| wIndependence Day Essay: I Did A Crazy Thing |
by Brian Jamison (July 18, 2002)
Last year I did something crazy. When I announced my plan, most of my friends shook their heads sadly and said, 'you'll be back.' They were wrong. I'm never going back.
Last year I had had enough of past frustrations and expenses. Because of this, I took a big plunge into uncharted territory. I left behind the warm safety that I had grown so comfortable with for the pitfalls and challenges of the unknown.
Last year I broke free from the Microsoft operating system and converted entirely to Linux. Not on my web server, although it too runs Linux, but on my own personal desktop computer. The trip was indeed challenging, frustrating at times, but as I look back a year later, it was the right thing to do. I'm never going back.
Things that once brought a frown to my face now make me smile confidently. When I hear about dangerous new viruses, expensive new software upgrades, scary security holes that are never fixed, annoying web pop-ups, and the ubiquitous blue screen of death', I smile because these things are no longer a part of my life. I smile because of Linux.
For example, I browse the web a lot and haven't been bothered by an irritating popup ad in months. I told my web browser, Mozilla, that I don't like them -- and that was the end of it. And that's just the start. I also told Mozilla not to loop those animated pictures on web pages, so I can concentrate on reading the content without having half a dozen flashing images vying for my attention. As a side benefit, Mozilla happens to be faster and safer than Microsoft's Internet Explorer, too. Everything I want for the web works in Mozilla-- Java, Flash, Quicktime, RealPlayer.
It gets better. My email program, Ximian Evolution, is amazing. It has all of the features of Outlook without Outlook's notorious virus exposure and security holes. Evolution's search features are a sight to behold-- fast, configurable, and easy. It just works, including synchronizing its calendar with my palm.
I use OpenOffice.org for word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, and drawing. I can attest to its power, having done an entire business plan with it-- complete with embedded graphics, sophisticated linked worksheets, footnotes, and 3D charts that blow MS Office out of the water. As a die-hard MS Office user, I had no difficulty at all making the transition. I hardly noticed. And when I need to send a file to a friend, I can save and read Microsoft Office formats.
Unbelievably, all of this software is free. But this isn't the only benefit.
I had forgotten how fast software could evolve before switching to Linux. I thought the days had long since passed when I would be excited about a new release of software. I was wrong. Linux has restored innovation in software development, and the form of this innovation is not in finding new ways to charge customers or lock them in to obscure file formats. Linux innovation is about the individual, about freedom, and yes, about just working.
The transition has not been without challenges. I did have to relearn some things, but I had a lot of help. I chose a 'newbie friendly' version, Mandrake Linux. The folks in the Mandrake community are really terrific. I've been able to turn to this massive Linux community on the Internet for free help, and actually get useful answers. Typical of Linux, Mandrake has gone through two major releases in the past year, with marked improvements in speed and usability. Twice in a year! I'm so grateful for the outstanding work Mandrake has done that I paid to join Mandrake Club, even though you can download and use it for free.
Here's a simple thing I really like about Linux -- you copy by highlighting, and paste simply by clicking the middle mouse button. No Ctrl-C/Ctrl-V. Simple, but it saves me time every day.
I'll tell you about my worst experience. After using Linux exclusively for about three months I got cocky and attempted what's known as 'recompiling the kernel,' a process not recommended and totally unnecessary for most people. Well, I wound up messing up my system to the point where it wouldn't start up.
So I was forced to reinstall the operating system from scratch. I was fuming mad. I thought I'd lost all of my data -- email, documents, spreadsheets, everything. Imagine my surprise when the fresh operating system booted up and all of my data was there!
I had forgotten that Linux physically separates your personal data from your programs and operating system files. This means stupid people like me can totally screw up the operating system and all of their data –- including preferences, bookmarks, everything -- is unharmed. That feature alone convinced me to stick with Linux. This also happens to make backing up a heck of a lot easier. Once you get used to it, the way Linux organizes files makes a lot of sense.
There are one or two things I'd still really like to happen in Linux,but I'm confident we'll see them soon. Better gaming is on the horizon, and I'm still waiting for an application that matches Quicken in features and ease of use. At the end of the day, however, Linux and all of the free applications available are more than a match for Windows. Feature for feature, Linux has everything I want and then some, including 'must have' features that cannot be found anywhere else. Linux is a little different though. Migrating to Linux from Windows requires an open mind and a dedication to learning something new, and the discipline to work through challenges that will come along. But I found a wonderful, powerful, and steady friend in Linux, and I'm here to stay.
About the Author
Brian Jamison is a 35 year old successful entrepreneur and lives in Marina del Rey, California. When not working on a new venture he enjoys sailing and playing the guitar.
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Please note: The opinions expressed in this essay are those of the writer, not of the management or staff of DesktopLinux.com.
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