Around May 2023, I shifted from using Windows as my primary operating system to using Linux. What was the journey? Was it hard? Do I regret the two years with Linux? Well, this article has the answers for you.
My Linux Journey?
2023 was not the first time that I started using Linux. I had used Linux but had installed it under the Windows subsystem for Linux. At that time, my goal was to try and learn to be a hacker. I felt it was a good way to make money until I changed my mind. I had a little success getting the WIFI password for a friend’s WIFI. But that was it.
I experimented with Linux using Metasploit for a few weeks but did not find it enjoyable. Here’s why. At that time, I loved coding, but I discovered no coding. When using Linux and Metasploit, you have to type a few commands. The process had a lot of social engineering, and it’s a waiting game compared to what I did. Needless to say, I did not like that.
Another thing I felt was that the whole hacking thing would be about taking money from hard-working people. I had been scammed at this time (A story for another day) and experienced firsthand what it felt like working and not being paid. This did not sit well with me. That’s why I opted for a career in data science.
I am not saying that a career in cybersecurity is a bad choice. Some white hackers do well for society. The desire to code and always write many lines was high in me.
Fast forward to 2023, I took an Operating Systems course from Uopeople (University of the People). This course focused on learning Linux and introduced the learners to many Linux commands and how it works. I was impressed.
If you know me, I love the challenge. Before the end of the course, I had installed Linux as my operating system. I was happy about it. Guess what Linux distro I had installed? Not Ubuntu? Neither is it Kali Linux.
Well, I started with ARCH Linux!
The first few weeks
If you know about Linux, you probably know that ARCH Linux is one of the advanced versions. My Ego pushed me to it. It’s now that I did not know about Ubuntu or other lightweight distros. I just wanted to feel like the OG.
I felt happy having installed ARCH on my computer. It did raise my dopamine, at least for the first two days, and to me, it was an achievement. But a few days later, some glaring challenges started to appear.
First, there is no Microsoft Office. Tried to use the one I had installed on the other computer, but it didn’t work. Now, I had to find a solution. After some research, I discovered some software alternatives to Windows versions.
LibreOffice is Linux compatible and enabled me to read .docx files and other Microsoft Office files. But this was not enough. I wanted something that had Microsoft’s look and feel. Google Docs were the solution. However, there was still a learning curve.
Before I forget, wine helped me a lot. I know what you are thinking! Its Linux package allows you to install Windows software into Linux. For example, I could install MT4 and other software into my operating system.
Sounds like a good story. But there were some things that I had to get away with. I could not use Power BI or Tableau as they are software native to Windows.
Was I limited to the above issues? No! I faced a lot. But one thing that I learned from Python programming is that errors do happen. You must know how to seek help and where to get it. That’s what made the difference.
2 years later
As I got comfortable with Linux, I tried different versions. Some of the ones that I have used are Fedora and Redhat. Do I think I will explore others? Of course, life is short, so why not try the others?
In the past two years, I have mastered specific commands that are now in the palm of my hands, and I have been extremely comfortable with them.