Linux: Why you should care

Because Microsoft Will Eat Your Soul

Published on March 24, 2005 By azdruid In OS Wars

Most computer users today know Windows as the ubiquitous software that resides on every machine they touch. They are simply content to pay Microsoft every couple years and comply with restrictive activation crap and other MS bloat. There is an alternative, however, that has in my opinion recently reached "Windows-replacement" quality. That would be Linux.

Please take a moment to note: This is now the third revision of this article. I am going to try to feed this information to you in metered doses, because there is SO MUCH information about Linux. I will attempt to concentrate on newbie-specific aspects first and then move on to the more awesome stuff.
It might be worth noting that I myself am a relatively new to Linux myself, so I can identify with any What The Hell Is This attitudes you may have.

Linux is a "free speech, not free beer" operating system. This essentially means that while the Linux source code is freely available, it also means that it is perfectly okay for people to change Linux and charge you for it (as long as they give you the source code.) Why does this matter? You have to pay $300 for Windows XP Pro. You have to pay $0 for a really nice version of Linux. Interested?

On the whole, Linux has only recently reached the status, in my opinion, of being able to directly compete with Windows. Linux is offered in distribution form. A distribution is a collection of software that a company or group of people have put together in a certain way. Pretty much all "distros" include an installer, and common programs like image editors and file managers to help the migration to Linux. Some are free, some aren't. Let's take a VERY quick look at some newbie friendly distros:

Mandrakelinux (Link) - A classic. Mandrake is very mature and has weathered the years well. You can get Mandrake for free, or you can join their Club for a price and get them to stop nagging you. Myself I have not tried Mandrake because I never found the need, but I hear it is a very good starter distro and is ranked number one on Distrowatch.

Ubuntu (Link) - A derivitave of Debian (a poweruser distro). Ubuntu may have a funny name, but it is VERY, VERY good. Did you catch that? In part 2, because I use Ubuntu and recommend you do to, I will cover the installation and basic use of it. And oh yes....it's totally free. 100%.

Xandros (Link) - A commercial distribution that requires a lot of money to be forked over. Billed as a Windows replacement, it has a lot of nice migration features like a Windows Explorer (My Computer) clone. I wouldn't pay $70 for it when I can get Ubuntu for free.

So, why should you care about Linux enough to consider putting Windows aside? Let's cover a few major points:

- You can get it for free. Legally.
- APT. I will explain what APT is later. It's worth a bulletpoint though.
- Awesome tech support.
- Infinitely customizable without having to pay a single cent.
- Bragging rights.
- If you are a computer geek, you get to look REAL good.

Let's talk about choice. It's basically the tagline for Linux, as you are of course choosing something other than Windows. The biggest choice you will have to make though, is your distribution and your Desktop Environment. On Windows, the look of the Desktop, Taskbar, Startmenu, and programs are all pretty much uniform. If you can use one Windows computer, you can use them all. It's a little different on Linux. Most distributions choose to use either the KDE or GNOME desktop environment. A DE is a collection of graphical programs that handle functions like menus, taskbars, and day-to-day tasks like graphic viewing and file management. I like KDE better because I find it easier and it offers a very good help system.

- So you can get it for free. That's a pretty big incentive. And free updates? No problem
- Know what Windows Update is? Well, imagine being able to update ALL the software on your computer simply by typing in "apt-get upgrade". That's pretty cool. (Note, this only works on Debian and Debian based systems. Will explain more later)
- There is, I believe, and infinite amount on Linux forum sites. The best one I have found is LinuxQuestions, where you can get help even if you are drooling
- If you don't like the way something is in Linux, you really do have the ability to change it. Most superficial changes can be done from a GUI as well.
- There's something special about not being tied to a corporation.

Another cool feature of Linux is LiveCDs. You can just burn a Live disc and be able to run a full featured Linux system without having to put anything at all on your hard drive. It is testing bliss. Most good distros offer Live versions.

If I have caught your interest at any point here, I couldn't recommend Kubuntu Linux more. Kubuntu IS Ubuntu Linux, but with a KDE desktop (vanilla Ubuntu uses GNOME). The current version of [K]ubuntu is 5.04 "Hoary Hedgehog" Preview. So go download a LiveCD, and try it out.

Next time: Installation and Basic Use

Comments (Page 1)

kona0197

on Mar 25, 2005

I've tried Fedora Core 3 and might be heading back to it soon. Linux has grown alot since I last used it.

