Linux Mint Archives - Rick's Daily Tips

Linux replacements for popular Windows programs

Posted on December 10, 2025

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A while back I wrote a post explaining how to give an old PC new life by replacing Windows with Linux as a means of extending the useful life of older PCs.

After that post was published I received a number of emails asking for a list of Linux programs that can replace the Windows programs they’d leaving behind if they made the switch.

I decided that it might be a good idea to publish that list in its own blog post, and here it is: [Read more…]

Q&A: What’s the best way to learn Linux?

Posted on April 10, 2024

Note: The links in this post are affiliate links.

Question from Marvin: I recently replaced my 2016 era Acer laptop with a new Windows 11 PC.

I used the Acer both for business and personal use but I’ve never really felt comfortable with that.

I read your article about replacing Windows with Linux and I’d like to install Linux on the Acer laptop because that option sounds intriguing to me.

I plan to use the new Windows 11 machine strictly for my business and the older Linux laptop for general Internet use.

The thing is I know absolutely nothing whatsoever about Linux and I have a couple of questions about it: [Read more…]

Q&A: Which hotkey locks the screen in Linux Mint?

Posted on January 11, 2024

Question from Louis: I’d been having trouble with Windows on my Acer computer so I went online looking for a solution.

I wasn’t having much luck with my search but then I happened to stumble across your post about replacing Windows with Linux.

Well, it intrigued me, and after thinking about it for a while I held my breath and installed Linux Mint. I chose Mint over the others because you said it works a lot like Windows. [Read more…]

Q&A: Which version of Linux should I replace Windows with?

Posted on October 14, 2023

Question from Ed: I have a Lenovo laptop that came with Windows 8.1 preinstalled.

The hard drive died and I have to replace it and my co-worker recommended that I install Linux on it.

The thing is, there are so many Linux versions to choose from that trying to pick one is about to make my head explode.

Which version of Linux do you recommend for a system that was running Windows 8.1 previously? [Read more…]

Why I now recommend Linux Mint instead of Ubuntu

Posted on April 23, 2023

Some time ago I wrote a post explaining how replacing Windows with Linux can breathe new life into and older computer.

Since that post was written I’ve had a lot of people ask me which Linux distro I recommend they install, and I’ve usually responded with Ubuntu, for two reasons: [Read more…]