A path free from Windows

For the first post with actual content, I want to talk a bit about something near and dear to my heart: the Linux kernel!

While there is a whole comment to be made about the parallels of being transgender and modifying the operating system of your computer, I wanna focus more on the fact that Linux, while not a perfect system kernel, is the foundation for a lot of open source efforts to give you back something you may not have thought of recently in your devices: control. In the present day and age, computing devices like computers (duh hehe), smartphones, tablets and Smart TVs are made with the idea of ease of use in mind. While this is appreciated due to granting accessibility to the less inclined to understand the concepts of digital management in our community, it has also created a huge power sink due to consumers not knowing how their devices work. This may not seem like a big problem at first, but... well buckle up.

The state of computing in our society

Consider the following: A device that you can use but don't know why it works is a device that you cannot maintain. If something goes wrong, you are at the mercy of those who do know and are able to find the source of the problem. This would not be an issue if things were fair for the individual (or consumer), but as things are, companies are making an active effort to sabotage and hamper independent repair shops, effectively creating a monopoly on who can offer devices and the conditions in which they offer them. This does not just affect hardware but software too! With macOS locked behind Apple hardware and Microsoft Windows being the main operating system known to most people and used by most distributors, freedom is near non-existent in the market as of this moment... and that's where Linux comes in!

In a few months from now, Windows 10, one of the most popular Windows versions in our time, will reach End Of Life. In other words, if there is a new discovery to make it vulnerable... well you're on your own. Microsoft is trying to incentivize people to make the switch to their newest flagship, Windows 11 as a response, despite it having a metric ton of flaws. Not only is Windows 11 tentatively (and I say that because they advise against bypassing it) locked behind some pretty demanding requirements, it also starts limiting what the user can do with the system AND attempts to squeeze as much value of them as possible by bombarding them with ads and stretching the limits of telemetry to their extremes. Additionally, they also integrate the "Copilot AI" software into the system, which not only bumps up the requirements further, but is a glaring security flaw. (I'd get more into some further downsides of the "Artificial Intelligence" boom, but I think that is best left to another post.) So in short, Windows 11 is a mess for users. Fortunately, it's not the only way!

A group of individuals and organizations are working together to form the End of 10 project, a movement to inform people that Windows is not the only option when it comes to operating systems! They seek to foster and help the growth of both repair shops and the Linux community by offering physical places and guides on how to start the switch to a Linux distribution of their choice! This will be an important step in the preservation and maintenance of non-cutting edge hardware, helping old computers get a new lease at life. As such, I want to play my part and add a few personal takes on how Linux can help you, and what to keep an eye out for!

Some pointers for the new Linux traveler!

1. Don't lock yourself down!

It can be easy to become overwhelmed with all the distribution options (better known as distros), but don't worry! As long as you keep a backup of your documents, you don't have to worry about locking yourself down in a single environment! Feel free to experiment!

2. FOSS programs are very helpful!

Whereas most programs over on Windows environments are paid for and/or closed source (which means you don't get to see the way they work), the nature of Linux is a more open one. Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) is very common in these bubbles, and it can be seriously helpful in achieving tasks as simple as web browsing and as complicated as you want! And thanks to the transparency, you know what is going on, and how.

3. Your computer is yours, not someone else's!

Regardless of what distribution you use, you are sure to find that what you can and can't do is only limited by your knowledge and desire. While this is a double edged sword if you are not paying attention, there is almost nothing you can't change, fix or add if you have the right tools! Feel free to make your computer work exactly as you want to, and don't be afraid to experiment! Of course, keep a recovery system available, and make backups regularly!

4. The community can help!

Don't be fooled by the niche appereance, for you are not alone in Linux! If something is not working the way it should, many will be willing to give you a hand on what you can do to get your stuff working as expected. Check out forums around the internet and don't be afraid to speak up! Do keep the guidelines of each forum in mind.

5. Knowledge is not a privilege!

Don't let the scary name divert you: the Arch Wiki is one of our biggest sources of information, so if you ever scratch your head on what a term is, you can find out here!

6. Don't seek "the same", seek "the equivalent"

While there will be a lot of things that just don't exist in Linux based systems, like Microsoft Office and Final Cut Pro, you may be surprised at the alternative options. If you change your focus from what is known to what is your need, you'll have an easier time finding yourself back in business.

