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Our Blogs Apexing the Linux learning curve Changing operating systems requires a change in mindset
Our Blogs Apexing the Linux learning curve Changing operating systems requires a change in mindset | Changing operating systems requires a change in mindset |
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| Apexing the Linux learning curve - Linux for Learners | |
| by Hamish Taylor | |
| Saturday, 04 October 2008 | |
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Page 2 of 2 I have been thinking about how to write this article and what I mean by the "Linux way". I can explain it this way: recently I got myself a new mobile phone. Since about the year 1452 I have been using Nokia mobile phones, but this new one is a Sony-Ericsson. It's quite nice and I really like it.When typing an SMS, Nokia use the 0 key for inserting a space. Sony-Ericsson use the # key. So, when I am trying to compose an SMS I still get frustrated, even after a few months, as I forget and end up with 0s everywhere! I am of the opinion that moving from Windows to Linux is a little like my experience with sending SMSs on a new phone. Things are just a little different. Not completely different so that you have to learn from scratch, but different enough that you end up frustrated when you naturally try to do it the "old way". Your brain thinks "insert space in SMS" and your fingers just go for the 0 key. So what does this mean to someone trying to move from Windows to Linux? I think there are two main issues that need to be addressed in moving to the "Linux way": software installations and drivers. Whilst slightly more complex than spaces in an SMS, changing your mindset about these are probably the key to getting Linux to play nicely for you. Most Windows users are quite happy to find out about some software that they want, go to a website, download it and install it. Or buy it on a CD/DVD and install it from that media. However, this approach usually doesn't work that well in Linux. Most (but not all) software is already available if you use the Package Manager included in your Linux distribution. For Ubuntu users, this is either Add/Remove Applications or the Synaptic Package Manager. Other distributions will have other Package Managers. Every distribution has one! The mind-shift for new Linux users is to use the Package Manager to find, download and install software, instead of using Google or just going directly to a website. Whilst the Package Manager won't cover every piece of software you might want to install, it will cover the vast majority and should always be the first place you begin to look. The same can be said for driver installations. In a modern Linux distribution, drivers for most devices are already included. However, many manufacturers produce proprietary drivers. These may be available, but not pre-installed. This is usually due to licencing restrictions. The distribution does not include it as it is "not-free" or requires the user to "sign" an End User Licence Agreement of some sort. That driver will probably be made available to you without you going hunting for it in obscure website locations. In Ubuntu, the ATI, nVidia and various other drivers are available, you merely have to go to System -> Hardware Drivers and tick the boxes to get them to download and install. After a reboot, they work. To get my Broadcom 4318 WLAN card to work in Ubuntu 8.04 "Hardy Heron" took me maybe 6 mouse clicks, I typed in my password, waitied about a minute and a half for it to download and install and then a reboot. It has worked flawlessly ever since. Understanding the subtle differences and how Linux works takes some time. When I started down the Linux path, I made all the mistakes that I have encountered in some of the iTWire article comments and on other sites. I am hoping that in pointing out that there is a mindshift that is necessary, that it will prompt some people to re-consider it and try Linux again. As always, please leave feedback, comments and questions. However, I will only respond to comments left on iTWire article discussion forums. The direct link for this article is here.
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