Linux sounds intimidating, but it’s essentially just another operating system.
When you buy a pre-built PC, it arrives with an operating system pre-installed, usually Windows or Mac.
But Linux distros such as Ubuntu are justas capable as Windows.
The process of installing Linux is rather simple.
But actuallyusingLinux is a bit different.
There are many incentives for migrating from Windows to Linux.
For instance, Linux variants often use less RAM or offer alightweight environment.
Overall, there’s simply more choice.
If you’re tired of Windows, switching to Linux will be pretty easy if you know these things.
Windows vs. Linux
Let’s start by looking at the differences in Linux and Windows.
Windows has nine main variants with various flavors such as Home and 32- vs. 64-bit iterations.
Linux is vastly more complicated.
Thus, there are loads of varying Linux distros available.
Installing an Operating System
Depending on your hardware, installing Linux is often easier than loading Windows.
Linux distros usually feature live boot options to try an operating system before installing.
As opposed to Windows, Linux distributions typically come with open-source drivers.
This alleviates the need to mess with drivers on a fresh install.
However, as is often the case with Linux, you may need to perform some post-install tweaking.
After loading Ubuntu on an HP m6 x360, I discovered that the wrong Wi-Fi driver loaded.
Blacklisting the improper driver was fairly easy, but did require poking around in forums.
Windows, on the other hand, features a relatively minimal install from a user perspective.
Security
System admins are notorious for adoring Linux.
Sysadmins also tend to value security.
Therefore it’s no surprise that Linux ispretty heavy on the security front.
By default, no Linux user accounts have full administrator (root) access.
However, Windows does.
Sounds great, right?
Well, there are certainly situations when these security measures might seem a hassle.
Because this folder was owned by root, I had insufficient privileges to delete it.
Eventually I managed to purge it from my Trash, but the process involved launching Nautilus and navigating folders.
you might easily delete the wrong file and muck up your entire computer.
Additionally, viruses and malware are usually written for Windows.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t usesecurity software on Linux.
On the contrary, you absolutely should.
Installing apps on Linux differs from Windows as well.
DEB files on Linux are close in that they too are package managers.
However, you’ll often find yourself installing via the command line, or using a TAR file.
The command line is crucial to most Linux distros.
Some such as Elementary OS eschew the command line in favor of a gentle learning curve.
Using the command line, installs typically work by entering theapt-get installcommand.
This command runs a package management command line program that uses the Advanced Packaging Tool).
Usingapt-getdownloads new packages from the repositories.
Depending on what you are installing, you may need to addsudoto install with superuser (administrator) permissions.
As further reading, refer to thisbeginner’s guide to installing software in Ubuntu with APT.
On Linux, the TAR.GZ or TGZ file throw in is really common.
If you’re coming from Windows, how to handle a TAR.GZ file might not be that intuitive.
Like using apt-get to install, you’ll also need the command line.
Here’s an excellent guide forhow to compile and install TAR.GZ and TAR.BZ2 files in Linux.
You’ll have to follow a few different steps, such as ensuring that your file is writeable.
Many sources such asDRM-free games repository GOGprovide programs compressed as TAR.GZ files.
On Fedora, there’s also RPM, which once stood for Red Hat Package Manager.
Now RPM stands for RPM Package manager.
See this wonderful guide for a complete overview ofpackage formats explained.
Permissions and File Systems
On Windows, the default user is an administrator.
Linux user accounts though are not.
As previously mentioned, this really enhances security.
All of your drives are within that tree.
Similarly, unlike Windows, Linux lacks a registry.
Essentially, the Windows registry is a central database of computer tweaks.
The Windows registry houses user passwords and app information.
Linux eschews the registry.
Instead, programs store their individual tweaks.
Are Windows and Linux Apps Compatible?
Windows software dominates the market.
However native Linux programs are increasingly prominent.
Noteworthy Linux apps includeSlack,Steam, andseveral gamesincludingAlien: Isolation.
But if you’re coming from Windows, you’ve likely got lots of Windows programs.
Unfortunately, most of those probably aren’t cross-platform compatible.
Wine
Before you chuck those Windows programs in the rubbish bin, youtry Wine.
This compatibility layer software app lets many Windows programs run on Linux distros.
Wine lacks support for some software, and some programs are admittedly buggy.
There’s asolid app databaseof compatibility.
Additionally, apps likePlayOnLinuxprovide a superb front-end for installing games and other programs.
you could learnhow to run Windows apps and games with Winewith very little effort.
There’s growing support for Linux, and an expanding list of distros and updates.
By switching, you’re free to help make 2017the year of the Linux desktop.
Windows users seeking a streamlined Linux experiencemay consider Elementary OS.
Elementary OS features a low learning curve and avoids a reliance on the terminal.
Similarly, these distros including Zorin and Ubuntu make superbWindows and Mac replacements.
Ultimately, making the jump from Windows to Linuxsoundsmore intimidating than it is.
Plus, using Linux yields with a bevy of benefits likemaking you a better student.
What is your advice for users switching from Windows to Linux?
What do you wish you knew during the transition?
