Why Linux? Every operating system is governed by some basic principles. As is normal, every time there is a transition from one operating system to another, the user encounters some adaptation difficulties. The main cause of these difficulties is the user's inability to admit that things in the new operating system work differently than in the old one.
If the user is not willing to learn something new or does not have the time to devote, then perhaps the best solution is to continue using the operating system they have been using until now. Experience has shown that this is the most painless solution. Otherwise, the usual outcome is the disappointment of the new user and the creation of false impressions about the capabilities of the operating system.
The above applies regardless of whether the operating system is new or old. In all operating systems you can perform all the basic functions you expect on a computer.
Linux != Windows
You would be surprised how many people have this complaint. When they come to Linux, they expect to find an open source and free version of Windows. Often, this is the information they are given by Linux fanatics. But it is an expectation that is unfounded.
The reasons people want to try Linux vary. But there's one fundamental reason: They hope Linux will be better than Windows. Common criteria include cost, options, performance, security, and more. But every Windows user who tries Linux does so because they hope it will be better than what they already have.
And therein lies the root of the problem.
It is impossible for anything to be better than another and at the same time be exactly the same. A perfect copy will be equal, but never better. So when you tried Linux, you inevitably thought it would be different. But many people ignore this fact and consider any difference between the two operating systems to be some failure of Linux.
As a simple example, consider updating a device driver. Typically, in Windows we go to the manufacturer's website, download and install the new driver. In Linux, we upgrade the operating system's kernel. This practically means that in Linux, with a kernel upgrade we upgrade all the drivers for our system, while in Windows we have to download and install each driver individually. It is certainly a different process, but by no means a bad one. However, many people complain about this process because they are not used to it.
As another example, consider Firefox, perhaps the most successful open source application. A browser that “won” the world. It succeeded because it was a perfect copy of Internet Explorer? Which popular browser? No! It succeeded because it was better than Internet Explorer. And it was better because it was different! It included tabbed browsing, live bookmarks, a built-in search bar, support for image type
png
and other great things. The search function appears as a bar at the bottom and searches the page as you type, turning red if it doesn't find anything. On the other hand, Internet Explorer (up to version 6) offers none of the above. Even for search, it needs extensions that require us to "click" an "ok" button to start the search and another "click" on another "ok" on the error message when it doesn't find a match. A clear case of an open source application that is better. And it is better because it is different. If Firefox were a perfect copy of Internet Explorer, it would have disappeared in an instant. If Linux were also a copy of Windows? It would have disappeared too.
So the solution to the problem: Remember that where Linux is familiar and the same as what you're used to, it's not new and improved. Embrace the places where it's different, because that's where it has a chance to "shine."
Why should I install Linux?
Finally, why Linux? Why should I choose Linux as my computer operating system? What do I gain by installing Linux? I don't know Linux, is it difficult? These are some of the questions we receive on a daily basis. Let's try to solve these questions as simply as possible:
- Linux is an operating system like Windows.
- You don't buy or rent Linux! It's free, as are 97% of its programs, and very few applications are paid.
- You don't need any special knowledge to handle it and it's easier than you think! Listen to the experts.
- Linux doesn't need any additional device drivers. Forget about countless CDs/DVDs on your desk to set up your computer!
- Freedom! Configure your computer and their role according to your needs.
- Help! The strongest point! Countless communities and spaces on the network that help you! The best? That the users themselves help you! Real solidarity!
- Malware! What is it? The answer says it all!
- Install programs with one click! Go ahead, 2 at most! Forget the endless I accept I agree and all that!
And there are dozens more reasons why you can use it! Don't be afraid! It's the easiest for the user! There are many distributions! You just choose the one that suits! It's a way of life! Change your life! Stop being dependent on others and take life into your own hands! Come to the wonderful world of Linux and free software!
Why should I NOT install Linux?
For better or worse, despite the advantages mentioned in the previous section, there are cases in which it is not possible to use Linux. These cases can be due to both the software we use and the computer hardware
Incompatible software
All newcomers to the world of Linux are looking for ways to do on their computer what they did with their previous operating system. For the most common tasks (internet, multimedia, Skype, etc.), Linux can and does meet their needs just as well, if not better.
However, there are cases in which it is not possible to do with Linux what we did, for example, with Windows. Usually, these cases are due to the use of specialized software, which is not supported on Linux. It should be noted here that very often there are alternative options in many commercial Windows and Mac programs that can meet these needs. For example, for 2D design, Draftsight can be used instead of Autocad, for photorealism, Blender can be used instead of 3DS Max, etc. However, if for some reason, the supported programs on Linux are not able to meet our needs, then we are forced to keep at least one installation of the old software. In this case, using VirtualBox or Dualboot are the appropriate solutions.
Microsoft Office
The most popular office suite is Microsoft Office. This suite runs on Windows and Mac but not on Linux. MsOffice files can be opened by other programs such as the LibreOffice office suite, but problems usually arise with the formatting of the files. So if at work we constantly exchange files with our colleagues
*.doc(x)
or
*.xls(x)
then, perhaps the best solution is to install Microsoft Office in a VirtualBox. Alternatively, we can see if the version of MS Office we have runs satisfactorily via Wine.
Games
For many years, the lack of support for Linux from major companies in the industry was something that practically prohibited the use of Linux by someone who is seriously involved in gaming. However, in late 2012, Steam made a big change by releasing Steam For Linux and porting several of its titles to Linux. This move, as it matures, is expected to change the situation dramatically in the future by bringing more and more titles to Linux. However, until today (early 2013) if someone wants to be able to play all the game titles released for PC, then it is probably better to stay on Windows.
Incompatible hardware
Nowadays it is quite unlikely to find a computer that is not compatible with Linux. The Linux Kernel supports countless architectures. However, it is possible that some part of your computer (hardware or peripheral) is not compatible with Linux. These cases are usually due to:
- either because you have something very "exotic" on your computer (e.g. video encoding cards or check printers)
- either because the incompatible part has just been released and its drivers have not yet been integrated into the Linux Kernel.
In the first case, you should look for official or unofficial support. In the second, you should make sure to upgrade your system to the latest kernel version and if there is still no support, for better or worse, wait.
In any case, if you want to be absolutely sure that your computer is supported as it should be, it is a good idea, especially before making any purchase, to search the internet for the compatibility of your hardware and in case you already have a computer or a peripheral, to check its compatibility using a Linux Live CD/USB
