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@ teachYourselfAndYourChildrenHowtoHack
2024-03-02 21:46:04The difficulty is that i don't know where you are starting from so i'll just guess you are taking advantage of the cheap 2012 Apple Macs that have dropped in price recently and will be installing the Ubuntu operating system (OS) on the laptop instead of keeping its outdated and unsupported Mac OS.
Installing Ubuntu is annoying and it doesn't get easier -- but -- we will only do it once and reap the benefits for years, God Willing, so it is worth it.
Why Ubuntu? The cheap, but strong build, Mac you have bought won't have the support from Apple so for your and your family's security you'll need an operating system that is getting updates. I recommend Ubuntu LTS (long term support). Ubuntu is also very forgiving of old hardware and isn't as bloated with unnecessary software as the other operating systems.
Go to
https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop
and download the LTS (Long Term Support) currently Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS which stands for 2022, April.
Here I'll have to introduce Critical (MUST), Recommended (SHOULD) and Possible (CAN).
MUST - Critical - verify the downloaded (saved) file. You can go here and follow these steps:
https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/how-to-verify-ubuntu#1-overview
Verifying is critical and not a recommended step because Ubuntu is popular and a way of attack is for a malicious copy to be sent to you, verifying takes extra steps to ensure you've got the real Ubuntu. Taking this extra time to be careful always feels like a waste but the tens of minutes it takes will save you months atleast if anything goes wrong in the future. It is well worth the investment even though it feels heavy right now.
'Burn' the file you get to a USB drive, this is different from saving it when you download:
https://ubuntu.com/tutorials/burn-a-dvd-on-ubuntu#1-getting-started
The instructions will be different for where you are starting from whether Windows, or Apple. But note, you have to save the download first, then burn it to another place like a USB, or DVD if your newly bought laptop has a CD tray.
With the USB in your Mac (and/or DVD in other laptop), press the power ON button and hold the OPTION, choose EFI then Install Ubuntu > (safe mode) and follow the instructions, go through the test for your keyboard, refuse updating latest software from a mirror (we can do that later), but do choose to install third party proprietary, and continue until you get to LVM (local volumn management) which you choose and Advanced > encrypt but don't choose the option to save a file to recover your home directory as keeping this file safe can be a headache.
Do make sure your passphrases are strong and you will need two, one for unencrypting your home directory and the other for logging in. You can choose to log-in automatically after decrypting which makes life a little easier, but if you are concerned then don't.
Follow the instructions to the end. If you have to start again, this is normal and happens sometimes. When you are told to remove the install media, remove the USB or DVD and press any button and your Ubuntu laptop should be freshly minted and ready.