Experiance of a Linux user-what he learned from past 10 years using Linux

[praka123]

BELOW IS FROM THE BLOG OF A LINUX USER:


I started using Linux as my primary desktop and operating system in 1998. After brief flirtations with FVWM 95 and Enlightenment, I settle on Gnome (with it’s various WMs over the years ) and Redhat/Fedora (until switching to Ubuntu last fall ).

1. My computer is mine. I didn’t license or borrow it from an OS vendor. I don’t want to ask permission to install or uninstall software on it, including the operating system. If I upgrade or swap out parts, I don’t have to justify it to anyone ( except maybe the Mrs. if it’s a bit pricey ).
2. I don’t want to feel guilty about using software that works. I understand that software authors need to feed their families, but there is a better choice then stealing it or doing without it when I don’t have the cash. Many open source authors are happy that I use and like their software, thrilled when I feedback useful bug reports when something is broken or could be better, and ecstatic when I offer a reasonable, well formated and documented patch. BTW - where is your WinZip license?
3. WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) is great - WYGIWYG ( what-you-get-is-what-you-get ) sucks! I don’t expect software authors to anticipate every possible use I have for their application, but if they won’t change it meet my needs, at least let me! Every time I work on an MS box and run into a shortfall with a piece of software, I feel helpless - I very likely can’t fix it even if I have the knowledge and the tools. I don’t like felling helpless.
4. The command line won’t kill you. Don’t get me wrong, I like point-n-click and next-next-finish as much as the next guy, but opening a text editor, loading a file and scrolling to the last line just to see how many lines are in the file is silly compared to “wc -l file.txt” from the command line prompt. The amount of time it takes to get familiar with the command line, man pages, and basic GNU tool chain commands can’t be close to the time I see wasted on searching for and installing single use, GUI tools like image and audio converters or text search-and-replace editors.
5. No, it doesn’t work like {insert favorite OS here}. After 10 years of Gnome, I sit down at an XP or Vista box and want to chuck the keyboard across the room in about 10 minutes. I understand that it’s hard to change from what is familiar to what is different and strange, but don’t point at what you know and say everything has to work like that or it’s broken. I have been a Gnome user for a long time, but I keep KDE installed on my desktop, and use it off and on. I don’t bag on Windows because it’s user interfaces make different choices ( Now, the fact that is loses my data under BSOD’s or gets infected by viruses/malware /trojans every time I surf the net is a different issue. )
6. You don’t have to be a genius, but you have to be able to learn. I have had people “ooh” and “aah” over my use of Linux and command of the environment. Don’t get me wrong, I like adoration as much as the next guy, but I didn’t get here by using my photographic memory on the “Linux in 24 Days” book. I learned what I needed to know, a little bit at a time, for the problem in front of me at the time. I reused what I learned, a little bit at a time, putting it with other little bits here and there to meet other needs or wants. I had to admit very early on, that I don’t know everything there is to know about Linux and likely never would - But it’s been fun trying to get there! In fact, it always bugs me when someone has been using a computer/OS for a few years and still tries to shut it off with the monitor power button and thinks the browser IS the internet.
7. No, I’m not a fanboy. Just because I found something that works for me doesn’t make me deviant, eccentric, a fanatic, or antisocial. If you hear me advocating for open source or Linux, or if I point out some of the pros and cons of your choices verses my choices, it is most likely because I have noticed that what your doing isn’t really working for you! I don’t enjoy watching other people want to throw their keyboards across the room any more than I enjoy the feeling myself. I don’t enjoy the feeling of being trapped, of just settling for mediocre, of expecting poor quality to be the norm and I don’t wish that on anyone else.
8. Penguins are cute. OK, this was the hardest lesson. Since few people understood Linux when I started, but they understood the Linux mascot, Tux the Penguin, many of my friends and family have gotten me ( and continue to get me ) penguins for Christmas, birthdays, just-because-I-saw-it-and-knew-you-would-like-it gifts. Just look at my desk at work:
   

source:
http://www.91courtstreet.net/wordpre...last-10-years/

[Zeeshan Quireshi]

@praka , You are also being Given a License to Use Linux , in this case it is Under the GPL .

Linux is not your property ans so isn't any other OSS Software , you have the license to Run it , modify it or redistribute it , but you don't have the right to claimi t is yours , as meintioned in The First Point !

No i know you're not a fanboy but it's not your job(or right) to stuff linux down every person's throat that comes in your sight .

[praka123]

^First of ALL!It is not me who wrote that blog!thats what I wrote in first line.

But you seems anti-linux and anti-FOSS to me

[din]

Originally Posted by Zeeshan Quireshi

Linux is not your property ans so isn't any other OSS Software , you have the license to Run it , modify it or redistribute it , but you don't have the right to claimi t is yours , as meintioned in The First Point !.

LOL @Zeeshan - Read Again ...

What he wrote is

My computer is mine. I didn’t license or borrow it from an OS vendor. I don’t want to ask permission to install or uninstall software on it, including the operating system.

There is no mention about the OS license or no claim that OS is that of the PC Owner. Nothing like that. What he meant is about his PC, not operating system.

First point is about his PC. Poor guy, he can't even claim his PC is his own ? ?

May be you read it fast and tried to post a fast reply ?

[Zeeshan Quireshi]

Originally Posted by praka123

^First of ALL!It is not me who wrote that blog!thats what I wrote in first line.

But you seems anti-linux and anti-FOSS to me

Man that was for the author(the down the throat part)

[din]

@Zeeshan

Sorry for being bit personal but all your posts in this thread were un-necessary.

First - the point you mentioned is utter wrong, second, you meant praka in the first post and in next post you denied it.

