I've always built my systems and had to buy any windows versions separate. ATM I use Win7 with Oracle VM for Unix or any EMU's

Should be, atleast i think ive used it :)

Yes, that is the obvious reason. The Linux distribution providers don't have to try to somehow control how often and into which computers you try to install it, and there are no different licenses like "OEM" or "home users" or "server users". Not sure about some of the commercial Linuxes though, like Red Hat (RHEL).

Even then, I feel it has become more cumbersome on Windows than it really needs to. Especially I really can't understand why some hardware vendors limit that you can make only one backup installation media of your preloaded Windows installation (if that fails, then what? Buy it separately from the vendor?). Does Microsoft license somehow force them to do that, or are they doing it just to spite the customers? I can't understand it either because not all vendors are alike, some have restrictions like that, while others let you make as many installation medias as you want (I think, at least I don't recall any such limitation mentioned on an ASUS laptop, while on some HP laptop I think there was: you get only one chance to try to create installation media from your preloaded Windows system).

I think you need to validate your Windows installation online anyway (=DRM controlling that your Windows installation is legit), so what purpose do those extra restrictions have anyway? How does it offer any extra protection to Microsoft or the HW vendor that they've made it quite cumbersome to reinstall your preloaded Windows?

Then again, maybe the days of selling OS are numbered anyway. Look at Google, I think it is providing Android free of charge to HW vendors, and getting their income from other sources from the OS users. Microsoft has tried to cope with their older model by charging vendors who want to use Windows RT or mobile Windows, but maybe that was changing too as they see vendors opt for free Android instead.

Yes, Linux is, by default, free of DRM (currently), free to obtain and install, and free to use however you wish (read an MS EULA, there's all sorts of restrictions that have nothing at all to do with coping), and free to study and change and redistribute to your liking with no legal entanglements resulting. It is, by default, free of CD-checks, online-activation, and other such nonsense the ensures pirates maintain their monopoly on piracy without having to compete with legitimate buyers. However, adding proprietary games (or applications) may subject you to these enforceable loyalty oaths.

Linux has multiple no-cost full featured solutions to choose from that are Microsoft Office compatible. Including one called Open Office (openoffice.org) that is compatible with every MS Office component including presentations, spreadsheets, and everything. I personally guarantee a solution that will work as long as your boss doesn't know you are using it (no reason he ever will). If your boss finds out, it will probably be fine, I just can't a bosses guarantee reaction.

First, check to see if your favorite Windows game is available for Linux or on the way. uvlist.net/search?&fplat=106 , or gamingonlinux.com , or (coming soon) http://www.gog.com/games##system_linux=ubuntu,mint , or on Desura, or on Steam. If you favorite Windows game is an older one (Descent, Ultima VII, Baldur's Gate, SimCity, to name a few of hundreds) some enterprising individual or group may have made an engine recreation. What this is, is creating a modern game engine that runs the files from the older game in a way that resembles the original as closely as possible. And then some projects add optional enhancements too en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_game_engine_recreations

Most of your Windows games will probably run on Linux using WINE (winehq.org). Though some may run with issues. There's other options to run them as well. Also, You don't have to get rid of Windows to run Linux. VirtualBox (virtualbox.org) lets you run a virtual computer from within another computer. Really, a whole computer, you'll see it boot and everything. You can run Windows from your Linux desktop. Generally games don't have issues when run Virtually, its a matter of them running or not. Another option, is to 'dual boot'. Linux is a friendly operating system that knows how to amicably install itself on a computer that's already running Windows (or anything else). When you reboot the computer, you choose if you want to run Linux or Windows each time (or one of your choosing will start by default after a set time). Another option to keep Windows is to dig an old computer out of storage or buy an old one cheap. Linux does not have high system requirements and the vast majority of Linux games follow suit. But, to ensure full compatibility with _every_ new game you'll probably want to spring for a decent 3D card (with the money you saved by getting Linux for free).

All of these solutions are not mutually exclusive. You can get Linux version of your games, use engine recreations, WINE, VirtualBox, dual boot, and an old computer and all configured to work together. Millions of fellow Linux users, including me, are happy to provide help with all of this. PM me and you can call me at home for voice support, no charge for installations of Linux or installations of all your existing stuff.

run

Thanks for all of the information :)

I actually have used Open Office in the past. I was still getting my degree and didn't want to pay full price for Microsoft Office when there was a new one coming out that year. Open Office was functional, but it gave me a lot of formatting issues (either opening documents that people made in Office or trying to have other people open my documents). That's why I decided to get Office 2010 when it came out. I can't risk formatting errors in what I send in for work, or not being able to properly open documents I receive. I know it's been a few years and maybe Open Office has gotten better since then, but someone sent me a PowerPoint recently which was made in Open Office and it was almost unreadable because the text got all shifted around in weird ways, so I'm still hesitant to try Open Office again. I would need to open up all my work in the real Office anyway to fix any formatting errors, and at that point I might as well make the document in Office to begin with.

