NutWrench

Get or build a PC instead of getting a console. Introduce to kid to games. After a while, say “you know, computers can do other stuff besides play games” and introduce the kid to that as well.

Tell them to keep their personal life completely separate from their online life. NO personal info shared online.

Well if you’re still interested in updating your laptop, Soundblaster actually makes a sound card on a USB stick for less than $20 (Amazon). :)

It might be worth getting a cheap Soundblaster card for your computer. Mint seems to have good support for all of them.

I’m really enjoying the learning curve with Linux because it’s a valuable skill to master. On the other hand, every time I’ve had to “go under the hood” with Windows, it’s been to keep it from doing something awful to me.

Windows already has a rootkit on your computer. It’s called Microsoft CoPilot and Recall. Giving up things that hurt you shouldn’t be hard, when there are far better alternatives to Windows and EA.

I’ve got 2 Brother printers that work just fine with Linux Mint, the Brother L2640 and L2685. They’re both black and white toner cartridge printers that use either wireless or a USB cable connection. I print maybe a dozen pages a day on both printers and replace the cartridges ever 4-5 months or so. I can get third party replacement toner cartridges on Amazon for around $25 for a 2-pack. Replacement drums are about $25-30 every 3 years or so.

If you’re still on the fence about switching to Linux, try downloading a Live Linux USB image and booting it from a USB stick. This lets you try out Linux without changing anything on your Windows drive. The Live version will also let you see if Linux detects all your computer’s hardware before you install it for real.

I recommend Linux Mint for beginners.

This. Also, get a VPN service, like Nord that’s preferably not based in the US. Also, Microsoft is literally installing spyware on your computer already. (CoPilot and Recall). They would have NO problems turning over your computer data to the Trump regime on their whims.

Another vote for trying a live distro. If the live version detects all your computer’s hardware, it will detect it when you install it for real.

I’ve had 3 different graphics cards since 2009.

I have an nVidia RTX 3060, running on a desktop I built back in 2009. I’m running Linux Mint with the KDE Plasma desktop with no problems. All the Steam I bought on Windows, run with no problems under Linux.

Any non-Steam games, like Giants: Citizen Kabuto or Deus Ex (1) run on Wine under the default settings with no problems.

I think adopting Proton was the smartest thing Valve ever did. They are going to capture 90% of gamers switching from Windows to Linux.

I’ve been using SearX for over a year now. https://priv.au/

It returns old-school, unranked results. It currently has at least 50 Instances you can choose from. https://searx.space/

Many Linux distros have “live” versions that you can boot from without changing anything on your computer. If the live version detects your fingerprint sensor, it will detect it when you install it for real.

I tried setting up Windows 10 in a virtual machine recently and damn, what a miserable experience that was. “Please wait. We’re getting things ready . . . please wait . . . We’re getting things ready. Hey, you want Cortana? Tough shiat, we’re installing it anyway. Do you need an Office App? Well we’re going to install Live365, whether you like it or not. Also, we really want your email address. You don’t have a choice. Just give us your damn email address. And your phone number, too.”

Installing Linux: 15 minutes later: “You’re done. Enjoy.”

I switched to Linux to get AWAY from root kits and corporate malware.

I never said they were. That’s socialism not communism. And when I think of socialism, I think exactly of Scandinavian countries, not Soviet-era Russia.

It’s about understanding the difference between the dictionary definitions of “communism” and “capitalism” and how they are actually practiced in the real life.

One of them is a system where the super rich hoard all the wealth and use the news media they own to keep the poor and middle classes fighting with each other while they, the rich, run off with all the f*cking money.

And the other one is a system where the super rich hoard all the wealth and use the news media they own to keep the poor and middle classes fighting with each other while they, the rich, run off with all the f*cking money.

“But wait a minute,” you ask. “Aren’t those the same thing” Yeah. Congratulations. You GOT it.

The next time you wonder, “wow. How can they provide this amazing service for free?” always remember: YOU are the product.

Will there be an alternative to StreetComplete? An Apps that lets you contribute to CoMaps instead of Organic Maps?

edit n/m. I found out that StreetComplete contributes to OpenStreetMaps.