Tired of big data collecting all your information while using your computer? Tired of downloading unsafe Windows torrents or paying ridiculous fees while still being subjected to commercials and crippled software? Want to breath new life into your aging hardware? Try GNU/Linux!
With the release of Windows 10, Microsoft has clearly changed their business model. They are following in the footsteps of Google, where their OS is no longer the product; you are - and they still have the audacity to charge you for it. The data they collect gets sold to the highest bidder, backdoors are built in and there is no such thing as a safe Windows computer. Software should be widely and easily available to all people of the world, no matter what social class you belong to!
GNU/Linux is much more safe by design. The code is constantly audited by the community, checked for bugs, security holes and ways to improve. Everyone can partake in the development, which creates an environment that hones a wide variety of different skill sets. Even if you can't code there are ways you can participate! Maybe you have language skills and can help with translations, or have a social media presence and can help spread the word, or maybe you have good connection and can host/seed updates and distributions in your area!
"But Linux is only for Geeks!"
With distributions like Ubuntu leading the way, there are now several flavors of GNU/Linux suited for beginners. Ubuntu, Elementary OS and Manjaro are som examples of distributions that suits non-tech savvy people perfectly. There have been huge progress when it comes to UI design, graphical installers and package management. My favorite feature is the easy-to-use Software centers. You download all your software from the Software Center and all updates are automatic, both OS and Apps. The UI in Gnome or KDE is intuitive and straightforward. I have heard several success stories when it comes to migrating old people from Windows to Ubuntu. My aging mother was very impressed when I demoed Manjaro Linux - Gnome Edition and was very excited to finally get rid of Windows 8.1.
Some think GNU/Linux lacks software, but that is not the case. There are several alternatives to the most popular software like Microsoft Office, Photoshop or LibreOffice (Examples listed below). In addition to those kinds of programs, Steam has over 2000 games you can choose from. Titles like CS:GO, DOTA2, Civilization 6, Dying Light and HITMAN are now available.
GNU/Linux also gives you great flexibility! Want to run a modern OS on your 10 year old PC? Want to change every aspect of your desktop? Want a safe environment, free of viruses and adware? Want free software with a great supportive community behind it? You get all of these things and more with the right GNU/Linux distribution. The possibilities are endless!
GNU/Linux distributions suitable for beginners:
Manjaro Linux
https://manjaro.org
Elementary OS
https://elementary.io
Ubuntu Linux
https://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/features
Libre Office (Office suite)
https://www.libreoffice.org
Krita (Drawing software)
https://krita.org/en/
GIMP (Image edting)
https://www.gimp.org
Darkroom (RAW editing)
http://www.darktable.org
Flowblade (Video editing)
https://jliljebl.github.io/flowblade/
Blender (3d creation suite)
https://www.blender.org
Ardour (Digital audio workstation)
https://ardour.org
