If you aren’t doing it yet, using a proper operating system (GNU/Linux) is an excellent low-hanging fruit with an unfathomably good return.
I recommend you start with *buntu (Lubuntu does give you a more consistent Windows experience with LXDE so I personally recommend that) because hand-holding is essential. I recommend The Linux Command Line as a good introductionary book.
Why is this an excellent low hanging fruit?
I work in windows doing stuff in excel with vba, cad and structural fea (thousands in licences, already sunk cost). I have no clue how I could continue to do my work in linux and what return would I have?
I have no idea what all of those mean so I can’t help you with that.
But generally speaking, the bottom line is “efficiency”. I also have the added bonus of not worrying about crapware (spyware and malware and ransomware and I have no idea what more) and other nonsense that comes with Windows and is forced down your throat. Explaining is rather difficult, to be honest.
I say either dual-boot or just install a VM and download the book because it’s available gratis. Once you learn how much your computer can do you’ll dread ever returning to Windows. After using Windows most of my life I dread using it now.
The most useful thing my computer can do is run applications. Some applications work better in Unixoid OSes (e.g. pretty much all programming environments), some applications work better in Windows (e.g. Photoshop, games), and for some it doesn’t really matter (e.g. browsers).
Mostly agree with your point (I don’t really recommend linux for most people, despite having happily used archlinux for years), but minor nit in that photoshop is primarily made for os x, I think. At least all of the designers I know use macs (slightly confounded by working for a SaaS startup).
I cannot recommend Ubuntu unless they have absolutely erased Unity and use a proper desktop environment for beginners. LXDE gives a reasonable Windows-like experience and seems like a good match for newbies.
If you aren’t doing it yet, using a proper operating system (GNU/Linux) is an excellent low-hanging fruit with an unfathomably good return.
I recommend you start with *buntu (Lubuntu does give you a more consistent Windows experience with LXDE so I personally recommend that) because hand-holding is essential. I recommend The Linux Command Line as a good introductionary book.
I wouldn’t exactly call it “low-hanging”. I think you overestimate both the capabilities of normal people and their needs.
Yes, but I’d guess that many of the people who read this post and UnrequitedHope’s comment aren’t “normal” in the relevant sense.
However I think that the subset of grown-ups who would grok Unix well AND haven’t tried it yet is pretty small nowadays.
I agree that for people just starting to figure out the whole computing thing, trying Unix is very worthwhile, though.
Good point.
Why is this an excellent low hanging fruit? I work in windows doing stuff in excel with vba, cad and structural fea (thousands in licences, already sunk cost). I have no clue how I could continue to do my work in linux and what return would I have?
I have no idea what all of those mean so I can’t help you with that.
But generally speaking, the bottom line is “efficiency”. I also have the added bonus of not worrying about crapware (spyware and malware and ransomware and I have no idea what more) and other nonsense that comes with Windows and is forced down your throat. Explaining is rather difficult, to be honest.
I say either dual-boot or just install a VM and download the book because it’s available gratis. Once you learn how much your computer can do you’ll dread ever returning to Windows. After using Windows most of my life I dread using it now.
The most useful thing my computer can do is run applications. Some applications work better in Unixoid OSes (e.g. pretty much all programming environments), some applications work better in Windows (e.g. Photoshop, games), and for some it doesn’t really matter (e.g. browsers).
Mostly agree with your point (I don’t really recommend linux for most people, despite having happily used archlinux for years), but minor nit in that photoshop is primarily made for os x, I think. At least all of the designers I know use macs (slightly confounded by working for a SaaS startup).
I second the use of Ubuntu :)
I cannot recommend Ubuntu unless they have absolutely erased Unity and use a proper desktop environment for beginners. LXDE gives a reasonable Windows-like experience and seems like a good match for newbies.
I would recommend Ubuntu MATE Remix. It uses a renamed version of the Gnome 2 desktop environment.
Mint is pretty tolerable, too.
Xubuntu / Lubuntu, then.