Linux Mint: Why is better than an illegal Windows copy?
As we all know, Microsoft Windows holds since decades the throne to the most used operating system worldwide. To such an extent that most computer manufacturers distribute their products with Windows pre-installed. It’s so massive that in some occasions, having a computer is synonym of having Windows (Although it’s not always like that, but it does happen very often), which leads to many people to not know the existence of others operating systems.
Its massive use lead to o its illegal use by many users, using keygens, patches and/or cracks to be able to enjoy this set of programs without buying a legitimate license. Moreover, where I study, most computers have and MS Office without activation. Many times we find justifications such as not being able to pay the original license, which is 100% understandable, but that doesn’t eliminate the fact that it’s still illegal, and therefore, a offence, independently whether right or wrong. While there are OEM license that are 100% usable by end users and its price is around the $15 USD (Although many times surpass that figure), which is very low compared to the more than a hundred dollars a retail license costs (directly from Microsoft); it is often still installed illegally, for the simple fact of not having to pay absolutely nothing. It should be noted that Microsoft has to often turned a blind eye to this fact, as its aim always was and will be dominating the market. For example, we have the release of Windows 10 and its upgrade advisor in computers with previous versions, encouraging users to upgrade completely free of charge, without the fact of having an illegal copy being an impediment. This has largely benefited the company to ensure its supremacy in this market.
However, often the risks that this may involve our devices are ignored. For example, we start with the fact that when using Windows without activating, after the trial period will restrict many essential system options, limiting the user experience.
On the other hand we have activators like keygens or cracks skipping this limitations, doing the system believes that is a legitimate copy. But to be able to use them, it is necessary to execute them with administrator privileges, to be able to apply the patch. The inconvenient here is that nothing assures you that the activator has malicious code, whether that introduces a malware in your computer or a backdoor, that collect your personal information to later commit illicit acts in your name. Added to the fact that many times you can’t update the system, losing the possibility of applying security patches, becoming vulnerable to serious threats, as are ransomware. With the WannaCry case, we have already seen what is the high price of no keeping the system updated.
Well, to understand the following, we have to see what are the main reasons why a person would Windows illegitimately:
- The user doesn’t have enough money to buy the license (Including the OEM).
- The user does have the necessary funds to pay the license, but he simply does not want to pay it, since he considers that it’s too expensive and it’s not worth paying so much for an operating system.
In addition to this, we can mention that is too simple to do this procedure and that Windows dominates that market.
For this explanation, we’ll keep in mind the first case. The person wishes to use the operating system, but doesn’t have the enough money to pay the license. That means that he is not in the possibility to acquire any software that carries a cost, for example MS Office, Adobe Suite, the majority of antivirus (In they pro version, because the free versions usually don’t help so much), video editors, among other programs; at least no legitimately, since if he choose to “pirate them”, he would be suffering the same limitations like a illegal copy of Windows.
Therefore, for a user of this type it would be more convenient use a GNU/Linux distribution, since most of these are free, and much of the available software on the repositories are libre (I use the term in Spanish to differentiate them) and free, being able to enjoy a more complete range of software without put in risk the computer.
But… what’s GNU/Linux…?
I know that not many know what GNU/Linux is, so it’s necessary to give a brief and simplified explanation of it. Is the combination of the projects GNU and Linux to create a complete and functional operating system. Linux is the kernel of the system (Like our brain), that controls the communication with the hardware and takes care of many other internal processes. On the other hand, GNU provides much of the included software in the operating system and ready to be used. Both are free (GNU is libre, and Linux originally no because is open-source, but it has a variant called linux-libre).
The GNU/Linux distributions (Also known as distros) they are just variants that arise of the combination of different software sets, with different desktop environments (Also known as DEs), each one with a definite purpose. We have, for example, those oriented to programming, 3D design, audiovisual production, those of general use, among many others. Being able to create a complete operating system based on another project, without any problem (Unless the licenses place any restrictions). Linux Mint is one of the most popular distributions, after Ubuntu, and has the feature of having a very user-friendly interface for the new users.
In practice we use the term “Linux” to encompass the entire ecosystem of these distributions, and because it is not only GNU that provides the software. Reason why from this point, we will refer to them as “Linux Distributions”.
What advantages does Linux Mint offers over an illegal copy of Windows?
In this case, I’ll focus more on Linux Mint, since it is one of the most used Linux distributions, it has a certain degree of orientation of the new users that they come from Windows, doesn’t requires too much configuration to start to work, it’s the one I currently use, but above all, its community is one of the largest in the world of Linux. This is something to take into account, since if you have a problem that you can’t solve, you’ll able to publish it in the Linux Mint Forums for other users to assist and guide you.
I clarify that I will not talk about distributions for expert users, like Arch Linux or Kali Linux. But in general, almost everything I’ll mention applies to every modern and complete Linux distribution, like Ubuntu, Elementary OS, Solus OS, Debian, KDE Neon, among others.
From the moment you boot Linux Mint for the first time, You’ll notice that it includes lots of basic software to use, like a music player, a web browser, an office suite, a text editor, a file manager, a torrent administrator, a terminal console, among others.
You’ll be able to enjoy a complete experience without restrictions, since it’s a libre and free operating system. If you need to get some program, you’ll be able to do it from a centralized place: the Software Manager (mintinstall); which has been a kind of Google Play Store, but libre. There you’ll be able to find lots of libre, open-source and/or free software with no risk.
