There are so many choices according to this site do you have any recommendations on a Linux client
https://prism-break.org/
https://prism-break.org/
Well, noob-friendly would mean Linux Mint or Ubuntu. Then you've gotta choose which "desktop" version you want... gah, it's as if they don't want people to do it via giving them bewildering choices. Still, determined ship-jumper is determined...
Carlton Linux guide:
By "desktop", it means the whole graphical interface to the OS. Some are like Windows 7/Vista (Mate, Cinammon, KDE), some are more Windows 95-ish (Xfce, LXDE), others are more Apple Mac-esque (GNOME v.3). Use of the words "like", "-ish" and "-esque" are quite deliberate: don't expect anything identical and don't expect anything other than the interface itself to resemble those OS-es.
In my experience, Linux Mint is easiest to get installed and working on the widest variety of hardware (with the least post-dental appointment style sensations). Ubuntu is usually just as straightforward. Usually. You can also donate to the Linux Mint project in BTC, no other Linux distribution (read: version) currently accepts BTC donations. Don't wanna sound like a Mint shill though; the downside is that some of the plug-ins (mp3, Adobe Flash, probably a few video plug-ins) are NOT open source. This can make the more paranoid or the more ideological head for other distributions. You'll end up having hours of, shall we say "fun", getting either Debian or Fedora working if you want to be Mr. Open Source and Lord of Free Software. It can be done though, just expect pain.
Don't expect it to be as seamless as Windows, it's not. It can be very nearly as seamless, this depends alot on how well your brand of hardware has been tested.
Don't expect all your peripherals to work.
Do be pleasantly surprised when alot more works than you were expecting.
Do be pleased with the wide variety of stuff bundled for free that you'd pay for using Windows.
Do be pleased with all the things Linux does well that Windows can't even do.
Do be pleased with Linux bringing old machines (old like only 512 Mb of RAM) back to life, working like brand new.
Putting it on old PC's would make a 512 Mb of Ram computer shine again
And yes there were so many options, I guess that we are not alone in wanting to have privacy.
Nothing beats efficiency and unwanted observers.
Thanks for all the help.
As an aside, if a partition was made would it be as effective in case a peripheral is not working, or would Windows somehow invade.
Mmmm, I wouldn't run a dual-boot if security was the goal. Of course, only one partition can have it's OS boot at any one time, but then you've still got a Windows partition that the Linux partition cannot control when Windows is in charge (if malware or hacking happens to Windows partition, it could just as easily do it's worst to your sleeping Linux partition). Dual-boot would work with a tin-foil hat manual mechanism: two HDDs, one OS each. Physically remove the HD cables of the unused OS while you work with the other. It would get more and more fun each time you took the machine apart
In all honesty, it's worth it if your old barcode scanner or sound card won't play ball, workaday office devices like printers are very well catered for when it comes to Linux drivers. You could even research the drivers beforehand, but that could be an overwhelming job, and your conclusion could easily be different to the eventual reality (some generic driver you never guessed on may get your device working)
The Windows portion I hope is napping but you never know what it might be doing. Like Windows Updates go away for a while and the computer restarts eventually when your not watching, or worst the NSA. But that would be bad if it can get to the linux side through the windows partition. The security measures would be in vain.
I was thinking that keeping the Windows part in a Sandbox where windows can play all day with itself and not be able to invade the other side might work. Give it a timeout it can only invade its sandbox
In theory
But taking out the cables sounds smarter no secret program or hackers invading my linux sort of like a spy vs the spy commander.
Good idea to research best drivers before hand, finding people who know what to ask about is the interesting idea, there must be a place somewhere for people who think the same ideas and or people who already do this.
