Is it worth learning Linux?

[BrentfromZulu]

Linux if you want to work in an enterprise. For this forum, I would say the answer is a safe NO. Small Businesses (<25 Users) will have 1 to 2 servers, and it will likely be Windows Servers.

Like altrenda said, OSX is a better thing to learn. The CEO or executive(s) of companies will think (wrongfully so) "Mac's are the best computer. Give me one of those!" They are also the reason you are supporting their business, so you should be able to help them / that person.

 

[bertie40]

Worth learning Linux ?

Yes, if only to understand the various data recovery options from some data restoration and recovery packages.

Personally, I'd rather bu***r that penguin, seeing that's normally what that OS does to me.

Guess which side of the debate I'm on.

 

[Choppie]

I will state facts here;
Starting as of about a year ago...

Any customer that I encounter....

Client (old or new client, YOUNG OR OLD) (that i feel won't be a problem...loaded question)

Q) Tell me everything you do with your computer.
A) Well...email...and hmmm....faceBOOB, and hmmm.....um...lemme see....AOL..., UM...beJEWELED, um... solitaire...

I stop them for a moment...

Q) Do your grandkids send pictures, do you look at them on your windows "confuser"
A) Oh yes, sometimes they do but I see all the pictures i want on faceBOOB..... um.... thats really what I use the confuser for..

end of report...

I then SPLAIN to them what I'm about to do and have them embark on.

I reach for the LINUX MINT 71.1 DVD.....and I BLOW OUT ALL THE PARTITIONS on the hard drive, all the installed SPY WARE, and CRAP WARE......and install PEACE OF MIND, smooth LINUX MINT.

I DO use the full drive encryption option and also the option that requires the user to log in..because I have become more and more of the camp.... TNO, trust no one. Very Short passwords that the client can never forget.

I name the user account exactly the same on every LINUX install so the path to the home dir is always the same for the following reason.

setup thunderbird with all their email accounts...piece of cake that task is...

On my handy truecrypt 7.1a protected flash drive I have the following...
one folder that I drag to the root of the user dir that contains ALL the launchers and their respective ICONS that point to all the most common web sites people gravitate to...

faceboob
yahoo
aol
drudge report
ny times
comcast
youtube
google
gmail
and blah blah blah

I drag a copy of all the launchers to the desktop


and

I'M DONE!

Every 3 months I do a free remote in with teamviewer to run important system updates, that always go without a hitch. I do this for free because I'm still astonished that 70+ year old Ms. Jones is banging away on the most high tech OS on the planet.

So far, somewhere in the neighborhood of 11 deployments are running flawlessly! I send out the email every so often; how is the pc running----everything is working fine.....but my daughter who is on spring brake doesn't know what it is!!! and cant install her (what ever bs program) because she doesn't know the password.

As for the SKYPE thing, they all have ipads already, so they are facetiming their face off.

Just my little report from south, east coast florida...

Choppie.

 

[Choppie]

ALSO...someone mentioned data recovery....piece of cake..

external usb drive
set up cron jobs to backup weekly,

DONE..

Choppie

 

[Choppie]

I service pretty much all linux flavors - Redhat / Fedora / Ubuntu / Mint / Debian.

I have a nitch market of residential customers that I also have installed it for them and service it.

Why do I do this? Pretty easy answer - I have a totally secure market presence in linux and no one will want to service them. I have a 'captured' audience if you will.

I dont look at it as 'should I learn it' as you only get a few calls a year on it. I see it as a way to develop a market place. But you also need to select the right type of customer which is based on their needs. You also need to select the right flavor of linux. There are over 100 different flavors and they are all designed around a particular need. Just because one looks good doesnt mean you should be using it.

My customers that I have converted to linux are extremely happy and have no wish to go back to windows. I also get all the business for computer upgrades, Printers and other devices.

coffee

Finally, someone thinking outside the "box", thats awesome....I've been doing the same with MINT, and now i see there is another one thats easy to use... Zorin OS that I will be testing out. The way windows is going--is flat out scarey!!!!

http://zorin-os.com/tour.html

Choppie

 

[coffee]

Finally, someone thinking outside the "box", thats awesome....I've been doing the same with MINT, and now i see there is another one thats easy to use... Zorin OS that I will be testing out. The way windows is going--is flat out scarey!!!!

http://zorin-os.com/tour.html

Choppie

I say "Mint for the Masses ! "

I visited a client today that I converted to linux probably 2 years ago. I did an upgrade for him to Mint 17. Before that I did a printer install by remote. Its just undeveloped territory as you say. Think of it - we are pioneers (lol).

