The Linux fans over at the My Linux Rig site decided to feature a Linux-based writer alongside all the tech animals profiled on their blog:
Tom’s setup is interesting because he’s not a tech guy, although he obviously has some interest in technology. But mostly, he’s just a person trying to use computers to do his job. His setup reflects that. He’s got things he needs to do and he chooses software to help him best get everything done. It’s another great example of how Linux isn’t a novelty so much as it’s a viable alternative for “normal” (ie, non-tech obsessed) people who don’t enjoy using Windows or OS X.
Hey, I’m famous.
The Interview is essentially a repurposed version of the Underground’s Working Writer’s interview, which isn’t surprising since we both shamelessly stole the idea from The Setup blog (they ask for a screenshot of the interviewee’s desktop, another idea I might steal).
You’ll find Linux populating a lot of developer’s computers (Google’s development teams mostly run on their own version of Ubuntu Linux), but it’s far less commonly found among creative workers (writers, graphic artists, etc).
Which is too bad.
It’s fast, uncluttered, largely malware free and offers you far more choices than Windoze or the Mac. For all that speed and flexibility, you pay… nothing.
Unfortunately, its reputation as a technically challenging operating system remains, and without much reason. One writer asked me why I used Linux, and before I could answer said he didn’t want to learn a command line interface.
Which would be a good excuse if this was 1998.
If you can pry yourself away from Microsoft Word and you’re looking for a speedy, nag-free computer experience, then consider downloading Linux Mint (the Cinnamon version makes perfect sense to Windows users) or Ubuntu Linux (whose Unity desktop is very modern, but a bit less clear).
Burn a DVD, boot your computer from it, and see what Linux looks like (it’ll run slowly from a DVD).
You can install it right alongside Windows as a dual boot (on startup, you decide if you’re booting Linux or Windows). Maybe it’ll make you famous too.
Keep writing, Tom Chandler.
Oh, great, now the fame is going to go straight to your head . . .
I’m looking forward to reading the interview. I’ve been thinking about trying out Linux, but this might finally tip me off the fence and get me to try it.
Paul Lagasse(Quote) (Reply)
It’s likely I’m already too famous to answer comments from the likes of you, but in the interest of appearing connected to the little people, I’ll stoop.
As for Linux, it has changed the way I work, though you’re talking to a guy who decided to simplify his life several years ago and bought several pairs of Dickies carpenter jeans and army surplus t-shirts so he wouldn’t have to think about what to wear each day…
I think the only times Linux has been an impediment in the business is when a client wants me to attend a Webex (or similar) webinar, and there’s no client for Linux. That’s when I drag out the Windoze laptop and suffer through the constant nagging of Windows….
TC(Quote) (Reply)
Hey Tom,
Congratulations on being famous!
I’m starting to amass some old computers, so maybe it would be worth stripping it down and running Linux just to try it out (you know, in my spare time…) Do you know of any good tutorials?
~Graham
Graham Strong(Quote) (Reply)
Thanks. I don’t plan to remember the little people.
It’s been four years; I don’t know if I actually used any tutorials. I’ll check. Also, if the machines are really old, then the Lubuntu version of Ubuntu Linux runs screamingly fast on old hardware, though it lacks some of the features offered by regular Ubuntu (which is also quite fast).
Maybe I can talk you through the first install over the phone or online…
TC
TC(Quote) (Reply)
TC,
Hey Tom,
No worries – I once programmed my own printer driver, so I imagine I won’t have took much problem. Just thought if there was some “Chandler-approved” documentation, I’d take a look.
Thanks!
~Graham
Graham Strong(Quote) (Reply)
Hell, you’ve got more tape on your glasses than I do. No docs on my radar; I’m mostly a “Damn the directions, full speed ahead” kind of guy.
TC(Quote) (Reply)
Linux is fantastic. I’ve been using it as my primary OS for a number of years. No nonsense text editors like emacs really do make a huge difference for helping you focus on “the writing” rather than the format.
Graham — you might look into Puppy Linux — http://puppylinux.org/main/Overview%20and%20Getting%20Started.htm — as it’s a very tiny distribution that runs very speedily entirely in ram (you can run it as a LIVECD or even from a USB) without touching your existing installation. Works great for older computers.
Kyle Reynolds Conway(Quote) (Reply)
Kyle;
One aspect of Emacs I’m not sure I could live without are the navigation keybindings, which I use in Komodo, Sublime and Firefox; editing without them feels about half as productive.
As for Linux, every time I have to re-boot my sole Windows partition I’m reminded how much I appreciate Linux. No constant nagging, anti-virus software expense (or slowdowns), no gradual system slowdowns over time, no inexplicably pokey behavior and no decisions about expensive software upgrades that may actually be designed to boost revenue instead of making my writing life better.
Thanks for stopping by.
TC(Quote) (Reply)
Thanks Kyle — I’ll check it out!
~Graham
Graham Strong(Quote) (Reply)