Software options?

[DarrylM]

Ahh the ever quickening pace of the march of progress. Nostalgia just aint what it used to be.

I have never looked at Linux, how deeply over my head will I be attempting to install that 32bit Linux on my XP machine?

[SarcasticDave94]

I'm sure someone may be willing to offer Linux swimming lessons. I would but I've not touched Ubuntu or others since college in 2012, and all that was learned fell out in these past 8 years. I wouldn't even be a good Linux lifeguard.



BTW on tubes heating...when I was a high school senior, I had a European tube AM/FM console by Telefunken, at least that's what I recall. It looked something like this image.

[Crimson Nape]

There are more flavors of Linux than Baskin-Robbins has of ice cream.  Everybody has their favorite.

Here are some that are based on Debian and have a 32bit offering:

• Linux Mint Mate
  
• Linux Mint Xfce
  
• Lubuntu
  
• Zorin OS
  

You can go to DistroWatch to get a better understanding of each one and see others.  
https://distrowatch.com/

[becker44a]

Ahh the ever quickening pace of the march of progress.  Nostalgia just aint what it used to be.

I have never looked at Linux, how deeply over my head will I be attempting to install that 32bit Linux on my XP machine?

Hi Darryl,
Several years ago, I migrated from Windows 7 to Linux, as my Win 7 notebook had died, and I only have a few Windows programs I need.  I chose Linux Mint w/ Cinnamon desktop, as it has great configurability, and things like keyboard shortcuts are maintained.  This is a pretty easy migration for most Windows people.  For Office software it has LibreOffice, which can read and write Microsoft document formats.  The primary browser is Firefox, and a myriad of other software is available in the Software Manager.  I'll be happy to answer any question I can.

[DarrylM]

I lack so muck geek cred it's like the elder Dyck trying to navigate the social complexities of modern Letterkenny. But, I'll go take a look.

[Crimson Nape]

I forgot to mention that since you are on hardware that was available during XP's heyday, the versions I listed are aimed at a lower horsepower computers.

[pholynyk]

I might mention that the Debian distribution itself supports using either the LXDE or XFCE lightweight desktops. I use it in both my ancient 32 bit x86 laptops.

I'm not sure how one chooses from all these options, to be honest.

[DarrylM]

I forgot to mention that since you are on hardware that was available during XP's heyday, the versions I listed are aimed at a lower horsepower computers.

Oh, good.

My pc at least pre-dates the awful laptop in a tower systems that became de rigeur for the black friday special budget pc.