Planning to install Linux? Here are 9 important things to know about it

By Sachin

| Published: Wednesday, June 22, 2016, 12:35 [IST]

If you're not satisfied with the usability of Windows, there are many light-weight operating systems available for free that you can shift to. One of them is Linux, and the operating system has a lot of benefit to productivity-centric users who want more from their systems.

Here are 9 important points to remember when you consider getting Linux.

#1

So the most crucial question to be considered is why you should be considering Linux as your operating system. The best part about having Linux on your systems is because of its customizability. You can think of it as a smaller version of Windows but with a little bit of Android.

#2

When it comes to Linux, there are many versions or 'distros' that use different interfaces for the operating system. You can choose from either from Ubuntu, Mint or Red Hat. Every distro is customized for various users according to their needs and usage.

#3

If you're a first time user who is moving from the windows ecosystem, Ubuntu would be recommended as the starting point of your usage of Linux. It feels similar to usage and interface is smoother in performance than Windows. You can also choose to install Lubuntu, but these are specifically tailored for older machines with not so great specifications.

Also read: 9 important Facebook and Twitter content that you should avoid posting

#4

Linux does not take up much space when it comes to installation. You can either install it as your primary operating system, or you can dual boot it alongside your Windows 10. A third and safer option can also be to first try it on a virtual machine if you're unsure of whether the system is made for you or not.

#5

The graphic processing or interface best run with the help of three main plugins. GNOME, KDE, and Unity are always preferred by most of the best distros. Ensure that you get the best distros which use either of these.

#6

The interface is similar to Windows in every way, except in file management. Your 'My Documents' becomes 'Home' where all your file are stored. Apart from those, there are no major differences that can get you lost across the operating system.

Also read: 5 amazing features, shortcuts of computer mouse to make your life easy

#7

Unlike Windows, getting to install an application on Linux is a little bit more cumbersome than usual. In Linux, any application you need to install goes through a package manager. It acts as a store to get all the applications in one place without having to search the web extensively. The same model of a package manager is soon to be implemented on Windows systems too.

#8

The Linux terminal is what the DOS is Windows. But it has more capability than just simple command lines. Being a technical part of the operating system, there are many lines of codes that you can use through the terminal to customize many features within the OS itself.

#9

At the moment, Linux has a limited capability to run games. With Steam now available for Linux, there is always the option to play online titles though not all games may support the operating system. If it comes to playing your Windows games on Linux, the application PlayOnLinux allows you to use an emulator to run your Windows games but with the lag still existing.

Also read: 10 hidden features of Instagram you didn't know about

#10

You may be using Linux for the first time, but things are not so grim when it comes to learning everything there is to know about the operating system. In time, you can master the codes to be used in terminal, and can make your own versions of Linux available on the market too.