Linux versu upgrading PC for W11

[Mike Watterson]

It's easier to theme Mate to be like Windows. There are Linux themes (boarders, controls, icons) for Win 9x, 2K, XP, 2003. Free downloads.

[Radio Fixer]

Well found LibreOffice tucked away in my MATE ver and so thats gone back for a refund. GIMP DC came but not as advertised as no good for Linux. So thats gone back as well. Got GIMP on a download and it works but looks like a fair learning curve but so were my W10 based ones. It would all be easier if it were on a better, bigger screen than the laptop.

thanks Gary

[ppppenguin]

Libreoffice isn't exactly tucked away. If you double click on any suitable file (DOCX, DOC, XLSX, XLS etc) it will open automatically in Libreoffice. You really don't need to start Libreoffice separately. If you want to create a new document or spreadsheet you can do it in the file manager, or just open an existing file and then use the "new" button.

When using Libreoffice, I suggest that you use its native file formats (ODT for word processing, ODS for spreadsheets) unless you need to send a file to somebody who can't handle them. Later versions of Word and Excel are meant to be able to open ODS and ODT but it's a bit of a lottery. Just save as DOCX or XLSX if necessary.

If you have the space, there's a lot to be said for plugging a bigger monitor into a laptop. My wife uses a Macbook. Most of the time it sits, closed, to the side of her desk, with a 24" monitor, external keyboard, mouse, speakers and webcam. For many users (PC or Mac) this is a good solution. It saves having two machines and synchronising your files between them.

[PerdioPal]

" there's a lot to be said for plugging a bigger monitor into a laptop" I have had a USB 3 monitor for ages, it works well and doesn't need a separate power supply. I dare say there are USB C versions now. Surprisingly it does video fairly well.