‘Natural gas’ is a fossil fuel. A lot better than coal, yes, and a lot of people still use it (well-tuned modern furnaces are 90% efficient). Unlike ICE engines with their 20-30% gasoline efficiency (buy 4 gallons, throw 3 into the wind).
In a sane world, all coal would be shut down NOW, all users would be shit-outta-luck. There are NO excuses for continued use.
I had hated the commercials on local TV (and their insipid local newscasters), and the way Cable networks chopped up films to the point where a 90-minute film took 2-1/2 hours to watch. NOT to mention their 200+ channels with 7 worth watching (for many $$$).
When they shut down analog TV in 2009, that was it for me. I didn’t even grab a ~~free HDTV converter for local stuff. Nothing but Internet ever since. Music? HUNDREDS of online stations.
Try this: 1) download a Linux distro ISO (recommend Mint Cinnamon because of help forum)
2) Use ETCHER to burn it onto an EMPTY USB stick (4G is enuf; ERASE it if it’s not new).
3) Insert the stick into a USB port, reboot and get into your BIOS.
4) Do not use SecureBoot, Try to use a LEGACY boot instead of UEFI (if your BIOS has that option).
4. Now use your BIOS to boot from the stick.
If all of that works you have booted from the stick and see the Mint OS Icon. Then you’re in a ‘LIVE USB’ session with the option to install Linux to your drive at the upper left (I think, don’t use Cinnamon). No hurry. Just live there, and maybe go through all of that 1 or 2 more times.
Just take time to get used to the OS for a while. You need to make sure that there’s room on the drive for the install. 20-25GB is plenty. So your ‘BOATLOAD’ should be more than enough. (You can also install it on -another- drive if you like. SO easy!)
Find a web page or video that comfortably helps YOU understand the install process (a snap, until you get to the important page where you tell it WHERE to install the OS). Be sure you have prepared the drive (if need be) before you do the install. ENJOY (I’ve done a -lot- of LM installs. Only ONCE from a Windows environment, NEVER again.)
In case of any snags, the busy and help Mint Forum page is here: https://forums.linuxmint.com/
Big companies become like alien organisms that are embodied in big buildings and employ human beings as blood cells. They are predators that consume human life energies.
Best to do what you think is right … as for Democracy, it’s a good idea, I hope we’ll see it show up one of these days. ‘All men are created equal’ … but then someone’s gotta pick the crops.
One dollar won’t buy much of anything. Give me a magic ten instead.
If you could retire and have enough to keep you comfortably housed and insured until you’re 90, that’s wealth enough.