| wIndependence Day Essay: 'wIndependence' |
by Tom Searing (August 1, 2002)
Hello, my name is Tom and I am a Microsoft Windows addict.
This is a reality that I face each and every day. I started with a Kaypro running DOS back in 1986. Eventually I was hired by my current employer in 1989 as a System administrator maintaining a Wang VS for our field office. In 1991 I received my first laptop with Microsoft Windows 3.1 loaded onto it. Upon receiving the laptop, the first thing I did was delete the Windows system, little did I know that my first instinct was the correct one. When my home office checked in on me they freaked that I had taken it on myself to delete Windows. From that day forward the drug of Microsoft Windows edged into my life. My company insisted I use this operating system. In my personal life I saw no substitute. Eventually the world darkened and all I had was Microsoft Windows.
Having read 'Atlas Shrugged' I believed and still believe in innovation and the right of the people not government in controlling creativity. What I didn't see through in those dark years of the 90's was that Microsoft was an entity that had become the government and was hindering creativity. Microsoft had created the situation of darkness. The definition of darkness is the absence of light. Microsoft had become and still creates an environment where light is absent so the darkness continues. Slowly one by one the applications I had been using, Lotus 123, WordStar, and others began to disappear.
In the late 90's I heard of Linux. In fact I bought Red Hat and tried to load it on a spare PC. Everything went fine, but having to find all the drivers in different places discouraged me, so I slipped back into the darkness. One night while visiting a friend we had a heated discussion on the Microsoft case and of course I defended Microsoft. One concept my friend threw forward was that what if the government or someone with evil intentions controlled Microsoft then we all would be at their mercy. The light began to seep in around the edges.
Over the next couple of years I saw how Microsoft manipulated the industry both in hardware and software development. I experienced at my job how Microsoft products had more problems than they solved. I also saw the political winds and how Microsoft would have to concede something to the government to survive in the trial. My fears were and are that Microsoft would concede us their addicts that are suckling at their tit called Microsoft Windows.
My friend whom I had the previous conversation then challenged me to use Linux for three months as my primary system. The reward was a dinner at the restaurant of my choice. I investigated the different distributions and went with Suse 7.3 Pro. I loaded up an old laptop I had with Suse figuring if it could configure the old laptop along with the PCMCIA card it was a go. Well, the rest is history I now have two laptops running Linux, one with Suse and one with Mandrake. My main system is a dual boot with Suse 8.0 Pro as my main Operating system. I have been able to get all of my peripherals working including scanners, and digital camera. My PDA which was a Casio PC Pocket has been sold and replaced by a Zaurus. The light shines once again. I have found the joy I once had finding new applications, new configurations and challenging myself. I have especially enjoyed working with developers directly giving them feedback on products and watching my suggestions
implemented. No longer do I have to deal with the annoying and expensive purchasing of Microsoft applications.
The other great thing is that now I have so many resources. Each day I find new and interesting sites for Linux. Being a US citizen I feel more connected to the world as I now work and speak with people around the globe about Linux. Today I was in conversation with a web master in Canada on how he can start the Linux path.
My father, who is 70 years old now, has a laptop with Suse 7.3 Pro and finds it very easy to use. My father is a retired missionary also has been able to suggest Linux to other missionaries who cannot afford the expensive Microsoft solutions. Computers and software should not bind us in chains and major cash outlays, but free us to extend ourselves as humans. Linux has brought this to myself and I see it doing this for others. I maybe a Microsoft addict still due to work which has not seen the light, but each day I find something else to challenge me in the world of Linux.
My favorite links:
www.linuxdailynews.com - (Good centralized Linux information)
www.desktoplinux.com
www.kde.org - (Great add ons)
www.zauruszone.com
www.suse.com
www.mandrake.com
www.tldp.org - (Great HOWTOs site, They also have reviews although I might not always agree.)
www.linuxformat.co.uk - (Linux Format magazine just awesome)
Talk back! Do you have comments or questions about this story? talkback here
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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