For many years Windows was the only operating system for many computer users. In fact, a majority of these users even didn't know that there was any other OS in the world. And for this reason, Linux, the free and open-source operating system was totally alienated. And slowly when people started to hear about the Linux based OS, many misconceptions started to cloud the free flow of the free and open source OS. So here we are trying to put some light on the real facts by killing the popular misconceptions!
1. Misconception: Linux is an Operating System (OS)
Actually it is not. Linux is an OS kernel. The kernel is the core of all operating systems, and of course Windows has one too. The quality of the kernel is vital to the running of the OS. If your kernel is slow or buggy, your entire operating system will be slow and buggy. This means more crashes, freezes and hence data loss.
The proper name for an operating system using the Linux kernel would be “GNU/Linux”, because the Linux kernel wouldn’t do much for you without the GNU project software. Although for the sake of readability of this list “Linux” has been used instead of “GNU/Linux” while referring to the operating systems that use the Linux kernel.
2. Misconception: Linux is a command line OS
Well, while command line does makes Linux strong, but it isn't necessary to use them. Different desktop environments like KDE and Gnome looks some what similar to Windows and are a good choice for those who want a break from Windows look and feel. Their are many other choices like Enlightenment, Metacity, IceWM, Blackbox, Window Maker, FVWM etc.
3. Misconception: Linux is for geeks only
Although this was true years ago, as Linux was an infant but it certainly isn’t like that any longer. If you take a careful look at the user interfaces of Linux and Windows, your find Linux much more intuitive than Windows.
4. Misconception: Linux is not compatible with Windows stuff
No to a big extent and yes to a very small extent. For majority of the users, Linux is very much compatible. One can read your emails, open your Office documents, view and edit your photo albums, and do everything that you do on your Windows PC- in fact often with better and faster tools than you’d be able to find on Windows. Flagships of open-source software like The Gimp, Inkscape, OpenOffice and many others, can import, read and often export proprietary file formats like Microsoft Office documents, Photoshop PSDs etc. And these tools can offer you even more than you’re used to. Like your OpenOffice docs can be exported from my document to PDF in just one click. No custom printers installed, no “free” web converters. It’s all natively supported.
Although, a few files can’t be directly opened here but it's not Linux who has to be blamed here. Put your blame to the author software of these files. Would you really want to depend on your software vendors to be able to access your data or would rather use an open-source and standardized format?
And if that does not sound good enough, Linux comes with a Windows translation layer called Wine. Using this layer you can run Windows application on Linux. Basically, it serves as a bridge between Linux and Windows applications. For you that means not giving up your familiar Windows programs.
5. Misconception: Nobody is using Linux
Well, this is one very very wrong concept. Infact a majority of the World Wide Web is standing on the shoulders of Linux and GNU software. Because Linux is modular and secure, it’s the most logical choice for a web server. Not only that, many corporate to tech companies and governments have switched their systems to Linux. It’s cheap, durable and safe. Unlike commercial operating systems, it is maintained by the community.
6. Misconception: Linux doesn’t have technical support
It definitely does, and one can choose between paid and unpaid technical support. Unpaid technical support means that you have to depend on the large number of communities based online, where guidance is available twenty four hours a day. These are basically community of enthusiasts, who love to use and promote Linux and will be more than willing to help you with your problem.
As far as paid technical support goes, there are companies such as Red Hat and Canonical which do just that.
7. Misconception: There are no games for Linux
Well, yes once upon a time, games were a major drawback. This is especially true in terms of volume and we agree that there are a lot more games for Windows than for Linux but the scenario has definitely improved as compared to the past and almost every company today has decided to make a Linux version of their game. Linux now has its own version of all big games like Doom, Quake, Heroes of Might and Magic 3, Civilization 3, Soldier of Fortune, Tribes 2 and many others.
Also games like Sauerbraten, Nexuiz, Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, UFO: Alien Invasion and Glest are all very much free and very much playable on Linux these days
8. Misconception: You have to ditch Windows to use Linux
And this is infact the biggest misconception. A lot of Linux distributions also offer a Live CD, which lets you to try Linux even without the installation. All you need to do is download, burn, reboot your PC and off you go. Additionally, there are Live USB flash drives versions. Also if you like it after the trial, these Live distributions give you the option of installing Linux alongside Windows. And this way you can use both operating systems on the same computer with no trouble at all. Linux folks have made sure of that, because they know nobody wants to jump into the unknown.
If you don’t want that, there are always alternatives, like the the Virtual Box, which allows you to install Linux on a virtual machine inside your Windows. Also, nobody’s stopping you from running Virtual Box on Linux and running Windows inside Linux.
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