Ubuntu has become one of the most widely used Linux distributions and helped make Linux accessible for non-technical users. The desktop interfaces for Linux have evolved significantly with options like Gnome and KDE that provide graphical experiences similar to Windows and macOS. Linux is now suitable for general use cases with distributions that are easy to use and provide functionality out of the box. While Linux may not be optimal for gaming or certain professional graphic design workflows, it can be used effectively for regular computing needs like office productivity and is a free, customizable alternative to Windows.

1. FAST TRACK TO LINUX
We gave a Fast Track to Linux; Linux was still something only for geeks, and a fairly
complicated undertaking. Linux has changed a lot since then, and evolved furiously as
an OS that can give competition to the likes of Windows and OS X. Most
prominently, the Ubuntu distribution (or distro) has become one of the most widely
used Linux distributions. If any Windows user wants to switch to a Linux distro,
Ubuntu is the distro that person is most likely to try out. Ubuntu lives up to its claim
as being Linux for human beings, but what has helped the proliferation most are the
free DVDs and CDs that are mailed to users by the parent company. Almost any net
user moderately interested in technology has tried out a Live CD of Ubuntu at one
point of time or another. At the same time, other important distributions have evolved
too. This includes OpenSUSE, Mandriva (formerly Mandrake) and Sabayon. Gone
are the days when running a Linux operating system meant that most of the operations
had to be managed through the command line? The Linux Desktop, in other words,
the GUIs have also evolved, with Gnome, KDE and XFCE establishing them, and
providing as much eye candy as Vista or OS X in their latest releases. The onset of
Web 2.0 has provided the open source community with more tools to converge and
co-ordinate their efforts, which has increased the amount of tools available for Linux
by leaps and bounds. What this means for the end user is that Linux has arrived.
There are versions of Linux that are idiot friendly, versions of Linux that make you
feel at home in a Windows-like environment, and even versions of Linux that come
with propriety codecs included. One of the biggest apprehensions about Linux is that
its free so it must be bad. This is untrue. Consider the work on the source codes of
Linux distros and programs as a large wiki. Since mistakes and bugs can be seen by
everyone, they get ironed out quickly. A passion for working at it, and creating
software that can outdo a commercial version has resulted in a lot of quality software
for Linux. These vary from multimedia editing, enterprise management,
Database management, scientific tools, computer aided design (CAD) to highly
specialized software for niche requirements. You may have noticed the dramatic
exclusion of games from the list. If you want to play a lot of games on your computer,
Linux is not for you. Very few big publishers release games for Linux and this is
mostly because the market for Linux games is very small. That does not mean that
there are no games for Linux, but games with the bells and whistles that can exploit
your graphics card to the fullest do not exist. Linux is also not for some specialized
professional use. This includes layout artists, graphic designers and multimedia
editors. Although competent programs are available for home use, Gimp or Inkscape
do not really measure up to Photoshop or Corel Draw, and there is definitely nothing
that comes close to the utility of Quark Xpress and InDesign. There are ways to
emulate the windows environment to get some of these programs to work on Linux.
You can also purchase some software for Linux, like Corel Draw and Maya. These
are small issues. There is plenty of reason why you should use Linux. Linux is no
longer the domain of the technological elite. There are many distros that can be used
by “human beings” for regular day-to-day purposes. It is a great and cheap solution
for office use. Linux can be used to revive and use an outdated computer system that
no longer supports the latest release of Windows. The upgrades are regular, and easily
manageable. You can carry around your system on a portable hard disk, and use it on
every system you connect it to, without changing the system. This is technically
possible for Windows too, but is illegal. Most importantly, Linux is free, and you own
your copy. You can do whatever you want with it, install it on as many machines as
you please, and not bother to read the fine print in the process. You certainly cannot
be on the wrong side of the law when you Run Linux.