Perhaps I’m a Linux newb – but I don’t think so. What is the definition of a “Linux Newb”?
Learning Linux is like learning anything. The more you know the more you know you don’t know. Right?
For the past 4 years I’ve been in a conflicting relationship. My work environment was 100% Linux. My home environment was 100% Windows.
I’d never really used Linux prior to this job (which since I’ve moved on from) so the overwhelming command-line interface was tedious…at first.
I have experience with Fedora, RHEL, CentOS then Kubuntu. In that order. There are pros and cons to both operating systems and anyone who suggests otherwise is a fanboy fool. The real problem arises in that what is a pro to one person might be a con to another.
The first question you should ask yourself is: What do I want to do on the computer?
The categorization of pros and cons should become more clear if you can effectively answer that question.
Do you like to play video games? Does your computer experience tend to be over 80% video game play and 20% browsing Facebook?
If you answered yes, go Windows and don’t look back.
For any other use of computers the suggestion for operating systems comes down to a matter of taste. Is there anything that one operating system can do what the other can’t? Yes, but those situations are so few and far between they can’t really be used to support one OS over another. In fact, if you have ever run into a situation where one OS offered a service you needed that couldn’t be found on another OS then you’re already in a position to decide which OS you need.
An example of this might be real-time processing. Windows does not allow access to system level commands at a “real-time” level. Again, if you are doing real-time software development you probably already know which OS you need/prefer.
As a general comparison I’m going to lay some “new to Linux” issues you would run into compared to Windows.
Ease Of Setup
Although there are certain distributions of Linux that have become more user-friendly Windows is still easier to setup.
Customization
Linux takes the cake here. Windows has very limited customization while Linux can be customized to do anything that is actually possible. Here is the kicker though: How much time do you want to spend trying to figure out how to force the Num Lock key to stay on when you boot up? How much time do you want to spend installing a video driver? How much time do you want to spend setting up a C++ IDE?
Sure, Linux is customizable like the day is long but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s convenient. How hard is it to push the Num Lock key when you need it? Why not just rely on the GeForce drivers distributed by Nvidia? (without having to sudo apt-get some 3rd party software then sudo init 1 to kill X but only after you’ve cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf.backup so you can recover if you screw up…it goes on and on…yeah, it’s not easy).
In the sense of brute customization Linux wins but be prepared to brute force your way to those nifty customizations.
Cost
Obviously Windows is more expensive than Linux. This argument, to me, is the most shallow. Consider this: Linux is open source. Well, duh…but what does that mean? No accountability whatsoever. Yeah, if something shits the bed while you’re using it you are fucked unless you have the know-how to fix the problem or are patient enough to spend hours browsing forums searching for a fix. Or, god forbid, finding an unknown bug and relying on forum discussions in order to come up with a fix.
I’m sorry but my time is valuable to me. If I have to search on the Internet to solve every problem/question I have about Linux that time adds up. After how many hours would it have been more constructive for me to just buck up $100 and buy Windows?
It’s not uncommon to spend an hour trying to get dual monitors to work in Linux. If you are in Windows your video card will recognize there are two monitors and you just have to click a button to configure it. In Linux you have to edit text files in dusty corners of the OS in order to configure it.
Is it harder to type a few lines into a text file than to navigate a few menus/windows to find a configuration window? No. It is harder to track down where the fuck that file is because there is absolutely no indication that such a file is accessed, exists or is necessary for your dual monitor needs.
The cost of Linux may not be monetary but you can be sure it’ll cost you a fuck load of time.
Development
By development I’m referring to coding, scripting and processing. You know, programming stuff (databases, C++, PHP, Java, etc).
It’s very difficult to argue against MS Visual Studios. I’m not a huge fan but I must admit it’s well refined, well supported and well documented. The IDE is as good as anything out there – and it’s free!
Why do I prefer development in Linux? Probably because it’s what I’m used to. The potential efficiency with Linux offers a bit of spice to this discussion. Consider a tedious task of moving files around from folder to folder. Sure you can write a program in Windows to do the job but I think you’ll find it easier to complete the task in Linux using some form of scripting.
One might argue that a Python script in Windows is the same as a Python script in Linux. Yes, but have fun installing Cygwin and a truck load of other programs to provide the back-end needed to properly support Python and other programming languages. Linux comes with all that stuff built in. If by some chance it’s not there a simple sudo apt-get python will fix the problem.
There are so many situations I could discuss that it’s just loony. In the end it really comes down to what you want to do with your OS. You want to customize and design programs to share with other people? Clearly Linux is your answer. You want minimal interfacing and just like to play games and browse the Internet? Clearly Windows is your answer.
Here’s another fun issue you’ll have if you decide to go with Linux. Which distribution should you get? hahahaha…have fun spending hours deciding that one. (here’s some help – http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/)
We’ve all heard conservative people express themselves without the use of profanity. “Gosh darn, poop!” Seriously? We all know what you mean and intent is the only thing that carries with it any moral weight. Just say “God damned, shit!” lest you expose yourself as a hypocrite.
Several weeks ago a few of us got together and watched the movie Gamer. The premise of the movie revolves around the media of the future. It addresses the future of the Internet, how society will work and advances in media control. The main focus of the movie is the plight of a death row inmate who is offered freedom if he can survive a series of death matches where a user controls him like a gaming avatar.
I’ve recently joined the social networking site Facebook. My reluctance was matched only by my regret. The initial reaction was that I could finally maintain some measure of interesting conversation between friends that I probably wouldn’t otherwise have access to. I’m not much of a ‘phone’ guy and rarely, if ever, use them.
There are periods of time in your life where you can distinctly separate yourself as “prior” and “subsequent”. Sometimes these periods are a few days and sometimes they are several months. Sometimes these changes are blatant and obvious and sometimes they are subtle and overlooked. Take, as an example, college. You can very easily see that you were a completely different person prior to attending college than you were when you graduated. The “prior” had expectations, aspirations and ambitions. The “subsequent” had reasoning, knowledge and resolve.
As many of you know I recently got married. Prior to this marriage I had done a great deal of pontification on the subject – as one would expect. I wouldn’t say I ever had ‘cold feet’ but I did have my doubts. Not about my wife (she’s friggin’ awesome, by the way) but rather about the institution of marriage. What is the point?
The capacity of the human mind to understand and appreciate beauty is an amazing trait. Have you ever stopped to wonder why you find something particularly beautiful, fascinating or interesting? The mechanisms at work that are necessary for the mind to comprehend and accept beauty must be quite complicated.
I received an email from a reader suggesting an interesting topic of discussion. Interesting, indeed.
The other day I was having a discussion regarding the merits of a movie. This discussion quickly turned into a friendly debate. Upon the conclusion of this debate I realized a very fundamental assumption had been made by both parties. It’s almost always the case that when two people disagree it’s because of fundamental differences – or because one, if not both, of the debaters don’t understand modal logic. I digress.
I’ve got another fun philosophical question for you. This one has to do with where meaning lies. Several months ago I posed this question to some co-workers. They, of course, stated their answer very quickly and with little deliberation. Upon offering suggestions of an alternative conclusion they flew off the handle claiming it was a stupid question. My utter amazement at the ignorance here in the south – even among educated people – is topped by none. I digress. Now, to the question.