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  • From: "Bart Anderson" <bart@cwo.com>
  • To: "Permaculture List" <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [permaculture] Linux software
  • Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2005 14:50:52 -0800

More on Linux -- good topic! Linux and permaculture make a good match.
Here is what I wrote to Keith in response to his query.

Hello Keith,

I saw your message about Linux on the permaculture mail list and thought I
might reply since Linux is dear to my heart. I used to work in the computer
industry as a tech writer, using both Windows and UNIX (the ancestor of
Linux).

> I was just looking at Linux software at E Bay and, having never used it
> before, I had no idea where to start. Can someone using this OS please
> confer with me to consider the merits and acquisition options available
> to me. Current OS is Win XP which has been working great.

The big question is -- what do you want to accomplish with Linux? If Win XP
has been working for you, what would your motivation be for changing?

I don't think I would recommend Linux for someone who just wants to do
normal PC tasks, such as wordprocessing, spreadsheets, email, and web
design.

In my case, I bought RedHat Linux but never installed it on our home PC
since Windows 2000 is pretty good and for technical reasons, installing
Linux would be complicated in my situation. If I had a spare PC and space
to put it, I would probably install Linux on it, since I like the Linux
working environment so much.

Some reasons a person might go to Linux:

1. It's probably better than Windows for computer applications other than
personal use. For example, as a web server (a computer dedicated to
handling web pages and communication with the Internet). But if one is
going to be managing these applications, one probably knows about Linux
already.
2. It's a wonderful way to learn about computers and computer science.
You're working close to the flywheels and cogs, so it's easier to see how
things work.
3. The UNIX/Linux working environment is very appealing to a certain nerdy
mindset. You can customize your tools and exercise control over the machine
to a degreee that is not possible in Windows.
4. The operating system is much more stable than Microsoft, whose Windows
mutates every few years (Win 95, to NT, to 2000, to XP). Also, there are
fewer viruses and attacks on Linux.
5. With Linux, one can make use of old PCs that are not powerful enough to
run the latest version of Windows.
6. You get out of Microsoft's clutches and can save money on software. The
money saved can be substantial with large number of users. (For just a few
people, I don't think it's that big a deal, considering the learning curve.)
7. Linux has a great potential in the Third World for cost reasons.
8. The open source movement ("free" software), of which Linux is a part, is
appealing to idealists and people who care about good software. Applied
anarchism that has proven successful!

> Is another OS
> going to require a major learning curve and a huge amount of time
> reloading all my software?

Yes.

1. Many (most?) of the programs that you are probably accustomed to working
with on Windows are not available on Linux. There are other programs that
do the same things (programs that are cheaper and that I like better), but
you would have the learning curve.

2. Getting Linux installed and configured on a PC is not trivial. I see
that PCs are now being sold with Linux already installed -- a step forward.
Also, RedHat and other distributions of Linux make the process MUCH easier
than it used to be.

Does this help at all, Keith? I'd be glad to answer any questions that I
can.

Best regards,
Bart Anderson
Palo Alto, California





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