Linux and Borrowbox

BrilliantButScary

We have installed Linux on our laptop, to see if we want to swap from Microsoft, ahead of the 
October deadline!

We use Borrowbox to borrow ebooks from the library, which utilises Adobe Digital Editions. It appears from searching the web, that this is not possible using Linux. 

Anyone know anything different?

Otherwise, we may need to bite the bullet and buy a Windows 11 compatible computer, or a Mac.

Vitor

App availability is the Achilles Heel of Linux distros, once you go beyond Libre Office, GIMP and Firefox.

- ahead of the October deadline! - 

You have options -

1) Continue using Windows 10 unsupported, but Defender malware definitions will be updated until Oct 2028
2) Buy the 1 year extended support for W10 Microsoft will offer
3) Investigate installing Windows 11 on “unsupported” hardware (bypass)
4) Replace the PC with one pre-loaded with Windows 11 for optimal future support

Ibrahim5

I have installed Windows 11 and Linux Mint as a dual boot so going forward I can see what happens. I slightly prefer Microsoft Office so normally go on to Windows 11, but am quite happy with Linux Mint also. I feel it's a good way to go. Cover both bases.

paradigital

Running your applications under Wine may help.

jshm2

You should install Android on your laptop instead - else go Chromebook.

Linux and Mac are a bit of a jump, if you've been using Windows exclusively.

As for apps. You can try winetricks - which lets you run many Windows apps in Linux

DullGreyGuy

jshm2 said:

Linux and Mac are a bit of a jump, if you've been using Windows exclusively.

As someone who switches between Mac and Windows daily I would argue there is little jump between the two in real terms for most people; whilst a Mac owner I am certainly one that questions those that state for creatives etc that Mac is much more efficient workflow than Windows.

Linux I've not used in years but certainly it was much more painful getting things installed, much more going into the command prompt, a lot more trying to get things running with Wine. Guess things have improved over the years but there are many threads of people trying to get Adobe solutions to work under Wine

Eyeful

Which Linux distro are you using?

BrilliantButScary

Thanks for all your replies so far, very helpful.
Think we might be going for a dual boot like @Ibrahim5.

@Eyeful we are using Linux Mint.

We have both a laptop and a desktop, desktop is Windows 10 and laptop now Linux Mint!
We predominantly use computers for photography and genealogy, partner was already using Gimp, but I will potentially need something to replace Treeview.

Newcad

Instead of Linux you could try ChromeOS Flex to give an old computer a new lease after Win 10 eol:

https://chromeos.google/intl/en_uk/products/chromeos-flex/

However unless Borrowbox had changed/updated then OS Flex doen't currently support it either.
The full ChromeOS supports Borrowbox as an Android app, but OS Flex doesn't support Android apps.

PS. Do you need to use Borrowbox? Ask your library about possible alternatives, such as reading books in a browser.

debitcardmayhem

You could run Windows under Linux using Virtualbox  of course.

fenlander_uk

Can you not use the Borrowbox app on your phone? (apologies if you are phoneless...)