Linux Myths Debunked

Many of the examples that I will use in this article are from Ubuntu Linux. "Dstro" is short for "distribution." A Linux distro is a release of Linux that is developed by a specific developer. Each distro uses the Linux Kernel however. For example, Ubuntu is a distro made by Canonical.

There is no hardware support! It will not work on my machine because there are barely any drivers.

Ten years ago if you wanted a fully hardware supported Linux system you would have to either build the operating system around Linux or write the drivers for hardware that was not supported yet. This is the history of Linux, and where it has gotten to what it is today. Most Linux distros, particularly ones targeted at the general audience, will run right out of the box with the majority of hardware out there. Many of the hardware that does not work after a clean install will run after installing drivers. This usually is pretty easy also. Distros such as Ubuntu even have a program that will display any proprietary drivers you need and install them for you. If you do need to download drivers, they're often found in the distro's repository program such as Ubuntu's "Add/Remove" or come in an installable package.

It's too hard to install new programs in Linux!

It's understandable if compiling source code may be unfavorable to the masses, but these days software installations are as easy as checking or unchecking a check box. Ubuntu and OpenSUSE are two distros that have an Add/Remove program to make it easy to install new software. Often packages, such as Debian Packages (deb), can be downloaded and run to either install software or uninstall software. These package installers act very simular to installers on Windows.

You have to use and learn the command line in Linux. I don't want to do that.

Knowing how to use the command line is really useful in Linux, especially if you are a power user. If you are an average user who is using a distrobution such as Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, or Fedora, it's really not that neccessary. Everything the average computer user needs to get done can be done graphicly. Window Managers such as GNOME, KDE, and Xfce are very easy to use, look nice, and very powerful in that everything you would like to do can be done without opening the terminal.

You mention so many distros, windows managers, and so many other options! There are too many options for Linux! I don't know what to choose!

There are a lot of options and one distro of Linux may look and feel different than another one. I recommend just trying one of the major distros and if you don't like it, try another! Most Linux distros will boot off a CD so you don't have to change anything on your computer. As for options, there are many good ones that are friendly to new users. Some of them I mentioned before, being Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, and Fedora. There are a many out there. Some others are Mandriva and Xandros. Many distros also come with a few options for their Window Managers (look and feel of the interface). Ubuntu also is avalible as Kubuntu and Xubuntu. See which one suites your taste. Sure, there is more variety to Linux and it can be a little overwhelming at first when finding one that is your favorite, but it's also the strength of Linux! You can do whatever you like with Linux and find and configure it to be perfect for you (if you want).

There are so many "distros" of Linux, the software is incompatible between them.

Not really. For the most part software and drivers are interchangable. There are a few things that work only of certian types of Linux, but its fairly easy for developers to get their software working on other types. Many closely related distros such as Debian and Ubuntu can exchange software interchangably.

There is no software for Linux! The software I have will not work.

Open up the Add/Remove program in Ubuntu and you'll quickly see that's false. There may not be "as much" software for Linux as Windows or MacOS, but there is a good selection, and more times than not something equivelent to something on Windows or MacOS. You may not get Microsoft Office, but you get OpenOffice. Sure, there are special cases where you need certian types of software from a particular manufacture, but most people will find something that works just as good as the program they're using in Windows or Mac on Linux.

There are no games for Linux.

Ok, you may have me here. The latest and greatest games are for Windows. That's not to say there aren't any games for Linux however. Many games are ported over and most are free! UT2004 can be run natively in Linux, for example. Many Windows games can run under WINE or the easy to use Crossover as well. It's rather easy to install Steam and Counter Strike Source in Crossover or Crossover Games in Linux.

There is no support for Linux.

There is no centralized "Linux Support Center," but many companies offer support contracts. There are also even more websites, wikis, forums, IRC channels, and consultants out there who offer support and knowledge for Linux.

No one uses Linux. It's not useful.

Linux has the smallest market share compared to Windows and MacOS, but many people do use it. It's growing much faster in countries outside of the United States. Linux is also very common on Servers and Netbooks. The adoption of Linux has been small mostly (in my opinion) due to the Monopoly that Microsoft holds. Apple's MacOS is gaining in popularity, but unlike MacOS or Windows, Linux has to most of the time be installed by the user. The average user will just use what comes on their computer. Why change your operating system if what you have does what you want and it's not something you think about? Most people don't know they have alternatives becides Apple who has the ability to do heavy marketing and sell their computers with MacOS X installed.

A few more thoughts:

Some of these arguements hold true in specific situations. Lightweight or minimal distros of Linux often do require the use of the terminal or be made for specific reasons. If you need to develop in Flash CS3, Director, or a specific CAD program, it's possible that it will not work in WINE or Crossover, so you don't have much of a choice. It is good to be educated however, and it's quite possible Linux might work out great for you.

If you are interested in learning more about Linux or would like to try it, take a look at some of these sites:

http://www.linux.org/
http://www.ubuntu.com/
http://en.opensuse.org/Welcome_to_openSUSE.org
http://fedoraproject.org/
http://www.codeweavers.com/

Enjoy!