About some distros

Sadly you are bound to find a fair amount of elitism, as is the case with many non mainstream things, so I'll give you my main tips on how to get this journey started with distro selection.

  • In any case, you should stay a healthy distance away from two organizations that have been kinda worrying with their actions recently: Canonical (makers of Ubuntu) and Red Hat (Enterprise Linux). I'll publish more about them in the future.
  • Think about the use you are going to be giving the computer, and how that affects your decisions. While most people will find themselves quite pleased with desktop based solutions, your computer will perform best if you take your needs in mind.
  • If you have the power available, get yourself a virtual machine manager (my recommendation is VirtualBox!). These will allow you to make a simulation of installing and using Linux on a computer, so you can experience your chosen distro before you install on hardware.
  • Do some research on what package manager your distro uses. Though we have some universal options like Flatpak, the package manager is a very powerful tool that will make your software install experience smoother than ever, and knowing the capacities you have is going to be a huge boost.
  • Don't like what you see on the screenshots or in your VM? Don't give up! I recommend you research what a desktop environment is; unlike Windows, you have a lot of options on how to make your system look and behave, and most of them have avaliability on every distro!

If you feel a bit lost on what distro to choose, here are some guidelines. Notice that your mileage may vary: not everyone has the same ideas!

  • If you don't know how your computer does things from the inside or just want a simple, working environment, a safe bet is Linux Mint: Debian Edition. With a lot of GUI (graphics) frontends for basically everything you will need, it's ideal for those who just want to get their computer working and not worry about the details. Of course, this is not your only option!
  • For those who are a bit more advanced but are not tinkerers or very passionate about their computing experience, Debian as is will give a solid middle ground, being the basis for a lot of other distributions. While the main branch has a reputation for out of date software, it is one of the most stable options out there.
  • If you are known for tinkering with your computer and making things change, I recommend trying out Arch based distributions, though you may want to prefer ones that give you a more GUI friendly approach. This is a route for those who are not experts, but are in a process of learning and wish to be able to use their computer in ways beyond the limits that Windows imposes.
  • If you are already acquainted and comfortable with the command line, and you are either well studied or passionate about the way your system works, you may have interest in Arch Linux itself. While your computer's workings will be your responsibility to maintain, this distro is one of the most flexible options and will help you make your computer fit your needs like a glove!
  • Of course, I'm just a dork on the internet. If you find something that you really like, don't be afraid to give it a shot! And don't forget: these are just a few of the many distros that exist!

"...wait, why are we doing this again?"

Not everyone is very interested on taking a turn off the beaten path when it comes to computers, and I understand that. While there will be people that are perfectly OK with Windows as is, I hope this post can reach those who are not, and feel like things are not going well for computing. There is another way! Here are some arguments for those who want to evaluate their choices.

Privacy

To say there is not a need of privacy when there is nothing to hide is as folly as to say there is not a need of right to speak when nothing needs to be said: it's an injustice to oneself and to others.

Right to repair

A system that is a black box is not very easy to repair. While we know how Windows works in the present day, Microsoft is not very pleased about it. Making the jump to something else may be hard, but as said before: your computer is yours, not someone else's.

Countering preplanned obsolescence

With the constantly upgrading requirements to run the latest software, it becomes hard to keep legacy devices running. Linux, while not completely perfect, can help bring functionality and use back to devices that very much still work even when corporations leave the support behind!

Modularity

Whereas on corporate solutions you may find yourself stuck with one option, Linux can grant you a chance to make a system that you truly manage. If there is something you don't want, you can always check for alternatives!

Competition and development

Did you know Linux gaming was considered an impossibility 10 years ago? Today, thanks to the efforts of Valve (yup, owners of Steam!), Linux gaming is at an all time high, and only getting stronger! The more people we have, the better things will be!

In short...

While not everyone will be willing or even able to put down Windows or macOS, since there is software you just can't replicate, I hope this can help those who are struggling to keep their computers operational due to the tendency of the modern market. This post is aimed towards those who have heard of it and may be interested in trying something else than Windows. While it's not a perfect replacement for every use case, you may still be surprised at what can be done with proper care and time.

This is just one of the types of posts I will make in this blog, so stay tuned for more Linux topics down the road! Sometime soon, I will also talk about hardware, too!

...that being said, the next post might be quite an interesting one if you read this first.