From Windows to Linux
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The Transformation
I have always really enjoyed computers. I guess in part I owe this to my mother, who instead of buying a Nintendo bought a computer. The first computer I used was an old Apple, which I believe was an Apple III. We had a huge stack of 5 ½ inch floppy disks that contained all sorts of games, so I would spend hours playing around or trying to get them to work.
The next computer I got was an Intel 386, which I would still use to play games, but also began doing a little coding using Basic. I never made any really great programs, but it was a good introduction to procedural programming. I guess the biggest achievement was a role playing game a friend and I made. Wolfenstein 3D had just come out and we based the game loosely on the basis of escaping from a castle. It was a basic RPG, which was probably a lot more fun to build than it was to actually play.
For the next ten or so years, I would continue to use and experiment with computers, while using pretty much every flavor of Microsoft OS. Moving from DOS to Windows 3.1 then to Windows 95, I became an avid Microsoft user and supporter. I would staunchly defend Windows, blindly supporting their products and defending them to the hilt.
I got my first taste of Linux in 2005, which is also when I built my first web site. I decided I wanted to host the site on my own, so I set up an Ubunutu server. Using a command line system, I set up Apache and Bind, in a chrooted environment. This was an excellent introduction, to the Linux environment, but I was still running XP on my personal computer.
Due to my work, I stopped working on my site, but continued experimenting with Linux. I tried using Gentoo, which worked fine until I updated at which point I broke it, so I switched back to Ubuntu.
After playing around with Ubuntu Server for some time, I finally decided to switch to a dual boot system. This is when you set it up, so you can boot into Windows or Linux. I also set up a Ubuntu Media Center, which I plugged into my TV and used to watch movies and videos.
I had decided to keep Windows, because I was going to school and doing a lot of online classes. The schools website only half worked with Linux and because I was taking online course, I needed to be able to reliably use their site. Slowly I found myself not booting into Windows as much, until I rarely even used it at all. Using FireFox’s UserAgent Switcher, I was able to fool the schools site into thinking I was using a Mac and 95% of it worked. I kept Windows installed until I graduated, but rarely used it. When I did, I found myself dreading having to boot into it.
Prior to using Linux, I was probably what you would call a Windows Fanboy. Since then I have evolved. I can certainly appreciate what Microsoft has done and their contributions to the computer industry, but I can also see the faults that riddle their system and their business model.
Now, the only time I use Windows is when I am doing tech support and fixing peoples computers. I don’t think that it is completely ready for the mainstream yet, but it is getting there and Ubuntu, with its great user support, has really made a difference. I think that most tech savvy people would be able to use it and would probably really like it.
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Comments
Thanks for the Comment Mr. Nice. It is different than windows, that is for sure. Sorry you had trouble.
One of my favorite parts about Linux and Ubunutu is the way that software is installed. If you are unfamiliar with it, it might take some getting used to, but you can literally search for and download software in a matter of seconds. Ubunutu uses the Synaptic Package Manager to provide a GUI for downloading software.
You can access Synaptic by going to System->Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager. From there, you can just do a search for what you need. For instance, you could search for text editor and find a new text editor. There are many other programs available that you can quickly and easily download in this manner.
So the next time you are looking for a firewall, music player, new browser, Java IDE, or pretty much anything you can think of, fire up the Synaptic Package Manager and you can download away.
Hi brad41, thanks for your feedback but I think you over looked my comments. In the very first line I wrote I installed both Ubuntu & Freespire but after using them I didn't like the way the work. I still have both of them on Cd as an ISO image. You also didn't mention any thing about Linux compatibility issues. Well can't compare any thing with Windows. One of my Japanes friend told me they have there own operating system & never had any crashing or virus issues. I know Windows has it's own issues but overall it's good OS. No OS is perfect may be even my Japanese friends OS too.
Mr. Nice, I was responding to your first statement "Installing & uninstalling programs very complicated."
In Ubuntu, it really isn't if you use the Synaptic Package Manager, which I discussed in my post. Pretty much any type of software is available using this easy to use Graphical Interface. However, if you don't know about it, it might be hard to find the Synaptic Package Manager.
This also addresses to an extent your compatibility issues. Say for instance you want to install Zone Alarm, a popular(?) windows firewall. Zone Alarm isn't compatible with Linux, but if you use the Synaptic Package Manager and search for "firewall" or even better visit the Ubuntu User Forums, you will find FireStarter, a popular alternative.
At the risk of dragging on, it is also possible to run many windows programs, like Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer, and many games in Linux. This is done using a program called Wine. Wine allows you to install most windows applications. Using Wine can, however, be a little bit complicated though. If you don't want to bother with setting up Wine, you can purchase CrossOver, which uses Wine to make it very easy to install many games and programs.
This post, the original hub, was simply me sharing my personal journey from Windows to Linux. Linux is not for everyone and I went so far as to say that I didn't think it was quite ready for the mainstream yet in my original post.
Thanks again for your comments and feedback Mr Nice, I am sorry you did not have a good experience with Linux the first time you tried it.
Why bother installing Synaptic Package Manager & then FireStarter & wine. I am very happy with Win XP I just wanted to let you know my experience.
"I am very happy with Win XP I just wanted to let you know my experience."
That is great, thanks for sharing. Finding an OS you like and learning to use it is imperative and I applaud you for trying something new, even if it wasn't for you. I simply wanted to address the concerns you presented in your first and subsequent comments.
"Why bother installing Synaptic Package Manager & then FireStarter & wine."
Synaptic Package Manager is already installed in Ubuntu, I don't know if it is included with FreeSpire though.
As far as Wine goes, I would advise against installing it at first anyway, because there typically isn't a need. I just wanted to point out that if there were a mission critical program or game only made for Windows, you could probably get it working if you had too.
One more note about Synaptic, even if you do have to install it, having a program where you can literally download anything from card games to high level programming tools and everything in between is a powerful resource in any OS.
So to more clearly address your question; "Why bother installing Synaptic Package Manager?" I would say that the reason to install it is that it provides a simple easy to use graphical interface for downloading software. As with most things Linux, it is possible to use the command line, but Synaptic Package Manager provides a Kaza like experience, but with 100% legal software.
Anyway, figured I would add that. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts.
hi nice hub.
i am using linux from 6 years first i was using redhat with windows. But from last 8 months i am using ubuntu and loving it. I didnt install windows on my pc at all from last 8 months.
Mr Nice says:
6 months ago
I was very curious about Linux and finally I installed Ubuntu & Freespire. Both of them not easy to use, Installing & uninstalling programs very complicated. Even running programs is not easy. Not compatible with lots of programs. I am a freeware lover & I love windows because there are no compatibility issues. I uninstalled both the linux OS after trying.