Introduction
Recently, I switched from Windows to Linux. By switched, I mean I completely wiped Windows OS from my device and booted Linux onto it. I have been a Windows user my whole life. Partly because I grew up PC gaming and also because it's just something I didn't think about when I was younger, so I used what was around me. Recently, I got more and more frustrated with the lack of control, the constant developer headaches, and an OS that felt like it was working against me more often than for me. After a semester of school had ended, I took some time to backup of files, flash a bootable USB drive, and wiped my machine clean.
What followed was a journey that not only rekindled my love for technology but also gave me a newfound appreciation for open-source software and the incredible community behind it. In this post, I want to share my thoughts on this step and some of the things I’ve learned along the way.
For many I'm sure, this isn't a big step at all. And millions of others for decades now have done the same, so what's so profound about this change? After all, it's just an operating system.
But for me, as someone that grew up their entire life using Windows, it resulted in drastic changes and improvements.
Disclaimer: I'm not claiming what is the best operating system. I'm just discussing my thoughts and findings.
Some Highlights of Switching
When I first booted into Linux Mint, I was greeted with an interface that was both familiar and refreshingly simple. It didn’t take long before I was knee-deep in learning all the things I could do. Here are just a few highlights:
- Bash Scripting: I discovered the power of the terminal and started automating repetitive tasks with bash scripts. This level of customization and control is really fun. Install scripts for dotfiles, cron jobs, sripts for verifying files, etc. There is always something to write a script for.
- Cron Jobs: I started to automate simple tasks with cron jobs.
- Neovim and Plugins: Transitioning to Neovim for coding was a game-changer. My workflow has never been smoother and I feel like a have a much deeper connection to my source code.
- Terminal Multiplexing (Tmux): Using tmux added another layer of efficiency to my development process. It makes multitasking within the terminal seamless and along with Neovim it is unparalleled by any standard text editor.
- DIY Projects: I started doing small DIY projects like setting up a DNS resolver on a Raspberry Pi. Tasks like this are so simple, there is tons of support, and it's enjoyable. In addition, when I SSH into a machine with an OS like Raspberry Pi OS, it doesn't feel foreign to me, it's just like my daily driver.
Every step of the way, I felt like I was peeling back layers of abstraction that had previously kept me in the dark. Linux made me feel like I was finally in control of my devices.
Linux is what powers most of the world's servers. And it feels really nice to have a daily driver that feels like it can seamlessly act as both a client and a server.
Why Linux Mint?
If you're not familiar, Linux is really just the kernel ☝. The entire operating system is a combination of GNU software and the Linux kernel.
A Linux distribution (colloquially knows as a distro) is a variant of the GNU+Linux operating system. Each variant has its own advantages, and many variants are forks of a common one.
For example, Ubuntu, Debian, Arch, and Linux Mint are all Linux distributions. Debian is a root distribution. That means, it was created from scratch from the GNU+Linux software. Ubuntu and Linux Mint are both derived from Debian. However, Ubuntu is a direct fork of Debian whereas Linux Mint is a fork of Ubuntu. ON the other hand, Arch is also a root distribution.
Generally, Ubuntu and Linux Mint are quite "beginner friendly" whereas Arch takes a bit more to use. Even so, they are largely the same fundamentally.
I chose Linux Mint because of the prolific apt and apt-get package managers, Ubuntu has a ton of support available which also apply to Linux Mint, and it is a more lightweight and simple distribution in comparison to Ubuntu. I think this would be the perfect first Linux distribution for a lot of people, and it is a good step before switching to something like Arch which requires a bit more time and effort setting up and configuring.
At the end of they day, it really matter all that much what distribution you use, and a lot of distributions are going to be and feel very similar.
Philosophies
It's a completely different thing to actually participate and use the technolgies under FOSS than it is to just talk about it.
Oftentimes, people discuss a lot surrounding FOSS software, but don't actually use these technologies everyday and opt for proprietary and/or closed source. This disconnect really affects how your persepctive of these technologies and the philosophies that are rooted in them.
Here is some of what makes Linux and the broader FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) community so great, but keep in mind that words are only so powerful, you should apply these philosphies:
1. Freedom and Control
On Linux, you decide what your system looks like and how it behaves. Unlike proprietary operating systems, Linux doesn’t dictate how you use your hardware. Want to strip down your system to just the essentials? Go ahead. Want to build a completely custom workflow? The tools are there.
2. Transparency
Open-source software means you’re never left guessing about what’s going on under the hood. You can inspect the code, see how it works, and even modify it to suit your needs. This transparency builds trust and fosters a deeper understanding of the technology we rely on.
3. Community and Collaboration
Linux isn’t just software—it’s a community. The level of collaboration and knowledge-sharing I’ve encountered is unmatched. From forums to GitHub repositories, there’s always someone willing to help or share insights. Even if you don't contribute to development, using is a contribution and is the driving force behind all of these projects.
4. Open Source
The open-source philosophy extends beyond just software. It’s about accessibility, learning, and the belief that technology should serve everyone, not just those who can pay for it. It’s empowering to be part of a movement that prioritizes user freedom over profit.
Final Thoughts
Snapshot of my daily driver
Switching to Linux has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve made in my pursuit of learning. It’s not just about using a different operating system—it’s about control, freedom, curiosity, and community. Linux has made me a better developer and, frankly, a happier person.
If you’ve ever thought about making the switch, I can’t recommend it enough. It might feel intimidating at first, but it's worth it.
If you're in a position similar to where I was, where you're quite familiar with Linux but from a guest machine perspective (virtual machines, containers, SSH, etc.), the transition really is smooth and you'll find it actually so much easier to use very quickly. Even if you do work with Linux a lot, but not as a daily driver, I think there will always be a disconnect between you and the system as well as the entire FOSS community.
Thanks for reading!