By the way - apt-get works on Fedora as well. But it has to be installed first. Keep in mind I believe Fedora is Red-Hat based.

coffee is overrated

on Mar 25, 2005

All the features are cool, but they do not matter if I can't even install Linux. I am a newbie in Linux. I tried to install Suse 9.2, and I can tell it was a very frustrating experience. I don't know why but only to get to the "Select Language" screen, it took me half an hour. And guess what, after waiting for about seven hours, I finally got to the last step: graphic device configuration. But when I did that, my PC did not respond and I had to reboot it.

My PC then rebooted to Suse, but it does not go to the installation anymore. It showed a login box and many error message boxes. In effect, I had to delete the partition and restart installation from the beginning. But ever since then, the installation just could not find the files that are needed for the installation. I have two CD drives that are working properly in XP. I also have tried getting different copies of Suse and try them on both drives. Still didn't work, although it did work the FIRST time.

I really don't think the problem is with my PC, well at least Linux should work under this specification. P4 2.8 Ghz Hyper Threading, 1GB DDR, 160 GB SATA + 80 GB ATA, Radeon 9200 Graphic Card.

I never had any problem with installing Windows before. So anyhow... from my experience it's more likely that Linux will eat my soul rather than MS.

Island Dog

on Mar 25, 2005

Linux is ok, but it is in no way ready for the average user.

thomassen

on Mar 25, 2005

I tried a LiveCD of Linspire 4.5. I'm interested because I'm curious towards most thing withing the computer world. But there is not Linux yet that let me run 3D Studio Max for instance or even quite a few of the other 3D software. I'm sure there are some 3D software out for linux, but I have yet to hear about anything to mach what's running on Windows. (And you can't run your StarDock products on Linux.

)
In addition, you don't get that many games delevoped for Linux. I'm a big gamer so that's a biggie as well for me. Yes I know there are games made for Linux, but GTA San Andreas?
And then it is to see how well Linux will compare when Longhorn ships.

Now, I do belive that Linux works as a very nice alternative for desktop and server use. But yet it's not in the top for all types of professions, like mine for instance.

Btw, how is Linux when it comes to network deployment? I'm not too familiar with that aspect.

azdruid

on Mar 25, 2005

kona - Glad to hear it! I think an FC4 beta is out now, you may want to check up on that. Correct me if I am wrong, but to use APT on non-Debian systems requires apt4rpm, right?

coffee - I too have had problems with SuSE. Their hardware detection layer tends to be either very good, or very bad. That is why, if you are still willing to try Linux, taking a look at [K]ubuntu. It's very userfriendly and while the installation is text-based, that also means there are less ways things can go wrong. You seem to have very standard hardware, and since distributions tend to vary greatly in components like HAL, Ubuntu may work better for you. If you would like a more comprehensive list of distributions, the best place to start is Link. Part 2 of this series will involve a complete walkthrough of a Kubuntu installation, which could help you.

Island dog - Taken a look at the latest Linspire? Five-0? It is a very, VERY newbie friendly distro and even simplifies installation with their Click and Run Warehouse thingy. I consider it a little too noobish, but it would be a good starting point for you.

thomassen - First off, have you heard of Wine? It is a piece of sofware for Linux that aims to provide the ability to run Windows software on Linux. Most programs will at least startup, albeit with reduced functionality. If you are still tethered to Win32, trying to run a couple apps in Wine could help. As for 3D, Google for the apps Blender and POVray and see which you like more.

As for Stardock programs (lets take Windowblinds for example), KDE has the features provided by WB built in, so that invalidates the need for WB. CursorXP-like (PNG) cursors are also native. There are widget engines (DesktopX-like) and ObjectDock clones available for Linux, but I can't recall their names for the moment, sorry. So, Stardock really has no Linux market. Games? Google "Cedega", a commercial Linux app that will run many Windows games quite well, although it costs money. Linux already has many of the features that Microsoft is planning for Longhorn. Network deployment? Excellently, though my experience in this matter is limited. However, no need to pay a site license, as with Windows. One copy: Entire site. I hope this helps you.....

ins11

on Mar 25, 2005

First: Some more formating on the article would be nice

Second: Loved the 'Swallow your soul' quote

Regarding some of the arguments, the tech support etc you get is entirely dependand on which forum you choose to visit, as well as which distribution you choose. Heck, even your language and what time/day will influence the support you receive a lot.

I would suggest to a linux newbie that he first checks out the main page of the distro, and if it looks clean and user friendly, and has easy access to forums,support etc, and cleanly/formatted guides/faq/tech tips.. that he choose that one. Some linux distrubutions have had too much fun making everything complex it is not worth the time and effort with it. And for these reasons, I would recomend Gentoo Linux.

ins11

on Mar 25, 2005

Or even better, buy a AmigaOne.

essjae

on Mar 25, 2005

#6, I agree.

