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Writing on behalf of my husband, he's very fed up with our current operating system, and wants to try something less invasive  (hopefully)  We're considering Linux - is it hard to get to grips with?  And is there any hope that he can at some point use his Farming Simulator 2015 on it, along with Giants Editor?

I know I am a bit late replying, but here is an answer anyhow.

 

Is linux hard?  Not really.  I would give a resounding NO, but there are a few edge cases I will warn you about.  Usage in and of itself is quite easy.  Determining what is the replacement application for what you are used to with Mac/Windows is not always an easy one.  The two markets that are a bit iffy are the financial and gaming ones.  Basic and extremely focused are where linux sits with the financial side -- not so much in between.  I had a client that ran a stock brokerage and his firm could run everything on linux except one app, so most desktops were therefore Windows.

Gaming is alot better now than a few years ago even.  Most games are either native or work well in Wine.  For your game : 

https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=application&iId=16999

https://www.playonlinux.com/en/app-3514.html   (test reports welcome).

With a brand new graphics and physics engine, Farming Simulator 15 offers an immense open world, filled with details and visual effects transporting the Farming Simulator franchise to a new era.