My #1 tip is don’t plan to use it as your primary desktop unless you plan to dedicate a bunch of time to maintaining it. And never ever ever try to install a program by compiling it unless you want to play hunt the next library. :-)
bookmark for future reading
in ubuntu the command line apt-get takes care of most of that library hunting stuff.
On the other hand. The 10 steps can be condensed down to 1.
1. Get a Mac.
: )
I use it as my primary desktop and perform virtually zero maintenance.
And no one ever installs a program by compiling it any more. It's all automated.
I spend less time maintaining linux than Windows 7. I have a dual boot system. I run Debian Stable, all defaults, and it is like a rock.
/johnny
Tip 11: grow a thick skin for ‘peer support’ along the lines of ST*U NOOB!
The only problem is my new wireless router from Time Warner does not support Linux.
%$##@!
It might make sense to compare the time maintaining it to the time you would otherwise spend with virus scanners, malware scanners, and all the other necessary maintenance required with MS-Windows.
False. Most consumer-friendly distros of Linux are no more maintenance intensive than Windows or OSX and are much more secure. Ubuntu and Mint, most notably, are designed with ease of use in mind.
I've had Ubuntu 12.04 running on my PC for almost a year and have have to do very little in the way of maintenance. A majority of hardware manufacturers develop Linux drivers and maintenance programs. I only use my Windows desktop for PC gaming. Otherwise, everything from email to web browsing is handled by my Linux box.
I think most people speak negatively of Linux out of fear or outright misinformation. Linux is useable by even the biggest neophyte, and I believe its market share will continue to grow over the years.