My Linux story

How I Got Started with Linux

I have been running Linux now for about four years or so, and in that time (really it was within the first few months), I realized one thing: Windows sucks. I will never return to Windows. Sure, I have a Windows partition on my system at the moment, but only because I have to use it for my software engineering degree. Once that is finished, Windows will be gone forever.

So, what got me to switch? Let’s go back to the beginning.

From Automotive Tech to Linux Explorer

I was not a computer fan at all. We had a home computer, but it was used for online banking, email, my kids’ homeschool work, and some mild gaming (my kids, not me—I’m not much for anything beyond NES or SNES).

As an automotive technician, a lot of my resources were shifting from books to being accessible only through computers. So, I bought a laptop to access wiring diagrams, repair manuals, and that sort of thing. My laptop came with Windows (as they all do), and so that’s what I used. I hated it.

As much as I disliked using Windows, it was what I had and all I knew, so that was that.

A DIY Spirit Awakens

One day, I watched my kids playing a video game, and being the do-it-yourselfer that I am, I thought, “I bet I could make a video game.” I told my kids my plan and set to work to make the best video game ever made.

Once I started, I realized what I had gotten myself into and quickly found myself on YouTube, watching tutorials on basic coding and game engines. While watching, I noticed something different about some of the creators’ systems. I thought, “What the heck is that? How do I make my system look and act like that?”

And that’s where it all began.

Enter Linux

I found out they were using Linux, and I was sold. I knew nothing of Linux. I had only heard about it years prior from a “crazy” guy I worked with. Other than that, I had no clue what to expect or how to get it up and running on my system.

Google and YouTube to the rescue. I was so green that I actually googled, “What is better, Linux or Ubuntu?” Every time I looked up “How to install Linux,” it showed me a tutorial about Ubuntu, so I didn’t know any better.

From Ubuntu to Mint

Fast forward to me figuring out that Linux has different distros. After getting an ISO downloaded and VirtualBox set up, I created and booted a VM of Ubuntu.

As soon as the login screen showed up and I saw the awful orange and purple, I closed it down and said, “Nope.”

Next, I found Linux Mint. I went through the process of setting up a VM of Mint. Once it booted and I saw the welcoming green color scheme and the Cinnamon desktop environment, I thought, “This is more like it.”

Cinnamon was intuitive, Windows-like, and an easy transition from what I was used to, so I took right to it. I played with Mint in the VM for a while. Before long, I found myself spending more time in my VM than on my Windows machine.

I thought, “There has to be a better way.”

Goodbye, Windows

Again, Google to the rescue. I quickly learned how to partition my drive and dual boot Mint with Windows. Since I still felt I needed my security blanket, I didn’t get rid of Windows right away.

Before I knew it, I was cruising, learning everything I needed to know. I spent less and less time in Windows, and eventually, Windows became unnecessary. At that point, I wiped that side of my drive and let Mint be my daily driver.

From that point on, I was all about the Linux life—no more Windows for this guy. I actually enjoyed using my computer.

The Game That Started It All

You may be wondering, “What ever happened to that game you set out to make? Where can I find this marvel and play it?”

Well, I made it. It was horrible. I quickly erased any hint of its existence.

But that being said, I did what I set out to do: create a video game. In the end, I wound up gaining so much more than just the sense of accomplishment from creating something from a few lines of code.

I wanted to show my kids that even if you are clueless at the beginning, if you are willing to work and study, just about anything is possible. I gained all that—and this amazing neckbeard.

Oh, and the experience and knowledge of using Linux.

God bless.