Linux is only for uber-geeks with long greasy hair and heavy metal t-shirts...
Open Source Operating Systems will never take off...
I've heard all this before. And I'll admit, I was scared to play with Linux - albeit that I was tempted to convert a machine I had lurking in a wardrobe just to see what all the fuss was about.
But I have become increasingly frustrated with corporations telling me what software I 'must' have and what upgrades I 'should' make to keep up-to-date. The thing that irritated the hell out of me was that my kids (11 and 8) were telling me that they knew tons about computers, but when I watched them, I realized that all they knew was how to use Windows applications.
Yes I'm a geek - and proud! I got into computers by getting my ZX81 from W H Smiths as a 'Build it yourself' kit (we didn't have enough money to get the pre-assembled variety), learnt how to 'code' in BASIC, upgraded to a BBC Model A (again, low on cash) and then converted it to a Model B. From there I ended up on an electronics and gadgets buzz that led me to take a degree in Electronic Engineering.
My kids' experience with computers rocked me to the core. I want them to grow up 'knowing' computers, not corporations interfaces.
We had an incident a couple of months back that 'forced' me to install Linux (Ubuntu) onto one of my kids machines. In so doing, I knew that I would have to learn the operating system (as that's all I thought it was back then) so that I could guide them.
This has led to me dual-booting my own machine, finding myself spending the majority of my time in the Ubuntu environment by choice and (notwithstanding my geek-ridden background) boggled by terminology, techniques and options.
Hence this blog. I should have taken to this environment like the proverbial quacking bird to H20, but I found myself scared, mystified, confused, intrigued, converted, confused again, downloading manuals and consulting far too intelligent relatives at impolite hours of the night.
I aim to have this blog as a chronicle of my Ubuntu journey - why I started down the Ubuntu route, the challenges I've faced, the support I've gained, the resources I've used - and the reaction from friends, family and colleagues when I've gone all 'Linux' on them.
I also hope to develop a community of supporters that will aid me on my journey, and an even more importantly, a community of those interested in giving Ubuntu a go.
Until the next post, where I'll explain why I ended up going ahead with my first Ubuntu installation, I'll leave you with this... I've been playing with Ubuntu on and off for a couple of months and am no expert - but my wife is adamant that I have to dual boot her machine by the end of the week!
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