Mistakes to Avoid

Changing Operating System involves a learning curve and might not be quick. Many people trying Linux abandon the attempt, too quickly, 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. Expecting Linux to run (and very fast) on long superceded hardware
   • specialised distributions can run remarkably well on such - but
     • contemporary software, particularly for streaming, graphics editing etc require much more resources
     • a dual-core (or fast single-core) CPU plus 2 GB RAM is required for reliable evaluations
     • the majority of distributions have phased out releases for 32-bit computers
   • popular distributions will run much better if (eventually) installed to SSD - but
     • older computer BIOS doesn't support "AHCI", which is required to gain much benefit from SSD
3. 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
4. Changing Distribution, when a different Desktop Environment would be better
   • each Desktop Environment is designed & implemented for a range of characteristics
     • simple v full-featured
     • contemporary v historic "look & feel"
     • low v higher hardware resource pre-requisites
   • many distributions have a choice of Desktop Environments, whilst being similar "under the hood"
5. 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
6. 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"