My clients tend to be roughly about 40 or older and looking to get their email, surf the web, Edit / create documents, work with pictures and videos. They do not have a apple product.

I look at Zorin but it sounds kinda 'James Bond'ish'

Thanks for your post,

 

[OaksLabs]

Worth learning Linux ?
Yes, if only to understand the various data recovery options from some data restoration and recovery packages.

+1 for data recovery. I use a Ubuntu desktop with a graphic skin DD program for drive clones, along with TestDisk for partition table work and a few other command line tools for file system repairs. I love it because it reads (almost) all partition types and file systems (which is useful when asked to recover data from an external drive, only to find it's HFS and Windows won't work well with it...). I find Windows is like a 2 year old child when it comes to attaching a failing drive (it cries a lot, refuses to play nicely, locks up, etc...) and Ubuntu (or your favorite flavor of linux) just works.

 

[Bryce W]

Any customer that I encounter....

Client (old or new client, YOUNG OR OLD) (that i feel won't be a problem...loaded question)

Supporting this would be a nightmare.

First of all a disclaimer: I am well aware of the benefits of Linux. I do personal stuff on Windows, work on OSX and my servers are Linux (also sometimes fiddle with little projects like Raspberry Pis and various distros for it too).

Its always about finding the "best solution" for the client, and loading what you are passionate and knowledgeable about isnt always the best solution for the client. You are obviously well aware of the security benefits of Linux, but lets say they just bought a $50 printer from Best Buy:
"How do I install this? The guy at the store said all I need to do is run the CD.... What? You want me to pay you another $50 so you can install it? I just bought Microsoft Office for school projects/work, how do I install this? My work says that I need to use X to login to their systems but it wont work... I just bought an off-brand Mp3 player but the software doesnt work for it etc.. Man, this computer cant do ANYTHING!"

If someone kept running into security problems, constantly installing crapware, then Id probably suggest it. It does have its place, but for me it would only be for the extreme cases.

 

[kwisher]

Supporting this would be a nightmare.

First of all a disclaimer: I am well aware of the benefits of Linux. I do personal stuff on Windows, work on OSX and my servers are Linux (also sometimes fiddle with little projects like Raspberry Pis and various distros for it too).

Its always about finding the "best solution" for the client, and loading what you are passionate and knowledgeable about isnt always the best solution for the client. You are obviously well aware of the security benefits of Linux, but lets say they just bought a $50 printer from Best Buy:
"How do I install this? The guy at the store said all I need to do is run the CD.... What? You want me to pay you another $50 so you can install it? I just bought Microsoft Office for school projects/work, how do I install this? My work says that I need to use X to login to their systems but it wont work... I just bought an off-brand Mp3 player but the software doesnt work for it etc.. Man, this computer cant do ANYTHING!"

If someone kept running into security problems, constantly installing crapware, then Id probably suggest it. It does have its place, but for me it would only be for the extreme cases.

This is not a nightmare to support if you do it intelligently and explain to your clients the difference between Linux & Windows. In fact, I get less support calls from my clients running Linux vs. Windows. I always insist they contact me before making any type of tech purchases to insure it will work with Linux. FWIW, most printers, especially HP's, are just plug-n-play on Linux.

 

[Choppie]

Supporting this would be a nightmare.

First of all a disclaimer: I am well aware of the benefits of Linux. I do personal stuff on Windows, work on OSX and my servers are Linux (also sometimes fiddle with little projects like Raspberry Pis and various distros for it too).

