Switching From Windows To Linux
Why Switch to Linux?
Linux (pronounced "lynn-ux") has been used for years to operate the servers that run much of the Internet. And just like DOS grew up and sprouted a fancy graphical interface, so Linux has evolved into a user-friendly point and click system that doesn't require a computer science degree to use.
The question remains however; why switch? Making the jump from a popular, mass-marketed product like Windows to a more obscure, less-hyped solution like Linux, is akin to opting for the wallflower over the Homecoming Queen. But sometimes the wallflower offers more than the Queen...
For starters, Linux is available for free. It is an open-source program, which means that the source code is available to anyone. This allows a worldwide army of volunteer programmers to update and tweak the Linux software. Over the years, various companies have built upon the Linux core and created their own versions of Linux, referred to as distributions. Some of the more popular Linux distributions are RedHat, SuSE, Debian, Gentoo and Ubuntu.
Linux is a more secure and reliable system than Windows. Tired of rebooting a frozen Windows machine? Linux is less prone to crashing (some users report running Linux for years without rebooting) and is less vulnerable to security threats like spyware and viruses. Also, Linux doesn't require the latest and greatest tricked-out hardware to work efficiently. It runs on any PC with a 486 processor or better and 256 MB of RAM is plenty of memory. A scant 500MB of free disk space suffices to run Linux on your desktop happily.
Which Linux?
Ubuntu, which has become the most popular Linux distribution in the last two years, is available as a free download, or you can order it on a CDROM disc if you don't have a high-speed connection. Ubuntu comes with lots of software, including word processing, web browser, email and games. For techies, there are plenty of programming tools and a built-in web server.
There are dozens of Linux distributions, so which one is right for you? Most of the differences depend on your comfort level as a user. If you prefer a focus on ease of installation and everyday use, then Ubuntu or RedHat may be the way to go. If you are more of a programmer type, then Debian or SuSE may be the best choice for you.
I suggest you try a Live CD version of Linux to try it out. With a Live CD, you don't have to install the software -- just boot up from the CD and you can take Linux for a test drive without making any changes to your system. Try the Ubuntu version, Knoppix, PCLinuxOS or the Gentoo offering.
I've Installed Linux, Now What?
Whichever version you go with, you can still do pretty much the same tasks in Linux as you can in Windows. Almost all versions of Linux come with a Windows-like interface, a desktop with familiar icons, and a file manager similar to Windows Explorer. A web browser and email software will be just a click away. You'll also find games and office software.
If you don't like the browser that comes with your Linux distribution, download Firefox, which works on Windows, Mac or Linux systems. While there is no version of Microsoft Office for Linux, you can download Open Office, a free suite of programs that includes a spreadsheet, word processor, slide show creator and database. It will even create files that are compatible with Microsoft Office programs. While you may not find a Linux version of your favorite Windows-based software package, there is an abundance of free software written for Linux. Check out the Tucows repository or Freshmeat and browse around.
As Linux is constantly being updated, it is becoming more plug and play friendly. Software drivers for components and peripherals are becoming easier to find, so most hardware works just fine with Linux. The downside is that sometimes support for new hardware lags behind Windows. But vendors are keenly aware that Linux is growing fast, so you can expect that gap to close quickly in the future.
Linux can be fun for those that like to delve a bit deeper into the innards of their computer system. Full access to the source code lets curious programmers see how the operating system works. And the Linux command line, although it can be daunting, is a powerful thing of beauty once it is mastered. Check out my LowFat Linux tutorial to learn more about Linux commands.
Linux offers unparalleled stability in a secure environment. At the very least, knowing you have the choice to run an OS other than Windows or Mac gives you freedom from the onslaught of marketing and the option of being master of your own computing destiny. Got questions or comments about switching from Windows to Linux? Post your thoughts below.
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Posted by Bob Rankin on April 12, 2007 01:24 AM
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Article information: AskBobRankin -- Switching From Windows To Linux (Posted: April 12, 2007 01:24 AM)
Source: http://askbobrankin.com/switching_from_windows_to_linux.html
Copyright © 2005 - Bob Rankin - All Rights Reserved
Most recent comments on "Switching From Windows To Linux"
(See all 23 comments for this article.)Posted by:
Fortuna
30 Apr 2007
Bob, you've got a great newsletter, but I disagree on your opinion on Linux. Microsoft is behind Ubuntu, so (a) Ubuntu gets press (because Microsoft promotes the coverage), (b) Ubuntu is designed to give would-be Linux users a terrible experience with Linux -- installation failures, slow operation, lack of really good applications, difficulty uninstalling. Indeed, Windows IS better than Ubuntu Linux -- by design.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Microsoft controls Ubuntu, and makes it bad on purpose? Quit your day job, you could make it big as a comedian!
