In January, this web site and my business will turn 13 years old. In that time, I have worked on thousands of computers ranging from the oldest DOS machines to the newest gaming and Mac monsters. My youngest client in that time has been 5 years old and my oldest was a 94 year old author writing a book for the first time on a PC. When your work in any field for a certain period of time, you start to spot patterns and consistencies.
After incubating the idea in my head for about six months, I want to share with you (and anyone you forward this article to) my opinion of how to use computer technology with the bare minimum of issues and cash. The following would be my advice to a computer user who truly wanted to follow my advice, no questions asked, based on my knowledge and experience.
- Buy a mid-range laptop costing no more than $600. Immediately install Ubuntu Linux on the laptop and allow Ubuntu to completely erase the drive’s contents (Windows and a ton of trial ware) as it installs. Ubuntu will provide you a top notch Office productivity package (word processor, spreadsheet, presentation manager, etc), tons of games, CD/DVD burning, secure, fast Internet browsing with Firefox, photo management and editing software, and more for no cost. Ubuntu also does not require extra security software that we use to try and keep Windows running at a decent clip.
- Sign up for a Gmail email address and use the Gmail interface exclusively for email. You won’t experience spam, you won’t lose your address book, and you will be able to check your email from anywhere in the world via any computer and be completely at home with the process.
- Purchase a low cost B&W HP Laser Printer. The costs of the consumables will be a fraction of an ink jet, and it will last for years and years. If you really want color, get a low cost color laser.
The only people who I can’t see using this type of a setup are those who absolutely have to use Windows only software like QuickBooks, genealogy software or other Windows only software solutions. Any other small business or home user could save thousands of dollars, upgrade less often, accrue less computer down time and repair bill costs by using this type of a simple approach to computers. The problem is, when I do give this type of advice, most people get a little apprehensive about the prospect of not being with Windows and other Microsoft products. From my 13 years of experience, it can be a huge advantage from a mental, physical, temporal and financial stand point to work with the technology proposal I just outlined.
Photo by laughlin
Related articles:
Loading ...
HelpMeRick.com started as a monthly tip site for beginners in 1996, and now supports our popular call-in computer show, and hosts thousands of useful computer tips and links.
I also used to be a windows person. I didn’t know any better. I did use DOS when i was a kid, so i knew that there are other way’s of doing things.
It was scary when i decided to try Ubuntu Linux. I tried a Live-CD first, to make sure i liked it, and to make sure it worked with my hardware. It did, and i decided in a split second to dump windows. Yeah, that’s how much it impressed me. Took me about 30 seconds to realize the door had been opened. Sure right after it installed i had the “oh crap” feeling, but everything was fine. I even wanted to go back to windows for awhile too, but once i got used to the learning curve, i have never wanted to go back. I’ve been happily using ubuntu for more than 5 years now.
The best reason for switching to Ubuntu is the friendly community support, if something does go wrong. http://ubuntuforums.org/
There is almost always a local group in your area that will be more than willing to sit down with you and “attack” any problem.
Of course there is also the fact of not really worrying about viruses either. It’s a good idea to run a virus scanner on linux, but mostly so you don’t become a “carrier” and accidentally pass along viruses to your windows friends.
I am very close to jumping ship as well and doing all of my day-to-day activities in Ubuntu. However, I don’t want to abandon my Windows friends and need to keep using and learning about it as well to help those who choose or need to stay with Windows, but I can confidently say that 60-75% of the computer users I help would benefit greatly from the system I described in this article.
I’ve been working with Microsoft software since … before Windows 1.0. I’m only 33 (ONLY, YES ONLY!) and only in the past year would I really recommend Linux to the average Joe. Ubuntu has really brought it into the mainstream and brought a lot of usability to Linux. All the “Linux isn’t a workstation OS” talk isn’t as applicable anymore.
And, if you aren’t too attached to the software, there are open source alternatives for Quickbooks and genealogy software. Plus, if it is viable for the end user, Wine is an option.
I’ve gone from exclusively using Microsoft software (for me, it wasn’t a one and only option, it was a preference) to having a couple Linux servers and a Linux workstation. On a laptop, I rarely see any reason to run Windows anymore. It’s not powerful enough for a gaming machine, and Linux is able to do great on movies and CD/DVD recording.
