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I realize that these articles are well intentioned, but I really wish the authors would take a more measured approach. My general advice prior to switching to

by II2II 6y ago

I realize that these articles are well intentioned, but I really wish the authors would take a more measured approach. My general advice prior to switching to Linux is: use open source applications under your existing operating system first and ensure the distribution works by testing it on the installation media prior to installing it. The diving in head first approach has two big drawbacks. You are learning everything at once. That can be a painful process, particularly for people who know how to use a particular piece of software and have never generalized their skills. The second problem is that Linux (or particular Linux distributions) doesn't work well with some hardware. It is easier to shrug that off if you find that out prior to installing and spending hours troubleshooting. Two other thoughts: choose Linux for what it is rather than choosing it for what it isn't. If you're switching to Linux because it is more performant on older hardware is good. Switching to Linux because your old operating system is slow is setting a mindset to hate Linux. Also keep in mind that switching to Linux is a personal decision and it's okay to say that Linux is not for you. No one is forcing the switch: not the old vendor you dislike and not the enthusiastic advocates. I'm sorry if this rubs some people the wrong way, but I believe that most of these articles are setting people up to hate Linux rather than embrace it. That is saddening since it is a great operating system that makes life so much easier if you approach it with an open mind.

frabbit 6y ago
Not only those excellent points, but also why not just install Linux on the best hardware you have? A bunch of people's experience of GNU/Linux is going to be based on running it on old hardware. Select new hardware with freedom in mind: * no dodgy nVidia videocards * research the wireless chipset * research GPU passthrough capabilities of the CPU * install Windows (if you really need it) in a VM * profit This is old but still good as an overview: https://davidyat.es/2016/09/08/gpu-passthrough/ https://davidyat.es/2016/09/08/gpu-passthrough/
- II2II 6y ago
  Better yet, install Linux on all of the hardware you have! More seriously though, it is difficult for many people to application software. Switching from a commercial to an open source operating system takes that difficulty to the next level since it usually means changing almost all of the software that you use. (Unless, of course, you use open source applications under a commercial operating system.) I suspect a lot of people like to advocate Linux to those using older systems because those people have less to lose. It is easy for existing users to promote installing Linux on the best computer because we are already familiar with its strengths, we know how to deal with its quirks, and we know that it fits our needs.
tagrun 6y ago
> I realize that these articles are well intentioned, but I really wish the authors would take a more measured approach. My general advice prior to switching to Linux is: use open source applications under your existing operating system first and ensure the distribution works by testing it on the installation media prior to installing it. They do. From the article: > Like any serious upgrade, start with making a complete backup of your Windows system. Installing Linux shouldn’t hurt your Windows setup in the least, but I don’t believe in taking chances. > Two other thoughts: choose Linux for what it is rather than choosing it for what it isn't. The article is targeted for people who are on Windows 7 and can't run/afford Windows 10 and stuck with an operating system that no longer gets any security updates. That's a given for the target audience from the outset, so we need to keep that context in mind when prioritizing.

by II2II 6y ago

frabbit 6y ago

Not only those excellent points, but also why not just install Linux on the best hardware you have? A bunch of people's experience of GNU/Linux is going to be based on running it on old hardware. Select new hardware with freedom in mind: * no dodgy nVidia videocards * research the wireless chipset * research GPU passthrough capabilities of the CPU * install Windows (if you really need it) in a VM * profit This is old but still good as an overview: https://davidyat.es/2016/09/08/gpu-passthrough/ https://davidyat.es/2016/09/08/gpu-passthrough/

II2II 6y ago
Better yet, install Linux on all of the hardware you have! More seriously though, it is difficult for many people to application software. Switching from a commercial to an open source operating system takes that difficulty to the next level since it usually means changing almost all of the software that you use. (Unless, of course, you use open source applications under a commercial operating system.) I suspect a lot of people like to advocate Linux to those using older systems because those people have less to lose. It is easy for existing users to promote installing Linux on the best computer because we are already familiar with its strengths, we know how to deal with its quirks, and we know that it fits our needs.

tagrun 6y ago

> I realize that these articles are well intentioned, but I really wish the authors would take a more measured approach. My general advice prior to switching to Linux is: use open source applications under your existing operating system first and ensure the distribution works by testing it on the installation media prior to installing it. They do. From the article: > Like any serious upgrade, start with making a complete backup of your Windows system. Installing Linux shouldn’t hurt your Windows setup in the least, but I don’t believe in taking chances. > Two other thoughts: choose Linux for what it is rather than choosing it for what it isn't. The article is targeted for people who are on Windows 7 and can't run/afford Windows 10 and stuck with an operating system that no longer gets any security updates. That's a given for the target audience from the outset, so we need to keep that context in mind when prioritizing.