looks like.

This program, Stacer, shows the Trinbook's system resources.

It uses less than 700 MB RAM, 3 GB free. The SSD has about

5 GB used, 4.3 GB free. plenty of room to install additional software.

Light on the CPU. Plenty fast, no lagging.

Pretty amazing for such minimal hardware.