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!

[minnesota_bound]

#30 So easy even little girls can use it.

It’s a Unix system
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFUlAQZB9Ng

[angryoldfatman]

“If I install Linux, does that wipe out all my applications?”

If you do a clean install, yes.

There are two other options though, and one of them (#1) will not molest anything at all on your computer.

#1: DVD Tryout.

This is not really an install, but you can try out Linux Mint straight from the DVD to see what it will look like and how compatible it is with your computer. You simply boot from the DVD and run Linux from it instead of the install option.
It’s much slower than a real install, but like I said, you don’t have to worry about anything being wiped out.

#2 Dual boot.

You can install Linux on just part of your hard drive, and the installation will set up a start-up screen to allow you to go either into Windows or into Linux.
The biggest problem with this approach is figuring out how much disk space to give Linux and Windows. You’re essentially dividing your hard disk in half, but you get to choose how big each half is.

[roamer_1]

All right, I have a question... I have an Asus EEE PC from early netbook era, running xp (poorly)... I have already jacked the ram as far as it will go (4g, i think), and I am willing to stuff a solid state hdd in it (I have a spare laying around)...

I would like a recommendation as to which nix distro to use to bring it to reasonable performance (bearing in mind, wireless)... I need net, LAN, basic PIM, basic office, music and video (youtube, movies, etc).

I know it’s never going to be a speed demon, but I really like the clam-shell form factor a lot better than the tablet that replaced it, and would go back to it if I could get it to run decently.

[ShadowAce]

Are are two discussions on that particular topic:

Linux Questions

Stack Exchange

Hope that helps!

[Boogieman]

I used Corel years and years ago, and it was nice, but I’ve always stuck to Adobe since then.

And yes, I know how to use GIMP, but I prefer not to. It is not user friendly, and everything you want to do generally takes two or three steps where it would take only one in Adobe.

[roamer_1]

Hope that helps!

Yes it does - thank you very much.

[angryoldfatman]

My personal recommendation for the Asus machine you’re talking about is Mint or Ubuntu running the xfce GUI.

Mint 32-bit xfce:
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=169

Mint 64-bit xfce:
http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=170

Xubuntu
http://xubuntu.org/getxubuntu/

[roamer_1]

My personal recommendation for the Asus machine you’re talking about is Mint or Ubuntu running the xfce GUI.

Thanks. I'll give it a whirl... This is gonna be fun. It's been a long time since I had a 'for the fun of it' project... And I'd love to put the old girl back in service.

[ducttape45]

The wireless mouse and keyboard were also problems. They kept cutting out on me. It was very frustrating.

I think I heard somewhere that Linux doesn't play well with wireless devices. Is that true?

[Bikkuri]

Actually, I’ve never had a problem on install (with wireless)... it (Mint KDE) recognized everything during the installation (instantly, it seemed), and all of my systems since about 1990 were home built.

[ducttape45]

Mint recognized my devices but the mouse would not work correctly in that it would move, freeze, move, freeze, move, freeze. At least it recognized the monitors but with mouse continually freezing up I had to move on. Of course none of the other installs were any better, but if I can’t move my mouse freely what’s the point in having the Linux O/S?

[roamer_1]

My personal recommendation for the Asus machine you’re talking about is Mint or Ubuntu running the xfce GUI.

Just to note to thank you once again for your recommendation. I am writing this missive from my Asus EeePC running Mint/xfce 32bit... Spun it in last night in about 20 minutes... As far as I can tell, it picked up everything perfectly and is running nicely - Noticeably quicker than w/ WinXP! It still lags a little, but it is definitely useable - More so than it ever has before.

SWEET. Thanks very much.

[angryoldfatman]

You’re very welcome, and I’m glad it worked!

[ducttape45]

I reloaded Linux Mint unto another hard drive and played around with it a bit. I'm still having problem with my mouse though, wired and wireless. They both keep cutting in and out. I've seen posted on various boards but I don't understand what the fixes are they are talking about, something about kernels and recompiling.

Anyone have any suggestions?

[BlueLancer]

"Anyone have any suggestions?"

That's why I use Microsoft ...

Oh, man, I just ride in 'em ... I don't know what makes 'em work.

[Bikkuri]

I want to assist, but on Android (been offline for a year)..
Shadow, can you help?

[ShadowAce]

I've seen posted on various boards but I don't understand what the fixes are they are talking about, something about kernels and recompiling.

Sounds like a troll. You don't need to recompile the kernel for this.

[Bikkuri]

Agree, but, his issue is with wireless mouse.. I have never really had problems..

[CodeToad]

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

Far from it. The Mac = Photoshop hasn’t been trues in more than a decade.

[ducttape45]

Not a troll. I’ve been on FR for years. I honestly want to make this work (Linux). I was just commenting on posts I’ve seen on other boards. FYI, I’m having trouble with both wired AND wireless mice. So far, they’ve been the only problem I’ve had with Linux Mint. Everything else seems to work fine.