But I do need to upgrade my PC at some point in the near future for Witcher 3, so if I end up not being able to transfer over my Windows 7 I might get angry enough to try out Linux for awhile and see if I like that better. I'm really not a fan of Windows 8 and I don't particularly want to pay that much for it, so I'll probably try to use a free alternative for awhile, at least until I see if Windows 9 seems better. I did that last time when my current PC was new (I used the RC edition of Windows 7 until it made me buy the real version). Maybe this time it will be a good excuse to try Linux and see how much I can or can't get running with it.

Out of curiosity, does Linux have security updates? And if so, does it check for them periodically? I'm wondering how security and anti-virus stuff works for Linux since I'm only used to how Windows handles it.

Edit: And I notice some games on the list of engine conversions which I have but don't work on modern Windows (like System Shock 2) or which give me a lot of errors (like StarCraft and Thief). Does the modded Linux version of older games work even if the Windows version doesn't?

Yes, Open Office is much better now. Note however, Plain text almost never present formatting issues. It also has much smaller files sizes. Also, I've found that making documents in MSOffice then loading them in OpenOffice is the most likely problem. Documents created in OpenOffice using cross-platform formats have always been solid when loaded in MSOffice. Load an MSOffice created document (especially HTML) in a text editor and look at the raw code. Now load an OpenOffice created document in a text editor. Looks a lot nicer doesn't it?

Absolutely Linux has security updates! Linux fixes for security issues have been made available _minutes_ after the issues was discovered. How often you update (Like all Linux options) is completely under control of the user, it can be yearly, weekly, daily, hourly, every three minuets or seconds, with every internet connect, every time program X is run, and/or whatever the user decides. Even never (with only a one-time protest by Linux), because users are in charge of their own computers, not some corporation. Ubuntu by default, checks daily and offers daily, two day, weekly, two-week, and never choices (any other options are available, but not simply selected from a list). And unlike Windows, there is no perceived financial incentive to hide security issues from users. Security updates tell you _exactly_ what they do and they are never bundled with other security updates or software and they are available when they are crated instead of on a corporate scheduled or corporate decision. Also, you have tens of thousands of eyes constantly looking at the code to find flaws rather than 1 guy or a small team that only works 9-5. This way issues are usually spotted before they are released, rather than _after_ a malicious hacker uses them to hurt systems. Remember heartbleed.com ? Well the news really pounced on that story, _weeks_ after the flaw was known and the security updates _had already been available_. It only effected people who had not updated. Most of them had not updated because they treated specific and fully disclosed open source security updates like they were mysterious windows updates (bundled with who know what that does who knows what whenever knows who or why). Also, heartbleed effected an optional component clearly labeled as experimental; shouldn't have been used in critical situations to begin with and the developers had said so.

Many Linux users will probably tell you their's no need for anti-virus software on Linux. A real argument can be made that this is true. Linux design for all practical purposes prevents scenarios that would allow a virus to have access to the system. They might have access to a few 'unimportant' files here and there (however if these happen to include a personal file, you might consider them more important that system files), but never system-wide access like the vast majority of viruses for Windows (and Mac) have. That said, why take a chance, some excellent anti-virus software for Linux exists and the best ones are no cost. I recommend clamav. Another potential problem to note is viruses for things like Java, firefox, chrome, flash, ActiveX (if you happen to run MSIE for UNIX), MSOffice macros (WINE) and WINE. Your _Linux system_ may be safe from these infections, but these subsystems can be a bit more venerable. WINE especially could potentially be infected with any Windows virus. Reinstalling these subsystems (which eliminates the viruses) can be inconvenient (you gotta, check a box and click a button:) Cleaning them as they are is mostly theoretical at this point if there isn't a specific fix that functions on Linux. In short, Linux virus (all five or so of them) are inconvenient, not damaging. Note, all Linux viruses have been rendered _completely_ harmless shortly after discovery. Windows is still venerable to thousands.

"Linux version of older games work even if the Windows version doesn't?"
Generally no, but sometimes yes in limited circumstances. But bear in mind many of these projects are Linux based with Windows versions as a secondary consideration. Linux users will almost always get up-to-the-minute-access to new versions, improvements, and fixes. Where as Windows users will have to wait for someone or the project team to compile an EXE for them. They can wait months of even years. Also, where as "It doesn't work" on Windows is generally rather final, Linux lets you poke around and do things that may make it work. If anyone has succeeded, the information is on the web or in a support chat room. See in Linux, you can install multiple version of OpenGL or kernels, for instance, for individual programs to use rather than the default one. Windows lets you have only 1 version of DirectX at a time, and you are not even allowed to know what kernel version you have, let alone run two. And, open source even lets you poke around and fix the issue in the application directly (should you care to learn how). Your not allowed to fix windows in this way.