| wIndependence Day Essay: Linux Love |
by Grant Shearer (August 1, 2002)
Like most, I first began experimenting with Linux in college. It was just something that I did in my spare time, nothing serious. Everyone experiments in college, right? Though I was trying new things I still didn't want my parents or any of my friends back home to know, because everyone said it was wrong to experiment with alternative operating systems. If my pastor found out, what would he think of me? How could I explain myself?
At first it started off with an brief install here, an innocent tinker there. I wouldn't have called it an affair, it was more of a flirtation. There's nothing harm in dabbling with other operating systems, right? I wouldn't have even thought about betraying my first love, Microsoft. But this new operating system was so lean and quick. And flexible. Boy was it flexible!
Then the unthinkable happened. My roommate caught me playing with my Linux. The world knew. I could no longer hide it. Soon the rest of my friends and family would find out. Would they shun me? Could they still love me, even with an alternative operating system? Would I be excommunicated from my church?
Then I found out what I had never imagined--people really didn't care what operating system I was with. Most people couldn't even tell me what operating systems they had been with!** From there my alternative lifestyle blossomed and I began trying other alternatives, like Opera and StarOffice. I found myself falling in love all over again. I could never turn back now. I had come too far already.
Microsoft, who I had devoted all those years to, turned out to be a two-bit whore turning tricks for my money. Microsoft never loved me. It just wanted to get it's hand in my back pocket. Linux was different. What I had to pay for with Microsoft, Linux gave me for free. That is true love.
I can only thank God that I didn't get any viruses in my few years with Microsoft. I've known of many others who have not been as fortunate. Some of those that contracted the viruses have even ended in the Blue Screen of Death. May they rest in peace.
My Linux is stable, it's always there for me...through the good times and the bad, through thick and thin. I don't have to worry about Linux spying on me and watching my every move, nor does it tell me what to do or what to wear on my desktop.
I'm now coming up on my two year anniversary with Linux and I can't tell you how happy I am. No longer do I have to deal with the manic-depressive uptimes and downtimes of my old love. No longer is it my responsibility to patch up the relationship when it wasn't my fault in the first place. I can finally rest with the knowledge that I've been saved from the mistakes of my past.
The king is dead. Long live the king!
**Note that I am not endorsing a promiscuous lifestyle here, just mentioning the facts. I firmly believe that you should be with only one operating system at a time.
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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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