Deep Breath
I think it’s time I moved to a Linux operating system. Despite the Linux server where this and the other websites I host live, and my smarter-than-me techy friends, I’m an absolute N00b when it comes to Linux. So I’ve long thought I should know more about it, but there are so many other things I need to learn!
So, what triggered the move now? One of the things I like best about the Open Source community is the high ratio of givers. There are a huge number of people I’m honored to have encountered through my forays into open source. Today’s person is Ken Starks, the guy behind the Helios Project. See, there’s this guy who builds Linux computers and gives them to kids who can’t afford one. He posted about a recent computer donation, and I commented, and long story short(er) here we are.
He and Larry Cafiero sponsor Lindependence. Lindependence is a program to turn other OS users into Linux users, one town at a time. I’ve heard a lot of good things about Linux. I like the idea behind it, the quality, and the community of it in particular, including the high preponderance of users like Ken Stark and Larry Cafiero within that community. (to learn more about Lindepencence, check out the website here.)
I’m posting this so that anyone who wants to join me (Lindependence 2009?), or is curious about how this works (or just wants to see me implode from information overload), can follow along. Over the course of the next little while, I’m going to be posting about the move. First, I plan to learn what I can about it, how to use it, how to solve any problems I might have with software and so forth, in particular making sure that my clients (many of whom will never switch from Windows) will stay happy, and by December 31, I plan to be a reasonably savvy Linux user.
Maybe I’ll run dual OS for a while–there’s enough room on this machine if I clean up some of the draft files I have floating around, but by the end of December, I plan to have switched over to Linux for good. Or I may discover that I’ll need to keep the Windows OS for some reason, or continue to use both. I guess we’ll see.
I’m giving myself this much time because I’m incredibly swamped right now. The kids just started school, and with Aidan, our youngest, being both autistic and albino (with the complementary poor vision) there are always teacher meetings, IEP tweaking sessions, follow-ups with his various therapists, and the obligatory doctor visits at the start of every school year. I’m juggling a million small press obligations, I’m building a couple of websites and a really complex CMS for a client that sometimes has me stumped, and I’m trying to keep learning.
But our oldest needs a new computer for college, our daughter will be needing one when she moves into middle school, and the youngest really responds to educational software. He’s 5 and beginning to read and write, understands rhyming, knows his colors and how to count to 100, and he draws some of the most amazing pictures I’ve ever seen from a 5 year old. I’m thinking all of this means that now is a good time for me to learn how to build a computer economically. Maybe I can even start a Helios Project Cleveland within the next 5 years. Ambitious plans, but I think I can make it work.
It’s time for that deep breath.
2 comments
Good Luck. I use Linux but I’m not technically adept. In fact I use Linux because I can’t maintain a Windows box without problems, including time and money.
You don’t have to learn anything about Linux. I just use Ubuntu and never learn anything.
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Thanks webster! That’s very encouraging.
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