[backbencher]

Ubuntu MATE - an easy to use, easy to install flavor of Linux.

 

[backbencher]

I'm an old DOS guy, and find MATE difficult sometimes, but usable. Helps that I'm related to freeish Linux support.

 

[backbencher]

If you have an older computer a lot of the new AV suites are way to resource intensive and slow it way down... Who makes a simple anti virus without all the add on crap I end up never using? Stripped down protect me form viruses on downloaded files and emails. I don't need site suggestions, I know how to tell a suspect site from a valid one, I don't need something watching every keystroke(AVG is bad for this!) etc etc etc etc...

Just use Microsoft's built in one & have it scan at night.

 

[backbencher]

I have it as dual boot... but a lot of the software I use is Windoze only... and it won't run in a virtual machine because it calls on the hardware.

WINE's not a help? I managed to get my Army CAC reader working in a VM after some work, bit tricky, now I only use the VM to get to DOD websites and to run an old copy of Adobe Acrobat.

 

[backbencher]

MilitaryCAC.com has everything you need. I ended up writing a script to install the individual certs into the linux cert store but you can do it manually.

Peace favor your sword,
Kirk

I found it very difficult, and could not get the CAC reader to work natively under Linux, but that may be b/c DoD websites require Chrome or Microsoft browsers. Once I got the VM installed, it worked consistently, and happily still have the reader but my CAC has been disabled, waiting on Kansas to get my records updated so I can go get a Retired ID.

 

[backbencher]

I'm quite happy to be completely done w/ all that now. My CAC certs are disabled and I no longer have to go to drills.

 

[backbencher]

Neat stuff. I flirt w/ Ham radio periodically but never taken the plunge. I always run into the problem that modern commercial bandwidth is much, much cheaper, easier to access, and use. I'm 2/3 of the way through Ham Radio for dummies and haven't touched it in a month, despite buying for myself and giving my brother a cheap Baofeng for Christmas.