What you should not expect when switching to Linux

DarkDuck ^ | 17 September 2015 | Dmitry (Darkduck)

[ShadowAce]

Linux is a great operating system. Nobody in the Linux camp will argue about that. There are many articles on the Internet convincing you to try and to switch to Linux. There are also many articles that attempt to show you why you should not switch.

Let's look at this question from a slightly different viewpoint today. Say, you are now convinced that you want to switch to Linux. What you should NOT expect from this switch?

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1. Linux works much faster than Windows

This isn't too far from the truth. Generally speaking, Linux OS is less resource-hungry than Windows. However, it all depends on two factors:

• Desktop environment

There are several desktop environments and window managers available for the Linux operating systems. Some of them specifically target low-end hardware, so they work much faster than the default Windows interface. LXDE, Xfce, Openbox are good examples here. On the other hand, some desktop environments don't put speed of operation as the top priority.

You may experience approximately the same speed of operation compared to Windows if you use the Unity, GNOME 3, or KDE 4 or 5 desktop environments.

• Applications

Linux won't work wonders if you try to run many resource-hungry applications on a low-end hardware platform. Generally speaking, memory and CPU are managed very well by the Linux kernel, and resource use by the operating system itself is generally lower for Linux. But Linux cannot increase your physical memory size or reduce the amount of memory required by the application.

2. I will do everything from the graphical interface only

Again, this is not very far from the truth. Many desktop environments are now very well-designed. You won't need to enter the command line interface (CLI) to do most of the configuration or routine steps. However, there may be an occasion or two when you need to revert to CLI. Maybe because it is the only way to do something in your operating system. Maybe because it is quicker and easier to do something via CLI than via graphical interface.

Also, the entire CLI is unified across the Linux operating systems. It means that the same command is very likely to work the same way in many Linux distributions. That's why many how-to's refer to CLI when they describe system- or version-independent steps.

3. I will immediately start using Linux graphical interface like a Pro

Linux operating systems allow you to use many graphical interfaces, or Desktop Environments (DE). Many of them are so flexible that you won't be able to tell which DE it is when running the default set up of various distributions.

Some of the DEs are very similar to Windows, moreover they are aimed at Windows migrants:

• GNOME 3 in Zorin OS is configured to look exactly like Windows 7 by default, but allows you to switch to other themes too.
• Cinnamon and Plasma (KDE 4 or 5) interfaces are designed to be very similar to Windows 7.
• Xfce and LXDE desktop environments have a default layout similar to Windows XP.

Other desktop environments have a very different concept of desktop organisation and use. You will inevitably have a learning curve when starting to use MATE, Unity or GNOME 3.

4. I will immediately have all the software I need

Although there is a way to run Windows applications in Linux, it is not a good idea to always follow that route. Additionally, not all the Windows software is possible to run this way.

However, have a look at alternatives. Do you really need Windows Media Player, Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop? Or would VLC, LibreOffice and GIMP do the job for you?

One good thing is that many of these free software tools are available as Windows applications too. You can install and try them on your Windows system even before you install Linux on your machine. You will dip your feet into the Open Source world, along with trying the features and interface of your future tools.

Also, not all the distributions have the same default set of applications. You may have to install something specific you need from the repositories. Different distributions have different approaches here. I would distinguish three of them:

1. Barebones. You have the core system only, and then add the software yourself. Not very convenient for the beginning user, because you may not know the name of the application you need. Good examples here are Bodhi or SLAX.
2. Full-blown. You have many applications for the same task. It is sometimes very confusing, but it allows you to try different applications before you make a choice. Also, this is good if your Internet connection is limited. Good examples here are Zorin OS Ultimate, Emmabuntus or Knoppix.
3. Mid-range. Most of the distributions fit this category. You have default applications for most of the common tasks. If you don't like the default application, or something is missing, the repository is right at your fingertips.

All the above does not mean to stop you from switching to Linux. Just manage your expectations, and you'll be more ready to enjoy the new world!

[ShadowAce]

[null and void]

How about CAD programs?

[Dr. Sivana]

Linux cannot do anything for inherently inefficient or poorly written apps.

Unfortunately, a lot of teh Linux apps out there have problems. On top of that, important cross-platform technologies like Java are just as sluggish on Linux as they are on Windows or MacOS.

[Paladin2]

I just converted -64bit Ubuntu.

The installation of a Virtual Box runnung XP allows 32/16 bit legacy s/w to run fine so far.

[VanDeKoik]

“However, have a look at alternatives. Do you really need Windows Media Player, Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop? Or would VLC, LibreOffice and GIMP do the job for you?”

VLC? Sure, I use it because it can play almost anything.

LibreOffice? Please, no. We use that thing at work, and I cannot stand how it is almost seems to be held together with duct tape and twine.

