Mistakes to Avoid

Changing Operating System involves a learning curve and might not be quick. Many people trying Linux abandon the attempt, following inadequate investigation. Avoid the following, common mistakes:

1. Expecting a Windows/iOS experience, when the general look & feel might be similar but the different paradigm in Linux results in :
   • often a longer "time to boot", on the same hardware, offset by
     • fewer needs to reboot
   • "drivers" being generally inbuilt and installed automatically
   • antivirus software not being required
   • frequent, but not automatic updates
2. Not Adjusting Settings
   • many apparent "anoyances", such as background image, fonts etc can quickly be changed
     • a summary Handbook is often accessible via the "Help" pull-down menu
3. Changing Distribution, when a different Desktop Environment would be better
   • many distributions have a choice of Desktop Enviroments, whilst being similar "under the hood"
4. Installing too Soon
   • live DVD are generally free and do not time-expire
     • time to reboot from USB 3 device is relatively short
   • evaluate at least two Desktop Environments
     • from the same Distribution, to get the best comparison
   • evaluate at least two Distributions
     • staying with one Desktop Environment, to get the best comparison
5. Expecting all of your existing hardware to work
   • Linux generally supports older hardware longer than do other OS - but
     • drivers for new hardware might not be available quickly - plus
     • there is insufficient market to make Linux drivers viable for some hardware
   • in general, avoid buying new hardware without doing a search for "hardware model + Linux"