Posted by:
Catweassel
05 May 2007
I made the switch to Linux over three years ago and have never looked back. Not only the savings in money and time on using a secure and stable system, but also the great satisfaction in being an *active* computer user, capable of controlling my own computer environment; rather than a *passive* user, dependent upon the whims of Microsoft and their partners in crime, Symantec, for the latest patches (botches).
Linux is based on the Unix filesystem and security model (root password protection). From the outset it was designed as a multiuser system so was well-equipped to deal with the problems of Internet security.
DOS and Windows were originally conceived for standalone single-user PCs - hence Internet security was always a bolt-on rather than a built-in.
Posted by:
ramseyle
08 May 2007
You mention installing the various products - one thing I found impressive is the suite that comes installed, and the inate ability of the OS to know about and be able to install so many other tools. For example, I thought OpenOffice was installed by default. And the Mozilla browser was just a click away in the installation interface. And through this same interface, all types of applications (both free and purchased) can be managed. A very well thought out environment.
Posted by:
Quaid J Surti
16 May 2007
Thanks Bob for excellent resources that you provide us all. The best thing to happen to Internet is your TourBus and making resources understood to all its riders over past several years.
Posted by:
mark
19 May 2007
i use suse 10.2 Bob, and is it safe not to have antivirus on a linux machine? i have seen free real time scanners offered by bitdefender.com for example, but do i really need to run a scan once in awhile? i mean, i do get fearful with all these viruses being created daily and it make me feel unsecure on a linux box sometimes. let me know what you think! thanks for any guidance. Mark
EDITOR'S NOTE: Anti-virus software is not common on Linux machines, but as they grow in popularity, virus writers will target them more. (Same applies to Macs) I'd run an occasional scan...
Posted by:
Gordon lee
18 Dec 2008
Sir, Is it possible to obtain a list of software that can be installed on Linux? For instance "Nero" which we use now has a version that is Linux compatible. Is "Sound Forge" compatible? We use "Firefox" as our browser and we know that also is OK, what about others.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Gordon, there are thousands of Linux software packages. Here's one starting point: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_open_source_software_packages
Posted by:
Graham
20 Dec 2008
Very interested in scrapping windows and starting over w/ linux. I am, however, not the best w/ computers. What do I do to keep the stuff I want to keep - music, programs, etc. Can I run i-tunes and other basic programs thru linux? (vlc, etc.) What do I do - just download the distributor I want and then delete windows? Kind of a scary thought to the uninitiated...Thanks for any info - is there a big online tutorial on what exactly to do?
EDITOR'S NOTE: I would recommend that you install Linux (Ubuntu will probably be a good choice for you) in a separate partition, with dual boot, so you can boot up either WIndows or Linux. You can access your Windows partition (and thereby all your files) from Linux. You'll find there are decent replacements for most/all of your Windows programs supplied with Ubuntu. If/when you decide to stick with Linux, you can delete the Windows files.
Posted by:
Dan
08 Jan 2009
I've been playing with Ubuntu Linux for a little while now and am just getting into switching from IIS web server in Windows to Apache in Linux.
For my own personal computing purposes, because I have so much software for Windows I'll continue to use that, but I know in my mind that there's got to be a better solution for a web server than IIS. The only problem is I'm so used to managing my web pages with FrontPage that when I switch over to Linux all of that will disappear.
I like creating web forms and using PHP and MySQL - all of this can be done on Linux as well but I don't know what kind of tool to use for creating these applications. Any recommendations?
Posted by:
Aidan
19 Feb 2009
Hello there!
I've been using Linux for the last few years parallel with Windows. A few months ago I bought a new laptop, with which I was forced to buy Vista. I have never used Vista previous to this, and had a great deal of difficulty with it, so I eventually uninstalled the whole lot, reformatted my hard drive, and installed Mandriva Linux, which is my preferred distro. I have now been running Linux exclusively for the last 3 months, and am perfectly happy with it. It is more stable, and more reliable.
I am a little surprised that you have not mentioned Mandriva Linux in your article, Bob. I have tried various different distros over the past few ears, but have not found anything to compare with the ease of installation and intuitive design of Mandriva. Here I am thinking very much in the way of wireless network (including the availability of ndiswrapper, so you can use Windows drivers if necessary), which is a great deal easier to set up in Mandriva than Ubuntu, and the administrator tools in Mandriva are collected in one place, and presented in a way that makes the operating system easy to configure.
It was impossible for me to buy a computer without having to pay for an operative system that I didn't want (as far as I know, I can't even sell it on to someone else without the computer). Isn't it about time laws were passed to prevent computer producers from forcing customers to buy operating systems that they don't want - or any other software for that matter?
Posted by:
arthur pepe
02 Jun 2010
changen windows 98 t0 linux is because can not get virous putcion or get hardware or software or support for windows will not spend hundres of$ for a computer today be gone tomorow will not buy another computer tomorow 3years from now