GIMP? If I wanted to use a version of Photoshop from 1999, I would just go find a copy at the Goodwill.

[DaxtonBrown]

“How about CAD programs?”

I’ve gone to Blender, which isn’t strictly CAD but in some ways is more powerful. It will do rendering, video editing and animation. Not so great on dimensioning, but doable.

[Vermont Lt]

If you are using Photoshop (at least professionally) you are probably on a Mac anyway.

[Boogieman]

Yeah, there are opensource alternatives to Autocad out there. I haven't used them myself, but I have used Blender, which is an open source 3d modeling and rendering software, and it works great. It can import/export to CAD files I believe, though it isn't strictly a CAD program.

[Boogieman]

“GIMP? If I wanted to use a version of Photoshop from 1999, I would just go find a copy at the Goodwill.”

Haha, even Photoshop in 1999 was easier to use than GIMP. You can do a lot with it, but the frustration from trying to do even simple things with that interface is usually enough to get you to drop the seven hundred bucks for Photoshop!

[conservativesister]

I have an old Linux system for a software package and it utilizes the Oki 320 turbo printers. I purchased the exact printers and hooked them up to the system, they do NOT keep the same page spacing on the invoices. My question is should the spacing be reset in the printer or in the invoicing software. I am at a loss, any suggestions. AND please don’t go there that it is an OLD out of date system, it works and I’m not going to upgrade this particular part. Thanks for any help.

[ShadowAce]

Without being there and observing how things are being output, I can only guess--I would go into the invoice software and change the spacing there.

Keep in mind, though, that this advice is worth exactly what you paid for it :) No warranties, express or implied, etc.

[freds6girlies]

bookmark

[TexasRepublic]

“LibreOffice? Please, no. We use that thing at work, and I cannot stand how it is almost seems to be held together with duct tape and twine.”

Really? Can you be more specific? What version do you have? LibreOffice has reached version 5 and is claimed to be more compatible with MS Office files, although I have not tried it out yet. Lack of 100% format compatibility with Microsoft has been my only complaint, but I use the LO word processing and spreadsheets at my office nearly every day and find it very acceptable so long as I don’t have to exchange files with Microsoft.

Impress is more limited than PowerPoint, but I still was able to make a major presentation with it. I have read that Base is pretty lame.

We are agreed that VLC is a great program. GIMP is complicated and different from other graphics programs, but it probably has more potential than I’ll ever learn. I use it for the basics, to crop pictures or convert them to other formats.

[Arthur McGowan]

Would someone please explain a few things for someone who knows nothing?

Where do you GET Linux?

Do you put it on a CD-R? A DVD-R? I.e., before installing it on your C: drive?

[PoloSec]

I downloaded Mint 15 Olivia along side windows several months ago to learn how to use it, one day it froze up and its been that way ever since, thankfully the opening menu still gets me to Windows, the only thing that works in the Mint program itself is the cursor; it won’t click on anything but it floats around okay, the only way to close it down is to shut the computer off.

[ShadowAce]

Where do you GET Linux?

Usually from the website of the distro you have decided upon.

First a few vocabulary definitions (for someone "who knows nothing"):

• LINUX : the kernel. Linux is not an OS, per se, but only the kernel. The OS is built around the kernel, and it is usually common to all distros.
• A "distro" is the compilation of the kernel, plus utilities, tools, software, and applications to make it unique. Anyone can make their own, and quite a few have.

A good starting point to check out reviews, and listings of various distros, is DistroWatch, which also ranks them by popularity.

Do you put it on a CD-R? A DVD-R? I.e., before installing it on your C: drive?

Typically, yes. You can also use a USB drive, if you know how to make it bootable. Many of the distros can be run directly from the CD/DVD without having to remove Windows first. This allows you to test drive various distros until you find one you like. Keep in mind that performance will take a large hit due to running from an optical drive.

For users looking to switch, I have heard good things about Zorin OS, PCLinuxOS, and Mint. Those are all Debian-based distros (distros that began life as a fork/modification of Debian), but I personally prefer rpm-based systems.This is strictly a personal preference as I started with Red Hat (in 1994-ish) and just stayed with it.

[publius911]

Thank you for the excellent article.
Many of us, in the past, realized that using Linux is geek paradise and little else and returned immediately to MS Windows.

Things seem to have changed the last few years, for the better.
With Windows applications more and more restricting useful software to "cloud versions" by subscription, the time to switch might be getting unavoidable.

I hated the theory and practice of the "cloud" in the late 50s, and I hate the idea of the current cloud more.

The market (customers) should rule.

[Paladin2]

My local Computer Store sells Linux DVDs for $3. I usually start with a fresh HD so going back to the old system is trivial.

[Paladin2]

PCs rule.

Best to have total control of the hardware that you own rather than have the software p0wn YOUR hardware and data.