Replacing broken windows

Out with the old, in with the new

By: Vineet Tiruvadi

Posted: 10/7/08

Windows may be the operating system college students were raised on, but Linux offers a free and flexible alternative.

For some time, computer users have been at the mercy of big software and its black-suited, pocket-protected goons. They have little recourse: no hero in a sad tale of blue screens and untimely computer slow-downs. College students have been fettered by Microsoft's flagship Windows, which has drained patience and pocketbooks.

Enter Linux, the free alternative: now with less geek.

Its inception was long ago, but the reintroduction of Linux couldn't come at a better time. Invented in the dungeons of a Tibetan computer-monastery, Linux was thrust into the world with promise and expectation. Nerds converged to turn Linux into a contender against the tyrannical Windows. Linux has become a viable, smart, hassle-free replacement to Windows. It took 16 quiet years, but it's finally there.

But what are Windows and Linux? Turn on your computer. You will see the Windows logo and, two lifetimes later, your desktop, ready to work. That is Windows: while you turn on your computer and navigate the tubes making up the Internet, Windows is working to make your experience as "convenient" as possible. Operating systems like Windows serve as the link between everyday software (media players, browsers and word processors) and the black box that houses computer gizmos. As you can imagine, it's pretty important.

Linux's history has been full of drama and hurdles. Historically considered an enthusiast's (aka nerd's) choice, the popular conception of Linux was that it was difficult to use. A modest level of computer savvy is a plus, but is not necessary. Various flavors and versions of Linux have popped up, offering a gamut of experiences from walls of complicated commands to easy point-and-click fun. The name of the game is choice, and Linux choices are looking smarter. With countless Linux flavors available, you'll find one you love. The best operating system is the one that doesn't demand constant attention.

Imagine an operating system founded on the idea being free and open with its consumer base. Linux serves as a gateway to the open source world, where a plethora of free software waits for you. More importantly, the Linux landscape has overcome its esoteric image and become a user-friendly system more than capable of replacing Windows. Everything from word processors to guitar tablature software to MATLAB clones: there is a free world of alternatives with Linux. It makes sense that the pocket-protected suits wouldn't want that to get out.

The common criticisms of Linux usability, sometimes overshadowing the wealth of positives, were understandable if a little pessimistic. However, with the combination of an increasingly tech-knowledgeable populace and a bit of innovation by Linux distribution creators, the difficulty factor is all but gone. The last hurdle to what can be described as a "duh" choice is gone. But, few know of it.

What better way to let students know of a cheaper, and often better, alternative than to embrace Linux beyond Blocker Building math classes? A switch would allow students to experience firsthand the versatility of the platform and gain a wallet-easing appreciation for open-source software. It's about time that the University acknowledge the strides made by various Linux flavors, like "Ubuntu" or "Arch Linux," and offer an alternative to those who want to get away from the exorbitant payments and licensing now ubiquitous in the computer world.

It's an absurd thought to spend so much money on something as intangible, but necessary as software, especially when it is vital for your computer to work. It's extortion. When a free alternative, with a large library of software, exists with usability rivaling anything Microsoft offers, why not learn a bit more about it and give it a spin?