Going native

I’ve been used to the Windows way of PC life for too long. This means that I’m used to the brand and program names I use for each service. I don’t want to use WINE with Windows ports unless I have to, which means I’m looking to go native in Linux……this means relearning program names.

I have Mandriva Linux 2007 with the KDE desktop environment, and am looking to set up various programs. I want them to be as light in resources as possible, and they have to be GUI. I am new to active Linux, as I learn more….I will shift to command line stuff…..but not yet.

Never a better time to switch to Linux

With Microsoft having launched their new Vista operating system on an unwilling public, there’s never been a better time to abandon Microsoft to their fate and switch to either Linux or an Apple Mac.

Not only has Vista been a more effective Linux advert than anything Microsoft have done previously, it coincides with the rise of some VERY nice and easy to use distributions of Linux. Before I go on, I’d like to thank two major players here…..Microsoft and Ubuntu.

Going commando on the internet

Contrary to popular belief; Microsoft is NOT a PC, nor is a PC Microsoft. For most of us have learned what we know from friends, family and acquaintances……all of whom have asked the same question which is based on an assumption. “What version of Windows are you using?”

Given the dominance of Microsoft in the marketplace it’s an understandable assumption that everyone else does use Windows. The idea that anything else can exist does not even cross many users minds, so the things that are almost exclusive to Windows are seen as “PC” issues……not the accurate label of “Microsoft” issues.

The participation ratio

Recently Dell asked their customers if they’d like to be given the option of Linux instead of Windows as the pre-installed operating system on their new PC and were overwhelmed by the numbers who said “yes“.

Some on that feedback forum complained that the ratio wasn’t accurate because the “Linux geeks brought all their friends in to make it appear to be a higher demand than it is, and that normal people still want Windows.”

So what’s the reality? I’d say a bit of both…..let me explain.