### Context: I have been using Linux as a daily driver for the past 3-4 months. During this time I also fully switched all personal machines (laptops, desktops... etc etc) from Windows to Linux, forcing my partner along for the ride! Technical Experience: I have been a linux user (especially on laptops) for years now. The change this time was a full switch on my main gaming/development machine (my desktop) vs my travel machine (the frame.work laptop). My partner, Sara, on the other hand has very little experience with linux. While in university I installed ubuntu on her machine with little to no pushback. But eventually she made the switch back to windows. The experience has been extremely smooth for the both of us! (with some minor caveats) But it got me thinking about something... # Everyone Can Use Linux... (But who should?!?) ## The Myth of Linux's Complexity For years, a myth has persisted that Linux is a cryptic operating system reserved for bearded programmers and security experts. But for most of us, who only use a computer for a handful of tasks, Linux is not only usable... it's shockingly simple! The truth, however, is a bit more nuanced. While everyone **can** use Linux, not everyone **should**. To understand why, let's meet our three friends: **Jimmy**, **Timmy**, and **Spike** (I've been playing alot of MTG recently...) #### Note: I am assuming these users do NOT need to set up/install linux. They will receive a machine in "working condition" as they would any Windows or OSX machine. ### Jimmy (Sara) OS: OSX/Windows Profession: Project Manager Age: 45 Jimmy is your standard computer user. Honestly Jimmy could be Windows or osx! It really depends on which machine the company sends them 😂 Their daily workflows consist mostly within a browser (Edge/Chrome/Safari). They may have an odd app/program that they use (Slack, Notion) but 90% of their day sits in some sort of web portal (Slack, Email, Jira/Confluence 🤢) ### Timmy OS: Windows/OSX Profession: Graphic Designer Age: 31 Timmy spends their time split across operating systems. They use windows for gaming in their spare time and hanging out with friends on Discord, while for their day job they work as a graphic designer at a marketing firm. This requires them to switch between OS's for work/play. ### Spike (Me 10 years ago) OS: OSX Profession: Developer Age: 24 Spike is fresh out of school looking to take the world by storm! They haven't necessarily decided which development path they are going to dive into (backend? web? mobile? security?!?!) So they haven't decided on a specific IDE for programming yet. --- ### **Why Linux is a Great Choice for Most People** If you're like **Jimmy**, your daily computer use is pretty straightforward. You open up a browser like Chrome or Edge, jump on Slack for work, and check social media. Maybe you use a word processor now and then. For a user like this, Linux is a perfect fit. Most modern Linux distributions, like Fedora, Linux Mint, or Ubuntu, look and feel just like Windows or macOS through standardised desktop environments like Gnome or KDE. You won't have to relearn how to click, type, or navigate. Focusing on **Jimmy** the benefits are huge: * **It's free**: There are no licensing fees. * **It's lightweight**: Linux can breathe new life into an old computer that struggles to run Windows. Or CANT run OSX * **Security**: Less susceptible to viruses and malware * **Customization**: The only truly customisation operating system The only change that might be a downside for **Jimmy** depends on the browser they were using initially, as Edge and Safari are not available for linux (easily). Which honestly could be a bigger switch for someone like Jimmy, who lives mostly within the browser. **There is nothing that is limiting Jimmy from using Linux as a daily driver** --- ## Caveat: Software Selection As mentioned above for **Jimmy** not all software might be available for Linux (or your specific distro of linux) which can cause some problems for users like **Timmy** or **Spike** who may rely on specific software for their work (ex: Adobe products/xcode) or leisure (Minecraft with the gang) So here are your (unfortunate) options for the big missing players on linux: 1. Dual boot your OS of choice... not great 2. Switch Tools... potentially expensive and difficult, might be impossible with corporately selected tools 3. Dont switch 😂 Unfortunately this may be where your linux journey ends. But if you do have the ability to switch or provide influence to your company too switch, nearly all of the tools on linux are one of: - Cheaper if not free - Open source - Locally owned data Which are usually all things that corporate likes to hear in a tool! (especially when you realise how much money gets spent on tools like adobe by one company each year) #### Gaming For the gamers reading this you are in luck! With the launch of the Steam Deck and Valve being committed to the linux community. Gaming is thriving! Unless you want to play EA games 😅 While most games work on linux. There are still certain companies that do not support it. Most of these are due to anti-cheat software (like EA's kernel level anti-cheat or Battle-eye). In some cases this can be ignored (Battle-eye functions on linux if the developer gets the game whitelisted). But in cases like EA's anti-cheat it is impossible for those games to even launch! Here is an example trying to launch the new EA game, Skate. ![[Pasted image 20251001091523.png]] So