Welcome to the world of Linux!
January 7th, 2006Ok, I finally did it! Actually, I did it last week, but I’m only writing up on it now. I’ve installed the Linux OS (Operating System) on my (ahem) new 80GB Hard Disk. I finally found/have an Operating System that is totally and legally mine, no strings attached. Something not pirated, something not bought. Something NOT Micro$oft Windows. Ok, so what’s this all about? Though not necessary, I feel the need to jot down my justifications for the sudden switch. Btw, I’m typing this on my Kubuntu Linux OS. ^_^
I’ve read about Linux for some time now, a few years actually, amd usually with the words “Red Hat” preceding it. I just thought, “oh, it’s just another software fad” or “just another OS like Windows or the one for Mac” (don’t recall the actual name of the OS back then). Bu, boy, was I soooo wrong. Coz here’s Linux again, and this time making big headlines in the computing industry. But more on that some other time.
My real introdcution to Linux came through my discovery of Blender, a FREE 3D modeling suite, almost as powerful as the propriety (meaning, $$$) software like 3D Studio Max, Maya, and Lightwave. Yeah, can you believe it? A really good 3D program, and it’s absolutely FREE! This is all thanks to what is being called the “Free/Open Source Software” Movement or FOSS, another big headliner in the computer world, which I will write about some other time. Just to make it short, FOSS programs allow users to use, study, modify, and distribute the software for free. As I was searching for a cheap and legal alternative to 3DS Max and company, I stumbled on Blender and gave it a few days trial. Though it wasn’t as easy to use as the big three that I mentioned, it was certainly everything i was hoping for: powerful, lightweight (installer is less than 10MB), and free. Now I can make 3D artwork, show it around, without worry of being accused of using pirated/hacked software. But this isn’t about Blender. This is about Linux.
The concept of open source quickly sucked me in. The concept of a free, modifiable software attracted me, who is/was a frustrated programmer. So began my search for open source alternatives to the usual things that we have: GIMP for photoshop, OpenOffice for M$ Office, Firefox for Internet Explorer, and so much more! Then I began thinking, “could there be an open source, and free, alternative to Windows?” Lo, and behold! Thanks to Google, I met Linux. And my whole software life changed. So what is Linux? Simply speaking, Linux itself is a kernel (the part of an operating system that talks directly to the processor) started by a college student in the early 90’s. It has evolved to be one of the most flexible, robust, most secure OS around. I have a few reasons why I chose to start switching to Linux:
- It’s open source and free. Who says you need big bucks to have something with quality?
- Being open source, it is tested by more people in so many ways/situations, that any bugs/errors are spotted out and corrected immediately, almost faster than other closed source/propriety software.
- It’s a labor of love. Since it is free, people who work on it are volunteers, driven by passion and a desire to improve, not by profits. Although it could also be a bad thing, at least you are sure that whoever is working behind this is not someone who’s out to get your money.
- It’s more flexible and customizable compared to M$ Windows. Sure you have icons, themes, and wallpapers in Windows, but you can only do so much. You want real customization with Windows? You need to BUY stuff like WindowsBlinds, Desktop X, etc. Why couldn’t Windows have its own way to customize its own looks? In Linux, you can do stuff like transparent taskbars and windows for free. In short, Linux gives you power over your computer.
- Linux gives you power, and part of this power comes from knowledge. Windows has practically shielded every aspect of the computer behind colorful windows and wizards, turning many PC users into mindless point-and-click zombies. Sure, you just want to type your documents, without any hassle. Then maybe you should stick with Windows. But the moment something goes wrong with your computer, you’re gonna be lost. Linux is made in such a way that you will learn some things about your computer. And that is always a good thing.
- It takes some power off Microsoft’s monopoly. Yep, anti-Microsoft feeling here. But it’s not the main reason, and only the last. Don’t get me wrong. I liked Microsoft back then, a small company making innovations to the computer world. Unfortunately, they seem to have lost the “innovating” part and have jumped to some other bad stuff. I won’t even begin to discuss them here.
Whew! 6 Reasons to switch to Linux. But the choice to switch to Linux involves many other choices as well, choices that can frighten anyone switching from Windows. There are many distributions or “flavors” of Linux out there. There are also many Desktop Environments to choose from. In Windows, everything is spoonfed. There is only one. In Linux, YOU have the choice. It’s scary, but when you make the choice, you will feel content. It’s like what they say, you only value the things worked hard for. This is part of the power that Linux gives.
So among the different choices, I chose Kubuntu, a Linux distribution that comes with the KDE (K Desktop Environment) and is part of the Ubuntu family of Linux OS. Here are my reasons why:
- Absolutely free. Unlike some distributions, Ubuntu/Kubuntu has no enterprise or propriety versions. What you get/download is the full thing. Heck they will even ship it to you for free!
- It comes in one CD. Yep can you believe it? Just ONE CD, for a powerful Operating System. Others require you to download 3-5 CDs. Even for someone on ADSL like me (256 kbps), that is still quite a lot.
- It has a Philippine user base. It’s the only one that has it’s own thread in the PCX forums. Heck, the Ubuntu Forums has its own Pinoy thread.
- From what I’ve read, Ubuntu is currently one of the most popular distributions around. I normally don’t always go with the flow. But being a popular distro means a huge user base, and possibly some good community support. And as i’ve read the official forums, I’m being proven right. I haven’t seen any flame thread, yet…
- I also chose KDE over GNOME because I found KDE to be nicer in terms of looks. but purely on looks… I have yet to try using GNOME later, and maybe Xfce, which they say is a lot faster.
So there you have it folks, my reasons for going over to the lighter side of the world. Now to do some reading about Linux. I’m giving myself another 1-2 weeks to get settled in, and tweak it to my heart’s content. Then I’m moving onwards to my ultimate goal: 3D Computer Graphics!
Just some small updates, while I'm trying to get off my ass and migrate the site completely to Textpattern.
January 24th, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I switched to Ubuntu linux about a year ago ago and am still in love with it. Your reasons for switching are very similar to my own. For a long time I dual booted but now I run a VMware server within linux with a Winxp install for my Iriver Clix. I found your site while searching for an easy way to compile Kvirc for Ubuntu 6.06 LTS. The repository version is out dated and I wanted the newer version. Glad I stumbled onto your site. Thanks for great reading. -Dominic
January 26th, 2007 at 7:04 am
Thanks for taking time to read. I wonder why my site came up in your search, tough.
Some of my reasons for using Linux have changed over the past year that I’ve been using it. Some have remained the same. I don’t know whether the changes are for the better or more correct, but I’d like to believe so. Maybe one of these days I could blog about my current reasons for staying in Linux…
September 25th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
[...] thinking?!) from the Philippines. I’m practically a Linux/KDE/Free Software baby, having only started using Linux in January of 2006. Kubuntu was my first distro, and it still is my distro of choice. I’ve [...]
September 25th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
[...] thinking?!) from the Philippines. I’m practically a Linux/KDE/Free Software baby, having only started using Linux in January of 2006. Kubuntu was my first distro, and it still is my distro of choice. I’ve [...]