I don't know about awesome tech support...if that means googling for your problem, then searching various Linux forums, creating new accounts for each so you can post a question, then being told you're a noob and to go read the man pages, or that you should use the only REAL distro of Linux, my distro, yours is crap... One of the biggest issues with Linux and Linux users is the elitism of lot of them display, "Oh, Linspire/Xandros/etc, that's too easy, only newbies would use it and helping them isn't worth my time, I only run XXX linux in console mode!"

I think Xandros is worth the money, I've purchased 2, 2.5biz and 3.0, but they also offer a open distribution for free.

My first experience with Unbuntu was horrible. The lack of a GUI installer for Linux now is a major pain and there's not much of a reason for one, (except troubleshooting installs), plus I was never able to get X-Windows working. I'll give Kubuntu a try.

I look forward to your next segment.

relswick

on Mar 26, 2005

your article gives me the inspiration I need to finally get out and make a Linux box, so thank you.

As to Thomassen's comment about gaming, well the more folks out there, who start using Linux, then the more devlopers, who will make games for Linux. Until then, that piece of the pie is just not big enough for people to do that.

BTW, once Microsoft starts requiring registered copies of their product for updates other than Critical Updates, you will see droves of users start to use Linux and finally the world may change.

Rich

MasonM

on Mar 26, 2005

I use Slackware and Gentoo (NOT newbie linux distros) and have been using Linux since the mid 90s.
Another very good newbie friendly distro well worth mentioning is SimplyMepis. It has excellent hardware detection and a very easy GUI installation. It comes on a LiveCD so you can check it out and, if you like it, you can do the HDD installation right from the LiveCD screen by simply ckicking on a desktop icon and answering a few very easy questions.

I gave Ubuntu a try last year and didn't really care for it, but it has really gained popularity. Nothing wrong with it really, just didn't "fit" me.

While Mandrake is very popular it is infamous for being "buggy" as Mandrake likes to tinker with things a bit too much. It's a good, complete distro but I don't know too many who stay with it long after they have learned the basics of Linux.

A couple of points:
Some people are better off using Windoze. Gamers in particular. This is the one area where Windoze has far more support right now. Hopefully that will eventually change.

There are a lot of different Linux distros out there. It's all about choice. Sometimes you have to try a few different ones before you find one that's a good fit.

mrbiotech

on Mar 26, 2005

I'd like to second the recommendation for Fedora Core 3- It really is bleeding-edge software with a great interface. There have been complaints circulated about the graphical installer, but in my hands it performed exceptionally well (and I'm a newb). It's also one of the fullest featured distros I've tried. Instead of the APT system, they use a derivative of YUM which is FANTASTIC!! Imagine using one command-line paramter to update ALL the software under the operating system, including your applications- It's like using Microsoft Update to upgrade Photoshop, Office, and your server software with one command (only it'd be GiMP, OpenOffice instead).

SuSE's also got a great installer, and WINE is included and worked upon install for Photoshop and Illustrator.

Thomassen, with regards to not being able to run Stardock's products- you wouldn't need to: both the Gnome and KDE graphical environments are completely skinnable, in-and-of-themselves. No additional software needed, and most distros even bundle GiMP to get you going making graphics.

The principle caveat? If you wanna tweak your system, you're going to have to do a lot of reading on forums. I'll add, however, that every time I've had a question, it's been answered without condescending remarks or jabs- the Linux community is a pretty fun place. Start-up times can also be a bummer for out-of-the-box installations, but once you get comfortable this can be resolved by compiling your own kernel (try that with Windows).

Good article series, can't wait for the next installment

thomassen

on Mar 26, 2005

I'm not only concerned about skinning and shadows under the windows. Is there anything to match up with DesktopX? Note: not just for making weather widgets and such, but applications.

Solosturm

on Mar 26, 2005

Been using Linux off and on for about 10 years now, and everytime i decide to re-format my PC, i to a linux partition and a win partition. i used to use caldera linux, but they got assimilated in to SCO, so i went 100% mandrake.

Good artical, thanks for trying to bering newbs to the light side, instead of the dark side.

mrbiotech

on Mar 26, 2005

For widgets there's Karamba (if you're running KDE). As far as creating a complete desktop environment from scratch (is this what you mean by "applications?"), like you could with DesktopX, I'm not entirely certain. There are plenty of what would be termed "shell environments" in Windows-speak, but I haven't used one that's completely free-form, as DesktopX.

paxx

on Mar 27, 2005

thomassen, there is Super Karamba (a spin-off of Karamba on steroids), except even that doesn't match DesktopX. It's more comparable to SysMetrix. Not bad at all, but my all means not as power nor as easy to develop widgets for (it uses Python for scripting).

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