Because of Windows 7 validation hassles, I want to install Linux instead....

Dilbert

New member
...What version should I start with? I was hoping to be able to try Windows 7 to see if it's better than Windows XP, but I don't want to keep going through the hassles of getting it validated, activated, etc. It says I have to retype my product code, but that's typical Microsoft bullshit, as any competent programmer could easily detect that the product code was not the problem, and give a competent error message.

I want a version of Linux that gives me a good internet browser and good security without any newbie installation hassles. By good security, I mean I don't want to be vulnerable to all kinds of malware just because I do something wrong during installation.

How do I find out what version of Linux to install?
No, this copy of Windows 7 is not pirated. The problem is that I'm trying to install it to a clean hard disk, to replace a version of Windows XP that was installed on a computer that malfunctioned. A competent error message would tell me I can't install it on a clean hard disk, but Microsoft tells me to retype my validation code. I've reached the end of my tolerance of all their years of incompetent error messages wasting my time.
 
Linux is not (yet) vulnerable to malware because no-one has bothered to write any. It's vulnerable to weak passwords on SSH login and things like SQL injection on servers, plus the odd privilege escalation exploit if someone gets a user password. So desktops are pretty safe - you won't yet get infected from email or browsing. Adobe software has had vulnerabilities, but all the payloads hackers write are targetted at Windows so they won't run.

Most people are getting Ubuntu or Mint for desktops. Just get the latest production release which should support newer hardware. There is the latest Firefox (same as for Windows), plus Chrome, Flash plugin (either the latest, or nearly so), Adobe Reader (ditto), OpenOffice, Thunderbird, etc. which covers basic browsing/email/office stuff, then there are video players either built-in or available for download etc.
The games selection, however, is lousy, though there was Doom and Quake
 
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