Life without Microsoft-- Linux

Choices.  Academic, personal, social, there are so many choices.  Combine choices with fear; and you can go into a type of psychological paralysis in making simple decisions about any of the above categories.  In fact, choices are not necessarily the difficult task, but the fear of making choices is.  More unfortunate is that fear (when managed methodically) can control how we behave, react and live.  From the fear of terrorist attacks to choosing not to use certain operating systems; we sink in our courage to stand up to what is unjust or perhaps we fail to stand up because we want to be as comfortable as possible.  Tonight is different; though it can be said, for me every day is different.  Not one to follow the normal crest on the wave, I dumped Microsoft this evening with the help of a new and very good friend.

I took up the Linux system; and if you are not familiar with Linux, make it a point to learn about it.  While I will say that the process is rather time consuming (largely due to my slow internet connection), learning and observing the process of upgrading my operating system (OS) from MS to Linux was the best decision I every made from a technology perspective.  But other decisions led up to that which cannot be ignored.

I took time off from graduate school to work on writing my book.  Other things came up and leading to this summer being one of the best I have had in my entire life.  People I met, places I have and am going, decisions I've made, have all played a role in the shedding of MS to Linux.  I am a firm believer in the power of subatomic particles developing an organic attraction to other subatomic particles in a way that brings people and systems together that would otherwise not occur; it influences our decision-making in many ways to respond to the nature of those subatomic particles that behave in similar ways.  It is the very conversation that lead to a conversation with my physicist friend who also installed my new operating system.  Were it not for these deep conversation there is a strong possibility I would never have had the opportunity to install Linux on my computer.

Not that it is critical to know, but Linux is much less susceptible to viruses, less resource consuming, more efficient and as simple to navigate as the system I was previously using.  In fact, I have more space on my hard drive, more efficient use of my hard drive and more choices for how I use my computer than every before.

Granted that I have a physicist willing to take the time to walk me through the installation and set up of Linux, but I would be willing to share the experience and the process for installing Linux over the more traditional OS any time.

I no longer have a fear of whether or not the system will work; fear of losing my programs or documents because the majority of people are using another OS; I have taking the confidence of my decision-making up a notch, because quite simply, I am not one to follow the pack. 

We have all choices to make; don't be blinded by the system set up to keep you in fear or create patterns that prevent you from exploring; whether that means exploring life, cultures, science, or different technology.



One translation of Ubuntu, I am what I am because of who we are (from Wikipedia).  This is the source of the Linux OS which I installed.  Open source is an important framework from which the Internet was modeled as well as the networks it sustains, some elements have reemerged as a result of the Internet.  As new systems emerge, it is important to exercise the liberation of the social network of the Internet which more resembles society at large.  Moreover it resembles what somewhat reflects the nature of the Earth, that everyone take ownership of and is able to participate in the development and maintenance of it.

It is my belief that the human experience is suppose to be general, but develop an expertise; better yet, be a great generalist with expertise in multiple areas- you will increase you intellectual capital.  I am as grateful for my beginning education in epidemiology and environmental engineering as I am to have Linux as an alternative to the other OS; for without either, I would not have be able to be where I am today.  Knowledge is power, and my epi experience has granted me insights into life I never would have known. 

I continue to be as happy about life and my experience in it as I can possibly be.  I am free for fear regardless of what tomorrow brings; I am embracing the moment...right...now.

If you have the opportunity to installing a new OS such as Linux, do it.  I can't promise you will be as happy as I am, but then you will have to make your own choices-- won't you.

Good fortune to all!