Its always about finding the "best solution" for the client, and loading what you are passionate and knowledgeable about isnt always the best solution for the client. You are obviously well aware of the security benefits of Linux, but lets say they just bought a $50 printer from Best Buy:
"How do I install this? The guy at the store said all I need to do is run the CD.... What? You want me to pay you another $50 so you can install it? I just bought Microsoft Office for school projects/work, how do I install this? My work says that I need to use X to login to their systems but it wont work... I just bought an off-brand Mp3 player but the software doesnt work for it etc.. Man, this computer cant do ANYTHING!"

If someone kept running into security problems, constantly installing crapware, then Id probably suggest it. It does have its place, but for me it would only be for the extreme cases.

----
The clients I choose to hand over a LINUX system to would never walk into best buy and willy nilly grab a printer off the shelf and even think about unboxing it. (NOTE: most printers I've plugged into a system running the latest version of mint, loaded the needed drivers in less than 1 min flat!, and were working, and printing boarding passes 2 min later, no driver CD's even came close to the computer. second note, every one of the clients I choose for this LINUX, would call me before getting a printer)

None of them are working, no Microsoft Office needed.

The benefits of this LINUX box is ZERO popups in the notification area that produce a deer in the headlights effect with the user (and interrupt their news reading, like a windows box does CONSTANTLY)! No malwarebytes, no flash, no acrobat updates scamming them, no JAVA DOWNLOAD INSTALLING THE ASK VIRUS, no MaFafee virus shoehorning its self into their box.

So at this moment, I have had no nightmares from any of them, that's honestly the truth. But yes Bryce, it could turn pretty ugly pretty fast If I gave one of these to the wrong client...HAHA..... You're exactly right in that respect, all points are good...

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

These hand holding, kindergarten distros (MINT, PCLinuxOS, *buntu variants)...you don't really "learn" *nix with those, they're just segway entry level distros to convert the average Winders end users.

To me, "learning linux" is accessing shell, command line, SSH,
learning commands like apt-get and nano and adding custom repositories, building servers, building custom distros.

 

[nlinecomputers]

These hand holding, kindergarten distros (MINT, PCLinuxOS, *buntu variants)...you don't really "learn" *nix with those, they're just segway entry level distros to convert the average Winders end users.

To me, "learning linux" is accessing shell, command line, SSH,
learning commands like apt-get and nano and adding custom repositories, building servers, building custom distros.

I didn't know you had even touched Linux. I've got a few Linux servers out there and when they die I will replace them with Synology NAS units. I've tried to push Linux on a few clients but quickly gave up they were not happy with them and I honestly doubt stories of those that claim to do so. Apparently they all have clients that never want to watch Netflix, run turbo tax, or Skype. Because those and printers have always been the stopping points in any Linux test.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

I didn't know you had even touched Linux. .

How could I have written this guide then?
https://www.technibble.com/forums/r...g-nix-based-unifi-controller-at-rackspace.16/

I've often posted about downloading and installing tons of different *nix flavor firewall distros...granted you don't need to really KNOW linux for those, but some of those distros require a little bit. And I've mentioned my daily *nix driver of choice is OpenSUSE.

Also going to Dattos advanced training academy, you learn to drop to command line and whisk about a few things.

For those doing IT for a living that support SMBs....I believe it's good to at least be familiar with using SSH to drop to command line and be able to run some commands...at least following instructions.

Granted with SMBs...99.9% of what our clients run out there is based on Microsoft. You can like Microsoft, or you can hate them....me? I like them, I've made a damn comfortable living doing what I do...most of it on Microsoft servers, specifically Small Business Server..and what it has evolved into.

Without Microsoft...there would be some other software giant dominating the globe, and people would be whining about them. The world of computers had to adopt one big standard...and MS is what got adopted and took off. Without that huge standard for an OS, the computer world would be fragmented too much, without universal support with mainstream business applications. Those that only serve residential computer clients cannot fathom this. Those that do support SMB only...you know what I'm talking about..when it comes to applications interfacing with hardware, other applications, etc. Just try to envision supporting SMBs with a bunch of fragmented different OS's and various haphazard hardware standards.

 

[kwisher]

I didn't know you had even touched Linux. I've got a few Linux servers out there and when they die I will replace them with Synology NAS units. I've tried to push Linux on a few clients but quickly gave up they were not happy with them and I honestly doubt stories of those that claim to do so. Apparently they all have clients that never want to watch Netflix, run turbo tax, or Skype. Because those and printers have always been the stopping points in any Linux test.

