Introduction:
In the world of computers and the internet, most people compete with Mac and Windows, just like comparing iOS and Android not knowing there is something known as Linux. If you are a tech student or one into computers, you might have heard about Linux somewhere. If you’re new to Linux and want to understand why it’s gaining popularity, then this guide, “Linux for Beginners” is for you.
Linux is a powerful, secure, and open-source operating system that has become a viable alternative to Windows and macOS. Whether you’re a student, developer, or casual user, Linux offers flexibility and customization to suit your needs. But where have you used it is the question.
Those who have not used Linux or maybe have heard it for the first time should know why it is one of the greatest fields to explore. And if you think that it has a great field then why is it not being known as an alternative to Windows and ios, well in reality Linux is used more than these actually, the majority of the world’s cloud computing servers are Linux based. It is a dominating OS for web servers, database servers, and other applications that power the majority of internet services. It is also used in embedded systems like smartwatches, Bluetooth speakers, thermostats cars, and many more.
The Android that the majority of you talk about is based on Linux itself, not just that more than 500 computers are using Linux as their operating system, and hackers or expert programmers prefer Linux compared to other OS. So the question arises should we switch to Linux?
Should we switch to Linux?
We just talked about Linux being used by hackers and developers, not just that I also told you guys about Linux being used in the supercomputer so it means Linux is really fast and cool right? Well not exactly. The majority of Linux is perceived faster because there is no such bloatware like Windows and is lightweight compared to MacOS, so the majority of tasks might feel better in performance compared to other OS but this will depend on your system. I told you about the system cause Linux runs on almost anything and I mean it. Let me tell you more about its advantages.
Reasons to Choose Linux
- Security and Privacy
Unlike Mac and Windows, Linux is far secure with strong security features such as no such things as forced updates which are the most irritating things in the majority of OS, and no bloatware and spyware. Unlike other OS, Linux does not track its users and try to fetch their user data, Linux instead provides you full control over the system and lets you decide what to do. One fun thing about is that the majority of viruses in the world are designed for either Windows or MacOS so by default there are very less viruses ever designed that work on Linux making it more secure
- Open Source and Free:
I just told you about how Linux gives us whole control and is transparent to us and this is what developers love about it and thus call it Open source as we can get to know how it was made and how to configure it all on the internet and all for free. So instead of paying for licenses for OS like Windows and macOS, we can just get Linux for free. Just being free makes this a great choice for students and budget-conscious users
- Performance and Efficiency
I talked about hardware to you and why I brought it was because Linux can run on almost all hardware, Linux is lightweight and optimized for performance making it a great choice to revive your old laptop that becomes buggy and slow due to Windows. Just install Linux and feel it as if it’s new.
Things to remember before Downloading Linux as a beginner to Linux
- Hardware Compatibility:
Personally, when I downloaded Linux on old hardware there were no such issues like this but when I switched to new-gen laptops a lot of problems arose such as hardware not supporting, divrives not responding and the keyboard not functioning. These are common in Linux as the Linux you download is not fully built according to your laptop but in general consideration of what a simple device looks, so as you get more new gen computer you need to switch to better Linux or download all the hardware and drivers to the current Linux which might be quite hard for new users.
- Software compatibility:
Not just hardware and drivers, so many software are not compatible with Linux too for instance majority of editing software like MS Office, Adobe Platform, and more are not available in Linux normally, we need to hardcode and download them from a third, and still it may not support fully. While Linux does provide you alternatives to this application they may not be that good as you are familiar with the original ones in Windows and MacOS
- Gaming
While Linux gaming has come a long way, many major games still don’t support Linux natively, and you may need Wine or Proton (via Steam) to run Windows-based games, which isn’t always perfect and can require extra configuration.
- Learning Curve
Linux has a steeper learning curve, especially if you’re used to graphical user interfaces (GUIs) on Windows or macOS. The majority of you have not used a terminal at all and the majority have a GUI for everything so switching from that is hard. You might have to use the terminal (command line) for certain tasks, and troubleshooting often requires technical knowledge. It requires more and more manual setup which might be hard for first-time users.
A Ray of Hope For the Passionate Ones
With so harsh truth about Linux majority of people have already given up using Linux, but is it bad? Can we use Linux despite these hurdles? Absolutely. And today, we’re here to shine a light on why Linux is still worth it. It may not be a smooth ride but a ride you will always cherish.
We can solve most of these problems actually, firstly for driver hardware and software, we can choose a proper distro for this. What is a distro you say? So Linux has a lot of Operating Systems you can choose from each providing a collection of software packages such as system libraries, utilities, application software, and a desktop environment which makes each distro unique.
And if you are a beginner and want to experience Linux with more GUI like your old OS but have Linux in it I have the best suggestion for you which supports a lot of your favorite Windows and Mac software and your deceived hardware and drivers too — introducing Zorin OS!
Why Choose Zorin OS
1. Windows-Like Interface
Adapting to the Linux desktop environment stands as the biggest problem like we said for people new to the Linux operating system. The Zorin OS desktop adopts an interface that resembles Windows which eases the transition process for Windows users. It also has an appearance for macOS users which is the same as Mac.
2. Easy Installation Process
The installation of Zorin OS remains simple because the user-friendly setup wizard provides an easy experience. Users can select either dual-booting Linux with Windows or performing a complete Windows replacement with Zorin OS which means if you are new you got the option to use both Windows and Linux at the same time.
3. Pre-Installed Essential Software
The pre-installed software package of Zorin OS includes various essential applications such as:
- LibreOffice (alternative to Microsoft Office)
- Firefox or Chrome (web browsers)
- Thunderbird (email client)
- GIMP (alternative to Photoshop)
Not just this but you can be given an option to download special drivers for NVIDIA so you do not have any hardware issues and driver issues.
4. Runs Well on Old Hardware
Zorin OS functionality excels on outdated computer systems. Zorin OS serves as a performance booster which provides better functionality to aged laptops having Windows issues.
5. Compatibility with Windows Applications
Through Wine and PlayOnLinux both Zorin OS provide built-in capabilities to execute Windows application programs without difficulties. Users who require Microsoft Office and Windows-specific programs will find a groundbreaking solution with Zorin OS.
6. Strong Community Support
Users of Zorin OS can access help through its active community where members provide question responses. Zorin OS inherits Ubuntu’s expansive documentation base as well as support forums because it uses the Ubuntu Foundation. So if you are new, want to try something new, or want to change something in Zorin, you have the company of people who are veterans or have much experience in that field helping you openly and supporting you. This is what makes Linux beautiful.
Final Thoughts
Linux functions as more than an operating system because it provides users with a potent system that combines protection with adaptable functionality compared to Windows and macOS. You get full system control and maintain privacy protection with Linux and it operates efficiently even on outdated computers. All users including students and developers as well as anyone seeking system changes will find value in using Linux.
That said, Linux isn’t perfect. Certain software programs including Adobe products together with select Windows-oriented computer games function with limited effectiveness on Linux. People who use Windows typically encounter difficulties during their transition to the operating system. The open-source distribution Zorin OS together with other user-friendly distributions makes Linux system transitions seamless.
Zorin OS provides an interface specifically made for beginners alongside an easy installation process and preinstalled support for numerous applications. The platform guides new Linux users through the learning process while offering the chance to learn without excessive stress.
So why not give it a try? The software allows you to test it without making any long-term commitments by letting you install it alongside Windows or run it from a USB drive. Linux could prove to be the system transformation you have been seeking so far.
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