Home | Reviews | Links | Windows Users | Documentation
 

For Windows Users

For those of you who are Windows users, there are some things you will want to consider before running any version of Linux as a desktop workstation.

First of all, Linux is unlike Windows, therefore, it is going to take some getting use to. SuSE Linux is one of the easiest distributions available for working with Linux on the Desktop. It does take some time to adjust, especially if you are coming from a Windows environment. However, the benefit is that you will no longer be tied to a proprietary operating system for your hardware. Linux will work on most platforms, and is constantly being ported to new architectures all the time. Consider this, if you have a PC or Mac, you can run Linux on both without any type of emulator. Try doing that with Windows or the Mac OS. You can't. Mac OS runs strictly on Macs, and Windows runs strictly on PC's.

People have a choice when it comes to their operating system, but most fail to realize that. I will admit that things will seem awkward at first, but that's only because you have been programmed into using something other than Linux. It's time that you deprogram your Windows way thinking, and free your mind.

For those of you who are hesitant about switching from Windows to Linux right away, I recommend trying Mozilla Firefox as your default Web browser, and then switch your office application to OpenOffice.org. This can be done within your Windows environment, so you can immediately begin learning two applications that generally come standard with all Linux distributions.

Other applications that usually are packaged with most Linux distributions (including SuSE Linux) are: the GIMP, which is a graphic program that is often compared to Photoshop. Amarok, an easy and intuitive music player for Linux and UNIX, with tons of features. Kopete, the KDE instant messenger that supports AIM, ICQ, MSN, Yahoo, Jabber, IRC, Gadu-Gadu, Novell GroupWise Messenger, and more. Evolution, an integrated mail, address book, and calendar. GnuCash, a powerful financial application for personal and business use, and is often compared to QuickBooks. And many more. So you see, there are literally thousands of free applications designed for Linux, and especially for the desktop user. All these applications are usually included with whatever distribution you choose. It will be up to you to learn them, if you are willing to make the effort.

The benefit is that you are not restricted or obligated to expensive registration or licensing fees that are often associated with commercial software. Another benefit is that you are allowed to install a single copy of Linux on as many computers as you want without any restrictions. And, as an added bonus, most software packages that are included with a particular distribution are free, and they are updated on a regular basis. With SuSE Linux and YaST, updating your software packages is a breeze.

The choice is yours, you can stay restricted to a proprietary operating system that often costs nearly 200% more than a Linux distribution, or you can bite the bullet, and give Linux a chance. The only way that this will work is if you are willing to use Linux for a minimum of two months. If you only try Linux for a week or maybe even a month, you will not be giving Linux the opportunity to let it prove itself. Those of you who are familiar with and fought the dreaded "Blue Screen of Death," didn't learn Windows overnight. Therefore, you owe it to yourself to give Linux the chance that it deserves.

Also check out openSUSE's "How to migrate from Windows"