Netflix and Skype are possible on Linux, TurboTax is not, but can be done online now. As long as one does his research and finds the supported printers that work with Linux then it just works. I haven't found a HP printer that hasn't just been plug-n-play yet. I have at least 12 clients on Linux and they are my best customers.

 

[NJW]

I have at least 12 clients on Linux and they are my best customers.

Me too. The dealbreaker for my potential Linux users is usually TomTom GPS.

Most of the day-to-day stuff is already taken care of with Firefox, Thunderbird and LibreOffice, which I have already got them using on Windows. I can't remember the last time I had a problem with a consumer printer (well, I can – some Lexmark all-in-one, about six years ago). In fact, I've had more redundant printers with migrants from Windows to OS X. New OS X users need more ongoing support, too.

Supporting this would be a nightmare.

I don't find this to be the case.

 

[coffee]

Supporting this would be a nightmare.

First of all a disclaimer: I am well aware of the benefits of Linux. I do personal stuff on Windows, work on OSX and my servers are Linux (also sometimes fiddle with little projects like Raspberry Pis and various distros for it too).

Its always about finding the "best solution" for the client, and loading what you are passionate and knowledgeable about isnt always the best solution for the client. You are obviously well aware of the security benefits of Linux, but lets say they just bought a $50 printer from Best Buy:
"How do I install this? The guy at the store said all I need to do is run the CD.... What? You want me to pay you another $50 so you can install it? I just bought Microsoft Office for school projects/work, how do I install this? My work says that I need to use X to login to their systems but it wont work... I just bought an off-brand Mp3 player but the software doesnt work for it etc.. Man, this computer cant do ANYTHING!"

If someone kept running into security problems, constantly installing crapware, then Id probably suggest it. It does have its place, but for me it would only be for the extreme cases.

Yes, A valid point about hardware incompatibility. However, That is one of the points you cover when transitioning them from windows to linux. Besides you want that printer deal. You want them buying the hardware from you. Even if you have to run on down to the store yourself and buy it.

I had a linux customer that bought a lexmark printer and then called me to get it to work. I went on down, picked up the printer and reciept and returned it. Then got them a brother printer instead. Same price point but then tacked on some money for my work.

I personally feel that this is virgin territory here. There are little snags to work out but I really have worked out a lot of them by now. As far as MSOffice is concerned, I give them LIbreoffice. I have actually had customers thank me for installing it instead of MSOffice. But understand these are not business clients. These are residential. I would rather see MS Windows in the business area.

Its actually a lot easier to service a linux box then a windows box. At the very most if you have to N/P you just backup the home directory and reinstall linux create their user and restore their home directory.

I have over 20 Linux clients now. They call me for support. Thats because no one else offers support (grin). They ask me all kinds of questions and I take care of them like they are my kids. I get the sale on printers, new computers, and everything else.

The points you bring up are valid though. However, When you explain to your customer about linux then you do not have those issues very often at all.

Food for thought

 

[NYJimbo]

I have over 20 Linux clients now.

So far, somewhere in the neighborhood of 11 deployments are running flawlessly! .

Well these are very impressive numbers ( ), but I think most of us will stick the the hundreds or thousands of Windows installed customers we each have now.

 

[coffee]

Well these are very impressive numbers ( ), but I think most of us will stick the the hundreds or thousands of Windows installed customers we each have now.

Wow, You have hundreds and thousands of windows clients?

 

[NYJimbo]

Wow, You have hundreds and thousands of windows clients?

Wow, you have difficulty reading ?

"hundreds or thousands"​

 

[altrenda]

I am interested in the typical Linux customer profile:
Type of user Business or Private
Average # of machines per customer.
On site server? File sharing? Hosted or local email.
Just a Router or other networking equipment or firewall installed.

Since this is a site for computer service professionals, and given the OP's question, what's the business case for expanding deeper into Linux? We're all looking at expanding our businesses, is this a growth area versus other things we could offer?
I make money working on Windows, OS X, iOS, Android, BSD, and using some Open Source tools, but if there is money to be made from Desktop Linux, I want to know about it.