Meet Emma Marshall. She helps customers install a printer, connect to Wi-Fi and set up e-mail on their new computer. She shares software to create reports or edit photos — all available for free — and troubleshoots why an old scanner doesn’t work with a new machine.

Point and click. Drag and drop. Look familiar?

For most consumers, it’s not. This is Ubuntu, a user-friendly version of the Linux operating system. Marshall pronounces it “oo-boon-tu” but also acceptable are “you-bunt-tu” or “oo-bunt-tu.”

Marshall typically helps customers who have gotten past the belief that Linux is for geeks. This version of Linux (there are hundreds) was built by United Kingdom’s Canonical and is meant to appeal to everyone — even Windows users.

“Ubuntu is faster, it’s safer to use, and it’s easy to learn,” said Marshall, consumer account manager for System 76, a Denver seller of Ubuntu machines. “If you are thinking of switching and don’t want to pay the Windows tax and are sick of viruses, don’t be afraid to make the switch because there are people who are here to help you, especially here at System 76, and we are local.”

At System 76’s office at 1600 Champa St., Suite 360, about a dozen computers are on display for people to check out and test. (“We’d love to have them visit,” Marshall said.)

The company, which employs 13, has seen an increase in sales in recent years, especially to senior citizens. Free lifetime support is hard to beat.

Ubuntu is often overlooked as an option because you won’t find these machines at mainstream electronics stores like Best Buy.

Is the technology meant for people who normally buy Windows?

“Absolutely,” said Carl Richell, System 76’s co-founder who started the company in 2005 with Erik Fetzer. “It’s better for consumers anyway.”

Better translates to this: With Ubuntu’s user-friendly graphics, it looks a lot like Windows or Mac OS.

Software programs like imitation Microsoft Office-like tools are free downloads.

And you’re not forced to upgrade, though Ubuntu does push out security updates when needed.

Then there’s security. Linux has been spared from major malware because most cyberattackers target the more mainstream Windows. But Linux is not immune.

Webroot, the Broomfield firm behind a suite of anti-virus and Internet security software, said 95 percent of the malware that it sees affects Windows PCs. Hackers follow the money, and most of the world uses Windows, said Mike Malloy, Webroot’s executive vice president of products and strategy.

“However, consumers should not assume they are safe if they use something other than Windows,” Malloy said, warning about phishing that tricks people into sharing passwords. ” … These attacks can be run on any device regardless of the operating system. We do see more Linux in Internet of Things environments such as industrial sensors, robotics, etc. and also in servers.”

Webroot is working on security software for Linux. In the meantime, Ubuntu recommends installing an anti-virus software such as ClamAV, Comodo Antivirus or others.

Getting started

Ubuntu takes some getting used to.

For starters, there’s no “Start” button.

The desktop is relatively bare, with only a left margin of nine icons. The top one is a nifty search button. Type in “printer” or “wireless” or even “solitaire,” and the appropriate icon shows up.

System 76 also preloads a few open-source software programs, including Firefox and LibreOffice, which includes a Microsoft Office-like document writer, spreadsheet and slide shows. (Web-based software, like Google Docs, also work on an Internet browser.)

If you need more options, click the icon for the Ubuntu Software Center, an app store with hundreds of free programs, games and tools.

Windows users might think commands are in the wrong place. The “X” to close a program or folder isn’t in the top right corner, like in Windows; rather, it’s in the top left corner, which is the same as Mac OS.

There are new desktop shortcuts to learn. Holding down the Ubuntu key pops up a guide to shortcut keys.

Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Delete doesn’t end a program or reboot the computer. (It allows you to lock the PC or log off.) Instead, reboot by pressing the Alt+Print Screen keys, and then in succession, the R-E-I-S-U-B keys (Reboot Even If System Utterly Broken).

Then there is a user’s existing computer software and accessories. Apple’s iTunes, Adobe Photoshop and other popular Windows and Mac software aren’t built for Linux. An option: Wine, a layer of software that lets Windows programs run on Linux.

The top consumer question?

“Will my printer work?” Marshall said. “The answer is always yes.”

Ubuntu has a list of recommended printers and a page of links to compatible software at help.ubuntu.com/community/printers.

Ubuntu supports most brands of printers and other devices, but some special features might not work. The printer will just print.

Linux is known for giving life to older computers that have outlived their Windows updates. System 76 doesn’t offer support to consumers who download Ubuntu to their own machines, but Marshall still suggested users test the system themselves with the virtual tour at tour.ubuntu.com. The site lets users click around the features for a taste of the system — and provides a free download.

For those who don’t want to commit, download Ubuntu to a USB storage drive and run it on a personal computer without installing it.

“Don’t be scared because you’ve been on Windows all your life. You can run it off a (USB) drive,” Marshall said. “There’s no reason for people not to try.”

Tamara Chuang: tchuang@denverpost.com or visit dpo.st/tamara

Revive an old PC with Ubuntu

System 76 sells new Ubuntu PCs and offers free lifetime support. It doesn’t (yet) support old PCs that add this Windows alternative. But the Denver company shared this good rule of thumb: Ubuntu works with machines that could run XP, Vista, Windows 7 or x86 OS X. Recommended hardware specs:

• 700 MHz processor (about Intel Celeron or better)

• 512 MB RAM (system memory)

• 5 GB of hard-drive space (or USB stick, memory card or external drive)

• VGA capable of 1024×768 screen resolution

• Either a CD/DVD drive or a USB port for the installer media

Interested users can try Ubuntu first online at tour.ubuntu.com — and then download it for free.