If you've been meaning to try Linux but never quite gotten around to it, this is your sign. On Saturday, May 30th, EOS is running a free Install Party at the Reach Center. Bring a laptop, bring questions. We'll handle the rest.
- Date: Saturday, May 30th
- Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: The Reach Center, Saint Bernard Avenue, New Orleans
At the event, EOS volunteers will provide you with a **USB stick containing the Linux installer of your choice**, walk you through the installation, and answer any questions along the way. We recommend **Linux Mint** or **Ubuntu** for newcomers. Both are beginner-friendly, well-supported, and run great on most hardware.
- Your laptop
- Your power cable
- All your data already backed up. This is the only hard requirement. Installing a new operating system can wipe your drive, so please back up to an external drive or cloud service *before* you arrive.
On Monday, May 18th, we'll hold an online session to prepare you for the switch and answer any questions in advance. We'll cover:
- What software you can expect to find as a replacement for your current tools
- How to run Windows-only software on Linux
- The different ways you can run Linux on your machine (live USB, dual boot, or as your sole operating system)
- How to backup your data.
Bring your questions. No question is too basic.
Linux is an operating system, just like Windows or macOS. It's what runs when you turn on your computer, manages your files, and lets you open programs. The difference is that it's free, it's open-source, and no single company controls it. There's no company behind it deciding what features you get or what your screen looks like.
Here's why we think it's worth your time:
- Security. Windows is the bigger target for malware, simply because more people use it. Linux isn't invincible, but you're swimming in a smaller pond, and fixes ship fast.
- Privacy. No telemetry. No "personalized experience." No screenshots of your desktop being sent anywhere. The OS minds its own business.
- Control. Updates wait for you, not the other way around. No mystery processes eating your battery. If something annoys you, you can usually turn it off.
- Price. It's free. So is most of the software. That matters.
- Tools. Pretty much every open-source tool worth using runs natively on Linux, often better than on Windows.
Linux Install Parties have been happening since the mid-1990s, in libraries, hackerspaces, and community centers all over the world. Back then, getting Linux running was hard and you needed a friend to help. It's easier now, but the spirit is the same: neighbors helping neighbors. We're glad to carry the tradition to New Orleans.
You don't have to commit fully on day one. There are three common approaches:
Live USB. Linux boots directly from the USB stick without touching your hard drive. Your existing operating system stays exactly as it is. This is great for trying Linux risk-free, but nothing you do is saved when you shut down. Think of it as a test drive.
Dual boot. Linux is installed alongside Windows on the same machine. When you power on your laptop, you choose which operating system to load. Both are fully functional and your files persist. This is the best option if you're not ready to leave Windows entirely. No risk, too!
Full install. Linux replaces Windows entirely and becomes the only operating system on the machine.
Whether you're a curious beginner, a frustrated Windows user, or someone who's been meaning to try Linux for years, this event is for you. Drop in, ask questions, leave with a working Linux laptop.
Mark your calendar
- May 18th: Virtual prep session. 6AM
- May 30th: In-person install party, 10 AM to 1 PM, Reach Center on Saint Bernard
