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Why did I dump Windows for Ubuntu? (Part 2)

In the previous part, I have discussed how my relationship with computers started.

Even though I have tried Linux based operating systems from time to time, the terminal commands scared me and I have always gone back to Windows.

But when I started learning about how the Internet and websites work, I have started building websites and I have always preferred Linux based Shared web hosting because they had CPanel to manage your web hosting, which is easy to use compared to Windows-based control panels and Linux hosting is cheaper than Windows hosting.

So, when I started using VPS servers, I have preferred Linux based VPS only.While researching a reliable, low-cost VPS for a project, I came across DigitalOcean droplets and they were dead cheap but was used by many companies across the world.

But the thing is, I had to do everything from scratch to configure the server according to my needs, so I signed up for free VPS Server from DigitalOcean for 2 months, with internet research and help from Digital ocean community articles, I have managed to setup my server successfully and found out it’s quite simple and convenient. Also, I can clearly see the security features of Linux first hand and realized it’s way better than Windows.

So, no prize for guessing that I went with Ubuntu when I started my own managed web hosting company.

windows-to-ubuntu

But still, my primary laptop remained with Windows but the final push came from Microsoft.

Yes, Microsoft pushed me towards Ubuntu. When Windows 8 developer preview got released, I used it and the only feature I liked is its boot speed. I hated everything else about Windows 8.

Especially, I didn’t like the Metro UI (later renamed as Microsoft Design language), though I told myself that it is good and will get used to it, I couldn’t. My new laptop came with OEM Windows 8 and when the Windows 10 free upgrade offer came, I have upgraded to Windows 10.

Even with Windows 10, I was not satisfied, it had started pushing windows updates, which I didn’t like and the whole OS kind of felt buggy. Windows Store was worse and also I didn’t like the Windows store apps.

For example, I use VLC to watch Videos, I installed VLC from Windows store and the UI was different and the performance is not that good, but when Installed the normal (.exe ) file from VLC website, it worked fine but there were 2 versions of VLC installed (One from the downloaded setup file and another from Windows store app). I couldn’t even understand the concept of how the windows store is supposed to work.

Over time I became uncomfortable with Windows 10 and installed Ubuntu alongside as dual boot.

But Windows boot manager didn’t show Ubuntu, it directly booted windows 10, either I had to replace the bootloader or follow a complex process after I logged in to Windows 10 to boot into Ubuntu. This was the final nail in the coffin, I couldn’t digest the fact that Windows refuses to allow me to log in to Ubuntu easily, So I decided to remove Windows entirely and install only Ubuntu on my computer.

The only hesitation I had was that equivalent Windows tools for Ubuntu but I have braced myself and determined to learn the new tools. So far everything is going good, the only problem is that I’m yet to find a good and easy to use video editing tool.

I have installed Kdenlive but yet to watch the tutorials on how to use it. As you can see from my journey, I have got used to Windows and was afraid to come out of my comfort zone and as they say, necessity is the mother of all inventions, I have embraced Linux when it was required.

Linux and the command line may look scary initially, but I assure you it’s easy to learn, quite efficient and fast too, I’m still a beginner but the prospects are looking good. You should try it too.

Update, Dec 1, 2019: It’s been more than 2 years since this post and I’ve never looked back. Happy with the nix operating systems. (Using Mac for office purposes which is better than Windows but would prefer Linux (Ubuntu) any day.) Kind of forgot how windows works or even looks. Terminal became my best buddy.