There are many misconceptions about Linux, and some I’ve believed myself. Long ago, I stuck with Windows because I misjudged Linux. Now, I wish to clear up some misunderstandings; here are 6 things that people often get wrong.
It’s for technical people
Long ago, beginners required considerable technical confidence to take the plunge. For many, it was tough to slog through an unfamiliar system for months, only to reach the starting line. Those days are gone now, and unless you seek a minimalist system, a beginner-friendly installation process awaits you instead. In fact, some distros specifically accommodate beginners, providing a straightforward experience and a system that just works. So, unless you have bleeding-edge hardware, things should go smoothly. Linux also has a sizable community and a strong beginner element these days. Support channels (like Matrix or Discord) have more new users than ever, so you don’t have to do it alone.
Nobody uses Linux
Everybody uses Linux—in some form. Most of the internet runs on Linux. Android dominates the mobile marketplace. People may argue, “Android is not Linux,” but it is: the Android kernel is downstream of Linux; it merges in Linux kernel code frequently. It’s Linux. Your router, NAS, and many embedded devices (smartwatches, cars, etc.) run Linux. If you have a talking toaster, it’s using Linux too.
Just because Linux powers only ~4% of the desktop market, it doesn’t mean nobody uses Linux, because most devices on planet Earth do. That’s not enough to convince most people, but Linux has also made great strides running Windows software, using WINE, Proton, WinApps, WinBoat, and probably more. Not everyone favors these methods, but Windows’ importance diminishes daily. It’s just a question of whether you use Linux, because the platform is far more mature, stable, and (these days) usable than any Microsoft system.
You can’t get viruses
Yes, you can; I wouldn’t call them “viruses,” but compromising a Linux system is possible. As established, it runs on most devices (phones and servers), so it’s a high-value target and well understood. The common argument that “Linux is too niche” for consideration doesn’t hold up, because attackers need to know how to exploit it. They often share exploit code and malicious tools to achieve that, and normal people would describe those as “viruses.”
The term “virus” is so vague these days and has lost its original meaning. It now generally means any malicious tool intended to compromise a machine.
In addition, Android malware is not unheard of, and several cross-platform languages (JS, Python) sometimes distribute malicious software too. The list goes on, and I’m only scratching the surface. The potential vulnerability of Linux is the sole reason I use Qubes.
It’s more secure than Windows
Lucas Gouveia/How-To Geek
Let’s go back two decades; Windows machines were horribly insecure. They had no firewall enabled by default, and people often browsed the web using administrator accounts. These were the days of ActiveX, Adobe PDFs, and open RPC ports—absurd by today’s standards—and the reason Windows was the epitome of poor security to Linux geeks. Linux was never perfect, but it was miles better by comparison.
Those days have passed, and while neither is a shining example of high-security systems, both at least offer a sensible starting point. The playing field has leveled, and no one has a significant upper hand.
There’s a lack of user support
The Linux community is brimming with experienced and inexperienced users alike, and in the past 15 years, it has become progressively more casual. With beginner-friendly distros attracting new people, the demographic of lesser-experienced users is growing. That’s great news for beginners, because it’s easier than ever to find support from like-minded individuals.
However, technical abilities vary significantly, and some communities have a higher bar than others. For communities like Gentoo, Arch, or Slackware, it’s expected that you have a competent base level of skill. For other communities, like Ubuntu, Mint, etc., beginners will fit right in, with a healthy mix of technical and non-technical users.
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Linux is foundational to the internet, so finding support is straightforward. Whether we’re speaking of official or unofficial support channels for Windows, Linux communities beat them hands down. Naturally, Linux is community-driven, and so it’s open, flourishing, and very active. The documentation is everywhere and second to none.
Finding support for Linux has never been a problem, and it’s one of the primary reasons I’ve been happy with Linux since the day I started.
There’s a lack of hardware support
I’ve heard this many times, but it’s mostly untrue, because Linux bundles support for almost every conceivable hardware. You may have encountered the meme “Linux runs on your toaster.” Well, it’s not a meme: if it has a CPU, it can probably run Linux.
One common problem is regarding free software, because Linux cannot ship with restrictive code. For example, if your Wi-Fi card uses non-free drivers or firmware, it won’t be included, and you’ll have problems connecting to the internet to diagnose your issue, which is frustrating. Some Wi-Fi cards work out of the box, but if not, the solution is simple: connect via Ethernet and install the non-free packages. Most distros make the process relatively smooth. If you’re very unlucky, it won’t work at all. It’s wise to research this before making the switch. Changing your Wi-Fi card is always an option.
Other devices, like graphics, generally work well out of the box, but NVIDIA has historically had inconsistent support, often requiring proprietary drivers to work well. Research your GPU before making a decision.
What can you take away from this? Linux runs on almost anything and just works most of the time. Occasionally there are issues for which you should consider using non-free solutions.
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For many years I’ve heard these common complaints, and they’re mostly not true. The installation of Linux couldn’t be any easier, and its accommodation of new users has come a long way. Linux is now easier than ever to use, so if you’re considering making the switch, there’s no technical excuse not to do so.
People like to dip their toes in first (I did); try it in a virtual machine, then dual boot. Eventually, you’ll find yourself right at home on Linux, with the technical aspects being its best trait.
