Most of the time when you buy a new computer it comes preloaded with a current popular Microsoft operating system, or Apple OS for Mac enthusiasts. However, there are many options beyond the saturated market we have all come to know as normal. While the term “open-source” may seem scary, it’s never a bad idea to try new things.
Web designers don’t always take much time to tweek their operating systems. Generally, we’re mostly concerned with what is going to be compatible, as well as work the fastest so we can streamline our efficiency. But when it comes down to it we really should be more in tune with every single program our computer is running. So, without much further ado, here is a little of my experience transitioning from Windows 7 to Linux Mint 13 Cinnamon. Note that this is my first time using Linux in a full capacity.
About a year ago my laptop experienced “hard drive failure”. In reality Windows 7 caught a brand new virus that destroyed, or deleted my registry, preventing my system from booting up. It was very disappointing to lay my beloved Toshiba to the side and allow it to collect dust, as I moved over to my husband’s hand-me-down Toshiba (my old workhorse), while I waited to collect funds for my next investment. But one Friday evening my husband’s Windows Vista caught a particularly bad virus that refused to let up. We had no choice but to download Linux and attempt to pick up the pieces.
I downloaded the Torrent from Linux and installed the image to the USB with the help of another download program. Before attempting a boot with my husband’s laptop I took a leap of faith, and booted my Windows-dubbed “dead” laptop, and booted it via USB through the boot menu. It took it a little while longer (but hey, we’re booting from a USB here!), but eventually booted to the lovely Cinnamon UI (words cannot express how excited I was to see my laptop brought back to life). I was able to access all of my data, including pictures, music and documents I had taken as a loss a year ago.
My laptops become a personal accessory… and most of the time I have a hard time upgrading because I love sticking with what I know. So, if you are in the same boat but need to cut Windows out of your life just know it’s not you… it’s them. This post is part one of my experience as I get a footing in a new world of operating systems. Thanks for reading!
Ericka Sheppard 