Carolyn, I'm answering this and copying to the linux [ at ] linux-ottawa [ dot ] org list, where there may be more people who receive this. Though I've been on the Board for ages, I wasn't aware of the club@... address, so don't know the scope of distribution. I recommend joining the list which is not heavy traffic, as questions do get answered, including one of my own that saved me a couple of hundred dollars on a new printer. linux+subscribe [ at ] linux-ottawa [ dot ] org Some of the discussion definitely very technical, but other stuff everyday problems. My advice will be based on my own setup, and may not match your needs: - I don't use Samba; I do use sshfs. I suspect that the experience is not too different. Setup probably takes a try or two and some testing, but detail rather than difficult. - I run several flavours of Linux, some on VMs using VirtualBox. It just happens that VBox is more familiar to me and is in some of the Ubuntu/Mint repositories so more familiar. - Using an old Win7 product key from over a decade ago, I was able to download the 5G Win10 iso file and install an apparently legit Win10 VM on VirtualBox. In fact using two different keys, once on my machine and once on my wife's. If there's interest, I'll try to find the link to the "how to", though really it was 'try Win10 install' and use product key. I did need a Microsoft account. - Our "main" working machines use Linux Mint. It seems to be a good path from Windows. Sort of a green coloured WinXP. Good range of software using Ubuntu as a base plus some of its own packages. Extensive forums for help. Large user base. - Our "light" machines -- the over 10 year old ones -- run Bunsenlabs Helium. Some need 32 bit, and I think one is still non-PAE processor. This works well, but it's definitely different. However, a friend who is definitely non-geek uses it because he does everything via a web browser, including email, and Bunsen has keyboard shortcuts for web and shutdown. Let us know how you get on. Best, JN On 2020-09-10 2:42 p.m., Carolyn Lorimer wrote: > Attention : courriel externe | external email > > Hi, > > I am hoping you might be able to connect me with someone who can assist > me in building a new system. My current system is showing signs of its > age. I would like a new system running linux, with samba for file > sharing to windows computers in the house and VMware for those occasions > I actually need to run windows - ie: AutoCAD. > > I just purchased a nice system from CanadaCompters, great in every > respect except crappy audio. I dislike configuring systems, tracking > down functional drivers, and so forth. > > If you know anyone that is able to assist me, or can point me in the > direction of a computer store that supports linux, I would be greatly > appreciated. If I have to, I will order from System76 - they have nice > systems, but they are weeks away from delivery, and seem quite a bit > more expensive with currency exchange taken into account. > > Thanks, Carolyn > -- > Carolyn Lorimer > 23 - 1525 Caldwell Ave., Ottawa, ON K1Z 5L6 > (613) 662-3762 carolyn [ at ] aquafam [ dot ] ca To unsubscribe send a blank message to linux+unsubscribe [ at ] linux-ottawa [ dot ] org To get help send a blank message to linux+help [ at ] linux-ottawa [ dot ] org To visit the archives: https://lists.linux-ottawa.org