This is why I Linux
Linux is freedom
Mac is owned by Apple, Windows is owned by Microsoft, but Linux is owned by the community. When your computer runs Linux, you own your own operating system. There is no external authority standing between your computer and you. Anything that you want to change, you can change, because you own the entire thing. Linux is freedom.
What is Linux
Windows is an operating system, if you have a non-Apple computer you likely have Windows. If you have a Mac, then you have the macOS operating system. However, Linux is not an operating system. Linux is a kernel, upon which, many flavors of Linux operating systems have been built on. Android is a very popular OS for mobile phones that is based on Linux. Unfortunately, Android is incompatible with most Linux software. Regardless, If you have used a kiosk at a store, or an airport, or a train station, there is a good chance that it was also Linux. Your smart TV might have Linux, your car might use Linux, in fact the infotainment system in a Tesla is built on Linux. Linux is most famous for being the backbone of the Internet. Most of the web runs on Linux servers. This post, however, is not about Linux servers used on the web, but the Linux desktop OS used on personal computers.
Why I Left Windows
Windows is a fantastic OS, my first computer was Windows and I have used Windows for roughly half of my computing life. However, my experience with Windows ME and Vista really soured my image of Windows and opened my eyes to some of its limitations. So many people use Windows, that there really isn't an incentive to innovate and improve. There is no great urge to win over new users, as Windows is already the default that most people go to without realizing that other options exist. Windows does make changes, but very little of it is driven by what customers are actually asking for. Linux, however, is full of people looking for new ways to do things. I am an explorer and I like change, I always want to discover new things. If you are as curious as I am, then there is a lot in the world of Linux to discover.
The Linux Advantage
Being open-source, Linux is transparent, allowing users to correct unwanted behavior without hidden obstacles. It’s free to use, meaning you can install it on as many devices as you want without worrying about software licenses. Linux offers extensive customization options—you can change the desktop compositor, create a spinning 3D cube effect, or customize the login screen with animations and images. With support for multiple virtual desktops and various window tiling managers, you can optimize your workspace, especially on wide-screen or multi-monitor setups, to maximize screen real estate.
Regarding performance, once you have a functional Linux system, you might not need another hardware upgrade. Linux's support for older hardware is unmatched. As long as your hardware is functional, Linux will run efficiently on it. Linux systems are secure by default, with options to enhance or reduce security based on your needs. While lowering security is generally not advisable, it can be done for the sake of convenience. The Linux community is vast, offering extensive support through forums and online resources whenever you need help.
Privacy is another significant advantage of Linux. Since you own the operating system, you control how much of your activity is visible to the outside world. You can choose distributions focused on privacy and even purchase hardware with such operating systems to maximize your privacy. You don't have to allow ads, voice assistants, tracking software, or usage statistics unless you want to. However, you must remain cautious about the websites you visit and the software you install. Overall, your exposure to malicious or privacy-invading software will be significantly reduced.
Installing Linux
Most computer users have never installed an operating system before, however, to experience Linux you almost have to. I say almost, because there are companies like System76, Dell, and others that will sell you a computer with Linux pre-installed. Unfortunately, if you really want to explore the breadth of possibilities on Linux, you really need to install it. Thankfully, this process has become so much simpler over the years.
Proceed With Caution
Unfortunately, there are risks, not all hardware is compatible with Linux and installing a new OS could result in you losing your data. Fortunately, Linux is constantly improving its hardware compatibility, and if you back up your old system, then you can always use that to return it to its original state. Personally, I like backing up to an external hard drive or a secondary internal hard drive on a desktop. However you backup your system, make certain that you know how to restore it. Thankfully, both Windows and Mac now have backup solutions built in, so you might want to start there.
The Command Line Interface
Despite many advances in Linux, when things go wrong, or you want something outside the default, you will need to be familiar with the command line interface or CLI. The command line can be daunting to users who are used to pointing and clicking on everything they want. However, becoming comfortable with the command line grants the incredible power to manipulate anything in the OS. Consider it the ultimate toolbox, you may not need it often, but knowing how to use it will make you much more self-reliant. You do not need to be a command line expert to use Linux, and for many uses you can ignore it entirely. However, I still recommend trying to learn what you can.
