A Different Approach to Living with Linux

I ran another blog called Scott.Wilsonsway.net which was actually a techie kind of blog where I wrote about Linux, web hosting, computers and the things that revolved around them. I learned a lot about the topics I wrote about partly due to my research plus that of the comments my visitors left behind. Many of them added to the topic with their own experiences which I valued. Those visitors I’ll miss.

In essence, I’ve experienced some changes in my life that led me to a new approach in my Linux computing world. They’re good for the most part and are allowing me to focus more on what’s most important in my life which is family and work. Not that I’ve slighted either in the past.

My reasoning for removing the site is below:

• I’ve decided to take a minimalistic approach to Linux in that I’m using it to suit my needs. Not anyone else’s. By this I mean that I’m going to continue to use it for both my personal and professional needs without writing about it endlessly as if it were the sole focus in anyone’s life.
• Things change. In this respect, life has changed my priorities in another direction. I’ll still read up on my favorite OS and continue to learn about it as much as I can but the more important things in my life have now become clearer than ever before.
• I’ve grown tired of the ‘fan-boy’ type of Linux user that continually sees fit to look down their nose at anyone who uses another operating system. Whether they dual-boot or have multiple machines seems to make no difference. These so-called ‘purists’ are doing more to drive people away from trying Linux than most any other folks I know of. We have these types everywhere else as well with both Microsoft and Mac being represented with their respective forums having many who would rather bash a user for the simplest of things instead of offering their help.

See, I believe in Freedom of Choice. The freedom to choose what operating system one wants to use in the manner they want to use it. If you choose to use Windows or Mac, so be it. I may not agree with your choice but it’s yours to make. You have your reasons and if you’re comfortable with them, I’ll be the last one to give you grief over it.

My preference leans to Linux Mint (my own customized version of it) where I find that I can do pretty much anything I want or need to do without the need for Windows. I’ve tried many a distro over the years and find myself coming back to the Debian-based ones every time. Guess that’s what I’m most comfortable with.

• I do believe that Linux will one day become mainstream. When or how it will happen will largely depend on all the major distros coming together as one. We all know that ain’t gonna happen anytime soon, if at all, so it looks like it’s going to be a long time coming.
• I find the pricing for Mac’s to be unrealistically high. Yes, the OS is good. But why pay that much? Again, it’s your choice and I’ll respect that.
• Anyone thinking that Microsoft will eventually fall to the wayside from competition by the Mac and Linux camps, I have some oil-free beach front property to sell you down by the Gulf if you’re interested.

I use Linux and am happy with my choice. It works for me. It’s simple, it’s clean and it’s stable. It’ll be my choice in my professional life as well as my personal one. Linux. just. works. better. for. me.

So if you like paying for all those anti-virus, anti-malware and firewall programs to keep your systems as clean as possible, good for you. If you prefer to pay out the tail for programs that you could find in the Open Source world for free and are cross-platform, good for you. If you prefer to pay a lot of cash for a computer that does basically the same thing that mine does for free, good for you.

Simply put, it’s your choice. I’ve made mine.

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