Linux: An Intro From a Regular Person Who Just Wanted Their Computer to Work
A few years ago, I decided to try Linux.
If you’re not sure what that even is, here’s the simple version: Linux is an operating system — like Windows or macOS — except it’s free, open source, and comes in a bunch of different versions depending on what you need.
Linux is everywhere (phones, servers, smart devices, even NASA), but here I’m talking about Linux on a personal computer.
Learning it helped me bring old machines back to life — computers that would’ve otherwise ended up in the trash. If you just need something for browsing, email, YouTube, documents, or light work, Linux is honestly one of the best options out there. It’s fast, clean, quiet, and doesn’t shove ads, popups, or upgrade nags in your face.
It’s just… an operating system. Nothing extra.
Is Linux Safe?
Yep. Extremely.
Every OS has risks, but Linux tends to be safer for a few reasons:
- It’s not targeted as heavily as Windows.
- The people who use Linux are usually more tech-aware, so scammers don’t waste effort on them.
- Most versions of Linux (called “distros”) are designed with security in mind right out of the box.
Use common sense (like you would anywhere) and you’re good.
Why I Started Using Linux
It began with a computer that wasn’t working right.
I put Linux on a thumb drive, booted from it, and suddenly the computer worked perfectly. That’s when I realized the hard drive had died.
I replaced the drive, but I couldn’t reinstall Windows because of licensing issues, so I just installed Linux instead… and I’m glad I did. It ran faster than Windows ever did because it didn’t have all the built-in bloat, ads, background processes, and “extras” slowing everything down.
That machine was already 10 years old and still ran great for another five years until the screen broke — and even then, I could plug it into a TV and keep using it. Still can today.
Why I Kept Using It
Linux is lightweight.
It doesn’t make you fight with it just to get your computer running at a normal speed.
I didn’t have to:
- dig through startup programs
- disable a hundred background apps
- uninstall half the preloaded junk that comes with Windows
It just… worked.
And because it’s so efficient, it’s perfect for tasks like:
- coding
- video editing
- offline AI tools
- file storage
- home servers
- 3D printing tools
- anything that benefits from a fast, stable machine
It turns old computers into useful tools again and makes newer computers feel even faster.
Why I Doubled Down on Linux
Recently, Windows 10 reached end-of-support, which pushed me back into Linux even harder.
I have a computer with:
- 16GB RAM
- a GTX graphics card
- an Intel i7 processor
…but it still couldn’t upgrade to Windows 11. And Windows 10 was running super slow on it.
When I tried Linux from a thumb drive again, it ran faster than Windows did from the actual hard drive. That was the breaking point for me — plus, after seeing how bloated Windows 11 has become (thanks, TikTok algorithm), I decided I was done fighting with it.
At this point:
- Linux is my primary system
- Windows is only for software that has no Linux version
As I keep learning, I’ll share more in hopes it helps other people revive old machines or just escape the clutter of modern operating systems.