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You said you have a Framework PC, their support pages already have a list of supported Linux distributions and install guides for them
Yes, you can install other Linux distributions if you like and in fact most should work fine. But since you seem to be new to everything it is probably best to stick to the Linux distributions Framework themselves offer support towards.
Beyond that may just want to contact Framework support directly since you're using their hardware.
You don’t really need a computer repair person for a Framework. It’s designed to be trivially repairable: if something breaks, buy the part from their website, unplug it, and change it yourself.
If your operating system breaks, here’s what you do:
Put anything important on a USB drive. You should always do this anyway.
Hit “refresh my PC” in Windows. This will reinstall Windows for you.
I’m not directly answering your question because it’s kind of unanswerable. We have no idea if there are local “computer repair people” that can work on Linux (which is what you are talking about); only you would know that based on phoning up people around you where you live. Ask them “do you guys fix Linux stuff?”
You can install Linux yourself easily, and get a system that’s basically not going to get a virus on it anyway. You can even do it and keep windows: it’s not either/or.
I hear you on that, but if we are just talking about Linux (that appears to be the one to go with), then I should have been able to go to Linux’s official website & get them to provide me with licensed/trustworthy option(s) for me. Like any other services-product,
Linux is a volunteer project (mostly). There is no "support" like a commercial os, you'll have to figure out your way around it yourself.
There are Linux User Groups (LUGs) around the world though, which are volunteer groups that help people with their Linux problems. Have a look at if you can find one around you
You can get paid support with SUSE, REL even Ubuntu. Ubuntu is $300 per year for full desktop support
Sorry but this is very difficult to understand.
Are there any top alternative Computer OSs
The only other one you can put on that machine is Linux.
that have IRW computer repairpeople
No idea what this means.
you can probably also run bsd and 9front :)
The only other one you can put on that machine is Linux.
Not true, I know first hand OpenBSD works fine (at least on my AMD FW13, but I'm sure it works on the others too) and I'm sure the other BSDs do too. I'm not recommending a new user use those, just pointing out the original statement is wrong.
They specifically said "top alternative OS".
Any computer repair shop worth their salt can fix a computer regardless of OS. After all, 90% of computer repair is searching for stuff on the internet.
When you give a gift, just make sure it's using what you think they would most want. If they would benefit most from Linux, give them Linux. If they would benefit most from Windows, give them Windows.
Really? Wow, does not sound that skilled then. but the current computer repairperson said he only does Windows, & few affordable (no job, there is only geek sqaud) & trustworthy, past malware infections event, computer repair place. I live aura, unincorporated & Ag. area, nearest city is at least 15-Mins. away by automobiles.
I cannot agree more with what you said, but I was giftee, not the gifter.
I cannot agree more with what you said, but I was giftee, not the gifter.
That makes things even simpler. You hate Windows, put what you want on it. You can't change that it came with Windows, but you can change what it has tomorrow.
the current computer repairperson said he only does Windows
I would find a different computer repairman. That said, Frameworks are also quite repairable (that is kinda their whole thing). It's an excellent system to get started with learning computer stuff yourself. Fixing your problems as you come across them is a great way to learn.
What's the specific problem you are having with it? We could point you in the right direction.
Thank you, but tablet low on battery,
No specific problem, except Frameworks’ undersized screens! Hate small screens!
My brother (in the software repair industry) loves Frameworks & Windows, & so do I love that part of Frameworks, so I have a small beginning understanding.
I cannot afford to have new LT out for a long time, while i learn.
The framework guides online are actually pretty easy to follow. Honesty I would just spend an afternoon swapping the battery. As long as you take your time you should be fine.
You probably want Windows then
Also be really mindful of "computer repair services." They tend to take advantage of people.
Yeah, I hear you, now. But then I had even less income & without a LT for year. Went the cheapest possible route, cellphone specialist, but advertised he did computers as well.
What's a LT?
Laptop, probably.
There are different Linux distributions that do offer paid support, as far as the OS goes. So if you're interested in professional paid support for the OS, something like Zorin OS or Ubuntu may be an option. I've seen others recommend Linux mint, and that's my go-to for someone not familiar with Linux. It's popular and even if whatever repair shop you're taking it into isn't familiar, they can find the resources online to fix whatever problem you may have. But being totally practical, even if you dislike windows, if it's able to do what you need, and the people that you know are familiar with it, is it worth the effort to swap for you and your use case?
If you can't even click next enough to get a disto installed Linux is not for you
I am brandnew to Linux & alternatives to Windows & not a programmer. What is disto?
What is disto?
A distro is the variant of linux you choose. Some are optimized for servers, some are optimized for general desktop use.
For beginners, Linux Mint is where I would suggest starting. It feels familiar to a Windows user and is specifically designed to be beginner friendly.
There is a detailed install guide here. But the short version is:
Click next a bunch on the installer. If you don't have anything on the computer already, choose to have it wipe the drive and install Mint as the only OS. That greatly simplifies things.
Thank You, been so focused on Mint, ignored the rest.
Mint is one of the more "Windows-like" versions of Linux. The deal breaker for Linux usually isn't the OS, but what software you'll run on the OS, and often a crucial one will be MS Office and compatibility with the proprietary junk that comes with it. If you need just a spreadsheet and word processor and they don't have to be 100% MS compatible, then LibreOffice will work fine (even ON WIndows). If it's other types of software, then see if they have a Linux option, or if there's success in using Wine or Lutris to run it on Linux.
Linux won't be without some learning curve, but it's not nearly as steep as it used to be. I spent years occasionally playing with dual boots of different distros but not really using them, but last year found some things that would run better on Linux (I started by using WSL on Windows but it's so slow because of what it is). Now I've all but completely remove my Windows partition, everything important is now moved over to my Ubuntu and I do not want to go back now.
