How to Switch to Linux
I use Linux for my primary computer system. I didn't start out that way. I started out using Microsoft Windows 3.1. Over the years I upgraded or bought computer systems with Windows 95, 98, 2000 and XP. Each upgrade was more difficult and and costly than the last. I discovered that switching to Linux is a good way to eliminate these problems.
Most of us tend to resist change in our lives and I am no exception. Wanting to stay with the familiar and comfortable seems to be hard-wired into our brains. Occasionally something compelling comes along that forces us to consider making a change. For me, that something was Linux.
There are many reasons why I switched to Linux, but here is a list of the main reasons I switched.
Cost
Linux costs less than Microsoft Windows. It can be had for as little as the cost of downloading it and burning it to a CD. You can "buy" Linux from a number of vendors, but what you are paying for is their production and packaging costs and their support; Linux itself is free.
Security
Linux provides better security than Microsoft Windows. Some might disagree with that statement, but practical experience shows it to be true. Security patches are available soon after a problem is discovered, usually within hours, instead of the weekly or monthly schedule used for Windows.
Applications
Linux comes with more applications than Microsoft Windows. You have multiple choices of word processors, spreadsheets, calendars, organizers and others.
Switching to Linux is a little more difficult than just upgrading from one version of Windows to another. However, the principles of both systems are the same and the user interfaces are similar. In my experience, most people quickly adapt to using Linux and fall in love with it.
I've switched several of my friends to Linux and they love it. Here are a couple of examples.
Mary was always having trouble keeping track of all the windows she had open. She would start her word processor not realizing that she already started it because it was buried under other windows. Eventually she would get frustrated, close all her windows and start over. With Linux, she has multiple screens available, each with its own set of windows. She has her email on the first screen, her web browser on a second screen and her word processor on a third screen. Each screen is just a click away and she can have as many screens as she wants. I asked her recently if she would switch back to Windows. Her response was, "Why on earth would I want to do that!"
For Marc, it was all about cost. He had been running his business using QuickBooks to meet his accounting needs for several years. He found the constant pressure and expense of having to upgrade annoying. I switched him to Linux and GnuCash and he has never looked back. According to Marc, "Using Linux has provided me with more capability than I could otherwise have afforded."
In this article, I will cover the basics of what Linux is and how you can make the switch to Linux. Linux is available from a number of companies and organizations. I use a version produced by Mandriva (www.mandriva.com) and will use it for my examples.
What is Linux?
Linux is a computer operating system that provides a graphical desktop environment, email, web browsers, word processors and all the other programs that make up a modern operating system. Technically, Linux is just the operating system kernel, the heart of the system. It is combined with other applications to create a complete operating system. Unlike Windows, there are multiple choices for the graphical desktop environment and other programs. The two most popular desktop environments are Gnome and KDE.
The unique thing about Linux is that it started out as software created by people like you and me who needed something that was either not commercially available or was not affordable for the average person. So they created what they needed and then freely shared it with others. Because Linux was easy to use and affordable (free), more and more people started using it and contributing to its development. Today there are thousands of people involved in its development and support. It is used in thousands of businesses and by millions of people.
Now that you have a little background, let's press forward with setting up a Linux based computer system.
Installation
The easiest way to get started with Linux is not to install it at all. Several Linux vendors provide a version you can boot and run from a CD. If you just want to get your feet wet, this is an excellent way to get started without having to cut the Microsoft Windows tether. Mandriva provides this type of product as well as a version you can boot and run from a USB key.
If you already know you want to try Linux, but are concerned about being able to install or upgrade your own system, then I suggest you buy a computer with Linux already installed. There are many manufacturers that sell systems with Linux installed. The most well known is probably Dell Computer Systems.
If you are still with me, good. I will now take you through a typical installation of Mandriva. I will assume that you have obtained installation CDs and that the installation will be performed on a computer containing an existing Windows installation that you want to keep. This allows you to boot either Windows or Linux. Your existing Microsoft Windows data will be available from within Linux.
A typical Linux installation usually takes me about thirty minutes, about half the time it takes me to install Windows. If you are not an experienced computer user, it may take you a little longer. An installation guide is available at the Mandriva web site. I suggest you download and read it before beginning the installation.
Before installing Linux, you should clean up your Windows system. Delete any files you no longer need and then run the "Disk Cleanup" and "Disk Defragmenter" programs. This will create space on your hard disk for Linux.
