A war is going on in my house. Yes, that’s right. I call it “The War of O.S.’s.” My wife prefers Mac. My son is clan Microsoft. And I come from the foreign land of Linux. However, in recent years, we have called a truce. I don’t bring up why I think Linux is better and they don’t try to sell me on why it’s not. As long as we keep to the treaty, there is peace at the Catron household. Well, maybe it’s not quite that bad.
We are, however, people who have strong opinions, preferences, and tastes. That’s pretty much universal. Most people have a favorite sport, favorite team, favorite TV show, or favorite topping on their pizza. Not everyone drives a Ford, Dodge, or Chevy. Nor do we all have the same choice in a restaurant or shop in the same store. Everyone has their own set of likes and dislikes, some more popular than others. And that’s okay. In fact, I believe that is a very good thing.
How many of us would enjoy going to a restaurant that only served one thing on the menu? Sometimes it’s good; sometimes it’s not, but there are no other choices. Would we be okay with that? Would we come back? I suppose it depends on if we like what they are serving, but for the most part, we expect businesses to give us options that way we have the freedom to choose.
Now I want to tell you why I fell in love with Linux. Back in the 1990s as a young boy, I discovered computers. My dad ran a construction company and bought a brand new Tandy Computer, which I thought was fascinating. Later we got a Personal Computer with Windows 3.1. It had icons and folders, all this neat stuff that I’d never seen before. I became an avid Windows user for many years clear through Windows XP and then straight to Windows 7. There were times when things went wrong; times when I’d get malware or a virus or I’d do something to mess up the registry and have to start all over – reinstall. But for the most part, I was satisfied. It was something I knew. I understood. It was comfortable.
Then came Windows 8. Yes, the infamous game changer. In 2012 Microsoft released Windows 8 with a completely new interface called the Start Page, along with other things like an app store and newly designed settings menu. The main focus for these changes was to make it easier for touchscreen usability. At first, I was excited about the new release, and even though it seemed intimidating, I learned my way around. After a while, however, I became frustrated. I could no longer use my computer the way I was used to using it. So many changes made for slower productivity. I had trouble finding things and learning to jump through new hoops to find them. I was so used to a “Start Menu,” that getting used to a “Start Page” where I felt almost forced away from having a desktop, made it seem uncomfortable and stressful. On top of that, I found the app store hardly ever worked. It would take forever to load and many times wouldn’t. But the last straw that “broke the camel’s back” was when my system kept breaking down with the “blue screen of death.” I was stuck with a computer that I could no longer use and no installation disk to reinstall the software. What was I to do? What other options were there? All I’ve ever known is Windows and every PC I’ve ever bought came preinstalled with this Operating System. It was like going to a restaurant with only one thing on the menu and now I didn’t like what they were serving.
So I began to search. What got me interesting in the first place was when I found out that Office was no longer included. It was a trial that eventually you’d have to pay for. Well, that made me a little upset. Here’s software that I’ve always used, it’s always been included with the purchase of the computer, and now it’s no longer free. I’ve got to buy it on top of what I’ve already spent?
That began my search for something free-of-charge that I could use in place of Microsoft’s Office Suite. I came across OpenOffice and then discovered LibreOffice. I found it very similar to what I was used to using and (YES!) FREE. That sold me. That got me thinking, were there other options out there besides Windows, without “blue screens of death,” registry issues, malware and viruses, and FREE?
Recommended read: 6 Best Office Suites for Linux
The answer – Yes! I found something called Linux, specifically Fedora and then Linux Mint. I installed it on my laptop and became a Linux user ever since. I’ve never looked back.
Linux set me free.
You see, the common misconception with Linux is that it’s something only computer gurus, geeks, and coders can use. Many people think that the only reason you’d use a Linux based Operating System is for hacking purposes. The other misconception is that a Linux based Operating System is so much different than Windows or Mac that you’d spend all your time learning something new.
All of this I’ve found to be untrue, by a long shot. Yet fear – fear of the unknown is what keeps many from trying it.
What is truly interesting about the Linux Community is the vastness of options. When I discovered that I had a choice, that I wasn’t stuck with something I didn’t enjoy, it was like my eyes were opened to a brand new world that I never knew existed. Plus if I didn’t like one, I could just download another distro and try it out. If something wasn’t stable or fast enough, no problem. Why? Because I had options.
