# Better Computing ## Pages - [About us](https://bettercomputing.org/about-us/): Coming soon - [Linux](https://bettercomputing.org/linux/): What is Linux? The “Linux kernel” is an alternative to the Microsoft NT kernel at the heart of Microsoft Windows. Operating systems (OSs) that can be used instead of Windows or macOS have been created based on the Linux Kernel, known as Linux distributions or “distros” for short. Some people prefer “GNU/Linux” to acknowledge the major contribution that the GNU project made to Linux distributions. One of the distinguishing characteristics of Linux is the fact that it is Free, Open Source Software (FOSS), meaning that the code behind it is freely available to modify and redistribute. This fosters collaboration, removes restriction, […] - [Know your options](https://bettercomputing.org/): On the 14th October 2025, Windows 10 stopped receiving security updates. Over time, this will make your computer increasingly vulnerable to malware. The table below summarises alternative operating systems that you could use: Windows 10 Extended Updates Forced Windows 11 update ChromeOS Flex GNU/Linux Familiarity Software availability Speed Security Advantages FamiliarBroad software compatibility FamiliarBroad software compatibility FastSecureStraightforward FastPrivateCan install some software Disadvantages No longer available for consumers after 2026 Tricky process for annual feature updates Limited offline functionalityDifferent interface Less familiar than WindowsNot all software available Windows 10 Extended Security Updates Consumers can get an extra year of updates for free […] - [Using Linux](https://bettercomputing.org/using-linux/): Don’t be afraid of the terminal Contrary to the reputation of Linux, it is increasingly easy to avoid the Linux Terminal (scary white text on black background thing) entirely and use graphical programs, just like on Windows or macOS. However, many tutorials on this website and other online tutorials use the Linux Terminal and for a good reason: it is often the easiest/quickest way to accomplish a task. It’s a pretty scary looking application for a beginner, but don’t be afraid to copy and paste commands from this website and other reputable sites into the terminal. Tip: use Ctrl+Shift+C and Ctrl+Shift+V […] - [How to Switch](https://bettercomputing.org/how-to-switch/): Tip: There are loads of references on this site to “Ubuntu and its derivatives” i.e Ubuntu and any of the many distros based on Ubuntu. Most such distros are listed here. Choosing a distro Unlike Windows or macOS where you just use the newest version, Linux comes in hundreds of different “distros” designed to meet different needs. Librehunt.org and Distrochooser are great for choosing which distro to use, but if in doubt I recommend Zorin OS. The free version is fine for most people but the pro edition has bonus features. Creating a Live USB The easiest way to try and […] - [Why Switch?](https://bettercomputing.org/why-switch/): After all that about software gripes, you’re probably wondering why you should bother switching. Here are some reasons you may want to switch… Speed Like-for-like, Linux-based operating systems are usually faster than Windows. This is due to the different architecture of the OS and its open source nature- there is no incentive to develop marketable new features at the expense of speed or stability, the aim is simply to create the best possible operating system. The flexibility of Linux also enables using an interface (“desktop environment”) that sacrifices bells and whistles for speed e.g XFCE, MATE, LXQT. This means that Linux […] - [Is Linux Right for You?](https://bettercomputing.org/is-linux-right-for-you/): Step 1: Software The main barrier to switching to Linux is software availability, as many applications that are available on Windows/Mac are not available on Linux. The table below lists as much software as we could think of and its availability on Linux. Available On Linux with minimal restriction Available with restrictions/ good alternatives available Not available on Linux Web browsers e.g Chrome, Firefox Microsoft Office Adobe Creative Suite Email programs Many cloud syncing services AutoCAD, Solidworks and Catia Libreoffice Adobe acrobat Many games PDF viewers Steam gaming software Many other specialist softwares Media players e.g VLC 7-zip (usually preinstalled) iTunes […] - [Beta site landing page](https://bettercomputing.org/beta-site-landing-page/): Thanks for visiting the Use Linux website. You have somehow found an unmaintained link. Please head over to the main website! The “Use Linux” brand and “Freedom Awaits” slogan are copyright © Demetrios J Loizou 2020 - [Legal](https://bettercomputing.org/privacy/): Who we are Our website address is bettercomputing.org Developed by Demetrios Loizou trading as “The UseLinux Team”. Contact: Please contact us for any queries. Intellectual property All intellectual property or trademarks on bettercomputing.org are the property of their owners and are for reference purposes only. Personal data we collect and why we collect it Comments When visitors leave comments on the site, we collect the data shown in the comments form in addition to the visitor’s IP address and browser user string, to aid spam detection. An anonymised string created from your email address (known as a hash) may be provided […] [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)