johne53 wrote:I've done lots of reading and tried countless suggestions but absolutely nothing has worked
This is actually my second excursion into the world of Linux (the first was about 8 years ago). Even back then, almost nothing would work out-of-the-box and I spent months, forever having to delve into obscure OS files and edit things manually.
Linux is certainly a more "professional looking" OS these days but under the hood, it doesn't feel as if much has changed. I genuinely wanted to give Linux another try (esp. Zorin which looks very user friendly) but this is basic, elementary stuff... Things like file saving should "just work" - and even if persistence defaults to "off" it should be a simple, one-click operation to turn it back on.
Maybe I'll try Linux again in another 8 years' time - but for the moment, I think I'll stick with Windows and Mac where things like this generally do work...
[Rant over...]
Persistence is not an easy thing to get to work. Honestly, I never use it, myself.
Can you use persistence on Windows? You didn't even know what it was until I suggested it as a possible thing to try out. The reason why many feel Windows Works "as it should" is because Windows is Standardized. It's cookie cutter.
All development in one place vetted by one source.
Linux is Open Source and you have many developers. This allows fresh ideas, new perspectives and more developers at work. That's a pro- as a con, it is not so standardized.
But I think that is a pro.
Either way, gauging that Linux is not usable because one test of Persistence, an unusual practice at best, did not work out for you this time seems to me like giving up way too easily.
Let me relay to you my experiences...
In using Windows for most of my life, I often had installers and software not work out of the box. Oh, it usually did... But often enough, it did not.
Getting help for it is not so easy. Windows Is The Most Used OS in the world. There is a huge community of users. Yet, in spite of that, getting tech support on windows is like pulling teeth from a jaguar. I have gotten far more help and better help using Linux from the much smaller Linux community than I ever got with Windows.
Yes, when I first tried Linux, I had a lot of troubles. Most of my troubles were also self-inflicted. I had no idea how to use the operating system. I had a lot of troubles when I first tried out Windows XP pro, too.
And don't get me started on Windows Vista or Windows 8 and frankly, Windows 10 is a massive resource hog that not only bogs down your computer with bloat, it uses your computer and your network that you pay for as a server to provide the updates for everyone else (yup) and you pay MS for a subscription for them to use you for free...
Not to mention the electronics you paid a lot of money for getting bricked by greedy Big Corporations.
johne53, I certainly understand the frustration of getting started.
But I would encourage you to not try dipping your toe in the water. Toss the idea of persistence and Install The O.S.
I spent probably two weeks grumbling and cussing after I installed Zorin for the first time. I hated it. ...HATED... it.
But, I stuck with it and after a bit of time, I began to learn, began to understand how to use it. I am still novice... But knowing now what I know, I will NEVER go back to Windows. And I do not hate Zorin nor Linux at all, now. Just was a rough start is all and much of that was due to my lack of knowledge. Nothing learning can't fix.
And yes, Most Things work on Linux. By Far.
Most often, when things don't work, the fault lies in the chair in front of the computer. On forums like this, we tend to be as polite as possible in relaying that by simply guiding the user to the right steps.
But we all know it to be true... It's like a person that learned to drive in an Automatic car driving a standard for the first time. They are usually blaming the car. After they get the hang of it and especially if they have to drive on Ice... they don't want the automatic ever again.
I regret that I do not know enough about persistence to help. maybe an answer is still forthcoming that can help you. But in the meantime, you could Dual Boot that puppy and Really get in there and actually give it a chance instead of a glance.