The popular site DistroWatch.com lists the top 100 most popular Linux distros with ratings and details for each, but there are literally hundreds, if not thousands of options available. Now if that seems intimidating, it can be, just as it would be if you went to a new restaurant and needed a few minutes to look at the menu before making a decision. But you’ll never know if it tastes good if you don’t try it. The same goes with Linux. I’m not saying that you have to try it, especially if you are satisfied with your current Windows Operating System. But don’t feel like you are stuck with what you have. Most Linux distros follow the same similar layout as Windows 7, Windows XP, or Windows 10 with an application menu on the lower left of the screen. The system tray and time are on the right with your open applications in the middle, all on the taskbar (panel) at the bottom of your screen. You don’t need to know code to use Linux. It can’t hurt, but it’s not necessary.
Currently, I use KDE Neon because it is the latest and most feature-rich desktop environment in my opinion and it operates very much like Windows with more ability to configure to my liking. In the past, however, I’ve tried several different options that are available. Coming from a former Windows user, I’d recommend Linux Mint Cinnamon, Zorin OS, Feren OS, or MXLinux. Any of these would feel very at home. Although, there are many other fine choices as well. Each distro provides detailed documentation and it’s own set of preinstalled software out of the box. If you’re looking for something with not a lot of bloatware, then I’d recommend KDE Neon. Neon provides only the essentials and the latest Plasma Desktop with all the features.
And never forget, having options is a good thing. You have the freedom to choose your desktop experience. Use it wisely. As far as the war in my house, well, everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Recommended read: Linux vs. Windows: A Casual, Realistic Perspective
I just use both. There’s really no good alternative to the Adobe suite. Some games can’t be played on Linux, so I just dual boot Mint and Windows 10 now.
I get that. I’ve heard a lot of people who have said that and have that perspective. It’s great to have that option.
Ialways give crap to people who cry about winblows, but do othing about it. Like you, i use both myself. Linux based OSs just cannot get some things right. Winblows does “Just work”. MX is the only distro i have ever used that can actually see, install and use my HP printer. Mint will not install an HP printer even with HP drivers. Peppermint cannot see any printers, and installation of a printer is a laborious affair with CUPs and hard core scripting and coding of modules. The best games only run on winblows too. Linux distros are buggier than they have been in 20 years. I went from a relatively bug free Linux Mint 6, to the current version that is simply a mess. Cinnamon will drive new users crazy. You had better have some CLI knowledge, or forget most distros. MX, is the most stable and bug free distro out there now. Arch is filled with desktop breaking bugs. I saw a ted talk where Linus told the distro developers to just stop creating new distros… Just STOP! he wants the devs to focus on debugging the existent distros. He said, “Stop releasing distros that break the UI.” No one listened. So here we are. Winblows has come a long way. I don’t run any aftermarket malware protection, and i have yet to get infected. I have yet to have a BSOD. The updates don’t install unless i allow it because i know how to edit my settings, registry and configuration files. I can use the power shell and create batch files. Winblows has become Windows to me. It runs great! It uses way too much memory, but i can deal with that. Both OSs have their good and bad aspects. I still prefer to install inux on the computers of my elderly and luddite customers. They cannot do any serious harm to the system. Windows customers who think they know what they are doing, because they watched Mr Robot, are the worst. I stopped supporting windows, so i am not bothered at all with frantic calls telling me the system won’t boot! Linux and Windows are both good and bad. Neither is without problems.
Sir,
I disagree with you. I do not think this is a matter of opinion, preference or taste in the end. Your entire article also suggests this.
”
(…) many changes [in Windows 8] made for slower productivity
(…) trouble finding things
(…) made it seem uncomfortable and stressful
(…) app store hardly ever worked. It would take forever to load and many times wouldn’t
(…) ‘blue screen of death.’ (…) could no longer use and no installation disk to reinstall the software.
(…) I found it [LibreOffice] very similar to what [Microsoft Office] I was used to using and (YES!) FREE. That sold me.
