Hun-Speak

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August 31, 2001 -- What Do You Think You're Doing?

"What do you think you're doing?" That's a question I get asked quite a bit. It usually comes right after I tell people that I am in the process of converting over from Windows to Linux. Most people see no reason to leave an OS that was pre-installed on their systems. After all, they have just learned well enough to get it to function somewhat decently. Why switch now? Why go against the tide? Are you one of those free software pseudo-commies?

The real reason is that I am just sick to death of Microsoft. I'm sick of using the albatross that is Windows 98. I don't want to deal with Windows XP and the baggage that comes along with it (plus, my machine isn't powerful enough to run the damn thing). I'm sick of paying $100 or more for bug fixes that should be free or "enhancements" that I really don't want. It makes me want to vomit when they act like a monopoly and then wrap themselves in the American flag when they get called on it.

So I say enough is enough. Instead of bitching about it, I'm going to do something about it. I am well-versed enough in Linux that I can do everything that I need to do. Sure there are some apps that aren't quite there. Granted, there will be a large number of games that I won't be able to play (although I'm not sure if that's a problem or a benefit). But I'm going to do it.

Don't get me wrong. This is not a mere ideological crusade. Linux is far more stable than Win98 will ever dream of being. It is more secure than Win98 or even WinXP for that matter. I can play all the games I really care about, including Quake III Arena, Unreal Tournament, and yes, even Mine Sweeper. RealPlayer works great. Licq is a better ICQ than ICQ. KDE is the desktop Windows should be. NVIDIA's Linux drivers are every bit as good as their Windows counterparts. I can get almost all my word processing tasks done in the downloadable version of WordPerfect 8 for Linux. The rest can likely get done with AbiWord or KWord. I'm writing this in KDE's slick Advanced Editor. Life is good.

I probably will always be dual-booting with Win98. It'll be a bit until GnuCash or Kapital will be able to replace Quicken. There are some legacy games that just won't work with Linux. But when games come along that require XP, I have every intention of just saying "no." Maybe if enough pro-Linux folks would do that, companies like Loki and Hyperion could actually make money porting games.

Is there a learning curve with Linux? You bet. There was with Windows 9x and there will be with XP too--it's just been a long while since folks like me have had to deal with that personally. Once I learned to "think Linux" I realized the power and flexability that are available to me. The time has come. The switch is now. To be honest, I couldn't be more thrilled.