10 Jan 2019

6 Myths That Scare Away New Linux Users

Have you ever wanted to switch to Linux but were to afraid? Here are some of the myths that stopped you and the real truth behind them.


Hard to install

This is one of the most popular myths about Linux which exists mostly because a lot of people don't even have to bother installing operating systems - they come preinstalled. However, you have to download Linux. There is, of curse, an option on the market for Linux as well but it's not as popular and it's only available if you want a new machine anyways.

But if you already have a machine and all you need is an operating system, the best thing to do would be to test which distribution you are interested in and see it through Live CD or Live USB. Once you like one of them, you can install it in a way that would allow both Windows or Linux to your laptop or you can replace WIndows completely.

No matter what you choose, the fact is that the download process is simple and especially for Ubuntu, Fedora, Linux Mint and openSUSE. Most of them also include a step-by-step install wizard and dimple graphical tools. Full installation shouldn't take longer than half an hour, apps included.

Not Compatible

This is another common myth that people often use when arguing against Linux. However, there are in fact only few examples of software and hardware on the market that are not compatible with Linux. It was designed to allow older hardware so you don't have to get the latest ones either, which is good. Particularly in Ubuntu, you can easily use most of the peripherals and software.

Applications are now a necessity for many professionals and people often fear that Linux is not going to be compatible with their preferred application. However, it will most likely be compatible. In case your app really isn't compatible with Linux, you can easily go to packages like Wine and Crossover Linux to use them. But, the best thing to do is to download an app that works similarly to your preferred one, just built for Linux. You can probably find a great match and include all of the basic productivity packages.

It's not as secure as others

This myth has the least merit. This is mostly because the fact is the opposite. Linux is more secure than Windows or Mac, as proven by researchers like Secunia. The superior security of Linux comes from the way the privileges in it are assigned and the fact that many developers across the globe are working on it. The wide variety of distributions is also one of the things that makes it safer.
New patches or antivirus software aren't necessary because of this. So, the reality is, if you are looking for a safe option, Linux is your best bet.

It's just for experts

The biggest misconception about Linux is that it's all about experts and programmers, people who understand coding well and so on. This is why so many people have stayed away from it for so many years. Some of that is changing but a lot of people are still too afraid to experiment because they think that Linux will be too overwhelming for them.

While it used to be true a decade or more ago, there have been many distributions which have made it better for an average user. Even children can easily use it nowadays. Developers included attractive graphical interfaces and other improvements which have made it that much more usable for people across the globe.

Server usage, just like with Windows, is much more difficult. But as an average user, you can use it easily, just as you would with Windows or Mac OS X.

Not reliable and no support 

If the lack of support is what's scaring you, it might be good to know that Linux has one of the most dedicated and helpful communities in the world. You can find a ton of tutorials and information on forums and blogs.

As for the reliability, Linux almost never goes down. In fact, crashes most often happen on Windows and Mac.

The TCO is higher

This is a myth that proprietary vendors use to scare businesses. There is no proof of this and many governments and companies turn to Linux in tough economic times. This is just a hoax to fight off its free price tag.

These have been just some of the myths concerning Linux. It's good to know that these are just myths and that you can have a great time using it, just like or more so than any other OS. Hopefully, these debunked myths will help you see the real picture.

Freddie Tubbs is a tech writer and editor at Ukwritings. He enjoys taking part in online tech events and contributing posts to online magazines and blogs, such as the Vault, Boomessays and Essayroo blogs. 

10 comments:

  1. i'll send this article to all of my friends so they can't argue against linux anymore :PPP

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  2. Pour mes ordinateurs de maison j'utilise exclusivement GNU Linux. Pour le travail, j'utilise fedora29 en dualboot windows 10. mais je passe plus de temps sur fedora 29

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  3. I was once a believer of these very same myths. And then one chilly Fall day, while working on my "brand new" Windows XP computer it died. And it gave one of those "unrecoverable fatal error" type of messages. All my son's baby pictures were gone, all my saved documents. ALL of it. I made a vow that day to NEVER use Windows EVER again. I saw only one choice Apple and their overpriced devices, but there was no other "alternative".....WAS there? I went to my sister's house and looked up "alternative operating systems" and the second link that came up after Apple's MacOS was something that looked weird. it was called "Linux", and to me that didn't even SOUND like a technology-based system for computers!...I made the assumption that it was probably some kind of foreign software for graphic design or something. And went to browse Apple's product. But it just kept tickling the back of my brain..."Linux"?...."Linux"?...what the HELL IS that!?

