分类： LINUX
2010-10-26 18:08:46
With the arrival of , the
list of reasons to for
your business just got a little longer. The free and open source operating
system is now more user-friendly than it's ever been before while still
offering the many security and
other it
has over its competitors.
If you're among the legions of new Linux
users out there, congratulations on making a smart move! Now that you're on
your way to a lifetime of freedom from high costs, vendor lock-in, constant
malware attacks, and the many other disadvantages associated with Windows and
Mac OS X, you should be aware of some of the classic mistakes Linux newcomers
sometimes make.
None of these should be deal-breakers, by
any means. Nevertheless, an early heads-up can help prevent unnecessary
frustration. Without further ado, here are five key things you should avoid
when starting out with desktop Linux.
1. Expecting Windows
Humans are creatures of habit, so after
years of using --or , if that's the
case--it's hard not to expect what you're used to every time you use a
computer.
Ubuntu and recent have
incorporated many user-friendliness features from their Windows and Mac
competitors in recent years, so there is actually going to be quite a bit of
similarity these days--much more than there used to be. When it comes right
down to it, though, even consumer-ready Maverick Meerkat isn't Windows, and you
shouldn't expect it to be.
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This is not--I repeat, NOT--to say that
things are harder. Linux is not more difficult to
use, especially if you're on a modern distro like Ubuntu. It is, however,
different. It might take you a little bit of time to get used to its slightly
different way of doing things. Don't let that --a small
learning curve will gain you a lifetime of advantages.
2. Running as Root Unnecessarily
One of the big differences between Linux
and Windows is that Linux users don't typically have "root," or
administrator, access. That's a very good thing for security, and it's
something you should take care to preserve by not running as root
unnecessarily.
That said, you should not fear running as
root, either. There are some tasks that require root privileges, and for good
reason. Just make sure you do it only when necessary.
3. Using Google to Find Software
If you're coming to Linux from Windows,
for example, you're used to the hunt-and-peck approach to finding new software
packages online--and then, doubtless, paying dearly for them. One of the
beauties of Linux, however, is that it makes this process much easier--not to
mention generally free.
Most every Linux distribution has a
package manager, and that's one of the first things you need to find. In
Ubuntu, it's the ,
and it is your friend. With the package manager, you'll be able to find just
about any software you need, and probably for free.
4. Fearing the Command Line
It's a testament to how far Linux--and
operating systems in general--have come that many people have never had to use
a command line. With distributions like Ubuntu Maverick Meerkat, you still
won't have to, for most purposes.
Don't live in fear of the command line,
though. It's no more difficult to type in a few short commands than it is to
click through the necessary screens in a GUI, and it can be both faster and
more effective. I'm not saying you need to seek it out, necessarily, but if
something comes up that requires it, don't stress out.
5. Giving Up Too Easily
Change can be hard, no matter how simple
the technology you're changing to might actually be. It's important to remember
that you weren't born knowing how to run Windows or OS X, either--you had to
learn and get used to it.
Same goes with Linux. It might feel a
little different from what you're used to, but that doesn't mean it's hard or
bad--it's just different. Stick with it just a little longer, though, and
you'll soon stop noticing the areas where it's different from Windows or Mac.
Stay a little longer, and you'll start seeing that many of the ways Linux does
things actually make more sense. After that, it won't be long before you can't
imagine going back.
