How to decide if Linux is right for you

CNet ^ | 4 November 2013 | Rick Broida

[ShadowAce]

Had it up to here with Windows? Can't take another "blue screen of death"? Another 10-minute wait for your laptop to boot? Another spyware or virus hassle? Heck, maybe you just think Microsoft got it so far wrong with Windows 8.1, it's time for a change.

In fact, maybe it's time for Linux.

The open-source operating system offers users a Windows-like alternative with a few key advantages:

• It's free.
• Most software for Linux: also free.
• It runs briskly with less horsepower under the hood, making it a good choice for older PCs.
• No viruses. No spyware. No adware.
• You can choose from a variety of user-interface styles, including some that closely resemble Windows (XP, 7, etc.).

Sounds pretty good, right? Needless to say, Linux isn't just for disgruntled Windows users; it's also a fine way to extend the life of an older PC and a good choice if you want to earmark a system just for younger kids.

Whatever your purposes for the OS, there are some important factors to consider -- especially if you're looking to put Linux on your primary PC. Here are some key things to know about Linux before you take the plunge:

1. There may be software incompatibilities

GIMP for Linux matches Photoshop
almost feature for feature.
(Credit: GIMP Project)

Take inventory of the programs you currently use. Microsoft Office? There's a Linux equivalent in the form of OpenOffice (among others). Outlook? Try Evolution. Photoshop? The ever-popular GIMP can fill in.

In other words, lots of popular Windows programs have Linux counterparts, or at least alternatives, very often with similar interfaces and total file compatibility. If you're a Chrome user, for example, you'll find the Linux version virtually identical, and all your bookmarks and passwords will sync immediately once you sign into your Google account.

However, there are plenty of Windows apps that have no Linux equivalents. If you need to, say, sync an iPhone or iPad with iTunes, Apple doesn't offer a Linux version. If you're a Spotify or SugarSync user, you'll find no native Linux clients for playing your music or syncing your files.

One well-known fix: Wine, a free tool that allows you to run some Windows programs in Linux. It may not solve all your software-compatibility issues, but it's worth investigating if software proves a major stumbling block.

 

2. There may be hardware incompatibilities

Although current versions of Linux have built-in drivers for a large assortment of video cards, networking adapters, and peripherals, there's no guarantee you'll be able to use your printer, your second monitor, your fitness band (which is likely to have a software issue as well), and so on.

The only real option here is research: Check with hardware manufacturers to see if they offer Linux drivers for their products. If not, check Linux forums to see if users have found (or created) solutions. You may be able to find a workaround, or you may simply be out of luck.

3. There's a learning curve

Linux comes in a lot of different flavors.
Do some research to figure out which
one you might like best.
(Credit: Fun With Linux)

Ever heard of Sudo? Know the differences between Debian and Ubuntu? Linux may look and operate a lot like Windows, it can be complicated in spots, especially when you delve into settings and try to run emulators like the aforementioned Wine. (See Rob Lightner's "How to easily install Windows software on Linux machines" for some invaluable assistance.) I've been a reasonably tech-savvy computer user for most of my life, and I got stumped a few times while trying to figure out seemingly basic Linux tasks.

The good news: there's plenty of support available. The bad news: it resides almost entirely in online forums, and even finding the right ones can be a challenge. Plus, there's a lot of language thrown around (drive mounting, Sudo, and so on) that can add to the confusion.

I'm not saying you should shy away just because there's a learning curve, merely that you should be prepared for it.

 

 

 

4. You'll have to give up gaming

OK, that's a bit of an exaggeration. There are lots of games available for Linux, many of them outstanding, and in fact Steam has an entire section devoted to them. But the vast majority are indie games; if you're looking to play Batman: Arkham Origins, BioShock: Infinite, Call of Duty, Tomb Raider, or nearly any other high-profile modern release, you're out of luck.

My leap to Linux

About a week ago, I installed the Windows 8.1 update on my Samsung Series 9 Ultrabook. The results have been disastrous: screen-resolution problems, error-prone VPN clients, iTunes crashes, sleep-mode oddities, and BSODs. Issues before 8.1: zero.

Needless to say, I'm more exasperated with Windows than I've ever been in 20 years of using it. So I'm taking a long, hard look at Linux. As a technology writer, I probably can't abandon Windows entirely, but I no longer want it in charge of my primary PC. I have such basic needs (Web browsing, word processing, e-mail), yet somehow Windows manages to screw up even those.

Maybe Linux is the fix, and maybe not. But I'm in the process of evaluating my software, hardware, gaming, and educational needs, and then I'll decide whether or not to move forward. I recommend you do likewise.

If, on the other hand, you're already an active Linux user, and especially if you're using it as your primary OS, hit the comments and share your own thoughts as to its viability as a Windows alternative.

[GeronL]

For almost everything Linux is fine for me. I would sure like to have an older version of Windows just in case though.

For one thing, I can not log into the router to make changes.

[deoetdoctrinae]

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let me give you an easy one.