Insert the first Mandriva CD and reboot your system from the CD. Most people find the Mandriva installation process to be intuitive. You will be presented with graphical install screens one at a time where you may choose various options. Many of these options will be familiar to people who have installed Microsoft Windows before. Examples are the name you give your computer and the IP address of your network interface. Help is available to explain the options on each screen. In most cases, you'll just accept the defaults. There are a few options that probably need a little explanation for the novice user. I have provided that in the following paragraphs so that you can make the right decisions for your setup.
During the installation, you will see a screen titled "Partitioning." A hard disk is divided into slices like a pie. Each slice is called a partition. A typical Windows installation will have a single partition that appears to the user as drive C:. Since we are keeping the Windows installation, select the option "Use the free space on the Microsoft Windows partition." This option will shrink the partition Windows is installed on and create new Linux partitions from that free space.
While on the subject of partitioning, let's take a little side trip to discuss the similarities and differences of Linux and Windows directory and file organization. . . .
Configuring Your System
Once you are logged in, you will be looking at the KDE desktop. You may want to perform additional configuration of your system or your desktop or you may just want to poke around a little. The main start button is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
To configure your system click the start button and select System->Configuration->Configure Your Computer from the menus. You will be prompted for the root password.
To configure your desktop, click the start button and select System->Configuration->Control Center.
Applications
As a former Windows user, you will want to update some applications with information and data located on your Windows partition. The applications that immediately come to mind are email, web browsing and documents.
For email, I prefer to use Kmail, part of the Kontact application. Kontact provides similar capabilities to Microsoft Outlook. You can run Kmail from within Kontact or you can run it by itself. There is an import program available from the File menu that will help you import your Outlook or other mail client email. From within Kontact or from the menus, you can also run the KaddressBook application and import your address book data.
For web browsing, I use two different browsers: Mozilla Firefox and KDE Konqueror.
I use Firefox when I need to access a web site that is designed to be accessed by only particular web browsers. It is based on web standards and has a very nice interface. You can import the Import menu item to import the bookmarks from your Windows Firefox installation.
I use Konqueror for everything else. I love Konqueror. It is more than just a web browser and has features I have not seen in any other browser. For example, you have ever been in a situation where you needed to view two web sites or documents at once? It's easy with Konqueror. You simply choose one of the menu items named Window->Split View to split the view pane vertically or horizontally. Then select one of the panes and enter the URL of the other site.
For word processing and spreadsheets, there are several fine programs available. But the big daddy on the block is OpenOffice which is also available for Microsoft Windows.
I have never cared much for Microsoft Word or Excel and have been a confirmed WordPerfect / Quatro Pro user for many years. I have to be honest and say that switching to OpenOffice was a little painful. I am so glad I did. Once I figured it out, I have found this program to be much easier to use than either MS Word or WordPerfect. OpenOffice can import both of those document formats as well as many others. It can save documents in the standard OpenDocument format, several Microsoft Word formats and many other formats. There are some occasional MS Word compatibility issues, but these are becoming less frequent. Also, the next version of Microsoft Word will use the OpenDocument format which will further reduce incompatibilities. From a practical standpoint, I've been using OpenOffice in business for a couple of years now and rarely encounter a problem.
Before you begin using OpenOffice, there is one system configuration item you may want to address; setting up your system fonts. In the "Configure Your Computer" application, you will find a program for configuring your system fonts. This program will allow you to import the fonts from your Microsoft Windows partition. If you write documents that you will provide to people running MS Word, I recommend you import your Windows fonts and use them when producing documents. This isn't a requirement and MS Word uses will be able to load your documents just fine, but the formatting may not be what you intended unless you use the fonts available to Windows users.
Summary
This article has barely scratched the surface of what can be done with Linux. The typical Mandriva free installation comes with over 2,500 software packages and there are at least four times that many available from various internet sites. There are literally thousands of web sites dedicated to Linux that will help you in becoming a Linux user. I've provided a few of my favorites below. Linux is easy and fun to use. You don't have to be a computer expert to be able to enjoy the many advantages it brings to the table. I promise you will be glad you made the switch.
Resources
Need Help?
www.linuxquestions.org and www.linuxnewbie.org can answer many of your questions.
wiki.linuxquestions.org/wiki/Linux_software_equivalent_to_Windows_software provides lists of Microsoft Windows programs and their Linux equivalent.
www.openoffice.org can answer your OpenOffice questions. Many uses share macros and "howto" information at this site.
What to know who provides Linux systems?
www.distrocenter.linux.com provides a good list of the various Linux distributions available.
Looking for more software?
www.rpmfind.net is one of many places you can go to find software. Software packages for Linux are available as RPM files. RPM stands for RedHat Package Manager.