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The Linux distillery Have a happy GNU Linux year!
The Linux distillery Have a happy GNU Linux year! | Have a happy GNU Linux year! |
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| by David M Williams | |
| Thursday, 13 December 2007 | |
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Page 4 of 4 The first step to a successful switch to Linux is to work out just what you actually do with your computer. That may sound like a ridiculous statement, but it is vital. Make a list: no doubt you visit web pages and therefore need a web browser. You might check e-mail using Hotmail; that’s just a web site, so you don’t need anything more there. However, you might instead download your e-mail from your ISP’s server to a mail client like Outlook; in this case, you have a second need, namely a functional mail client that can retrieve and store e-mail.Next, find free software which meets your need. It may sound surprising, but the bulk of free and open source software is not simply Linux-centric but also works fine on Microsoft Windows. This gives the ultimate “try before you buy” experience (ok, ok, the penultimate) because you don’t have to commit to Linux in any hurry; you can get a feel for the programs you will run under Linux, without having to actually upset your current OS in any way. Let me clarify: there’s no Linux version of Microsoft Office. If you change your OS to Linux, you will no longer run Microsoft Word to perform word processing. That’s not an obstacle; the program you most likely will use instead – Open Office – comes for Windows as well as Linux. Get familiar with it within Windows and your learning curve is slashed because you’re still using a known environment. Later on, when you do make the move to Linux you will be a whiz at Open Office already, even though you’re still familiarising yourself with Linux. Similarly, download and install the Firefox web browser now. It’ll run under Windows, and you can get a grip on it within your regular environment before making the change. Later on, you’ll be a pro at it under Linux. These are but two examples: your needs will undoubtedly be more extensive than purely an office suite and a web browser. Here’s where some great websites will help you. I wrote previously about LinuxAppFinder and OSAlt.Com; these web sites will let you find open source software replacements for the programs you presently use and depend upon. As an example, if you need a PhotoShop-like program, these sites will recommend The GIMP and some others. If you presently run DreamWeaver, these sites will introduce you to KompoZer and more. If you burn CDs or DVDs, try InfraRecorder. Although it sounds counter-productive, my genuine advice to a successful Linux move is to not switch with haste. Give yourself time to slowly become accustomed to open source replacements. Begin to think in terms of functions rather than software titles. You don’t need Microsoft Office, you need to compose documents – there’s a significant difference. And this need can be met by other, open-source, software titles instead. After a little while, you’ll realise you don’t actually need Windows anymore. At this point the switch to Linux will be a natural one – but pleasantly, it will be just like being home when you do because all the primary applications are already familiar to you. Check out Live CD versions of Linux distros, and locate your nearest Linux user group. With a sense of community, as well as the comfort of knowing a Live CD distro runs fine on your computer, the rest is just mouse clicks away. Go on, even your granny can do it. So make 2008 the year you embrace Linux and have a happy GNU Linux year.
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