My Tux Story

Long ago I wrote about How I bid XP goodbye and I also mentioned a little bit about my love for Linux. Here I elaborate my decade long journey with Linux OS and my current views on it. 

*Initial Days* 

I heard about the word Linux probably towards the dawn of 21st century when I was in mid school. And like many others it was simply an alien word for me. I knew that it was an Operating System that only geeks used(!). Computers at home were a rarity at that time, so using Windows OS itself was a new and exciting XPerience for me. I had not idea I would become a regular Linux user someday. 

*When it all started* 

By the time I passed school, I had a fair idea that Linux is in fact not just used by scientists, but also by some regular users. But I still hadn’t tried it yet. I now had a computer at home (with a Windows XP copy which I had no idea was pirated!). While the Linux OS kept me intrigued, I didn’t knew how to get hold of it. Then one day I got a Live CD of (a pretty redundant distro) dyne:bolic. After much resistance, I finally gave it a try. And it really was a surreal experience! After a coo! picture of Tux and some geeky Matrix style texts flowing on the monitor, I got to use a GUI which was quite different from Windows. But it wasn't as scary as I had heard in myths about Linux. 

*Growing Up* 

Dyne:Bolic made me realize that you can access the whole system using an OS on a compact disk! Sometime later I would try Ubuntu (6.10, I think). And it was even coo!er than dyne:bolic. But it didn’t play MP3s and it was disappointing (codecs issue, but I didn’t know why at that time). But I continued to fiddle with a lot of new live CDs (even ended up creating and wasting a bunch of CDs in the process), also learnt to use virtualization mechanisms to try out Linux OS. I even ended up installing a few of distros on the hard disk (funny I was kind of pro in installing Linux, but had never installed a Windows OS by myself at that time!). But the experiment was mostly cosmetic, and would remain confined to exploring the GUI environments (GNOME, KDE, LXDE, XFCE, xterm, you name it!) and a few installed applications. 

Current OS: Linux Mint: Maya Cinnamon

*Teething problems* 

But almost none of Distros I tried came with codecs pre-installed, meaning I won’t be able to play audio-video. Codecs required an internet connection and I was still at least 2 years away from getting one. I still believe that the Linux experience is half without an internet connection. So, I remained a loyal Windows user. I had Linux as an undergraduate subject and it helped me learn more about the OS, giving me a new perspective about Linux itself. Ubuntu was innovating fast, and they made the Wubi software which allows one to install Linux ‘inside’ Windows. This again allowed me to try out more of Linux (albeit with a few quirks), but I was still not comfortable using it as a primary OS. 

*And then 2010 happened* 

I got the Internet connection and while I continued using Ubuntu inside Windows, the experience wasn’t complete (I wanted to try Compiz and its coo! visual effects!). At some point I would turn to Linux Mint and was instantly hooked to their “Isadora” version (even did a review for it!). So, I decided to give Linux (Mint) a full blown try. But with my fetish for the latest versions, I decided to patiently wait till the end of the year (November) to get the newer version, installed it the same night it released. Hacked to find out how to run Internet over it (my ISP required me to use a software to log in before using Internet, which wasn’t available for Linux). And, BTW, we also made (compiled actually) a small Linux OS of our own during this period! 

*The journey* 

Today it's been close to three years of me becoming a full blown Linux Convert. Like all great journeys, it was also full of adventures. There used to be a time when I would swear by Windows. Then, I started hating Windows (and all Microsoft products in general). So much that I would even hate a Windows lover/user. For me, Linux was supreme, once and for all. But, now after 'actually' being a Linux user for sometime, I know Linux has its faults too, and while I still continue to preach about Linux, I do not have problems using Windows (more so when I have started using a legal copy now!). But, the dream to use a Macintosh still remains to be fulfilled! 

*At Last*

I can proudly say I have helped at least half a dozen people to try Linux and most of them are still using it happily. If you are (still!) reading this and have never given Linux a try, I would urge you to do so. If you try it out with an open mind, I am sure you will Love this beautiful OS. 

And I hope I don’t need to elaborate why you should give it a try. (Oh I just did!).

What do You Love: Linux

My Linux Mint 10 Julia Desktop :)

I love Linux. I feel proud to be a Linux user. I am also a Linux preacher.