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[rarestia]

I just like the stability of Ubuntu. They’re using long-term support methodologies which makes running a domain much easier. I found myself troubleshooting broken libraries and issues with access after Fedora’s frenzied upgrades. I stopped with Fedora around 16 and have been content with Ubuntu 12.04.

[Utilizer]

How to decide if Linux is right for you...

1. You've noticed that the "Bob" interface was as useful as watching Barky playing another of his endless golf games.

2. The BSOD is useful for not getting any work done and getting paid for it, but not for actually completing anything.

3. The "Automated Updates" function has gotten to the point where you hate to even turn on the computer, just to have to wait for it to finish "installing" and then freeze up.

4. Your source for more and more money to purchase faster and faster machines with increasing amounts of memory and hardware requirements is not quite as endless as software manufacturors seem to assume it is.

5. A Pentium 300MHz machine was the fastest thing in the building at one time, and with 128Mb of memory used to boot up in seven seconds even running 'Doze, and now a 3GHz machine with 4Gb of memory takes a couple of minutes or more to get started and can get stuck on the Chicago Times webpage while you go get a cup of coffee.

Just for starters. And now they expect you to purchase 'Doze 8.1?

[Utilizer]

It also helps if you are an experienced Unix sysadmin.....

So does knowing the chipset of the motherboard and peripherals, but Linux does a bloody grand job of detecting them automatically in most cases.

[Utilizer]

If you want appliances that just plain work when you turn them on, get a Mac, an AppleTV, and some iThingies.

Or a television or VCR, for that matter. If I wanted to work with something that was guaranteed to work seamlessly all the time I can always re-publish those old plans for that multi- 486DX-4 motherboard (from one to 32 cpus supported) with the SiS chipset and demand that all peripheral manufacturors adhere to those standards if they want to claim full compatibility and the company logo to bless their products.

[zeugma]

I haven’t used yumex very much. I’m a big fan of yum on the command line, though.

I think yumex is a great tool for beginners.

I actually keep a local copy of the yum database in a text file so I can search it for things. (yum info all > yum_info_all.txt)

That way, I can grep it for keywords, which help me to locate packages. It's actually quicker than yumex, but requires more expertise, if ya know what I mean.

I can't believe the difference yum and similar tools make. I remember back when all we had was RPM. IMG, that was a pain! I still use RPM for some things, but not for package management, for the most part.

[TexasRepublic]

I don’t understand why no one has written a compatible “iTunes” app to connect an iPhone to a Linux computer. Linux does directly “see” an iPhone to offload pictures and videos that you took, but that’s it.

[wolfman]

I bought a copy of Windows 7 when it came out but have used it so infrequently I suspect I’ll never buy another MS operating system again. Since that time Linux has made great strides and for my needs leaves Windows (bloatware) in the dust. On the rare occasion I fire up Win7, it’s like stepping back in time to a place of updates, virus scanning, registry checking and slooow performance. I much prefer Linux. Running a Debian based distro SolydK on my old hardware and loving it.

[Utilizer]

I don’t understand why no one has written a compatible “iTunes” app...

Probably for the same reason certain people frequent a "trendy" restaurant or drink the latest "in fashion" beer that tastes so bland you have to stick a lemon wedge in it to make it palatable. They would rather pay more for something that they can be proudly displaying to all their trendy friends than pay attention to something that works but does not carry the 'pple brand on it.

Why would they go to the bother of looking up and downloading an app that works with their shiny new toy, when they can go to one of those trendy little stores and purchase a branded software package that displays the official logo instead?

[martin_fierro]

“2. There may be hardware incompatibilities”

I know that you already know this, shadow ace, but the Linux newcomer should also verify whether his/her computer has the UEFI chip before trying to install Linux thereon.

UEFI makes Linux installation more difficult (which is arguably why Microshaft pushed for its implementation in the first place.)

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

It also helps if you are an experienced Unix sysadmin.

Ha! Sure does.

My father-in-law has had two XP desktops for years...one for home one for his business.

He emailed me yesterday saying that he discovered a whole mess of new stuff comes up when you accidentally right click on an icon. He JUST discovered the concept of the context menu in Winders and I'm going to teach him about sudo? Grub? VMs? No frakkin' way.

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

I actually keep a local copy of the yum database in a text file so I can search it for things. (yum info all > yum_info_all.txt)

---

Great idea - I’ll try it!

[zeugma]

cool. Glad you liked it. To get just the related package names, you might try something like this:

$ grep mp3 ~/yum.info.all.txt | grep ^Name
Name        : audacious-plugins-freeworld-mp3
Name        : gallery2-mp3audio
Name        : lame-mp3x
Name        : mp3gain
Name        : texlive-mp3d
Name        : texlive-mp3d-doc
Name        : vdr-mp3
Name        : xmms-mp3
$

[2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten]

Ack. Thanks.

[zeugma]

To grep or not to grep, that is the question!

[TheStickman]

Linux has come such a long way since I 1st looked at Red Hat in the late 90’s. Wasn’t savvy enough to use it then. A happy Mac user now ( do DAW work) but for a non-work machine, I’d happily throw Lint or Ubuntu on it!

[mbj]

No question at all - get a grep.