| wIndependence Day Essay: My Switch to Linux |
by Aaron Gosztyla (July 18, 2002)
I first discovered Linux the same way that I found many cool, life-changing things, like my first LPs (King Crimson 'Red' and Black Sabbath 'Paranoid'), Book of the Sub-Genius, and Slackware, left in a shopping mall bathroom. I don't know how or why this happens but it does; I just go with the flow. Anyhow sitting on the air hand dryer was double CD case that had a large 'Bob Dobbs' sticker affixed to the front and a 'Mother Mopar' sticker on the back and 3 CDs. One was unmarked and the other 2 stated 'Slack 4' and 'Slack 7'. Being curious I took the disk set home to play the CDs on my stereo.
The unmarked CD I put in contained the entire 'Can Future Days' album followed by a mix of 'Helios Creed', 'Score'. The second and third CDs didn't play anything but merely spun in the CD tray, bummer. Being that I have been around computers since the release of the 'Vic20'. I decided to pop one of the Slack CDs into my computer. On the CD was text file that contained basic installation install instructions for a new operating system that I had never heard of before, 'Slackware'. I had spare machine and a bunch of time on my hands, so I decided to install the disk called Slack 7.
The first phase of the install lasted about four weeks and sometimes the process was near torture. The biggest challenge that I first faced was where to put Root and the mount point. I tried all kinds of phases and key words; 'Run Root', 'Mount Root', 'Hey Sucker', and other more vulgar combinations. Somewhere during this process, my folks were at a garage sale and noticed the owner wearing some sort of geek paraphernalia. After a brief discussion and the purchase of unwanted items, my folks were given the advice to seek out O'Reilly's 'Running Linux' and a sticky note with his email address. I quickly ran to the computer store only to find that there was only a battered version of Running Linux, however the sales clerk pointed me to a the Linux Software section. Way down on the bottom shelf was a box that had several versions of Linux and the book I was after. I now had a choice of Debian 2x, Slackware.
Rummaging through the book I found the first answer that I was looking for, the mount point is /. It had been starring me in the face the entire time. I was now ready to really install. For what ever reason, I tried to install Debian for two to three weeks only to be completely stumped by 'deselect'. I then tried Slackware again. Eureka, everything installed. I ran through 'Xf86config' and I thought everything was going fine. After close to 2 weeks of constant playing around, I blew up my monitor. I didn't read the last section about configuring X which told me not to use a refresh rate higher than my monitor could handle, oops.
After getting the new monitor I played with various versions of Linux to settle on Mandrake and Slackware which is has been the case for about 2.5 years now. I officially made the plunge to Linux only sometime late in December 2000. I built a new machine just for Linux which runs Mandrake. and a slightly older machine which was de-converted from a dual boot machine to Slackware only.
The reason that I made the total switch is legality and cost. Sure I can get my hands on some cracked software or serial numbers, but I can get similar if not better software for nothing. I have a real hard time coughing up close to $800 for an operating system and an office suite.
In addition I can get a complete desktop solution that I can use to create databases, write a paper, or do whatever I want for under $70 for Mandrake Power Pack ($50 for Slackware). When I need something I search around and I find it. Life has gotten really good since the release of Open Office and Star Office 6. This is in addition to the already excellent choices of AbiWord, Gnumeric, and Koffice which continue to improve.
The best way that I know of to make the switch to Linux is just to take the plunge. Make a couple of copies of your work to CD and go to town. The switch just keeps getting easier as Linux, GUI desktops, and applications develop. The actual running of the Linux desktop is as easy as all the other OSes. Just like distributions, the Linux desktop has choices. You can have a really stripped down desktop or as many bells and whistles as you like. Its all about choice
Sure, I'm now known as a geek. I am the only person in my circle of friends who runs exclusively Linux. The rest try to tell me about how great their version of OS X is or why NT kicks butt, however I can sit at the bar drinking from top-shelf while the rest have to settle for the well.
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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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