And here I am going to maunder why I love Linux and why you should try it too. But before I move forward, I should tell you that if you are happy with using whatever OS you are currently using (most likely to be Windows), then probably this blog post may not be so much useful to you (if you still decide to read it, thanks :)

I am going to divide this blog post into 2 parts. In first part, I will give (only some of) the reasons why I liked Linux *before* using it regularly, and in second part *after* I became a regular user.

*Before*

1. Linux is not Windows

Well this is one of the chief reasons I liked Linux and wanted to use it. That it was not a product of MSFT. Not long ago, I simply despised everything related to M'Soft. I thought by using its products we were becoming its slaves ('Don't have MS Office, Notepad, IE? You are doomed'). And this led to 2nd reason.

2. Linux is Free

Here Free as in 'Freedom'. Freedom from using M'Soft products. Linux gave me a choice. And there was no single Linux. There were thousands of distros to choose from. You can even make one of your own if you wish (which I even did along with group mates during a college project).

3. Linux is Free (at least I think so :)

And here Free as in 'Free Coffee' (I would have said 'Free Beer' but I am a non-alcoholic :). While I have indulged in piracy in some form (shh.. don't tell anyone, I can get arrested. No, I am serious :), I have always believed that one should avoid it, if possible. Linux gave me chance to ditch my pirated Windows copy (other pirated softwares inside it) (buying was not an option) and the guilt associated with it.

4. Linux is Free

And here, Free as in virus-free, spyware-free, crapware-free, and mostly maintenance-free. And it is only after you use it and find out that you don't need to be afraid of opening an attachment or even an infected copy of a flash drive, you realize what that means. Of course, if you just don't give a damn about your security and are hell bent to screw yourself then even Linux (or God or even next God) can't save you!

5. Desire to be in Minority (an exclusive group)

If I use Windows, I would be another one of those 90+% of PC owners using Windows. If I use Linux I would be in an exclusive group of less than 2% Linux users. I also wanted to see if I really can do without Windows. And now I can safely say that (mostly) I don't need Windows to use my computer (just like I do not need mobile and Facebook to live ;)

*After*

While the above mentioned reasons do remain valid, ever since (last 1 year or so) I started using Linux as a primary full time OS, I have got a lot more reasons to like it:

1. Linux is NOT perfect

Before actually using it properly, I thought Linux was a silver bullet to all the problems that exists in the computer world. I was wrong, and I am glad I was. Because it again validates my thinking that "Nothing is perfect", but you can always strive towards perfection, getting better all the time. Anyways, the problems that I encountered have always motivated me to find solutions/alternatives to it.

2. Linux taught me to use Windows again

It may come as a surprise, but after using Linux full time for a period of time (even forcing my brothers to do it, by locking Windows :), I realised some things were better done in Windows (playing games, or using some 'Windows-only' softwares like PS). So, I was happy to go back to Windows and rediscover it all over again (I am a happy Windows 7 user now).

3. Linux gives you alternative

Not only is Linux an alternative OS, it gives you a whole new world of alternative softwares. I have discovered so many apps (all free mind you) inside Linux, that are so simple, useful and enjoyable to use, that now I try and run them on Windows also if possible!

4. Linux gives a sense of community

You may have heard about it; it feels just nice to hear. But if you see 2 regular Linux users, you can see them bonding big time (sometimes fighting too, over their choice of distro and softwares, but that's democracy you know :). They feel connected by something (at least I have felt it). Now, how many times have you seen the same for Windows users (OK, probably when they discuss OS problems :) Of course, there is also a real online community out there, that is quite comprehensive and useful and will be happy to provide you solutions to any kind of problem you are facing.

5. Linux is Fun!

And I can't emphasize on this well enough. I mean, what's the point of using something if you can't have fun using it? I can use Linux for the sheer fun of it (tinkering with it for hours, without doing any real work). May be that's just a geek inside me. But don't take my words, use any modern Linux distro and you will realize that it actually is fun to use.

You may be thinking, I am being a jerk here by boasting about being a super-Linux user and all. Well you are probably right :) But:

1. I am not a super-user and I have years of Linux usage remaining before I can think of calling myself one.

 2. The real reason I wrote this is to motivate someone to at least give Linux a try (an honest try with open mind).

Goto any of the popular Linux distro sites like this, this or that, and grab one of their Live CDs, have fun using it and decide if you want to use it in future or not.

If this post can make at least one person, even a secondary Linux user, its purpose will be served. Preaching about Linux is my way of giving back something to this wonderful OS. After all, love and affection are better served 2-way, isn't it? :)

Good bye XP... Will miss you

Seems like 2010 is becoming an year to say bye to many things. Last post was a tribute to Blueline buses. This one is dedicated to dear old M'Soft Windows XP.

