Let me start out by providing you with a laundry list of common tasks you routinely perform in Windows, followed by a detailed description of the how to perform each task in Linux, if applicable.
- How do I log off/shut down? Depending on the Linux distro, you've chosen, the location of these functions will vary. To find out where in Linux Mint, click here. To find out where in Ubuntu, click here.
Where is the Start menu? Depending on the Linux distro, you've chosen, the location of these functions will vary. To find out where in Linux Mint, click here. To find out where in Ubuntu, click here.
Where is My Computer? Depending on the Linux distro, you've chosen, the location of these functions will vary. To find out where in Linux Mint, click here. To find out where in Ubuntu, click here.
Where is the Control Panel? Depending on the Linux distro, you've chosen, the location of these functions will vary. To find out where in Linux Mint, click here. To find out where in Ubuntu, click here.
Where is All Programs? Depending on the Linux distro, you've chosen, the location of these functions will vary. To find out where in Linux Mint, click here. To find out where in Ubuntu, click here.
Where is Device and Printers? Depending on the Linux distro, you've chosen, the location of these functions will vary. To find out where in Linux Mint, click here. To find out where in Ubuntu, click here.
Where is My Documents? The Linux equivalent is called "Documents" and can usually be found by clicking on the File System icon, which will bring you to the top level directory of the Linux file system, which is also called the root. You will find folders which store program files and configuration data similar to Windows program files or system folders. However, to find the location of the "Documents" folder, you would have to find the Home folder. The Home folder stores all the data and programs related to particular user accounts. In it, you will find folders for each username. Within each username are standard folders Documents, Music, Pictures and Videos. Depending on your distro, you can click on shortcut icons on the desktop to get to the "Documents" folder. To find out where in Linux Mint, click here. To find out where in Ubuntu, click here.
Where is Pictures? See explanation in #7. Usually, you can find this folder as an icon on the desktop. If it's not on the desktop, you easily create a shortcut icon for it on the desktop.
Where is Music? See explanation in #7. Usually, you can find this folder as an icon on the desktop. If it's not on the desktop, you easily create a shortcut icon for it on the desktop.
Where is Games? "Games" will be a folder located as a category for programs within your Linux distro menu.
How do I Add/Remove Programs? There are 3 methods to adding and removing programs within Linux. Chances are if you have a distro which is tailored for non-geeks, there will be an easy to use to tool where you just use your mouse to point and click. To find out where in Linux Mint, click here. To find out where in Ubuntu, click here. The second method is to use Synaptic Package Manager, which allows you to use your mouse to point and click your selections. However, the programs are at a package level which can be too technical for a non-geek to deal with. The third way is like executing DOS commands to run programs in Windows without the GUI. It's called Command Line Interface (CLI) or Terminal prompt. You simply type commands specific to your distro. If your distro is Debian based, you will be using apt-get commands. If your distro is based on Red Hat, you will be using Red Hat Package Manager (RPM) commands.
How do I add Shortcut Icons? Depending on the distro, you can usually right click your mouse and find the menu item that allows you to add a shortcut icon to the desktop. To find out where in Linux Mint, click here. To find out where in Ubuntu, click here.
How do I check disk usage? You can find this in the System Administration category of programs for your distro. To find out where in Linux Mint, click here. To find out where in Ubuntu, click here.
Do I need to install an Anti-Virus program? You don't really need one because there aren't that many viruses that execute on Linux and in order for a downloaded program to execute on Linux, you would have to specifically grant it permission as the Systems Administrator of your Linux OS. However, if it makes you feel more secure having one, install Clam AV.
Do I need to defrag Linux? No. The Linux filesystem does not store data non-sequentially like Windows does, which causes fragmentation.
What if my screen is frozen? You will need to execute commands to close the Windows manager specific to your Linux distro. To find out where in Linux Mint, click here. To find out where in Ubuntu, click here.
How do I install operating system updates? Each Linux distro will have their own Update manager program that you would need to execute. To find out where in Linux Mint, click here. To find out where in Ubuntu, click here.
Where is Outlook? Mozilla's Thunderbird comes pre-installed on some popular distros while Novell's Evolution is a worthy equivalent.
Where is MS Office? You can pay for Cross-over or use Wine emulator for free to run MS Office programs. Or you can use LibreOffice, which I found very capable of doing a lot things I used to use MS Office for. LibreOffice comes pre-installed with some popular Linux distros.
Where is MS Word? LibreOffice Writer is what I use in place of MS Word.
Where is MS Excel? LibreOffice Calc is what I use in place of MS Excel.
Where is MS PowerPoint? LibreOffice Impress is what I use in place of MS PowerPoint.
Where is MS Access? LibreOffice Base is a bit too basic to fully replace MS Access. However, since most businesses are becoming more web-based, your best bet is to use a database built for the web like PostgresSQL, MariaDb or MySQL. If you plan on using any of the web-based databases, you can develop custom front-ends based on Python, PHP and RubyonRails languages.
Where is Paint? LibreOffice Draw can perform functions similar to Paint.
Where is Accessories? Linux does have an Accessories category for programs. To find out where in Linux Mint, click here. To find out where in Ubuntu, click here.
Where is NotePad? I've been successfully using Gedit in place of NotePad for several years now and I haven't missed a beat as far as functionality.
Where is the Command Prompt? It will be visible as an icon on your Linux desktop. To find out where in Linux Mint, click here. To find out where in Ubuntu, click here.
Where is the Calculator? It will be located in the Accessories folder of your Linux distro like Windows.
Where is the WebCam? For the most part, Cheese has been able to do the job adequately.
Where is Windows Media Player? Banshee Media Player or Rhythmbox can be used as a replacement for Windows Media Player.
Where is Windows DVD Maker? Brasero can be used to make DVD's.
Where is Windows Fax and Scan? Some popular Linux distro come pre-installed with Simple Scan for scanning capabilities. You may need to download drivers and execute some commands using the Terminal prompt to configure your Scanner, depending upon the Manufacturer.
Where is Windows Live Movie Maker? I've been using OpenShot Video Editor for creating and editing simple personal videos.
Where is Windows Live Photo Gallery? Shotwell can be used manage your photos.
How do I transfer Android files to my desktop? If you're lucky, some distros enable you to do this with their File Manager without installing extra software and performing additional configuration. Some distros, especially older versions of their OS, will require additional software and configuration. See ADB File Manager or GVFS for more detailed explanations.
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