Linux Doesn't HAVE to be Scary

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

The first thing that comes to mind for most people when they hear the word "Linux" is the shell… all text and complex commands.

But newer interfaces mean that in fact, Linux is not only as pretty as Windows and the Mac, it's also if anything easier to use!

And as for the no software argument, if you don't mind unfamiliar names, there's always a Linux app for anything you need.

It’s also safer in many ways. They even use Linux to power the International Space Station.

If you don't feel like taking the plunge with your brand new PC rig, you can always install it on a no longer needed or used machine you may have lying around. It'll breath new life into it (Linux requirements are very modest) and save you money in the long run.

This is a "distro" of Linux called Zorin. A personal favourite of mine!

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

And this is Elementary. Very simple, very clean. Can't really go wrong.

Did I mention these were all free?

 

[Sidney Land]

I like to use the Mac app Terminal, which brings up a Unix-ish shell. I have it configured to run Korn Shell (/bin/ksh) cuz that's what we used at work. I think by default it would bring up Bash (/bin/bash). This is all native to the Mac, no downloading required unless/until you want to bring in different tool packages. At that time you need to choose between Homebrew and Macports.

Now on our Linux machines we used at work we used CentOS (or maybe it was Suse), and I keep hearing people talk about Ubuntu and Debian and flavors of Red Hat, but my eyes glaze over when I hear that. Unix is Unix isn't it? (I'm retired so will not put up any argument about it.)

 

[kanerf]

Looks nice. I personally control some 30 Linux Servers (RH8) at my office, so have no fear. I might look into a desktop like this.

 

[tvguy]

What about DOS?

 

[Neapolitan Ice Cream]

What about DOS?

Actually, not being silly, I have a major soft spot for Windows 3.1 and yes, even Acorn BASIC and their later RISCOS machines (they were lovely - I don't think that the WIMP has ever been surpassed in terms of quality, eve though it is decades on now.)