An old one but a good one, still sums it up...

Android is a derivative flavour of linux, running a program written by the chaps at google, that operates telephone hardware. However, the kernel is usually locked from the user, so you can only run 'apps' prepared in a certain way.

there are several paint-like programs written for Linux, with varying degrees of complexity, layering rendering blending etc. there are also far better dedicated programs that are intended for drawing and simulating circuits etc.
But, and it is a hurdle that entrenched users sometimes  struggle with, none of them are truly identical to the windows equivalent, and some learning from scratch will be unavoidable.
The only things that up can be sure require no re-learning of course are on-line tools that are in a web-browser.
Mike.

CliveS said:

Microsoft keep asking for yearly sub and passwords than I have forgotten.

It's worth knowing that you do not have to have a Microsoft account to run Windows (including W11). I discovered this after MS locked up my laptop so securely in Win 10 that I had to do a clean reinstall and lost all my data - I now use a "local account" on all our home PCs which gets around this. I have no MS passwords on any of our home PCs, including one that runs W11.

It's not obvious, but it is there.

I also use a one-time install version of MS Office, so overall I don't pay any annual fees to MS. Not sure how much longer that will be possible with Office though, they are really pushing Office 365 (quite understandably).

Thanks, Andy

I think the cartoon is unfair to Apple. I am a late convert to Apple and I use a 2015 Mac Book Pro, it is running Monterey which is now a couple of versions of OS old but the OS updates to get to Monterey since 2015 have been free. For a 9 year old computer I do not think that is too bad as I still get updates to Monterey and I I had the 2017 version of the Mac Book I would be getting the latest OS  I have to accept if I want all the latest bells and whistles I have to update my hardware at some point.

Having been heavily involved with computers since I wrote my first program in 1968  and used MS DOS since it early versions along with various  Unix varieties, CPM, MPM, Turbodos and mainframe systems I am now just a user and now hate computers. Microsoft and many years of supporting it is the main reason for my dislike. The poor user interfaces on most software/web interfaces are my other gripe.

For Windows I use 98 Pro on a very old desktop, I have some software that needs Windows, and unfortunately my wife's computer uses WIndows 11 and I have to do the support on it. I am not a fan, partially due to the changes to the user interface to make things "easier" but to me just make it more complicated. I would use Linux but I would still need a WIndows machine and I no longer want to be messing around with computers.

I reboot my Apple once every few months if I remember but my wife's needs regular reboots to get rid of issues.

I wish Peter luck with his quest.

One suggestion if you're switching to Linux - make sure you install a Long Term Support (LTS) version.

A few years ago, I tried installing Mint on an old laptop.  I wasn't impressed when it stopped getting updates only a year later, and they offered no path to upgrade to a newer version.  The instructions were to backup all your files and install a new version of Mint.

Hello Andy:

The clear winner was Linux Mint.

The most common problem with the others versions was getting existing printers (driver software) to work correctly.

It also seems that there is not a "pure play" Linux computer system on the consumer marketplace.

One has to buy (usually) a windows based computer system and then install Linux on top - it is effectively a PARASITE!

 Peter Brooks

Palm Bay 

For a while, Dell did sell systems with linux pre-installed. The closest they (or anyone else) comes these days is selling Chromebooks.

Some of the specialists did use to offer a No-OS option, but its not significantly cheaper. The other option I've done is specify all the parts and assemble the whole system myself. But its not a time and cost effective route. It was fun though!

But the drivers such as they are can be interchanged. The whole point of Linux is mix and match - but Mint has a more windows like look and feel then some in its un-customised state.
If you prefer you can start with a machine running linux and make it dual boot windows so the latter is the parasite - it makes little odds which has the primary partition.

But I strongly suggest if you are really  considering it seriously, then try it, now, with your existing machine - perhaps even just as a "live image" running direct off USB stick or DVD so there is no installation to do and 'going back' is cost free.

Mike

Hello Sergio:

I do have an old (2007) 21.5 inch MAC which uses a Intel Core i5 CPU which I like to use from time to time.

However I have never tried to add Google Chrome browser to my MAC. 

I use Chrome on my Windows based system because it has a feature that I use all the time -

it will allows one to print to a pdf file and store to one's hard drive, instead of just sending the file to a regular hardware printer.

Have you ever tried to port Google Chrome Browser to your MAC?

Regard wireless phone selection- I don't use a smart phone(s). only regular wireless flip phone - as one gets older ones fingers seem to get bigger and trying to punch in numbers (like 20 digits needed on prescription drugs reorder(s) without making mistakes is nearly impossible on smart phones.

Peter Brooks

Palm Bay   

Hello Simon:

I have never liked Microsoft as they are constantly trying to steal/monitor/sell your information and it is getting worse with latest version which snapshots your screen every 3 seconds (Recall/Copilot +).

I have never liked Intel, having had to work with them over my working years.That why I like AMD CPU's.

Peter Brooks

Palm Bay