So, you’re finally considering giving Linux a try. It’s about time! And it’s really not as scary (or different) as you may think. The myth that you had to be some kind of computer guru to use Linux is utterly untrue. Today’s top desktop Linux distributions, such as Mint, openSUSE, and Ubuntu are easier to use than Windows 8.

Indeed, Mint’s Cinnamon interface will be a heck of a lot more familiar to XP and Windows 7 users than Windows 8’s “Metro” interface. And, while Linux power users may turn up their nose at Ubuntu’s Unity desktop, pretty much anyone can sit down and start using Linux with Ubuntu. Don’t believe me? Ask my 80+ year-old mother-in-law who uses Ubuntu every day.

That said, while it’s easy to use Linux, Windows 8’s Secure Boot made it very difficult to boot and install Linux — or any other operating system for that matter — on a PC. (Ironically, Secure Boot itself has proven none-too-secure.)

Running Linux on a Windows PC: Your getting started guide. More >