To that end, here are some beginner-friendly resources:
- Ubuntu: Command Line For Beginners Tutorial
- William Shotts: The Linux Command Line
- How To Geek: 10 Basic Linux Commands
Choose Your Flavor
As stated previously, Linux is not an OS, Linux is a kernel. There are many flavors of Linux, typically referred to as "distros" and those are the OS's. So to install Linux, you must first decide which Linux you want to install. Unfortunately, this part is where many Linux beginners are overwhelmed. There are lots of flavors of Linux, according to TrueList there are 600 active Linux distributions as of February 17, 2024. You may not be able to explore all of that, so to get you started, here are my top three recommendations: Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora. I am partial to Ubuntu, but I particularly use the KDE variation of Ubuntu called KDE Neon, although there is a more "Ubuntu-like" variation called Kubuntu. Regardless, KDE is more suited for "power users," but I still consider it beginner-friendly as it's very Windows-like in appearance. For people used to Windows, KDE will feel less alien. You can learn more about these distros here:
Once you have picked a distro, you can download the "live" ISO image needed to install it. The websites listed above should be able to direct to the appropriate download pages.
Create a Live USB
Now that you have the ISO, you will need a way to install it. While this can be done by DVD, most people use USB's these days. You will need a USB drive with at least 4 GB of space for most distros, although it can't hurt to have more. You will also need the software to transfer the ISO image to the USB. If you are on Windows you can use Rufus and on Mac there is Etcher.
Install Your OS
To install the "live" OS image on your USB drive, you will need to reboot your computer with the USB drive plugged in. For some systems, you may also need to enter your BIO/UEFI settings to change the boot order so that you can boot from a USB drive. You may have to refer to your computer's manual for instructions on how to do this. On many systems the option to boot from a USB only appears if you repeatedly press F6, F8, F10, or F12 while the system reboots. Once you have booted from the USB drive, you will be presented with options to install your Linux OS or even test it out before you make any changes. Additionally, many Linux distributions offer a "dual boot" feature that will allow you to continue using your current OS whenever you want. However, you will need a sufficient amount of free storage space for this option. If you do not choose to dual boot, understand that the installation process will remove your previous operating system and files. This means that everything will be erased, thankfully, your backups will still be safe.
Installing Over An Old Linux
However, if you choose to install Linux over a previous Linux installation, there are ways to preserve your old files without using a backup. The quickest such solution is to put your ~/home folder on a separate partition and then include that partition in your new installation. Unfortunately, doing this may carry over settings files that could cause compatibility issues and errors. Trying to figure out which configuration files you can keep, and which you should delete can be challenging. My usual solution is to delete all the hidden folders under ~/home that I do not need.
Settling In To Linux
Linux has inspired me with so many choices, the freedom to configure my OS, the ability to decide what software I allow running on my own computer. One such example is the freedom to not run Anti-Virus (AV) software. Although some Linux users still run AV, the risks of virus infections are much lower on Linux. Regardless, leaving Windows did come with costs. Much of my gaming activities had to move to consoles until Steam finally came around and built an incredible library of Linux compatible games. These days many of the most popular games run surprisingly well on Linux with minimal fuss. Outside of gaming, there are occasional compatibility issues with productivity software. For example, most Adobe software famously does not run on Linux, and Microsoft Office only works in the browser on Linux. Fortunately, many alternatives exist. Here are some of my favorite applications on Linux:
Office Software for documents and spreadsheets
Graphics Software
Video Editing
Multimedia
Gaming
Writing
Further Resources
Given the smaller influence of Linux on the overall computing market, there will be many times when things simply do not work with it. Oftentimes the issue simply comes down to companies not wanting to participate, and some will actively block support on Linux for various reasons. Regardless, the Linux community is vast and full of answers to nearly any problem you may encounter. Here are some of the best resources for troubleshooting issues with Linux:
Conclusion
Switching to Linux can be a huge undertaking and may even take years of exposure to really supplant your Mac or Windows needs. However, the benefits of freedom, control, and customization just might be worth it for you. Even if you do not convert, the journey alone will expose you to new ways to use your computer and new ideas about what computing can be. The world of Linux is filled with wonder and experimentation, and within you will find things that do not exist anywhere else. So I urge you to give it a spin, and see what you can discover for yourself. Good luck!