You have three desktop environments for choose, depending on your needs: Cinnamon, Mate and Xfce. Cinnamon is the most recommended for the new users, since, although it consumes a little bit more of resources than the two previous (Which are quite light), offers a more complete experience and user-friendly for the new users that migrates from Windows.
As for security, as Linux is rarely used (In comparison with Windows), it ceases to be a target for cybercriminals, since Windows is the target par excellence. Even so, it should be noted that Linux is not threat-proof, and like every system, it has vulnerabilities. What is a fact is that you are less likely to get infected using Linux, than using Windows; in general you just need general knowledge to avoid some malicious pages, but if you still continue without feel sure, you can install ClamAV, the antivirus par excellence in Linux, and if you don’t like text commands, you can also install ClamTK, which haves a graphic interface.
As for videogames, we have Steam, having more than 5000 games available to install in our system. Some are native, and others are brought thanks to the Proto system, which allows the developers to bring Windows games to Linux without many complications using Wine.
Another point to keep in mind, is the customization. It’s true that Windows 10 in its latest updates has offered a greater capacity to customize it with the inclusion of a dark theme in the Windows Explorer, and the light theme for the desktop, in addition to the colour title bars which can be applied. But there are a big problem here: that’s only applies to the apps that work under UWP (Universal Windows Platform), which has not been very successful recently. While for Win32, which is the API that’s used to practically every program for Windows, only offers us a colour title bar, and some Gray and very simple menus. Personally, I don’t like this aspect of Windows, but if you like it, you’re in all your right. In the other hand almost every modern Linux distribution, has a theme engine integrated, with with which you can apply a wide range of community-made themes (Remember that everything is done by and for the community). Next, I’ll show two themes that I use a lot in Linux Mint:
On Windows you can achieve this, yes; but you need to apply patches and other modifications to the systems to be able to customize it at this level, in addition to that many times you have to download a theme that has been created specifically for the Windows version that you have, and when updating, some times the theme will stop working well. In that sense, Linux is many steps ahead of Windows.
The Linux distributions many times are very useful to revive old computers and give them a second chance. Thing is complicated with Windows, since Windows 10 doesn’t work on old computers, so you would have to install an old version of Windows, Like XP or 7, which leaves the computer vulnerable, since XP no longer has support by Microsoft; and as for Windows 7 in January of 2020 its extended support by Microsoft ends; and well, I doubt you can install Windows 8/8.1 on an old computer.. Instead, with Linux distributions, like Debian or Linux Lite, you can use updated software in your old computer, since were optimized to be light and work on… come on, a dinosaur by computer.
Do you need to use some program, but it doesn’t have a Linux version, its alternative doesn’t convinces you, or simply there are no Linux alternatives? You can opt for Wine, a program that allows to make many Win32 API programs compatible as if you were on Windows itself. Of course, not all programs will work, and may need an extra configuration, but you don’t lost nothing trying it. In this link, you can consult the list of tested and compatible programs.
We also have Timeshift, which has been the “System Restore” of Linux Mint. In a few words, it takes care for making backup, being able to choose if you want to include your personal files to be backed up; choose a specific disk (or partition) for the backups and even scheduling periodic backups. For example, in my case I have two On Demand, two at Boot, and one per hour.
I’ve posted a quite complete analyze of this distribution, so you can read it if that system have catched your attention.
Disadvantages when using Linux Mint
Of course, as I mentioned some of the wonders that Linux Mint offers, I must also mention the negative points of using it, since like anything, it has advantages and disadvantages.
It has been a year since I started to use Linux Mint formerly as my main operating system in my computer, leaving Windows 10 as secondary. Among the problems that I have found, there is the incompatibility with some private components, like the Wi-Fi cards, and Nvidia graphic cards. Regarding the latter, Linus Torvalds himself have declared that is the worst company they have worked with, and that speaks about the problems with the Nvidia cards. It’s for that many times results a true headache using that cards in Linux. Regarding Wi-Fi cards, you have two options:
- 1). Buy a compatible card. This is the easiest, but expensive.
- 2). Search a driver made for the community, and install it manually. This can result a true headache depending on your card model.
Which do you think I used? Exactly, the second! and believe me that at the beginning it was an odyssey to find the necessary information to be able to install the driver and have a good Wi-Fi reception.
Another problem that I’ve noticed is that when you connect an external monitor through an HDMI cable and you disconnect it without before have changed the output device, the system’s still thinking that is connected and doesn’t allow you to transmit the sound through the computer speakers until you connect the cable again and change the output device to the speaker. This bothers me a lot, since without the HDMI you leave disabled of hear sound.
Another point to consider is the software, is true that there is a wide range of software available for Linux, but the problem that is the big software develop companies are not interested in launch a version of their software for Linux. See the case of Microsoft Office or the Adobe Suite. Many times it greatly affects not having certain programs on Linux, mainly in professional environments. Also we can mention the fact you have to install the distribution manually, since normally the manufacturers distributes its computers with Windows pre-installed, which makes it mandatory to investigate the subject and know a little about computing at least.
Conclusion
Using Linux Mint or any other modern distribution of Linux (except the ones you have to buy, such as RedHat Enterprise, since it has been the same as paying the Windows license) is better than an illegal copy of Windows, since it has a complete experience from the beginning and totally free. In addition, let’s add the fact that it is not harming anyone, nor is it committing anything above the legal limits.
This article is a translation-adaptation of the original one that I published in Spanish.
This is my first article translation, therefore, I would be grateful if you would inform me of any mistake I made in the process.
