Linux Mint??

  Wombat!

I see that you are an avid flight sim user.  Am I correct in presuming that you are not a novice when it comes to using a PC?

If you have not already seen these, I might suggest that you read the posts.  They are aimed at beginners, but they can be helpful to experienced Windows users, as well.

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/577719/never-tried-linux-before-read-this/

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/785322/how-to-test-drive-linux/

My personal preference for Linux is Xubuntu.  It comes with all the basic tools, such as Open Office, a web browser, and a media player.  It uses the xfce desktop, with a default simple pull down menu.  I "modify" the installation to my needs, by adding some additional software.

Open Office will allow you to read and edit all your MS-Office documents, such as *.doc and *.docx files.  It will also save in MS-Office format, as well.

I still use Windows, installed as a virtual machine, using Xubuntu as the host.  I have a copy of AutoCAD 2000, that runs fine under Wine, (which simulates a Windows environment in Linux.)

However, AutoCAD needs a native Windows environment to plot properly.  So, every once in a blue moon, when I have a new project, I do the drawings using AutoCAD through Wine, and then open the VM to plot them to CutePDF, so I can print them from Xubuntu.

I mention this, because you may want to try running MS-Flight Simulator through Wine, or as a VM.  It saves having to re-boot when you wish to go Ad Astra.

Regardless, I suggest you try a few different distributions of Linux before settling on a permanent one.

I think that the main criteria you should consider is support.  The more popular a distribution is, the more likely it is to have a wide support base in the forums.

Cheers!

Naught.

There are Flight Simulators for Linux if you have a Bad A$$ desktop.

https://landoflinux.com/linux_flight_simulators.html

Flight Gear is in the repository leastwise in Ubuntu.

Edited by The-Toolman, 25 October 2023 - 01:55 PM.

I personally enjoy Linux Mint quite a bit. But most of the software that I used on Windows is incompatible with Linux whatsoever. And there are only a few instances where there is a true equivalent FOSS program on Linux, compared to Windows.

The benefits of switching to Linux have been mostly programming related; Python, JavaScript and so-on. Linux is a wonderful change in that regards.

Not being able to play my favorite videos games has been a bit of a drag, but that's alright. I've become a better coder as a result of making the switch.

First let me say I do not clam to be an Linux expert, at all. Yes I have been using Linux for many years, almost 20 years, and some of what I am about to tell you maybe working for me because over time I have naturally evolved into understanding certain aspects of Linux better and what has become easy for me may not be so easy for you. I know I am not that good because when I read from others that are good with Linux I very clearly see my short comings. However I have tweaked Wine to run about 85 to 90 percent of my Windows games. I even have Skyrim working and from what I understand getting Skyrim to run in Linux can be a challenge. I also run Diablo 3 and I may be the only Diablo gamer on Blizzard as I ask on the Blizzard forums and not one person came back at me and said that they play any of the Diablo games in Linux. My point? Yes you can run many Windows games in Linux but the process will take time. Even if you take advice from helpers here you will find yourself still getting frustrated. I know because I have been there. There was a time I could get no Windows games to run in Linux, except for the games written for Linux on Steam. This is why I advise you to Steam and see what games they have you might be interested in that run in Linux. Next I very strongly recommend Linux Mint for any beginner to the Linux OS. Mint plays very well with Wine and you will need Wine to play your Windows games. Linux books can be a bore but I recommend getting one that covers Mint as those books will have the commands you will need for the terminal. Then read the chapter that covers the terminal till you can not take it anymore. I can not stress enough the importance of using the terminal for every download and every important commands and settings. Last, this this is not the time to experiment with Linux. Learn to master Mint first, then move on to experimenting with Linux as it can be fun. Hope I helped.

I have always been a MS user; however am now fed up with their cr_ap that costs people money just so they can make more of it.  As such, I have been considering switching to Linux but no nothing about it or what it is compatible with etc - eg: can you run microsuck games on it such as Flight Sims for example?

 

I have also seen a variety ofdifferent "types (?)" of Linux including something called "Mint" whichquite a few people claim is the best one and easiest one to use.  In short, I need good honest advice regarding ther following:

 

1.   How good, reliable, stable is Linux?

2.   Is there MS equivilent software available for it?

3.   Is it as intrusive and invasive as microsucks?

4.   Which version should I get?

5.   How hard (or easy) is it to get used to?

6.   Any other info or advice applicable

I'm a bit late to the party...just joined but I've been using Mint Cinnamon for 9 years because it's an excellent Distro.   Of cause Linux isn't windoze...it's so much better and there's some learning to be done which takes time but it's worth it.

1.  Mint is very user friendly...stable...has many useful tools and easy to use.

2.  The Mint Software Manager has heaps of software to choose from.  For software that won't run in Mint there's Wine and Virtualbox.

3.  No...nothing like that at all...no spyware...viruses only freedom to do whatever you like.

4.  Get the latest version.

5.  We all learn at our own pace...Linux isn't windoze but once you get the hang of it...you'll wonder why you didn't switch sooner.

6.  Take your time.

Anyway I hope this helps. 

Thanks everyone - appreciate the advice and sorry or being absent for so long.