RE: E-Waste Recycler Sentenced To Over A Year In Prison For Fixing Old PC’s and Selling Them
Microsoft likes to have it both ways. Is your license a COA sticker attached to the hardware that is no longer valid if you change hardware, or is it a transferable license that belongs to an owner that can be used on whichever single PC you like. They can't have it both ways.
Agree that Linux is a much better option for recycled hardware. Takes any risk of infringing licensing away. Also provides an upgrade path and better security than using an outdated OS like XP.
Linux Mint is still one of the best and most complete options for reasonably spec'd equipment. Also linked Mageia when I had a play with it a while back. Tails is the way to go it you want to keep a low profile. Puppy Linux is a solid option for lower spec'd PC's. For something that runs Windows binaries, ReactOS is a really interesting project.
They are also so many others, and DistroWatch is a great resource to explore.
You forgot free open-source software like GIMP and LibreOffice. That alone is a reason to switch from license gougers like microslop!
You're right, I should have mentioned Libre Office. Excellent alternative to MS Office. I did think of it, but as it's standard in Mint I just left it out.
One project that I didn't think of at the time, but do rate highly and actively use is LibreElec. Just enough OS to run Kodi, and does it very nicely indeed !
Cool. I hadn't heard about LibreElec. I'm gonna check it out.