Just keep using windows
Stop being a dick to OP. If you don't have anything nice to say, you don't have to say anything at all.
I will not because the OP hasn’t even done 5 minutes of reading before running to social media looking for answers.
On the plus side, it's a good sign for Linux that even people like this want to run the fuck away from the monstrosity that Windows has become.
You should not assume, just ask me! I have, just this is the only social media I use. Really hate social media, but boards are dead & tech. corporations no longer do customer services.
I am assuming you are from the Apple/Android ecosystem.
A "distro" is short for "distribution".
Same as iOS on iPad and Android on other tablets have an App Store, Linux distributions have an App Store like thingy. It is called a repository (different name, similar job).
The difference between an App Store and a Repository is that while app stores will only have Application Software (i.e. the stuff that you directly use), a repository will have everything that makes up the Operating System. So, System Software and Application Software.
How it affects you? Well when you do a system update, all apps including Linux and every base component can updated at the same time. This makes sure that everything works with each other, properly. The problem with this is that it gives you the power to install something that doesn't work well with other things and if you don't read the prompts before pressing "Yes" or typing "Y", then you might cause some headache.
Now, the repository lies on the servers of those who build the software from their source code and provide binaries to you.
To access that, you have a program on you computer called a package manager.
If you find it hard to use a terminal, I suggest going with something like Ubuntu or Linux Mint and using the GUI (Graphical User Interface) package manager, which might be named something different you can easily get used to. The experience will be kinda similar to using the app store apps on tablets/mobiles except that it won't go around giving you cash-grab notifications.
You can use the GUI package managers to install and update software as and when required.
Different Linux Distributions (distros) are geared towards different kinds of people and some of them don't even come with a GUI from the start, for which you get to decide exactly what GUI software you want to install. This is better off left for when you have gotten privy with whatever default is available on the beginner-friendly distros and have the time to research all the available options and match them with your preferences.
The reason it is hard to find anyone to do this for you, is because you yourself are the best judge of what you like.
Not I
So Linux is a collection of different software, companies and volunteers. If you think of cars Linux is basically a paper design of an engine that anyone can use for free. Then Ferrari, Toyota, ford and all the other companies build their own physical engine on top of that. Some of the companies have "dealerships" or support but they primarily cost a lot of money and cater to companies, not people. There's no Linux store the way there would be an apple or Microsoft store.
The comments here are right, in that most computer repair shops should be able to figure it out the same way you can take almost any car to almost any general mechanic. There might be some complicated issues that requires someone who's good with that specific brand, but a basic install isn't super complicated in the same way changing the oil on a car should be straightforward for all mechanics.
Since you're in a rural community you can either do it yourself, try to find another computer repair shop, or ask a friend/family member nicely in exchange for food, money, whatever (please don't assume this person wants to be your dedicated support person). Linux is great and it can be pretty straightforward if you dedicate some time to learning.
If you do it yourself or have a friend do it:
Some computer repair places specialize in Mac and windows, but there are many who don't have those restrictions (and they're usually more competent). You'll just need to do some searching.
You're bound to have problems no matter what OS you run, but some are more complicated and higher maintenance than others. If you want to switch to Linux then I'd recommend Linux Mint or Ubuntu usually, but maybe something like Fedora Silverblue (or any other immutable distro) if you value stability and safety; particularly for workstations. Those sorts of distros do 'atomic updates' and let you roll back easily if anything fucks up, opposed to a traditional Linux experience where you can get screwed by a partial or corrupted update.
However, while Windows is terrible, it may be better to stick with it if you just need something that works, particularly for work, or if you need to use software which might not work (or work properly) on Linux.
But if you're feeling bold, take the plunge and try something new. Just remember to keep backups of anything important and maybe keep a few installer USBs handy (maybe one for windows and one for your chosen Linux) just in case something goes wrong and you need a fresh start, or wanna run back to what you're used to.
Just checking: are you aware that you can try Linux on your machine without installing it? You can use Balena Etcher to write a disc image (.ISO) to any flash drive (that's the one catch: you must own a flash drive), and plug it in, have the PC boot from the flash drive instead of its own internal parts, and test-drive Linux entirely in it.
Alternatively, you could run it in a virtual machine via Oracle VirtualBox, which is free, last I checked.
I had not known that I could use/test-out without downloading.
I have been thinking of installing both & chosing to keep the one I like best, because Microsoft Windows forced downloaded to my machine, buy family member buy both Framework 12 LT & Windows.
Yes, you can try a copy of Linux from a USB flash drive and then shut down the computer, pull out the drive, and boot right back into Windows as if nothing had ever happened. The installation process is typically a desktop icon on the Linux distro; if you don't touch that icon, then it's all temporary. Glad to be of help!
Okay, that sounds awesome, but I have three-questions. 1st. Is it the same for Mint version? 2nd. Can test out/actually use The Linux Mint or Distro version, then backup it all, remove the same thumb drive & it is as if nothing occurred? & 3rd. Can I save both OSs’ files to same thumb drive & still do 2nd. question?
no but I really think this is a missed opportunity for microcenter as they are well positioned to do something like this in the us.
No?
see then that is a big risk
What?
To be honest you are in the right place already. If you take the first step and install Mint, Fedora Kinoite or something similar on the laptop, there are many people here who would be willing to offer you support for free here on Lemmy.
You won't find a lot of support IRW/IRL though as many companies are still sleep-walking in the Windows world.
You will however need to take some steps for yourself. If you're willing to get over that first hurdle, you will almost certainly find someone here to help you with any problem you have (including installation).