When I really started using computers (in school) and came to know that computers are much more than game playing machines, I was introduced to Windows 98. It was just amazing to see how you can use mouse to click on that start button, then Programs->Accessories->Notepad and a wonderful Notepad (;) comes out of blue. Now you can write anything you want and save it and see it later. It was truly amazing.

After some years, Windows inside the computer labs got upgraded, and I got to see Windows 2000 server edition, Windows ME, Windows NT etc. which may have been better but didn't feel any different from Win98. Finally, one day in one computer I saw Windows XP. It was so sleek, quite beautiful, everyone enjoyed working on that particular lab PC. After a few years, I got a PC of my own. I thought I would make it triple boot with Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows XP (though at that time, I didn't exactly know the meaning of triple boot). But that damn computer engineer only gave me Windows XP, it was preinstalled (at shop) and I thought M'Soft did it on HCL behalf! It took me 2-3 years to realize, my Windows XP wasn't genuine ;)

Anyway, Windows XP has been 'The OS' for me for almost all of my computing life till now. I have learnt how to use computer and its softwares, how to install and uninstall programs, how to install games cracks, how to connect to Internet, how to use an Anti-virus, and stuffs like virus definition, disk defragmentation, disk checking, registry pruning, 'burning' MP3 disks, even some programming, reinstalling OS, fiddling with system files etc. I have learnt them all by myself :P Alright, with a lot of help from more knowledgeable friends, and learning by experimenting myself.

It always had its shortcomings (most important, it being a M'Soft product) but I always felt right at home using the OS. When Vista came and I heard negative responses about it, I laughed at the new OS and people using it. Did give a try to it but didn't get a reason to turn my back from XP. XP always felt rugged, like no amount of virus, worm, trojans, spywares and other malwares can harm it (of course, I was proven wrong time and again).

After sometime Windows 7 came, and I installed it on my system. Used it for some time, but my system wasn't as powerful to give a full blown Win7 experience. So, turned back to my old friend. But after some good hardware upgrade last year, I again started using Windows 7 at the beginning of this year (by this time, a lot of people had upgraded their pirated OS) and after sometime the frequency of XP usage started decreasing. Now, I mainly used XP as a testing ground, to install new softwares and to do usual experimenting and tricks. Its desktop was so full with icons and folders etc, it felt like I shitted on it. 

And after August, Windows XP started to feel like just taking another partition and not really being used. So, thoughts of removing it started coming in mind. But partly because I was lazy and partly because of the nostalgic feeling attached to OS, I really couldn't do that for next 2 months. But then around the end of October I thought of letting the past go. I opened disk partitioner inside Win7 and just deleted the XP partition. Its been 2 months, and now I feel what I did was right. I don't think I am going back to XP ever again.

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I have been a die hard Linux lover for almost 2 years now and I have indulged in a lot of PDA for Linux.(Full story about Linux Love in some other post). Till now had used it time and again (installing inside Windows or using VirtualBox, which wasn't a great experience really) but never as my Main OS. And being a M'Soft criticizer, I always felt ashamed as till the time I used Windows I really wasn't entitled to laugh at M'Soft. One of the reasons for leaving XP was that, I had to become a regular Linux user. 

So after removing WinXP I started waiting for the latest version of my favorite distro to release (I don't understand my fascination for latest, thankfully I don't wish for latest friends!). And finally on 12th November Linux Mint 10 "Julia" came. Woke till 2 am that day to download and install it. Had some problems with running Internet but with much difficulty and some luck, I was finally able to run Internet on Linux. Its been 50 days today, and I have hardly used Windows 7 since then. Just like IE, I start to feel sick thinking about having to use Windows. In fact have been forcing others also at home, to use Linux, mainly because the use of PC is so limited that Windows 7 doesn't provide any advantages other than familiarity. And now I feel I am ready to ridicule Windows much like Internet Explorer. :)

But on second thoughts, after becoming a 'true' Linux user I realize this platform has its own disadvantages/limitations. So criticizing Windows for being 'jhand' doesn't call for. I am a happy Linux user, others may be happy Windows (XP) users. I can only advice them to give Linux a try. I am no more going to force anyone to do so. After all its just a platform, not your religion.

M'Soft I heard may be stopping support for Windows XP in 2012, I have already stopped supporting Windows XP.

R.I.P. XP...