    So I gave in and went back to my sister's house (this was before people owned like....2 or three computers....usually there was just ONE!) And looked it up. And what I saw blew my mind....mind you...there were "corporate" offerings but I saw something called "Fedora Core" and THAT sounded like a computing system! So I kept reading and researching, all while saving up for a new computer. (Back then when your computer died? unless you were a "techie" and knew how to fix it?...when it died you just bought a new one!) After about four months I finally had enough for a decent machine (I believe it was a Dell Optiplex, the grey/putty colored ones!) and I installed Fedora Core 2.0 on it. And I have never looked back. I struggled at the onset, but through diligent reading, and researching, I was able to make use of it. I have been using Fedora since 2002/'03 and I have never gone back to Windows, nor did I ever succumb to buying Apple's overpriced hardware! And since then?...I have learned more than I ever would have using Windows. (when you have no choice but to figure out the "Dependency Hell" issues? you learn...and QUICK! LoL!) I can only say a huge "Thank You" to Linus Torvalds, Richard M. Stallman, and the vast universe of developers, coders, programmers and others who have made Linux the Number One Operating System on the PLANET!...(and I got to "tag along" for the ride and see it happen!)

    If anyone doubts my last statement? Just look at the facts:
    Linux powers ALL of the world's SuperComputers! not a "percentage" but ALL of them!
    Linux runs the computers that operate:
    The Large Hadron Collider
    The Hubble Telescope
    almost Every Observatory on Earth
    The Computers that control NASA (and certain other countries space programs)
    The U.S. Military (where do ya'll think SELinux CAME from?)
    Every Android Phone on Earth (Yeah, I know, its a "version" of Linux, but hey, it still counts as NOT being Windows or Apple!)
    Universities and Educational institutions
    Medical Campuses and hospitals
    Most of Wall St.
    A huge percentage of the banking / finance industry
    plus? The ENTIRE WORLD WIDE WEB!
    And most of the future-tech like A.I....driverless vehicles,

    So yes,...Linux IS the Number One Operating System on the Planet! It's so "powerful"? it was able to make the corporate giant Microsoft kneel down and say "I Love You"!..hahahahaha!!!

    Sorry for the rant but every now and then? you HAVE to "Give Jack His Jacket"!

    Cheers!

    EGO II

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    1. My story is similar except I didn't loose anything. Windows 10 killed my laptop but I had been toying with linux off and on and just istalled Linux Mint and carried right on working - no learning curve. I won't be going back to Windows ever again.

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  4. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  5. Every single time I have tried to get started with Linux, It went like this:

    I find a tutorial "Install Linux in 100 easy steps".

    I follow step 1a (of 1a-1z), and get an error message, or it something that prevent s me to get to the next step.

    I spend a full day of googling, to find the solution to a problem that apparently no one ever came across before.

    I get to step 2, and get another error message.

    I say "To *** with it!"

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    1. Hmmm......how long ago was that? Here's how it goes now a days:

      Burn Linux .iso to a USB.
      Insert USB into Laptop/PC
      Power on laptop/PC
      Tap appropriate key after bootup splash screen to enter Boot Menu
      Select USB drive
      Watch & wait while Linux installs
      Follow prompts for naming computer, creating user account, and give final confirmation
      After install remove USB drive
      Reboot laptop/PC
      Login to laptop/PC
      Enjoy the operating system that ISN'T Windows

      I dunno if you're trying to install something "hard"?...like LFS (L-inux F-rom S-cratch) or maybe Arch?....Gentoo?....because everything from Fedora / CEntOS / OpenSuSE / Linux Mint / PCLinuxOS / Mageia / Numix / KDE Neon / All Debian based distros / all Ubuntu based distros, and even Red Hat all install just fine on hardware both old AND new. I should know I've tried just about ALL of them, and have installed to just about EVERYTHING from a Dell Optiplex to old IBM's and HP's Lenovo's etc..etc.

      Just sayin'

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    2. And why do you need a tutorial? I have never needed to use one. Debian, Ubuntu (just to mention a pair) are easy enough to install. If you have doubts, try them first in a virtual machine.
      And if you want to try one Linux distro "for real" without "messing" your system, give it a try to Puppy Linux (there are so many derivatives of it that you eventually may find one you like).
      Remember: Linux is one OS, yes, but one single tutorial can't help you with every distro that exist. Choose wisely and live happily ;-)

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    3. I'm with Eddie G on this one. (Linux Mint was almost hands free to install.)

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  6. My re-installation got crashed

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