Microsoft has some great operating systems and software. I have had nothing but great experiences with them. But, for a budget PC, I don’t like having to upgrade the RAM and CPU just to get it running smoothly. Yes, I’m a huge Vista fan (and I’m in a small room with the rest of them, too!), but Ubuntu is about the only OS I’d recommend on a mainstream laptop or less than top of the line PC. Unless gaming (with large titles like Crysis & FSX) is a top priority.
And I’ve got a nice HP Laser printer sitting on my desk (for the past 4 years!). It’s a workhorse that just doesn’t give up!
I appreciate your feedback. The one thing you didn’t hit on was security. If you could, it would be great for visitors to hear someone besides me talk about the average computer user and how security and maintenance is different on a Linux machine vs. a Windows PC.
Can Ubuntu through Firefox use TurboTax to prepare and file taxes? And use Quicken to prep and print wills and other related documents? Of so, I think I will switch.
Ubuntu will not let you use Windows based programs like Quicken Willmaker. However, you can use the online versions of these programs like quicken.com, turbotax.com. IF you need to use Windows based software, then Ubuntu will not be your best option.
I hear that if you start windows and click “I disagree” to the license, you can get your windows tax back.
GNU/Linux rules.
Probably depends on the manufacturer. It would be a way to get $75-150 or more dollars back on the purchase, however, if honored.
Linux will let you use windows programs, you just have to install “wine”. It runs most windows programs. Or even the “crossover” suite, recently released for free.
Cheers
I know about Wine but have not tried it. My question is how hard is it to configure Wine for the average beginner, non-geek user? Do you have to install Windows like in a VM environment, and how well do the apps actually run in Wine?
WINE takes almost no configuration at all on its own and you don’t have to install Windows to make it work.
My experience has been that anything that works in WINE works very well and anything that doesn’t work is completely DOA, there’s not a lot of “everything works except for…” in anything I’ve tried. I mostly run games, I don’t run anything important in a Windows version.
WINE maintainers have a database of applications with ratings of what works, what doesn’t and how well. Anyone who’s considering using it can check the appDB and see beforehand if what they want to do is going to work. Office and productivity software tends to be the kind of stuff people need and is high on their priority list for support.
I paid for Crossover from Codeweavers and it’s worked great by me, any weirdness from WINE is completely glossed over and it’s just an install and go situation, same as if I was running Windows natively.
Thanks for the input, I will give WINE a run through.
I cannot get the dial up to work. Fact is, I cannot even find where to put in the phone number to have it dial it.
Thank you in advance.
I know Linux can be used with dial-up, but I don’t recommend it and can’t guide you on that one. In fact, I don’t recommend that anyone use dial-up any more.
You preach about Linux, yet you do not even know it’s capabilities. 13 years of fixing computers and working with the “oldest DOS machines to the newest gaming and Mac monsters” and you’ve never configured wine?
I do agree with you that Linux is a valid desktop replacement. However I believe that it only suitable for the ‘granny’ user and the super user. The user that knows enough to configure their windows I believe will be lost on Linux. Things are just too different if you’re accustom to the windows environment. That being said; those type of users are probably able to learn how to become a power Linux user fairly easily… they just need to have the drive to learn. However, in this day of being spoon fed everything how many of these sheeple are actually willing to learn something outside their comfort zone?
Why the use of the “b” word? Why the insults and angry tone?
Are you one of the recently laid-off employees from Microsoft?
Rick Castellini has been a reliable source of information for many computer users, a group of people (not sheeple) having an extremely wide range of technical abilities. Over the recent years, many of us have had to deal with lousy, bloated, poorly designed/documented, unreliable & unsecure software products from corporate titans like Microsoft and Symantec. Thankfully, some people (not sheeple), like Rick, are willing to help others navigate throughout the computer world, minimize computer expenses, avoid many pitfalls, and keep up-to-date.
I have a B.S. and M.S. in engineering, and I find Rick’s site, helpmerick.com to contain valuable information.
Hey, Rick: Thanks for your “help” over the years.
I’m curious how the previous commenter felt his/her opinion was different than mine? They seem pretty darn close to me.
And thank you engineer commenter for defending me…I appreciate the love.