“I find that Linux leaves a smaller footprint on the hard drive, the apps are smaller, the updates are smaller and seldom require a restart. ”

ANOTHER VOTE FOR LINUX

I have been dual booting Linux Mint and Windows (Vista, Windows 7 and now Windows 10) on a dual-core Pentium T2400 Notebook for many years now.

I find that Linux leaves a smaller footprint on the hard drive, the apps are smaller, the updates are smaller and seldom require a restart. The GUI is just as easy to use as the Windows GUI. Just as in Windows, most functions can be done using the GUI and you seldom have to use the command Prompt (Terminal). There are equivalent Linux apps for doing most everyday tasks, which are just as good as Windows apps. There is even an emulator (DOSBox) that runs DOS programs, including games.

Some of my peripherals don’t work or work with reduced functionality and some streaming services don’t work (such as Stan), but the main reason I haven’t switched to Linux is that games designed for Windows don’t work on Linux.

Because I have a Windows 10 32-bit operating system, many Windows 95/98 games still run. Is it possible to use Wine to run these games under Linux? If so could you do an article on how to do this? Carl Francis

GETTING TO GRIPS WITH LINUX

Linux is something you need to understand. It works a lot different to Windows: it’s all about choice. When you choose a distro, you’re choosing a family to belong to — be that Debian, Red Hat, Puppy, Ubuntu or something else.

I’ve found it easy to use and install, it runs for years and is almost virusproof (for now). Plus it’s free and it can make old computers feel new again. I was given an old HP laptop from the rubbish heap — I cleaned it up and put in a hard drive from another dumper with a cracked screen, then installed Linux Mint and downloaded a heap of apps. It runs like new or better — it’s now my favourite.

I’m a fan of the little Aussie distro, Puppy Linux. I use the Slacko Puppy distro and it’s a marvel. You can run it from a disc, install it to a USB or use frugal install (that’s a folder on Windows, that’s basically a save file or mini hard drive). Plus if you keep a copy of this save file, you have an almost instant rebuild, in case something goes wrong.

My Slacko has Wine and lots of Windows apps, plus VirtualBox running Windows 2000 just for pinball. I have no need for Windows 10. Throw in an Android smartphone and all my device needs are taken care of.

That said, I wish they would bring out an Ubuntu laptop — my money is waiting to be spent. First thing I’d do would to wipe it clean and put on Mint and Slacko.

I have the Linux bug and it’s wonderful! Allan Clark

CORRECTION

Due to an oversight at the time of production, the incorrect price for Corel Painter was listed in last month’s APC (issue 434, November 2016, page 38). The correct price is $429. We regret the error and apologise for any inconvenience caused.