Linux - Would you change?

Generally this choice of MS Windows seems to boil down to two main reasons, popular software like MS Office (which many are scared to move away from) and familiarity - that comfort zone that most of us like. This then is helped further by Linux being famous for being only for 'high end users' and 'geeks'.

This combination of the unknown complicated world of Linux and the familiar comfortable world of Windows seems to keep users hooked, despite stability problems, driver issues, viruses, Trojans, spyware ... need I go on. Is it really that scary to change?

With modern Linux systems, there is no need to have a fear of the unknown, as almost everything is managed within a Windows style graphics system. This system has simple menus which use the classic point and click interaction. The days of needing to use command-line programing instructions are gone, although they are still available to be used by more advanced users. Furthermore, the new system looks just like Windows as standard, but can easily be tweaked to be like the popular Mac OS distributions too. The desktop with Linux is graphically very pleasing and amazingly customizable.

If you enable the graphical effects with the Linux program called 'Compiz Fusion', Linux is extremely pleasing on the eye. It makes full use of high speed 3D Windows displays (similar to windows 7), show all Windows (like the Mac corner of the screen movement), minimizing effects, wobbly (jelly) windows and even a 3D desktop cube, to allow you to use 4 or more desktops at the same time (ideal for different tasks and keeping windows organized).

However, many are still holding on to Windows as a 'safety blanket' - for which, I don't blame them. This system is one that many have grown up with and do not want to completely dispose of, despite its many flaws. Fortunately, there is more good news about using Linux ...

Actually, there is no need to completely give up Windows, as Linux and Windows can work perfectly well side-by-side. When most modern Linux systems install, they will normally detect other systems on the computer, offering you the option to run both systems on one computer. Once installed, Linux then presents the user with a boot up screen, on which you can choose to booth up either Linux or Windows. One big benefit of this setup is that if a system dies (Windows or Linux), or you get problems (like a virus, Trojans etc), the other system will continue to work perfectly well, as they are written in different languages and so viruses can't communicate between the two systems.

Some people feel nervous about having a duel boot system. If you are one of these people, then you will be pleased to learn that you can even install Windows inside Linux (or Linux in Windows). There is a free program call 'Virtualbox' which allows you to install Windows inside a Linux system. Once installed, when you open it, Windows will boot up in a single screen, just like any other program - except that it is the entire OS of Windows and all your favorite programs. Furthermore, to test a version of Linux that interests you, many Linux systems offer 'live CDs'. These downloads can work of a CD/DVD or USB to allow you to fully test the system and see if you like it, without making any changes to your computer.

© Copyright 2011. Brett.Tesol - Full terms available on Brett.Tesol's profile page (click the blue link for profile, failure to read the Copyright Contract could be expensive. The act of copying this work means that you accept the full terms of the contract, regardless of whether or not you have read it).

I like simplicity, a system that works and doesn't require a lot of work to use. This is why my favorite Linux distribution is Linux Mint. This version of Linux is completely free and is easy to use, coming with all the media Codecs required to play almost any media file type. The menu system is very similar to Windows, but in my opinion is far more intuitive and much faster! The system also comes with an amazing amount of free software. It has a manager for this, where you simply select what you want and it will download all the programs, install them and set them up for you (including any required supporting programs). When I install a system, I use a backup list of the programs I like to tell Linux what I want, then I just go to bed. When I wake up, there is a fresh and fully installed system containing all of the programs I use, ready and waiting for me ... completely hassle free!

The backup system is excellent, as you just use a text file. Then when you re-install the system or upgrade, you use the list to tell the system what you want installed ... the backup program then downloads and installs everything as it was previously. For me, this means that a fresh install and fully restored with all my programs can be done in as little as two hours with a fast Internet connection ... that is with EVERY program I like installed and fully updated!

To have a look at this, for information and screen shots, take a look at:

www.Linuxmint.com

For those worried about the change, for the last 4 years, I have not needed to de-fragment, scan my files, or worry about viruses. Occasionally I do scan for viruses, using clam anti virus, but so far all scans have reported zero viruses. Mainly due to the fact that most software is checked to being virus free before being added to the Linux network.

If this has tweaked you curiosity, I would be happy to write more about the different systems and how to safely install them. Just leave a comment bellow and if I see people are interested, I will be sure to write more about this.

Thanks for reading.