Do I have time for this?
Thoughts from the vaults...
Thursday 17 July 2008, 11:38 AM
Whats beyond your Windows?
The vast majority of road users are drivers (for which read Windows users). They sit in endless traffic jams, sometimes of their own making. They often use their cars where it might be quicker to walk, or cycle, or take public transport (did someone say Mac?) because they're conditioned to using their cars for every task involving travel. It's the only way they know.
Linux users are the motorcyclists of the tech world. They make progress while the drivers sit in the same old traffic jams. Like motorcyclists, Linux users are frequently misunderstood, sometimes even purposely misinterpreted, by the car lobby simply because they somehow exploit freedoms most drivers cannot understand or imagine.
Like motorcyclists, Linux users have seized an alternative. The huge majority of Windows folk are content to sit in their metaphorical cars comfortable in the knowledge that they are "safe" while linux is somehow "dangerous" even if it takes twice as long, and costs twice as much as necessary, for the car driver to get there.
Linux evangelists meanwhile (Dispatch riders) are seen as a breed apart. We all know they're mad, and therefore to be treated with the utmost caution. Humour them, but try not to make eye contact, and for the love of God don't get in their way. They're on a mission, and nothing, but nothing, will stop them.
Every so often our metaphorical car driver will look at a motorcycle filtering past and fleetingly wonder if they too could be making better progress, if they too could be more efficient, less expensive, less damaging to the environment, and still get there sooner with less stress. But so very few will make that jump.
They're comfortable, these Windows users, and we all like being comfortable, don't we? Think about it the next time you're sitting in traffic and a motorcycle glides past... What would it take for you to make the switch?
PreviousComments on this post
I made the switch about ten years ago, then installing linux was a much more daunting task. I went cold turkey, and you know, it was hard. BUT i wish more than anything else that i had done it sooner. Best thing i ever did. yes the first 6 months are going to feel like you just got thrown into the deep end of a very very cold pool and many people give up before then even begin.
But for those that don't, like myself. Truly the best thing i have ever put myself through. Got my Job Skills that pay really really good and learned tons of stuff. Granted i went out of my way to do all of that. Its not required now with modern linux distro's.
Is it right for you though?
I spent weeks trying to get it installed my very first time. Now all you have to do is download a Live CD and toss it in. Your ready to go.
So ask yourself this people. If you could save at least 300 dollars now by burning a cd and sticking it in your computer and rebooting today, wouldn't you care to know what is on that CD?
What do you have to lose, give it a shot. Hardest part is figuring out how to burn the .iso image and yes you might have to read a bit to find out how. People using computers 10 - 15 years ago were used to doing that. 20 years ago it was MANDITORY.
But is reading so bad that you would rather hide under a rock?
Download a copy of Ubuntu or Kubuntu and give it a shot. its free and honestly its waiting for you. It just might be the best thing you ever do. If your know zero about computer give Ubuntu a try, if you know a bit and like to get in and customize your system a bit more, then give Kubuntu a try.
Costs=Zero
Payback=Priceless
Timothy Tuck
I made the switch 7 years ago as it was getting a bit easier to work with. Still had to use the command line a bit, whereas now you have an option. Thats what I like about Linux, I decide how I use it. I have the option of making my own distro, if I want. I can customize my distro for my own personal use, or a small company can change it to look like it is a company constructed OS. I find myself hitting the XP partition only to play a game. Linux installs faster than windows, and it comes with, practically, all the programs you will ever need. It is more secure, "out of the box", than a locked down version of windows, it runs faster, and it is yours, to do with what you want, it doesn't call home and report the state of your computer. With windows you have to register before you can use it, while with Linux you have to be running it to register. The metaphor of the car and the motorcycle is a good one. In the car you are trapped, and restricted in movement, while on the motor you can get ahead easier, faster, and safer.
