I had to switch to Linux because it wasn't presented with any option besides Microsoft when I learned how to computer.
this post was submitted on 05 Oct 2025
169 points (93.8% liked)
Linux
58808 readers
328 users here now
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
Rules
- Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
- No misinformation
- No NSFW content
- No hate speech, bigotry, etc
Related Communities
Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0
founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS
I felt limited with the Windows terminal and also to use better window managers
I installed and ran gentoo in 2005 on a home server that hosted a file sharing repository and php forum for my friends.
In college I ran Ubuntu on my netbook for programming and internet browsing on.
Then in 2021 Windows 11 came out and refused to install on my 2017 laptop. So I threw my hands up and installed EndeavorOS in a dual boot configuration. After a few months, EndeavorOS broke my boot with an update. Threw up my hands again and installed Fedora and haven't had an issue in years.
About 2 years ago I started the process of moving away from big tech, slowly, starting with transitioning from gmail to Protonmail. Ramped up on Jan 20 after seeing big tech CEOs at Trump's inauguration. Windows was the last thing I switched. I had kicked it down the list because I freelance with an audio focus, and Linux is sorely less equipped for audio than Windows or Mac. Said screw it about 2 months ago and made the switch, and I'm now completely free from walled gardens and big tech.
It hasn't been an easy switch, but I've made it work, and in fact have improved my audio quality with Linux. There certainly are limitations, and some things take more effort, but I've come to realize a bit of extra work in exchange for freedom is far superior than convenience in a walled garden covered in surveillance.
Because I wanted an OS that conforms to some standards, gives me freedom, and doesn't give my data to a corporation
I didn't manage to disable accessibility features in Windows anymore, due to a bug I assume
Purely to record / watch TV, films, etc.
I tried Windows Media Center (XP with some tweaks) and it was dire...
Found MythTV and decided I needed to "learn Linux" to get it done.
Now everything (except my work's laptop) is Linux (Arch btw)
Why would you assume I switched?
-edit- It appears my comment wasn’t clear… I never used anything else than Linux on my working systems…
Because you should.
It's free, it works everywhere windows does and has a tool for all your needs.
load more comments
(4 replies)
I'd just built my first PC and had no love for Win 3.1 which was rapidly becoming the default. I wanted to keep codíng having come from from Atari STs and had no desire to learn the windows APIs. An OS that came with C compilers by default was higher level than I was used to as I'd been doing 68000 assembler on the ST, but it was still low level enough.
IIt was also similar enough to the Sun IPCs and IPXs that I was using at university.
i switched from ms dos to parabola because im afraid of the nsa getting their hands on my cp files.