Back once I first began utilizing Linux in 1997, the open-source working system was primarily utilized by pc science college students, hackers, and programmers who wished an alternative choice to the Windows working system. It was critical and geared towards critical work. Fast ahead to now and Linux is used for all the pieces. Why? Simply put, it is extra versatile than Windows.
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Linux can be bent and twisted into absolutely anything. But Linux isn’t solely extra versatile, dependable, and safe than the competitors, but it surely’s additionally much more enjoyable. I’ve spent many a day (and weekend) tweaking the Linux desktop just because I might.
Some of the desktops I’ve configured have been so wonderful that pals wished to understand how they might obtain the identical look, solely to be disillusioned that their working system of selection wasn’t able to pulling off such a feat.
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To that finish, I wished to share among the actually cool things that you can do with the Linux desktop that you can’t do with different working programs. My objective is to not solely persuade you that Linux is a very unbelievable working system however hopefully to persuade you to provide it a strive.
And thus, with out additional ado, let’s get to these cool things.
1. Change it
Linux is about selection. Some would possibly say, “But there’s too much choice!” The factor is, many desktop distributions make the laborious selections for you — which kernel, which bash shell, which startup service, which community supervisor. Some distributions deliberately restrict these selections to maintain customers from being inundated with choices. But even these distributions can be modified.
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For instance, if you choose to go with Ubuntu Linux and you do not like GNOME, you can set up KDE Plasma, Xfce, Pantheon, Budgie, Enlightenment, or any variety of Linux desktop environments. And that’s a part of the great thing about Linux…if you do not prefer it, change it.
In a matter of minutes, you can change your desktop setting to 1 that resembles Windows, MacOS, or one thing utterly totally different.
2. Revive previous {hardware}
Remember when Windows 11 was launched, and lots of people quickly found that the pc they purchased three years prior would not help the most recent model of the working system? That’s not the case with Linux. In reality, there are variations of Linux (equivalent to Lubuntu and Linux Lite) that are particularly created to run on older {hardware} (though they can additionally run on newer machines as nicely).
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You may need a machine mendacity round in a closet that’s 5 years previous, and you assumed it was headed for the recycler. Grab a light-weight model of Linux, set up it on that getting old machine, and watch it run like an absolute champ.
3. Never fear about lock-in
One of the issues I’ve with working programs like Windows and MacOS is vendor lock-in. With MacOS, you do things the Apple manner. With Windows 11, you do things the Windows manner. With Linux, you do things your manner.
In different phrases, if there’s one thing about the best way the desktop features that you do not like, you can tweak it to suit your wants and workflow completely. And almost each Linux distribution permits for such customization. I do not learn about you, however I might a lot quite work in a manner that completely fits my wants quite than in a manner that aligns with a 3rd celebration’s thought of what’s environment friendly. Most typically, I discover their thought of effectivity is nowhere close to mine.
4. Upgrade with out reboots
How many occasions have you gone to improve both Windows or MacOS, solely to search out out the improve really occurs throughout a reboot? For me, I might use that time really being productive. That’s but another excuse why I discover Linux is superior to the competitors.
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With Linux, I can do a full improve, all of the whereas persevering with to work on the desktop. In reality, with most Linux distributions, the one time you need to reboot after an improve is that if the kernel is upgraded. Otherwise, you simply carry on utilizing the OS whereas the improve runs within the background.
5. Run Windows software program
That’s proper, for many who should run Windows software program on Linux, there is a manner, and it is known as WINE. Wine is an installable piece of software program that permits you to put in Windows software program and run it on Linux. Wine isn’t typically put in by default, but it surely’s present in most distributions’ default repositories so that it can be put in from throughout the varied app shops obtainable on Linux.
Speaking of which…
6. Install tons of software program… totally free!
You may need heard many individuals say there isn’t any software program obtainable for Linux. They’re mistaken. With Linux, you’ll discover 1000’s upon 1000’s of free software program that can be put in from the GUI app retailer. And because of the likes of Snap and Flatpak, you can even set up proprietary apps, equivalent to Zoom and Spotify, on Linux with ease.
I understand that MacOS and Windows each have a big number of software program to put in from, however you will not discover almost the number of free software program (and with out advertisements) obtainable for set up. Also, managing put in software program is a lot simpler with Linux (both from the command line or the GUI). Even higher, you can add third-party repositories to your bundle supervisor to put in much more software program. In different phrases, Linux affords significantly extra flexibility with regard to software program set up.
7. Wow your mates
As I discussed earlier, with Linux, you can create a desktop setting that is certain to wow your mates. Back in my early days, I used to spend hours tweaking the AfterStep and Enlightenment window managers to the purpose the place they regarded as in the event that they had been from the long run. I used transparency and window results that had been unprecedented on Windows, and everybody who noticed my desktops wished them.
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Although few Linux desktops are as versatile as these, there are nonetheless desktops (equivalent to Xfce, Enlightenment, and KDE Plasma) that can be configured to appear to be technological artworks. Not solely is that this an effective way to make everybody round you jealous…it is a variety of enjoyable.
8. Enjoy unprecedented reliability
In the years that I’ve been utilizing Linux, I’ve not often skilled any critical points. Although I did one time wind up having a server hacked and a rootkit put in, that was an anomaly for me. Outside of that, the overwhelming majority of the problems I’ve encountered had been fixable inside minutes. And as a result of Linux offers you all of the troubleshooting instruments you want to unravel these issues, resolving a difficulty is usually a log file learn away.
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Linux simply works. It actually is that easy. But extra importantly, it really works and works and works. So, if you’re in search of a technique to put the enjoyable, flexibility, ease of use, and reliability again into computing, do your self a favor and provides Linux a strive.
…. to be continued
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