Linux Rockz!!!

Hello folks! I have been using Linux for about 4 years now, and I must say I really like it. I usually use Ubuntu for its simplicity, but I do like to experiment with other distros, and I have learned alot through using Linux that I would not have otherwise known. I have not, nor do I plan on, abandoning MS Windows, but I do believe that for private, personal computing, I do prefer Linux, as I believe that it is by far more efficient than MS Windows.

I am not setting this blog up to bash Microsoft, or Windows, or Bill Gates, because in my opinion, Windows is a great way to get started. It is easier than the different *NIX systems, and there is need for an easily understandable OS. My dad has a saying: "If you are going to advertise, do not bad-mouth your competition; you're only advertising for them." I agree. Linux'r's ought not bash Microsoft, because it only feeds them, not that I am particularly against Microsoft myself. I'm just observing what I believe to be a mistake on the part of Linux users and MS bashers in general. If Linux users would just stop talking about Microsoft and do even more promoting of Linux, maybe Microsoft and the advent of proprietary software would vanish. But I do not believe that that would be good either. If there is room for compensated consulting, there is room for proprietary software. It's not like it is prostitution, at least in my opinion. Linux isn't absolutely a cashless society in itself, anyway. Such a thing as a cashless society is not feasible anyway. There needs to be free trade in the world, and I believe there will always be a monetary system of some kind, despite what some people believe. But that is beyond the scope of this blog. I don't want to get into deep Biblical beliefs in this particular blog, but I am always willing to hear from you if you would like to. I would be, on the other hand, quite disappointed if Linux went proprietary. That would be a damn shame. I believe the spirit in which Linux was originally intended was that it remain open source, and it is good for people to do such things, in my opinion.


Anywayz, I think Linux is a rockin' OS, and that more people would find their computing experience by far more enjoyable if they at least explored it as a computing alternative, if they don't want to do a full Linux migration, which happens to be my case (I am in a legitimate telecommute situation [Thank God!] that requires MS Windows). But I am coming to prefer Linux. I also, as somewhat unpopular as it is, like, as I said before, Ubuntu. The Canonical people have simplified wireless integration, and that makes life easier on me. And through Ubuntu, I am learning more and more about computing all of the time, as it does not ignore the basic tenets of Linux Computing. As I understand it, Ubuntu is a bit maligned in the Linux community since it is more GUI-based computing, but I don't care to join in with those who do, but not for entirely the same reasons, necessarily, as I choose to not bash MS. I think Ubuntu is good for entry-level Linux computing, and that if someone were to come to me asking which Linux *flavor* to go to, I would recommend Ubuntu. As of this writing, I am using the Intrepid Ibex release, and it seems like Canonical is getting more in-step with the needs of less technoid users who would like to get their feet wet with Linux.

Since coming to Linux, I have tried many distros, but I keep coming back to Ubuntu, and it wasn't the first one I tried. I originally tried out SuSE Linux back when 10.0 was the new release. I had been toying with the Sun OS, Solaris, and will continue to do so. It isn't as user friendly as most Linux distibutions, but I really like the thought of seeing it evolve and progress into an even more advanced OS. Linux newbs! Beware! Solaris is not Linux, but UNIX, and although fundamentally the similar, they are not the same under the hood. Linux is a UNIX-like OS, not true UNIX. There is a subtle difference. Don't get me wrong: Solaris is great, and I endorse it wholeheartedly to any and all serious compucentric members of humanity, but if I were you, I would cut my teeth on Ubuntu first. It will save you a lot of grief, and the growing pains aren't as severe. In a nutshell, to start with Ubuntu is, IMO, is the wise choice for Newbie LXr's. Do go there. Start with Ubuntu, then try out other distros as you grow up in your *NIX life.

So, there you have it. I hope you find this blog useful. While I am not an official, nor am I a certified authority, in the world of geekdom, I have been involved in the world of personal computing since December of 1994, and I have seen a few things come and go. I really must praise Linus Torvalds for the idea of Linux and the people at GNU for the advent of OSS computing, and most wholeheartedly do. And I agree with Mr. Torvalds when he says, "Software is like sex; it is better when it is free."