This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Jimmy McBride
First off, Iâm not here to tell you what to do or shame anyone for making different choices. What works for me might not work for you, and thatâs totally fine! This blog is just about why I love Linux and why I donât want to run anything else on my main machine. My opinion comes from my experiences and values, having used all three major operating systems: Linux, Windows, and macOS. Your experiences might be different, and thatâs cool!
Ownership
One of the biggest reasons I choose Linux is ownership. I own my operating systemâno terms, no contracts, no companies breathing down my neck trying to squeeze something out of me. When Iâm on Linux, I own every part of my machine. I own the hard drive, the CPU, the GPU, the RAMâall of it, including the OS that ties it all together.
Microsoft and Apple, on the other hand, feel like theyâre more interested in getting something from meâwhether itâs my data, my money, my attention, or whatever else they can squeeze out. Sure, Windows or macOS might have features that seem appealing, but in my experience, Linux offers something way better: control.
There are fewer and fewer programs that run only on Windows or macOS, so the list of reasons to dual-boot is shrinking fast. For me, thereâs no program thatâs worth the hassle of using Windows or macOS. Since I went all-in on Linux, Iâve been happier, and I donât feel like Iâm missing out on anything. Canât say the same for Windows or macOS.
Freedom
With Linux, Iâm free to do what I want with my system. Windows and macOS lock you into one environment and only let you customize things as much as the developers allow. Linux? There are so many desktop environments itâll make your head spin. Sure, it can be overwhelming at first, but I love being able to pick any environment, tinker with it, and make it my own.
For example, I love how Qtile workspaces operate, but Hyprland doesnât work the same way. No problem! I wrote a bash script to make the workspaces function like Qtile. If something doesnât work the way I want, I have the freedom to change it, and thatâs empowering. Thereâs no one telling me what I canât do.
Open Source
Not everything needs to be open source, but the open-source community is full of saints. Look at what people have builtâtake Neovim, for example. Itâs amazing, free, and you can do anything you want with it. No strings attached.
Of course, thereâs always a downside to the internet: trolls and haters. Sometimes itâs heartbreaking to see people trashing open-source projects when the contributors are working out of pure passion. These people deserve way more patience and kindness. Honestly, I think the world would be better off if people stopped blowing money on the latest Apple gadget they donât need and instead donated that money to an open-source project they love and use regularly.
Morals
This ties into open source. Consumerism, in my view, is corroding peopleâs values and lives. GNU/Linux represents the opposite of that. I love seeing people work on what theyâre passionate about, and if their work impacts enough lives, people give back, lifting each other up.
That said, itâs not all sunshine and rainbows. Thereâs real pain and sacrifice behind a lot of these beautiful open-source projects. I respect the people who pour their hearts into making something great for others. I want to be part of a future where technology and nature coexist, not one where tech replaces or destroys everything. And yeah, companies like Microsoft and Apple will rake in millions, even if itâs on the backs of child labor or morally grey practices. Anything for that bigger buck.
With Linux, GNU, and FOSS, I donât feel like Iâm being taken advantage of. Theyâre not trying to steal my data, train AI models on my usage patterns, or get me addicted to a product that could be hurting me in the long run. I just want to be surrounded by good people who care about one another. Sure, Linux has its elitists who shout "RTFM" at you, but donât sweat them. Iâve found the overwhelming majority of the community to be humble and helpful, with only a few toxic corners here and there.
Conclusion
And thatâs why Linux is the only operating system on my personal machine. Anything I sacrifice from Windows or macOS is worth it to me. Linux gives me peace of mind and aligns with my values. If youâve made it to the end of this blogâkudos, and thank you so much for reading!
If you enjoyed this post and are looking for a non-toxic community of like-minded people, Iâd love for you to join my Discord server! Weâve got a great mix of beginners and veterans who love to code, tinker, and build things. Sometimes, I even post polls to help name my blog posts! Come join us, and letâs build something awesome together.
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This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Jimmy McBride
Jimmy McBride | Sciencx (2024-09-25T05:00:00+00:00) Linux, I Choose You! đ§. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2024/09/25/linux-i-choose-you-%f0%9f%90%a7/
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