Finding My Way Back Though Linux

I was a long-time Windows user, believing it was more practical than a Mac. However, at some point, I began to find the entire ecosystem stifling. There were too many pre-installed apps, intrusive Windows Updates, and the expectation that I would eventually have to replace my computer when support ended, even if it was still perfectly usable. Simply put, it felt outdated and overly centralized.
This may have been because I had started managing my own website around the same time.

Around 2023, I unexpectedly came across a blog post about installing Linux Mint on an old computer, even though it was not a technical blog. I was surprised that Linux was community-driven and available for free. For some reason, it caught my attention, and I wanted to try something new. Out of curiosity, I decided to install it on a USB drive. That was how the old custom-built PC I had bought with my hard-earned part-time wages became my first Linux machine.

My first impression was that it was not very different from Windows and was easier to use than I had expected. That may sound naive to experienced engineers. At the time, I had not yet come to appreciate the advantages of Linux. I rarely used the terminal and typed only a few commands. However, the system felt lightweight, less intrusive, and more under my control. I also liked being able to install applications directly from the terminal, which felt much faster than using a GUI.

Unfortunately, the drawing software I had been using refused to run on Linux. I reluctantly returned to Windows. However, I remained curious about Linux. A few years later, I decided to give it another chance. Without realizing it, I had partially broken the bootloader. Despite that, I wanted to try using Linux more seriously. This time, I installed MX Linux, which was simpler than Linux Mint.

While writing a script to adjust the color tone of the screen, I realized that an operating system runs on nothing more than plain text files. It was a revelation to me. This may not seem like a big deal to others. However, I was surprised to discover that something I had assumed was complicated was actually much simpler. It felt almost like a culture shock. Since then, I have become fascinated with the UNIX philosophy.

Do One Thing and Do It Well

I am not an engineer. I simply wanted to use computers on my own terms. Looking back, what attracted me to Linux may not have been its technology alone. I loved the web culture of the 2000s. However, it gradually changed over time, and I began to feel that I no longer had a place in it. Social media felt like a war zone, and I became exhausted by it. At that time, I happened to come across Linux. To my surprise, the UNIX philosophy, “Do One Thing and Do It Well,” resonated with me.

Social media, applications, and operating systems are becoming increasingly multifunctional and complex nowadays. In contrast, the UNIX philosophy is simple, which is why it felt refreshing to me. Although it may seem modest and old-fashioned, it reminded me of the sense of freedom that computers originally had. It was exactly what I needed at that stage of my life.

Today, I write HTML from scratch using Ubuntu. A few years ago, I would never have imagined this. Strangely, it does not feel like a detour at all. Instead, it feels as though I have finally found my way back after a long journey.