My two cents,

I've owned, built, and fixed Windows, Apple, and Linux computers over the past 12 years. I've had the Windows BSoD, OSX crashes and the Kernel Panic with Linux. Unfortunately regardless of the OS you run it can crash. You can also get a virus on any OS as well.

I agree Linux is great but there are still some major disadvantages. Right off the bat you require more computer knowledge then the average user. Although the cost is less it is a more hands on operation. You will need to put in a good amount of time and research on just about everything you need or want for your system. If I were to hook someone up with a Linux system the amount of questions I would receive would be excessive. Although Linux has gotten MUCH better over the years they still have some major Software and Hardware compatibility issues.

I'm not trying to bash Linux either. Personally I think it's amazing and I use it myself... It's very customizable and with the proper software you can switch between Windows and Linux anyway. BUT! The above statement is meant for the average computer user (especially with an older demographic like AMAC) they need to know it's a more hands on kind of job. It's not a magical OS that does everything for you, does it better, and is free... The reality is it does everything for you just as well as the other OSes do, it requires research on anything you want to do, and is free.

For the Visually and Hearing impaired user this seems like a fantastic program and something I will have to take a look at.

P.S. I wouldn't label Microsoft as "trash" either. It's just as "trashy" as all the other OSes out there.

I'm not trying to start a Linux vs MS war here. I am not claiming one is better then the other, my point and only point is your average user will have trouble using Linux over MS guaranteed. Unless you hold their hand through it and are on call to help them when they get stuck.

I'm not entirely sure what exactly you disagree with from my previous statement besides that you clearly think Microsoft is trashy. It seems that you have a personal grudge out on them.

I have to say in my experience Toshiba Laptops have always been a horror, they cut corners big time with hardware and this is why they are generally purchased as a low budget laptop. That's probably why there was no disk provided (though even if there was disk the user may not know what to do still), it's not MS fault there was no disk. There is no telling what the root of the problem was to why her PC crashed but it was probably because "MS is horrible and trashy". I'm pretty certain if her Linux laptop had crashed and she had no disk she would still be in the same sad boat as not knowing what to do.

I do recognize that because of her current MS crash you wanted to show her an alternative OS.

I agree Linux has come a long way. I think Linux is great.

Clearly you guided her during the Linux install. Even thought it was painless, easy and she said "I could have done that!" this doesn't mean if you weren't there to guide her that the user would have known what to do. I could give a similar explanation of me guiding someone on installing your hated MS Windows 7 OS and make it seem like a wonderful walk in the park on a bright sunny day with birds happily chirping by our side. Your tale is very much like a cheesy commercial for Linux where anything related to MS is all gray, bad and difficult and anything Linux is in color and everyone has a big smile with glorious white teeth. Reality they are equally as easy to install... Follow some simple step by step instructions and then your done. Some people still have trouble with the easy install regardless of the OS.

Anyway back on topic

Bloated, Virus and Instability?

So Windows 7 recommended reqs 1GHz 1GB 16GB compared to Linux Mint recommended reqs 1GHz, 1GB, 10GB... When your standard low budget PC for your everyday user comes with 320GB HD, I wouldn't consider that extra 6GB of "bloat" as relevant but you are correct it is slightly bloated compared to Linux Mint. Also with ram these days you have so much headroom for cheap its ridiculous unless you choose a cheap-o computer then I wish you luck on any OS.

Viruses, "There are more viruses for MS that's why Linux is better" is such a poor argument you know that due to the popularity of MS is the reason for the amount over Linux. Anyone can write a virus for any OS and 90%(if not more) of those "million" viruses for MS are meaningless and dated it's just a tally of how many there are out there in the years of exposure MS has had. Any serious virus written for Linux is just as dangerous as the ones written for MS and precautions like you take for third party software should be taken on both OSes equally and you will be just as safe.

Unstable, this is just isn't true. If you take a dated MS version like XP and compare it to the latest Linux version Mint that just isn't a fair comparison. I'm not about to say my 2012 Nissan Maxima breaks down less then my 2001 Nissan Maxima. Windows 7 is very stable and for purposes concerning the average user this really is non point to make. We aren't comparing peak performance and even if we were this would be more of a hardware discussion.

All I am saying is if a user wants to run Linux they will need to be more of a computer oriented person. Unless they have the luxury of a guy like you to set them up and be there to answer questions for them. AND in general any Linux user also runs Windows...

As for the military choosing Linux, that is a WHOLE different topic and your average user wouldn't know the difference anyway. If I were the military I would probably choose Linux too. Unless they have retired nurses that play Mahjong operating spy drones then.... I might want them to use MS. Although if you were to train her on the Linux system then I might feel more comfortable with her converting.

This is a discussion forum not an advertisement page and the above seems like a big AD for Linux, did you type this up yourself or was this copied and pasted. If you want to suggest an alternative and talk to others about it that's fine but when it turns into a commercial, it has to go. This also repeats much of the original post which was very ad like as well but you had made your point of an alternative and responded, so I left it.

If you are looking to promote something I can connect you with our affiliate marketing department otherwise I would like to keep the forum clean of advertisement which is stated in our forum conduct page.

This post will be removed unless the content is changed appropriately.

Thanks FOTH it's not easy fending off all the internet trolls!

I back up to everything to an external HD and a cloud server in case of internal HD failure, I've never had an issue with a virus in over 10 years and I don't run any anti-virus software. I do however utilize the firewall windows comes with as well as anit-malware software to clean things up once in a while. Safe surfing is the best way to prevent virus's and imaging so you can restore the session like Lupus mentions is also a great idea to be safe and save time in case something happens.

In short, imaging software is a type of backup software that takes a snapshot of a drive with the ability to restore the image to the same drive or a new drive, should it be required.

So basically you might schedule an image be taken once and month or week or whatever. Then if something were to happen you can then restore one of the past saved images.

PLEASE advise me as I have several PCs and an iMac 

I would like to see if LINUX will work on my big system; currently I have Windows 8.1 64 bit Pro -- and not thrilled with system.  And I need to know if it is an easy OS to learn to use. 
We can install another internal HARD DRIVE (terabyte) into the system to operate the LINUX OS so it will not interfere with WINDOWS or vice-versa. 
Many of my programs and/or peripherals --  either do not work or I need to install the compatible versions that cost thousands of dollars to obtain current versions; and nowadays -- money is tight! 
I have an i7 intel machine with 64 gigs memory with a separate video card with 2 gig mem; and looking to install an appropriate sound card for our peripherals. 

This machine is built for high tech design work as well as gaming; which I do both. 

I have checked into LinuxMint and I am in process to check into Ubuntu...

but before I go with one program or another -- I need to know the basics and where do I start.

Any help would be the greatest.  Thank  you for your courtesy.

Respectfully,