Most of us use our personal laptops for not more than browsing, chatting, watching some movies and TV shows, maybe answering some mails. We are all used to Windows and it’s become our idea of the only operating system, especially if you’re not a Mac user. Alternate operating systems exist and the biggest name most of us have heard of might be Linux. For anyone who hasn’t dabbled in Linux, it can be a rabbit hole and an overwhelming experience but we are here to help you understand the what’s what of Linux and how you can take your first steps into the realm. Over a period, we will also get into more advanced topics, including how to install it, what distribution you should install and more.
What is Linux?
Linux is popularly termed as an operating system, but it’s really the kernel, the core that runs any operating system. The right term to be used might be GNU Linux. GNU is short for ‘GNU’s Not Unix’ and Linux ships with a lot of GNU software. Those are simply technicalities to the name, but what’s more interesting for us are Linux and Linux distributions. GNU and Linux software are entirely free and open-source. The free element is easy to understand – you pay literally nothing to use it. The open-source bit is interesting as a developer, but also a security benefit. The source code is freely available too, so users and developers can browse the code and verify its claims. Bug fixes and features are quickly implemented. Development communities separated by borders and distances put together efforts to improve software. Linux distributions are a result of such a massive, distributed development project.
What makes Linux interesting?
Besides being entirely free and open-source, it’s a vast repository of interesting software. Most of tend to stick to commonly known software but there is a world of software that’s left unexplored but does some impressive things. Linux is extremely customizable, from the point of how you boot screen looks, to the kind of user interface you want on your desktop, shortcut keys which can be practically assigned to any feature and menu. A lot of automation can be done, not just for your devices, but also your primary laptop. There are also great levels of remote controlling from your phone and vice-versa possible. It’s got a lot of good things that each user might find useful in their life, but it’s hard to list it all out. The only way to know it, is to explore it.
So, Linux is made for programmers?
That’s not the case. It’s true programmers prefer it to Windows, but that doesn’t mean Linux is not ideal for everyday use. Linux can be customized, and most Linux distributions are designed to be easy and intuitive. This means, practically anyone who hasn’t used Linux can boot into it and get to using it like they would Windows or any mainstream operating system. Once you’re comfortable, you can then customize to your liking. It comes with everything you need, a web browser, chat clients, movie and music players. Anyone who just needs a device to get work done, can get going on Linux in minutes.
Is Linux complicated?
At first, it might seem like it is, but it’s a good learning experience too if you want to learn its workings. If you’re just someone who wants a desktop replacement for Windows, then Linux can be that too. The level of difficulty comes depending on the operating system you use. Through our sequence of features, we’ll explore some of the distributions that you can consider that are easy to use.
What’s a Linux distribution anyway?
What makes Linux special are its variations. The Linux kernel as we mentioned earlier is at the core of the operating system. All the other layers of software that go around it, the drivers, the user interface, the bundled software, the installation procedure, and everything else lies in the hands of the team that puts together a distribution. So, you can choose a Linux distribution that is mindlessly, sometimes easier than Windows to install and run, and you can also choose a Linux distribution that requires you to read detailed documentation then make fine tweaks to the distribution you install or configure. It’s also possible for advanced users to create their own Linux distribution, that their friends, family and teams can use. Some of the popular distributions are Ubuntu, Fedora, Pop OS, Arch, Manjaro, among many others.
What software can I run on Linux?
Linux has its own set of competent software. There are thousands and thousands of software to choose from. The list includes alternatives to everything you might use on Windows or Mac OS. There are office suites like LibreOffice, image editors like GIMP, Krita and DarkTable. There is VS Code, which is a Microsoft software for developers, there are games made specifically for Linux, and there are games that were made for Windows and Linux. Popular games like Counter Strike: Global Offensive and DOTA 2 are officially supported. You can even install Steam and then a bunch of games that run on Linux, using it. There are CAD software, page layout and video editors, and everything you can imagine.
Can I run Windows software on Linux?
Yes, a lot of Windows software can be run on Linux using something called WINE (Windows Emulator). It lets you run Windows executables on Linux with very little trouble. You can even create shortcuts so all you need to do it click the icon. Very complex and specialized software that maybe specific to Windows security may have issues but those are exceptions. Similarly, games made only for Windows can also run on Linux. There are also third-party packages such as Lutris that are made to help you achieve the task.
Do I need to remove Windows to install Linux?
No, you do not need to format or clear your hard drive to install Linux. Linux can be installed alongside Windows. This is done by creating some partitions during the installation process. Then, you can choose which operating system to boot into when your PC or laptop powers up using something called a bootloader. It’s installed when you install any Linux distributions. Small changes to your drive space need to be made when you install Linux, but it’s entirely possible to run Windows along Linux and other operating systems. Linux even runs on Macs, so you can choose to run it on your MacBook or Mac as well. Most Linux distribution installation discs / USB drives offer a Live CD feature that let you use and feel what that distribution is like, before you install it, without making any changes to your system. You could also install Linux on an external USB or hard drive, without tampering with your primary device. Another option is buying a refurbished laptop from Reliance Digital and installing Linux on it.
Can Linux run on older hardware?
Linux works very well on older hardware with only 2GB of RAM. Of course, this differs from one distribution to another. Some distributions are designed to use simpler, and lighter user interfaces, so they run easily on laptops and PCs with little memory. There are also distributions that don’t use a user interface and can run on devices with less than 1GB of RAM. Of course, your use is limited to specific tasks that only run on a command line interface but there is a lot that can be done there as well.
We recently also covered how to install Linux on your smartphone, so if you want to try it out, check out our tutorial. This is one of our first few features and it’s meant to be an on overview of Linux. In future articles, we will cover what distributions you can choose from, for what purpose, and then how to install it on your machine. If you like what you read, and want to know more, continue following us on RelianceDigital.in.
