From The Chief Editor's Desk...

If you’re a Linux user, your time to rejoice is close at hand.

See, starting October 14, 2025, Microsoft is shutting down support for Windows 10. According to an article from Forbes, Microsoft is preparing millions of PC owners for the unprecedented device cliff edge that hits on October 14, when support for Windows 10 ends. As reported by Windows Latest, the company is now telling users to stop using those devices and to “recycle Windows 10 PCs” that “can’t upgrade to Windows 11.”

That last sentence is what makes my heart smile. That means Linux users should get ready to “recycle” (as in repurpose) old, decrepit Windows 10 computers into powerhouse computers running Linux (hopefully, PCLinuxOS). Most of those computers being “obsoleted” by Microsoft are not only fully capable of running Linux, but many of them are gently used, with LOTS of life remaining in them. Finally, those computers can live out the rest of their technological lives free from the worry of misapplied Windows Updates, and free from the worry of viruses and many other pieces of malware. Some might even contend that Windows itself IS the biggest piece of malware ever devised.

Keep your eyes peeled. You’re likely to see a flood of computers hit the resell market for cheap. Check out your favorite refurbishers. Check out your swap-and-shops. Check out your thrift stores. I have a feeling that there will be a LOT of gently used computers finding their way to Linux users for cheap. And, don’t discount what could be the best buy of all, by curbside shopping … especially in more affluent neighborhoods.

So, how do I already know that these computers will go for cheap prices? It’s simple economics. Supply and demand. The supply of gently used computers will soon explode. There will soon be a flood of these computers that aren’t capable of running Windows 11, and any time that happens, Linux users can literally clean up.

A lot of these computers have fairly recent processors, good amounts of RAM, and fairly roomy storage drives. And, many of those drives are solid state drives, instead of spinning rust drives.

Microsoft, on their “support” page, wants you to scrap your Windows 10 computer. As in, send it to the landfill. And then, they want you to buy a new computer capable of running Windows 11. Of course, what they fail to mention is that you can also install a different operating system (hello Linux!) on those computers.

After all, that is what drove me to Linux. The last version of Windows that I routinely ran was Windows XP. The transition from XP to Vista is what pushed me to Linux. I had just bought my first laptop computer less than a year before the release of Vista, and it didn’t have the hardware specs to run Vista. Despite that, I knew there was a LOT more life left in that computer. So, I started looking for alternatives, since Windows XP support was coming to an end. I was correct. I ran PCLinuxOS on that particular laptop for another three-plus years.

The situation now with Windows 10 support ending is remarkably similar to what I experienced all those years ago with the transition from Windows XP to Vista. Back then, you could get a used laptop that wasn’t capable of running Vista for dirt cheap … if not for free. I suspect history will repeat itself with this latest push by Microsoft.

I know that Linux users “love” for Microsoft is pretty lopsided, well-earned, and justified. But don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. Keep your eyes peeled for some quality, useful hardware available for a very cheap price. Do expect a flood of those hardware components the closer we get to October 14.

This month’s cover was created by me, to signify the annual arrival of the spring storms that frequent my area when Spring finally arrives. I just figured I’d put a PCLinuxOS twist on the image while I was creating it. My GIMP skills are nowhere close to Meemaw’s, but every once in a while, I can figure out how to create a really nice image.

Until next month, I bid you peace, happiness, serenity, prosperity, and continued good health.