Computer Slow? Windows Fatigue? I'll Install Linux For You
- Details
Hi there, I'm Matt and have been living in Cambodia on and off since 2013.
Over the years I've found myself helping people who wanted beginner-friendly Linux installed on their computer as Windows just wasn't for them anymore.
Even more so with the release of Windows 11.
Contact me at email
Are you ready for Linux? Bring your laptop and we'll meet up
Name your favorite spot in the Riverside area of Phnom Penh - preferably with good speedy WiFi.
Have the laptop ready and I'll install either Linux Mint or Ubuntu for you there, both of which are beginner-friendly Linux operating systems.
Tip: Linux Mint out-of-the-box is similiar to Windows XP/7 in looks and feel. Very popular with beginners and power users alike.
Alright, so we've agreed on a meeting place at the Riverside, Daun Penh
I'll show up with a USB pendrive and get everything set up while you kick back with a refreshing beverage or two. Installation including updates should take around an hour depending on WiFi speed.
When we install Linux the entire disk will be erased
You are responsible for doing the necessary backup of files you want saved from your computer before we begin.
Meaning; make sure you have a backup of important files on a separate hdd/pendrive so your laptop harddrive is ready to be formatted.
Dual Boot; Windows and Linux simultaneously
Should work fine, but might not. Assume that every file on the computer will be lost. Have a backup made before we start.
After the OS install I'll set up your computer with
- Firewall: UFW - Uncomplicated Firewall, for enhanced protection (simple 'enable')
- Apps of your choice like Firefox, Chrome Browser, Chromium, Tor Browser, VLC Player, Spotify, LibreOffice, Thunderbird for emails, Transmission for torrents, Qmmp for oldschool Winamp fans etc
- uBlock Origin; currently the best adblocker for an ad-free experience on websites - including YouTube
- Redshift; an app that makes your screen warmer to reduce eye strain
- VPN if you want one, I recommend Mullvad which is based in Sweden and works great with Linux Mint and Ubuntu.
Mullvad also comes with a built-in DNS Content Blocker, where you can easily auto-block giant lists of IPs connected to Ads, Trackers, Malware, Gambling, Adult Content and Social Media. You can switch these buttons on and off individually. They accept debit and credit card, PayPal and also crypto like BTC, ETH, etc. You can even send them cash anonymously in the mail - For Gamers: Steam’s Proton makes thousands of Windows games run well on Linux, with many working flawlessly and sometimes even better than on Windows, though not all games are supported. Supported games can be looked up here
- Disk encryption: Some users want their harddrive encrypted, meaning during boot up before the operating system loads, you'll be asked for a password. This is practical to enhance protection of your personal files in case of computer theft, for example
Other things I can and have helped with - Ad-Free Phone:
- Android phones: Install F-Droid and set up Fennec browser which supports uBlock Origin for an ad-free experience on the phone, including YouTube, supports play in background
- Android phones: Install F-Droid and set up NewPipe, a YouTube alternative frontend app which comes with an ad-free YouTube experience out-of-the-box, meaning no ad interruptions during music, podcasts etc, supports play in background
- Android phones: Set up a VPN on the phone. Again, I recommend Mullvad. You can be logged in on up to 5 devices with a single account, hence your computer and phone is covered
Other things I can and have helped with - Create a Website:
- I can set up a Joomla website for you. Joomla is similiar to Wordpress yet comes with more freedom and is more secure after a default install. Get a free Joomla website here and have it ready in minutes to see what it looks like.
The website can be a business site, blog, webstore or basically whatever you wish - I made an app plus some scripts that makes it possible to post an AI article to a website in under a minute, without needing to log into the website itself. Works in tangent with Joomla running on a VPS or dedicated server, where AIs like Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini can be used for free to create one or more articles about anything, and have that one or more articles posted on the website almost immediately. Article keywords and meta descriptions included. This is a good solution because you get the chance to quality read the content yourself, and Microsoft Copilot in particular is pretty spot on with the content it creates - at least for the most part. Note the need for a VPS/dedicated server (!) as it won't work with shared hosting; meaning lack of sudo/root/server admin access
Other things I can and have helped with - Crypto: Bitcoin to USD in Cambodia, Ethereum, Wallets:
- If you are already familiar with crypto and just looking for a Bitcoin to USD off-ramp in Cambodia, go with bitcoincambodia.com.
For privacy sake simply simpleswap.io whatever crypto (USDT, USDC, ETH etc for better liquidity) to BTC, and receive the BTC on a new self-custody wallet like Electrum, then transfer the BTC from the new wallet as per the Bitcoin Cambodia instructions once you set up a trade there.
Use SimpleSwap at your own risk. If they see you with an IP from a country that they consider suspicious, they might hold back your crypto until you KYC (Know Your Customer) meaning the old passport or drivers license scan etc.
It can take up to 24 hours to finish the trade on Bitcoin Cambodia but if you are early in the day then they are usually much faster.
They will send you the USD via TrueMoney which is similiar to Wing. You need a local phone number to do this as TrueMoney (and Wing) works by you receiving a code from the sender that can only be used with your phone number, or whatever other local phone number the sender is sending to. Once the clerk at TrueMoney sees that you are the owner of that phone number (by checking your phone,) and you also provide the special code from the sender - i.e. Bitcoin Cambodia - then you'll receive the money cash in hand