Why making flame wars ?

If Praka like Linux, let him spread the word. If you do not like it, do not use it, thats the rt way isn't it ? Also, if he post something thats wrong, you can always point too, but why un-necesary posts even before reading what he wrote / quoted ?

Peace (reminds me of Jeba lol)

[Faun]

that cubicle looks good

[din]

LOL, was about to type the same !!

With those monitors and the tux toys, looks nice.

[Zeeshan Quireshi]

It's too cluttered for me .

[Pat]

Makes for a nice read! Good find praka

[praka123]

Really valid points which @OP did.I thought to share the article here

[gxsaurav]

The guy has been using Linux since forever, good. However, Y the Windows bashing?

If I upgrade or swap out parts, I don’t have to justify it to anyone

Wrong comparison to Windows. Unless you change both the motherboard & harddisk at the same time, you do not need to get a new license for your OS. In case you upgrade to a new machine, you can always migrate the License to the new computer easily.

How often do u upgrade both harddisk & motherboard at the same time?

I don’t want to feel guilty about using software that works

I think the author should have a look at the numuras free & effective applications for Windows. Oh! & PeaZip is free along witj jZip & what not.

I very likely can’t fix it even if I have the knowledge and the tools. I don’t like felling helpless

There is no cure to laziness. Author has no problem hunting & fixing a problem in Linux but has in Windows...gr8 logic.

( Now, the fact that is loses my data under BSOD’s or gets infected by viruses/malware /trojans every time I surf the net is a different issue. )

I wonder....how am I using Windows

You don’t have to be a genius, but you have to be able to learn

Not everyone has time to learn. Some people just want to open there computer & start watching the HD DVD of 300, instead of downloading a Codec then dependencies libraries, then LibCSS hacks etc. Some people want to pay & use an easy OS from boot up.

[techtronic]

I was just expecting gxsaurav to cme in

[MetalheadGautham]

its like that thing came out of my own mouth... I too feel just like him.

[din]

Sorry for going offtopic, but wait, one more guy need to enter .. Expecting him any time from now lol.

[Garbage]

Originally Posted by din

Sorry for going offtopic, but wait, one more guy need to enter .. Expecting him any time from now lol.

I know, whom u r expecting

BTW, a nice article.
And specially, U have too able to learn !!

[praka123]

1. My computer is mine. I didn’t license or borrow it from an OS vendor. I don’t want to ask permission to install or uninstall software on it, including the operating system. If I upgrade or swap out parts, I don’t have to justify it to anyone ( except maybe the Mrs. if it’s a bit pricey ).

This thing may induce some sense to those who do "I agree" while installing softwares those "EULA" boys

[Zeeshan Quireshi]

Originally Posted by praka123

This thing may induce some sense to those who do "I agree" while installing softwares those "EULA" boys

Mate you also do "I Agree" to the GPL before downloading any GPL'ed Application

[SunnyChahal]

i want to use linux on this pc but there is no support for my GPU.
it just stops at the loading screen.
tell me any linux which wud work on my sys

[The Unknown]

Originally Posted by praka123

^First of ALL!It is not me who wrote that blog!thats what I wrote in first line.

But you seems anti-linux and anti-FOSS to me

yeah he is.

btw, a nice one.

[shantanu]

guys keep it to topic, its never personal.. GX, zeeshan, praka, din : please guys help yourself in being a good member , no nonsense please, applies to all the members who wants to flame

[The Unknown]

Originally Posted by Sunny1211993

i want to use linux on this pc but there is no support for my GPU.
it just stops at the loading screen.
tell me any linux which wud work on my sys

Fedora. It has all the drivers. I am using all obsolete hardware (which no more exist in market except my DVD writer ) and it works well.

[SunnyChahal]

^^
just look at my sig plz

[Zeeshan Quireshi]

Originally Posted by Sunny1211993

i want to use linux on this pc but there is no support for my GPU.
it just stops at the loading screen.
tell me any linux which wud work on my sys

You on which . I think Ubuntu has support for almost all GFX cards .

Originally Posted by The Unknown

yeah he is.

Just because i Point out the Shortcomings in a thing(or the good ones) doesn't mean i'm against it .

If i don't point out what problem i'm facing and how it can be improved , then how will the developers know what features to add and improve in their software .

But i am against people who claim that Linux is best n Win is crap . ( Not directed towards Praka whatsoever ) . I myself use a Majority of Open Source apps and i regularly file feature requests if i think something is missing .

[SunnyChahal]

^^
ubuntu is not working

[The Unknown]

Originally Posted by Sunny1211993

^^
just look at my sig plz

i have heard some ppl complaining that Ubuntu didn't have the drivers !! but the funny thing his i did not hear this from any non-Ubuntu user !!! (OpenSuse, Fedora, etc)

PS: I am not cursing Ubuntu. Don't take me wrong. I am telling the truth.

[praka123]

@sunny:u need to complete install and get display with "vesa" as driver.
now,you have to get installed latest nvidia kernel modules.latest nvidia drivers supports 8800GTS.
you may research on this forum run by nvidia:
http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=14

BTW.latest driver for nvidia is 169.09 in Linux.Hope Ubuntu have it in repo.

[SunnyChahal]

^^
plz gimme the name of the distro
PLZZ

[praka123]

^Ubuntu!complete the installation with Ubuntu alternate cd and use graphics "vesa" read more:
http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/show...highlight=8800

[The Unknown]

Originally Posted by Sunny1211993

^^
plz gimme the name of the distro
PLZZ

he's talking about Ubuntu. i suggest you should give a try to Fedora.

PS: I am not forcing anything here.