Look ma: no Windows!

So here I am with my fully functional Linux system — capable of serving my work-day needs — and with a big smile on my face!

Looking back, I can say it's certainly been an interesting year. (For example, at one point I decided to see if I could successfully download and install the latest Linux kernel directly from kernel.org — and I actually managed to get it working!)

Over the past year, Linux has made enormous strides. It's exciting to see a technology evolve so rapidly — and even more exciting to imagine where Linux is likely to be a year from now.

A year ago, when asked if I thought Linux was ready for desktop business users, my answer was a definitive “not yet.” Today, although I'm still not ready to give an unequivocal “yes,” I have moved my answer up to “maybe.”

Why “maybe”? From my own experience, I am convinced that it is now possible to set up a Linux-based system that is suitable for most business workstation purposes. However, as of today, you really can't just deposit an experienced PC user in front of a Linux system and expect everything to go smoothly. Although KDE, GNOME, Nautilus, Evolution, Abiword, OpenOffice, and Mozilla are rapidly closing the functionality gaps, Linux is simply not — and never will be — a Windows look-alike. There are numerous differences, both large and small. And many of these will persist.

On the other hand, if you're motivated to free yourself from dependence on Microsoft and its Windows OS, if you have a desire to learn or try something new, and if you have the patience to overcome the occasional problems that you're certain to encounter, then yes, it's definitely possible to get a Linux system working well enough to make it your daytime work environment.

Author's bio: Rick Lehrbaum created the LinuxDevices.com “embedded Linux portal,” which is now part of the ZDNet Linux Resource Center. Rick has worked in the field of embedded systems since 1979. He co-founded Ampro Computers, founded the PC/104 Consortium, and was instrumental in launching the Embedded Linux Consortium.

• Part 1: The vacation
  
• Part 2: Early scorecard
  
• Part 3: Turning the corner
  
• Part 4: The light at the end of the tunnel
  
• Part 5: Look ma: no Windows!

 
This article was originally published on LinuxDevices.com and has been donated to the open source community by QuinStreet Inc. Please visit LinuxToday.com for up-to-date news and articles about Linux and open source.