It sounds like you already have this problem solved, but just in case:

Back when I still used Windows, the workaround was just to make sure you didn’t have a network connection when installing the OS. This could be done by unplugging the NIC during install on a physical system or by deleting the NIC in a VM (or other ways, obviously, but these were the simplest). It still took some convincing, but then you could make your username whatever you wanted.

I don’t know if that still works - it’s been years - but if you still use Windows and still have that problem, this might be worth a try.

edit: program -> problem

Two things coming together finalized my choice to leave Windows:

• the ability to play almost every game on Linux thanks to Valve
• the fact that you couldn’t create a local account during a Windows install (back when I discovered this you still technically could with some workarounds; I don’t know if you still can but you shouldn’t have to put in any effort IMHO)

My 2014 Ford Flex was the same way, except that they didn’t contact me.

The car with which I replaced the Flex doesn’t have onboard navigation, instead relying on Android Auto. I was pleased about this, thinking at least it wouldn’t track where I was going … Until I opened the app and saw it could still report its location independently. At that point it seems like there might as well at least be an option for onboard navigation.

Is that a machine that scrubs robots or a robot that scrubs?

Sober is not a way to play this, IMHO.

With all respect, the first paragraph seems self contradictory.

Believe that’s the point.

Thanks! I didn’t even know.

Per day … Right?

How I wish.

$_ also works. I love Alt+. but sadly it doesn’t work on any Mac terminal emulator I’ve found and, even more sadly, I am forced to use a Mac at work.

I haven’t tried !$ so I’m not familiar with its function, but one nice thing about Alt+. is that you’re not limited to the last argument of the most recent command; instead, it allows you to scroll backwards like Ctrl+R.

Plus it puts on a Santa hat around Christmas.

I mean, possibly.

Alongside many of the useful comments here, I’d like to add one great thing about installing Linux on a new computer: you can’t accidentally anything on the new computer! There’s presumably no data to be lost, you can even install Linux without ever booting into the Windows environment. If you don’t have it connected to your network, there’s nearly no risk; even if you do, that risk is minimal. I always feel a distinct comfort imaging a system that’s never been used.

As for the how, others have covered it, but just identify your distribution of choice (Fedora and Linux Mint are great starters), download the ISO from their website, plug a thumb drive into any running system, and download a USB imaging tool. Balena Etcher is a popular one and the one I use, but many others are available and popular as well if you have a preference.