”
Ergonomy, usability and price are not a matter of taste for many people who need to use a computer for various general tasks and on a regular basis. And, in your article, you do not – even just once – mention how bad Windows Vista was or how frustrating-to-use Windows 10 is.
The 2 misconceptions you mentioned about Linux were not misconceptions, I’d say, back in the 90s and up until 2006. Generally speaking, Linux is easier to install and to use for advanced users, power users. And there is a learning curve in Linux, even today.
But, nowadays, there are many websites for community support, youtube videos on how to install a Linux distribution and many documentation websites (including free downloadable User Guides for beginners) for anyone wishing to migrate from Windows to Linux.
If games and some specialized or specific software (eg video editing) is very important to someone, then this may explain why Linux can not be a suitable alternative.
If comparison of operating system is based on cost, choice, performance, security and support (including community support), then Linux is – in general – better than Windows in my opinion.
Gérard
The learning curve is UNLEARNING the Windows way. If you start with Linux, the learning curve is no different than learning Windows. I am older (65) and never used a computer into my late forties. I am a total GUI guy, and yet I use Linux successfully for 10 years without any problems. I have zero interest in learning a bunch of commands like a server administrator would use.
Both systems have their strengths and weaknesses. I find the self corrupting registry in Windows the biggest problem. Instead of arguing, how about agreeing have “CHOICE” is great?
Totally agree! Thanks for your comment.
In my defense, I’ve never used Windows Vista. As I stated in my article, I went from Windows XP straight to Windows 7 (with very little experience even with that). My article was intended to show my journey from Windows to Linux and my reasoning for switching. This is my perspective and you are welcome to see things differently. I just am thankful that I have a choice, and I Linux has been a blessing to me. It’s served its purpose and I’m glad for it. My frustrations with Windows spurred my search for something better. I feel and felt that I have found it in using Linux. I still run into issues or frustrations when using Linux, but at least I have a choice and am not stuck if something breaks. That is my point. Thanks for your comments.
My grandfather had a Texas Instruments computer of some kind when I was small. I don’t remember much about it, but I remember that he told me he “taught it” to take the incoming morse code and turn it into words. He was a HAM radio operator and always had tech in his basement. About the time of his death my parents bought a pc that came with Windows 3.1 and I ended up taking this computer with me several years later when I went to college. From there, I was Windows all the way up through Vista by way of Windows ME, and oh how I loathed that OS. I liked XP, but the change to Vista gave me to incentive I needed to try a Mac, and it was glorious. I loved the out-of-the-box stability that Tiger and eventually Snow Leopard through El Capitan offered. My degree is in Architecture and Design, but my grandfather instilled in me a love for technology so I taught myself enough about IT to land a job for a major television studio in 2012, where I was forced back into the Windows ecosystem. The job ended up being miserable as we migrated users from the rock solid XP, over to Windows 7. I left the company and became a project manager for a manufacturing company, and despite my pleas, was forced to use Windows 7 over Mac OS. I left that company 3 years later and took an Operations job with a health system. It was 3rd shift, so there were lulls in my job of mostly babysitting servers, and a soon-to-be mentor introduced me to Linux Mint. I haven’t looked back since. I dove in and in just 2 years moved out of Ops into a hybrid Systems role that allows me to support a small Linux population alongside the massive Windows population. Although I have hope that out Linux population will grow, mostly thanks to strides in making Linux more laptop and user friendly from projects like Linux Mint, OpenSUSE, and Ubuntu. My daily driver is now a Linux Mint laptop that I use to connect to a Windows VM when I need something I can’t get in Linux, and I personally love the setup. I am only in Windows when I have to be. While I am still a fan of Mac OS and love to use it whenever I get the chance, I actively work in OpenSUSE Leap 15.3, CentOS 7, and Garuda Linux outside of work. While it isn’t always a peaceful co-existence, I have found a balance that allows me to keep a toe in all 3 ecosystems and leverage what they do well. Adobe suite on Mac, Office and Gaming on Windows, and pretty much everything else in Linux. It’s sometimes hard to change gears and switch back and forth, but for the most part, it makes life a little more simple to just embrace what they all do well and enjoy that freedom of choice we still have in this golden age of technology. Oh what my grandfather could have done with the tools I get to play with today…
Love this! Thanks for sharing your story. Wonderful example!