If you've read any of my recent posts, you will have noticed a little bit of a trend. I'm once again excited about Linux, after recently acquiring a refurbished laptop with Linux Mint loaded onto it in place of Windows, and subsequently setting up my old Windows laptop as a dual-boot system with Linux Mint alongside Windows. It's quite a surreal experience, though, to be met with blank looks when I try to share my newfound enthusiasm with others. If I'm lucky, I get a question or statement expressing reluctance to consider the subject. In the process, I've found myself attempting to bust certain myths about Linux in an attempt to assuage some of people's fears and misconceptions. Below are nine of those myths (in no particular order) and my, hopefully helpful responses:
Myth #1: I'll have to learn how to use my computer all over again. Not necessarily. Several Linux distributions have interfaces that look very similar to Windows. The best way to begin is to do things in Linux the same way you would in Windows or Mac OS. Chances are that will work.
Myth #2: You have to be a programmer to use Linux. While it is true that many Linux users are programmers, it is not exclusively for programmers. Most popular Linux distributions use a graphical interface by default and user's can point and click, just like in other popular operating systems.
Myth #3: I can't use Linux because I don't know how to use the Terminal. While it can be useful to know a few basic Terminal commands, it definitely isn't a make-or-break proposition. Windows and Mac OS also have command line terminals, into which you can type commands instead of pointing and clicking, and it is equally possible to get a long day-to-day without using them.
Myth #4: If I put Linux on my computer, I'll lose all of my data. This depends on how you install Linux. While installing Linux in place of Windows will erase all existing data, you can easily create a dual-boot system, installing Linux alongside Windows, and leaving 100 percent of what's already on your computer intact.
Myth #5: I might get the 'wrong' Linux. Linux does come in a wide variety of distributions, or distros, with features to appeal to different users' needs. That said, most distros allow one to boot the operating system from a CD or USB drive and effectively take it for a 'test drive' before installing it. Bearing in mind that things will run slower this way, you can still get a good feel for whether you'll like it before you install it. Once you find the one you want, you can install it in place of, or alongside, your existing operating system and enjoy it running to its full potential.
Myth #6: It's too hard to get everything working on Linux. This may well have been the case years ago, when Linux was in its relative infancy and many things like print and WiFi drivers had to be configured manually through the terminal. Today, setup is much more automated and transparent to the end user.
Myth #7: I can't run my favorite apps in Linux. While it may well be true that you can't run the desktop Windows version of your favorite app, there are often viable substitutes and workarounds available; for instance, LibreOffice largely duplicates the functions of Microsoft Office, and GIMP is a useful replacement for Photoshop. Some applications, such as Firefox, Thunderbird, and Zoom, do have Linux versions. Many Windows applications can be run via an emulator called WINE, and Web versions of popular apps abound. The bottom line is, where there's a will, there's likely a way.
Myth #8: I've never used Linux before: Actually, chances are you have. Linux is everywhere, but largely behind the scenes. Most major Websites run on Linux servers, and devices we use every day run on Linux, whether we realize it or not. Two major examples are the Android operating system for smart phones and tablets, and Chrome OS, on which Chromebooks run. Both of these are built on versions of Linux.
Myth #9: Linux is unstable, and therefore dangerous to use. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. A variant of Unix, Linux is very stable, more stable, in fact, than Windows. Users also tend to find Linux runs faster and more efficiently on their computers than the Windows OS that came on them.
No comments:
Post a Comment