Windows XP has become an orphan. No, It is parent is not dead. But Microsoft has essentially disowned its progeny as of April 8,2014. From that date, no Windows XP security updates from Microsoft will ever again be available.
Use of Windows XP is now a big Risk
Computer Security experts are agreed that the loss of ongoing Microsoft support makes Win XP far more vulnerable to attacks by hackers than it was when its parent was plugging security gaps on a weekly basis. They are almost unanimous in their recommendation that the millions of current users of Windows XP move as soon as possible to an alternative operating system.
But Where can beleaguered Windows XP users go? Many have neither the desire nor the means to buy the new hardware and software that would be required to follow Microsoft 's approved migration path and upgrade to Windows 7 or 8.1.
My Church is in that category. We have developed a plan that involves continuing to use Win XP in the short term, while gradually changing over to a new OS for long term stability.
The Operating system we plan to migrate to is Lubuntu Linux. Lubuntu is a member of the UNIX family of operating systems, and is a direct derivative of Ubuntu.
What are Ubuntu and Lubuntu?
The Philosophy behind Ubuntu is to provide a freely available, open source operating system that includes the most used capabilities of windows without the expense and disruption involved in having to keep up with the Microsoft product cycle.
Like Windows, Ubuntu and Lubuntu have a graphical user interface that makes it easy for non-technical users to navigate. Anyone familiar with windows in its various incarnations already understands the concept of how the Ubuntu GUI functions, though, as we will see, the details can be quite different.
Advantages of the Ubuntu Family
The entire Ubuntu family has some unique features that make it a great alternative for those looking to migrate from Windows XP.
Lubuntu is simply a lighter, less resource intensive descendant of Ubuntu. Ubuntu already requires far fewer resources than Windows. Lubuntu takes that philosophy to the next level. It is specially designed to run on outmoded hardware with limited memory and CPU reqources.
Lubuntu runs great on older Computers
For my Church, the ability of Lubuntu to run on vintage computers that would otherwise be obsolete is crucial.
We have Dell Laptops and Desktops that are more than a decade old. They are Entirely adequate for the applications we run. Yet we could not upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 or 8.1 if we wanted to our old hardware can not run the new Windows versions.
Lubuntu will seem more familiar to Windows XP users than Ubuntu
I installed Lubuntu on a Laptop and Ubuntu on a Desktop PC. After working with each implementation for a while, i much prefer the LUbuntu incarnation. That is basically because the GUI is closed to what i am used to on WIndows XP.
The Lubuntu desktop looks pretty much like the Windows XP desktop. Programs can be launched by double-clicking icons on the desktop, or from Lubuntu's equivalent of the Start button. you can also install Shortcuts in folders and launch programs from there.
In contrast, the Ubuntu desktop is not intended to function as a program launcher. There is no equivalent to the Start button, although the most frequently used apps are lined up along the left edge of the desktop. Other programs must be accessed by opening an application launcher window and searching for them.
It is not easy to place shortcuts on the Ubuntu desktop so programs can be launched from there. in fact, I have yet to figure out how to do it. and for me, that is the point. I have to invest far less " figuring out" time with Lubuntu than with Ubuntu.
One of the great things about all members of the Ubuntu family is that you can usually find a way to configure their look and feel pretty much way you want. SO i am sure I could get the Ubuntu GUI to look more XP like if I made the effort. But Lubuntu presents a more familiar interface from the beginning.
Use of Windows XP is now a big Risk
Computer Security experts are agreed that the loss of ongoing Microsoft support makes Win XP far more vulnerable to attacks by hackers than it was when its parent was plugging security gaps on a weekly basis. They are almost unanimous in their recommendation that the millions of current users of Windows XP move as soon as possible to an alternative operating system.
But Where can beleaguered Windows XP users go? Many have neither the desire nor the means to buy the new hardware and software that would be required to follow Microsoft 's approved migration path and upgrade to Windows 7 or 8.1.
My Church is in that category. We have developed a plan that involves continuing to use Win XP in the short term, while gradually changing over to a new OS for long term stability.
The Operating system we plan to migrate to is Lubuntu Linux. Lubuntu is a member of the UNIX family of operating systems, and is a direct derivative of Ubuntu.
What are Ubuntu and Lubuntu?
The Philosophy behind Ubuntu is to provide a freely available, open source operating system that includes the most used capabilities of windows without the expense and disruption involved in having to keep up with the Microsoft product cycle.
Like Windows, Ubuntu and Lubuntu have a graphical user interface that makes it easy for non-technical users to navigate. Anyone familiar with windows in its various incarnations already understands the concept of how the Ubuntu GUI functions, though, as we will see, the details can be quite different.
Advantages of the Ubuntu Family
The entire Ubuntu family has some unique features that make it a great alternative for those looking to migrate from Windows XP.
- Linux is inherently a more secure environment than Windows. It has built-in protections against hacker instructions that make it far less vulnerable than Windows XP.
- Ubuntu and its derivatives are open source and entirely free, though, paid commercial support is also available.
- Ubuntu comes with a wide selection of free software preinstalled, including such apps as the Firefox or Chromium browser, the LibreOffice Suite, and many more.
- In addition, there is a Software Center where any of hundreds of free apps can be quickly and easily downloaded and installed without having to individually hunt for them. In my opinion, this is one area where Ubuntu and its derivatives far outshine Windows XP.
- The Ubuntu family is stable and well supported, with more than 20 million users world wide.
Lubuntu is simply a lighter, less resource intensive descendant of Ubuntu. Ubuntu already requires far fewer resources than Windows. Lubuntu takes that philosophy to the next level. It is specially designed to run on outmoded hardware with limited memory and CPU reqources.
Lubuntu runs great on older Computers
For my Church, the ability of Lubuntu to run on vintage computers that would otherwise be obsolete is crucial.
We have Dell Laptops and Desktops that are more than a decade old. They are Entirely adequate for the applications we run. Yet we could not upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 or 8.1 if we wanted to our old hardware can not run the new Windows versions.
Lubuntu will seem more familiar to Windows XP users than Ubuntu
I installed Lubuntu on a Laptop and Ubuntu on a Desktop PC. After working with each implementation for a while, i much prefer the LUbuntu incarnation. That is basically because the GUI is closed to what i am used to on WIndows XP.
The Lubuntu desktop looks pretty much like the Windows XP desktop. Programs can be launched by double-clicking icons on the desktop, or from Lubuntu's equivalent of the Start button. you can also install Shortcuts in folders and launch programs from there.
In contrast, the Ubuntu desktop is not intended to function as a program launcher. There is no equivalent to the Start button, although the most frequently used apps are lined up along the left edge of the desktop. Other programs must be accessed by opening an application launcher window and searching for them.
It is not easy to place shortcuts on the Ubuntu desktop so programs can be launched from there. in fact, I have yet to figure out how to do it. and for me, that is the point. I have to invest far less " figuring out" time with Lubuntu than with Ubuntu.
One of the great things about all members of the Ubuntu family is that you can usually find a way to configure their look and feel pretty much way you want. SO i am sure I could get the Ubuntu GUI to look more XP like if I made the effort. But Lubuntu presents a more familiar interface from the beginning.
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