My Linux adventure began several months ago when I decided to stop using Microsoft Windows and switch to the Linux operating sytem instead. It wasn’t a hard decision. I’d been sick of MS Windows for a long time.
I have two laptops. One is an ASUS, the other is a Toshiba Satellite. The Asus was running Windows 8.1, the Tohiba Satellite was Windows 10 and it seemed to me that with each new version Windows was getting worse.
Although I was tempted to install Ubuntu, I decided to go with Linux Mint. I intalled the Mate version of mint on the ASUS and Cinnamon on the Toshiba. This was a new experience for me. I’d never installed an operating system (OS) before.
In both cases I installed LInux as a dual boot so that Windows was still available if someting went wrong. It was handy having two computers because I was able to have a tutorial open on one computer while I installed Linux Mint on the other.
Linux has a lot of advantages over Windows but until you get used to it, it can also be a little harder to use. It’s also more complicated to find compatible hardware. I learned that the hard way when I bought a USB Wi-Fi card.
The USB Wi-Fi device I chose was allegedly suitable for Linux users but it was not. The manufacturer hadn’t updated the drivers for several years and when customers were asking for support the manufacturer was suggesting they go to Github and download the drivers provided free by a Github user.
WWTF? When companies are charging people for computer hardware, it’s their responsibility to make sure it functions on the systems they say that it does and to update the drivers when necessary. Expecting someone else to pick up the slack is wrong.
This situation surprised me and made me realize being a Linux user may be challenging. There are no pros without cons. Nevertheless, I’m still glad I ditched Windows and much prefer using Linux Instead.
I’ve learned a reasobable amount during these early stages of my Linux adventure but I still have plenty to learn and am slowly trying to improve my knowledge of the OS and how it works.
Learning some of the commands may take some time and it occurs to me it may help me to learn if I write things down. That’s one of the reasons I decided to create my Linux adventure blog. My future post may also be helpful to to other new Linux users because if I find something difficult it stands to reason other people may be having the same problem.
I have already tackled several Linux issues and come out on top. I’ve still got others I’m still struggling with though and it’s sometimes difficult to find the information I need. The solutions that work for other people don’t always work for me but I never give up.
In future posts, I will share some of the things I’ve learned along with the problems I encounter and their eventual solutions. What works for me may not work for everyone but will no doubt be helpful to some.
