My Linux Experience Update

I have been using Linux as my primary operating system for more than 5 years now. The best part is that last 3.5 years I am using Linux not only at home, but also at work. My company allows to use Ubuntu Linux as a primary OS on my work laptop.

In this small post I like to reflex on my experience with Linux and how it has changed my life.

Do I regret switching to Linux? Do I miss Windows?

I can answer very simply: No, I do not regret switching to Linux. I do not miss Windows at all. Every single day I use Linux, I am happy, confident and productive. It is the best OS for me.

What I like about Linux after all those years?

  1. It is never boring. There is always something new to learn.
  2. Freedom. No AI push, no ads, no forced updates. I own my computer, I control my data, my privacy, my packages.
    • My home laptop runs Manjaro, my company laptop runs Ubuntu. I made them look and feel the way I want and both are configured the same way (Window Manager, key bindings, CLI tools, editor, etc.). I switch from one to another without any issues.
  3. I don’t like too many UI tools, I prefer command line tools, scripts. Things which I can configure using text editor, like NeoVIM and be sure that this text configuration will work as intended and no one will change it.
  4. If I cannot find specific tool for my own needs, I can write it myself, or I can contribute to open source projects.
    • I always find small fun projects to do.
    • I improved my bash, Python, Golang programming skills.
    • I obtained deeper knowledge of Linux OS internals.
    • And I am keep learning, keep doing, keep creating… It is a fantastic feeling.
  5. Nothing is ideal and Linux can break sometimes, but I can fix it. I have never had a situation yet, when I had to reinstall my OS because of some issue (like I had to do with Windows, very rarely, but had to).

What I do not like about Linux?

Hmm, it is hard to say. I am so used to Linux that I do not see any major issues. Most probably - nothing. I cannot find anything I do not like about Linux.

What I would like to improve in Linux?

I don’t want to change much in Linux, but rather in the scociety. I would like to see more people using Linux, more companies supporting Linux, more open source projects. I want Linux being used in schools, to let kids learn about open source, about freedom, about privacy.

Conclusion

Freedom is the most important thing for me and Linux is a large part of my personal freedom. In this digital era, where everything is connected, where IT giants grew out of control, where keeping your privacy is a challenge, Linux helps me to keep my freedom, my sanity and my mind clean and independent.