I finally did it, I completely deleted Windows from my Laptop and installed Linux. 

Let me start by saying that this is not a short-term decision. I have been using Linux since 1995, so to date that is 28 years. When I first installed Linux on one of my desktops it was 94 floppy disks (or there about). It took quite a number of hours and booted to the command prompt. There were a number of UIs available - I tried many of them out but you need to install them from the command line and run them.

Today the Linux distros out there are much more polished. They are easier to install and there are so many distros to choose from. Currently, I have installed the latest Ubuntu, but I originally started with Slackware Linux 27 years ago now. And there were a few, well more than a few, others in between and may well be in the future.

Why did I delete windows and install Linux?

This is probably a question you are asking if reading this post. The simple answer is the freedom, convenience, and reliability of Linux.

Freedom is because of the sheer number of distros out there. I can try different distros, each with its own uniqueness.

The number of choices available in the world of Linux has grown exponentially in the past twenty years that I have been using Linux. There are now many different distributions of Linux available. Each one has its own unique character, which gives it a distinct personality. There are thousands of Linux distributions, each one designed to solve a particular problem. Each distribution offers a different set of applications, so you can find exactly what you are looking for in the software selection offered by your Linux distribution.  

Convenience is also partly down to the number of distros but a little more than that. You can customize your Linux system to meet your needs far more than you can with Windows, from my own experience. There are many apps available in their own app installer, free apps. It can be an eye opener at times to how many apps there actually are and are free.

Reliability. The system was just so reliable. I didn't want to lose my data. I also had so many programs that I couldn't afford to have them all crash. I personally find I have very few crashes running Linux than I do with Windows. Another thing to talk about is when I install an update in Linux, I very rarely have to reboot the machine. Since installing just Linux, for each update I have had I have never had to reboot the machine for it to take effect.

On top of these 3 points, I just love using Linux. Gone are the days of having to know complex command line instructions. The modern GUIs running in Linux allow you to do most everything point and click as with Windows and other operating systems.

Can I develop applications under Linux?

One of the best things for me under Linux is the power and flexibility of writing code. It's as easy to write apps for web browsing, email, instant messaging, games, and so much more as under other OS out there. There are many code-writing tools to use, all the big ones you can run on Windows are also available under Linux. It's just that I find it more stable to write code on Linux because of just how reliable it is.

I absolutely love developing under Linux personally, it just feels more like a developer's environment as opposed to most other OS. I've always been afraid though of completely removing Windows from my desktop thinking that I would not be able to get all the tools I needed, but how wrong could I have been! Not only do I have all the existing tools I used but found many more to use.

It's stable. It has all the tools. You can run many virtual environments. It's the perfect, in my opinion, OS to develop applications in.

The obvious, cost

Let's talk about the obvious benefit, costs, or lack of any. The OS itself is free to install. You don't have to pay for it, and many of the apps you would want to run are free too. Most people who pay for a distro are paying for the support costs and not the OS itself. If you think you can run without any of these then you will install all at no cost.

Let me tell you a little story. A number of years ago now, before Linux was this polished, I handed over an older laptop to both my dad and mother-in-law. Neither had computer experience. Both these laptops were only running Linux. Neither of them had any problem using Linux for their daily usage. In fact, I felt more secure for them as they would not have to worry and deal with all the viruses and security issues that are related to many other OS out there.

If you are trying to save money, you should consider not buying a distribution that requires you to pay for support. That's because the support costs are normally high. It's true that you may be able to fix some of your problems yourself, but that won't be the case for everything. Many issues you may face will have solutions on the Internet, just follow the how-to of these experts and generally, this will fix the issues if any. Generally, though, I find that I very rarely run into any issues running Linux.

So, in conclusion

We all have our own reasons why we do something. Sometimes we do things just to fit in with others. This is true for people who are using different operating systems. They will often use Windows in order to fit in with the people around them. There are people who have very strict and difficult jobs that they believe they can only do on Windows. 

For me personally, it just made sense to install Linux on my personal machine. I don't play many games, and to be honest with Wine you can run many of them today. Wine is an emulator that allows you to run many Windows games and apps.

Cost wise made sense, being free. Being able to try out many distros and then customize them to me made sense. Being so stable made sense. Having all the tools for development made sense. It just made enough sense that I wiped away Windows and are only running Ubuntu Linux (the distro may change in the future).

If you have not tried Linux, then you can run it alongside Windows. You can often also run and try it from the DVD or USB stick installer. You can get a feel if it is for you. Personally, it's been a long time coming for me to just go Linux. My last role and the laptop there having just Linux finally pushed me over the line.

When news of the first Raspberry Pi came out, I put my name on the waiting list. My thoughts were of how interesting it sounded.

However, when it came out I declined to buy because of some reasons at that time.

So, this week I decided to...

So, this week I decided to splash out a little cash and grab myself a nice Raspberry Pi 3 Model B. In fact, I picked up a starter kit which included the Pi, a case and power supply (and not forgetting the 16Gb memory card too). It arrived today, ya, and I thought I would run you through my initial thoughts (by the way, I am currently using it to write this post - Ya).

What was in the kit?

The kit itself came in 3 boxes. 1 box contained the Raspberry Pi 3 + Sim card, 1 box contained the case and a 3rd one contained the power supply.

The install

Fitting it all together was easy, just take off the top and sides to the case, put the Pi 3 in the case on the rests inside, then put the sides and finally top back on.

Next, on the bottom rear, I put in the Micro SD card. Against really easy. Finally, I plugged in my HDMI lead and the power supply and away it went.

The first thing that came up was a UI asking me to log into my WiFi - I chose to go WiFi over wired because of that, plus the wireless mouse and keyboard, meant fewer wires on my already cluttered desk.

Once I had entered the passcode for my WiFi - the next screen was to choose which install I wanted. Personally, I went for the recommended Raspbian which has given me a nice OS and the power of Debian to boot.

The install went quick, once I had accepted the message of 'This will overwrite.. blah...' and the system was up and running very quickly.

What are my first thoughts on using it?

So, now that it's installed I have had a little play. I like it. It seems quite responsive in its OS. I can do all the usual stuff like browsing and I had a quick run of Libre office. All it all, if you looking for a small computer to just browse the web, etc, it's good.

I also, of course, went onto YouTube. As I am using HDML (and my monitor must also have speakers) I got sound out of my monitor - the videos ran smoother. I'm running it at 1080p in case you wondered.

All in all, I think its a brilliant little device. A complete computer for £45. Just add a monitor, keyboard, and mouse and you've got a great little machine.

If your interested, I've put some Amazon affiliate link backs to the pack I bought. Buying through these won't cost you anymore - but will throw a little affiliate commission my way. Or just use the link to be nosey and see what I got.

As I use this more, I will be adding more posts. So, check back for future Raspberry Pi 3 adventures.