for someone like **Timmy** I would suggest taking a look at the types of games that they play and ensure that those run on Linux. But if you mostly play single play games and mostly games through steam, you will be surprised as to what is supported! (Note: the list is MUCH longer than the *steam deck verified* list, especially if you are running on a desktop) **Assuming Timmy/Spike are okay with the tools provided, There is nothing limiting them from switching to linux** --- ### **The Downside: The Power and Peril of the Command Line** Linux's greatest strength is also its biggest risk for a new user: the **terminal**. This command-line interface gives you incredible power and direct control over your system. This is where **Spike** may feels at home, but for someone like **Jimmy/Timmy**, it's a minefield. Imagine **Jimmy** has a problem and finds a solution online that says to type `sudo rm -rf /`. They coyu and paste the command without understanding it. That simple command, which in plain English means "delete everything on your computer, without asking," would wipe out the entire system! This kind of irreversible mistake is the biggest danger for the well-intentioned novice. That being said. The terminal is *terrifying* to someone like **Jimmy/Timmy**. The chances of them submitting a command is unlikely (they will probably end up calling someone like me asking why the printer isn't working!) --- ### **The "Oops" Button: Atomic/Immutable Linux Distributions** Fortunately, there's a new breed of Linux that helps mitigate this risk: **atomic** or **immutable** operating systems. These distributions, like **SteamOS** on the Steam Deck, are fundamentally different. The core operating system is **read-only**, meaning you can't accidentally delete critical system files. Instead of modifying the live system, these OSes install updates by creating a new version of the OS in the background. If something goes wrong—either a bad update or an errant command—you can simply **reboot to the previous, working state**. It's like having a built-in time machine for your computer. This safety net would be perfect for **Timmy**, who loves to experiment and tinker with his Mac and would love the safety net of being able to revert his system with a simple reboot if he "breaks" something. Think of it like "**your desk**" at the office. Every evening the cleaning staff may come through and organize the office but they leave personal desks alone (although they might clean up your leftover lunch 🙈). The lunch room chairs are organized, the fridge is stocked. But those documents you left laying on your desk are still there in the morning! You own your desk, not the office --- ### **The Linux Safety Spectrum: A Reverse Dunning-Kruger Effect** The relationship between your Linux knowledge and the likelihood of making a catastrophic mistake isn't a straight line. It looks more like a reverse bell curve, a sort of **Dunning-Kruger effect**. * **Jimmy** is safe because he knows he doesn't know anything. He's terrified of the terminal and will stick to the safe, graphical apps. * **Spike** is in the most dangerous spot. He's the "tech guru" who has learned just enough to be overconfident. He'll happily copy-paste commands without fully understanding them, making him the most likely to break his system. * An **expert** is safe again. They know the risks, they understand the commands, and they follow best practices to avoid catastrophic failure. It’s like learning to drive: the most dangerous drivers are often the ones with a few months of experience, not the brand-new learner or the seasoned veteran. ![[Pasted image 20251001094130.png]] --- ### **Who Should Stick with Windows or macOS?** So now we come down to it! Who should use linux... Well... the answer isnt very cut and dry unfortunately. Based on what we have talked about here linux may be a great fit for all 3 users! - **Jimmy**: Would have an easy time switching to linux due to their workflow of a browser + an app or two - **Timmy**: Might have a bit of a rougher time switching depending on their software choices. If they don't mind switching off of certain tools (Adobe) then the switch is fairly straightforward! (Just gotta find some alternatives... *cough* Inkscape *cough*) - **Spike**: Spike is the most interesting of the choice, While at first glance they might seem like a perfect fit, They are the ones I would be most wary about suggesting linux to. As long as they understand the risks and are willing to tinker with the choices they make. Linux will be an incredibly powerful tool for them to master. Its also good to note that MOST computer users are **Jimmy**. --- ### **Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for You** Linux has become so user-friendly that anyone can use it for everyday tasks. But its power and complexity mean it's not a universal solution. Whether it's right for you depends on your needs and your position on the "Linux Safety Spectrum." If you're a casual user like **Jimmy**, you'll likely have a great, safe experience. If you're a gamer like **Spike** or a creative professional, you may just have to change a few things in your workflow. And if you're a tinkerer like **Timmy**, you might want to consider one of the new, safer immutable distributions to get your feet wet. Ultimately, it's not about whether you *can* use Linux as we can see here there is little stopping *most* people from using it, but whether YOU *should*!