What’s wrong with using Windows? As with other addictions, informed recreational use has few drawbacks, but continual dependence on particular software is a different matter. If you simply can’t boot a computer without using Windows or can’t get anything meaningful done without it, then you’re an addict who needs to be weaned off this habit.       

Most addicts will tell you that kicking a habit needs to be done in stages and that the support of friends and relatives is vital. This feature will look at a step-by-step process for giving up Windows and moving to an alternative that doesn’t involve being locked into using one vendor.

One day at a time

Most people want to use a computer to get stuff done. They don’t choose a PC because of the type of software on it, unless this affects what they can achieve with the machine. Windows comes preinstalled on the vast majority of computers for sale, so it gets chosen by default.

Apple fans will go for a Mac, but people who aren’t driven by brand names are likely to avoid the Apple route because it costs more than a PC. Once saddled with Windows you’ve got to be pretty fed up with it to want to change. You also need to know that alternatives exist and have enough technical knowledge to implement them.

Few computers are on sale with Linux preinstalled, so they’re effectively only available to people who know they exist. There aren’t many PC vendors that provide computers without an OS pre-installed – although Novatech (www.novatech.co.uk) is notable for providing the option to buy each of its systems without?Windows. You can buy one and simply install a Linux distribution when you get it home. Read more..