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Background—Day 2
© Copyright Darrell Anderson.
Because of my background some people might think I should be able to migrate to GNU/Linux with minimal effort. Certainly I possess the experience and skills to adapt to a new computing environment. Just do it, right? Despite my desire there are several reasons why I have resisted migrating.
- “Been there done that.” As discussed previously, I’ve tinkered with several different operating systems. Each time I moved to a different environment I needed to move and convert files. Converting files is time consuming and no fun. However, with the years accumulating in my life and being middle-aged, such personal transitions are challenging because of both data accumulation and the “old dog—new tricks” syndrome. Familiarity tends to breed contempt and reduces enthusiasm for change. All humans seek comfort and are creatures of habit. I am no different!
- More than a dozen years invested in the infamous Word file format. Although I would expect many of my simpler documents to convert to other file formats, I have many complex documents that I dread converting. Recently I tested importing both simple and complex Word 97 documents into OpenOffice 1.1.3. The results were less than desirable. Clean up work is required even with the simple documents. No fun!
- File conversion is one thing, learning a new word processor is another. I use many of Word’s features. I depend heavily upon templates, styles, and structured formatting. So much so that the familiar “B,” “I,” and “U” buttons do not exist on my template toolbars that I use for structured documents! I use my computer for a lot of word processing. I have spent years customizing my Word environment. Despite a handful of bugs and quirks, I am comfortable and familiar with Word 97 and I do not want to change. I long ago decided that as long as I am using Windows I never would update Word.
- Twice I have converted to a different macro language. I converted from WordPerfect 5.1 for DOS to Word for Windows 6.0. A few years later I converted to Word 97. Each macro programming language is sufficiently different that macros had to be rewritten from scratch. I have spent much time through the years writing macros to enhance my writing environment. I dread having to convert my Word 97 templates and macros to another tool! I dread having to learn another macro development environment. Although I have written many macros and believe my code is above average, by nature I am a writer and teacher and not a programmer. Anyone who has had to convert templates and macros will understand the potential stress of this task. Several years ago I was involved professionally to help an entire company of people migrate to Word 97. The differences between file formats, templates, and macros means there is no easy or quick way to migrate!
- Although nonsense licensing schemes is a strong secondary reason, I purposely stayed away from updating to Windows 2000 and XP primarily because my current system works. After many years of tinkering there are few bugs and pitfalls remaining on my system. I am comfortable and productive with my fine-tuned and stable system. Although I see an occasional blue screen of death (BSOD), I don’t bother counting because I see so few. In my limited experimentation with GNU/Linux I’ve seen more “segmentation faults” than BSODs. Unlike the many horror stories I’ve read about Windows 95, 98, and ME, I never have had to re-install NT4. Down-time is a foreign term for me. My NT4 system is like a well-worn pair of blue jeans. Scruffy and faded but no holes showing in the fabric. Comfortable, reliable, and dependable!
- Lastly, apprehension that GNU/Linux is not ready for “prime time.” Tinkering under the hood is fun when computers are a hobby, but not when computers primarily are tools. I’ve tinkered enough with GNU/Linux that with my technical writing experience I am comfortable declaring that the typical GNU/Linux distro is not as user-friendly as Windows or Macs. Techies and computer professionals can adapt to GNU/Linux without dramatized hair-pulling, but not the typical user with the typical distro. I tend to be more of a techie with respect to customizing my own computer, but as an experienced technical writer who must see products and tools through the eyes of the end-user, I know that any personal migration will be filled with frustrations. I have been tinkering mildly with GNU/Linux for the past two years and therefore have some standing for my apprehension.
Despite these hesitations, the philosophy of the free and open source software movement lures me almost every day. Despite not being a daily user of GNU/Linux, I find that I follow related news and events on the internet more closely than one might expect. Something keeps calling my name—ever so quietly.
There are serious technical challenges in migrating and my current system works just the way I want, but I know where my heart belongs. The overall philosophy of free/libre software and the open source development model match my personal philosophy of life. I envision living in a better world and I believe free and opens ource software plays a role in encouraging such change. Indeed, the entire movement fascinates me much more as a social phenomena than the technological developments.
So understand that this is a philosophical migration far more than technological. I don’t need to migrate because of a poorly designed operating system, viruses, Trojan horses, or spyware. I experience no problems with such issues. My system works. I want to migrate to satisfy my personal philosophy of life.
Yet, past experience has taught me that migrating means an abnormal investment of time. Like many people, I have other interests and responsibilities dividing my attention. I do not claim that freedom is easy or costless, but one should not take such a journey lightly.
Publicly posting my journal exposes my ignorance about many things related to GNU/Linux! I have been around personal computers a long time, but I do not claim to be a super user. Experienced and knowledgeable yes, but my knowledge of GNU/Linux currently is in the lower echelons—although growing. I do not consider myself a newbie, although I admit my feet are still tender. Yet, with a well written help file or How-To I can work my way around GNU/Linux as I do in Windows.
Nonetheless, I expect to receive occasional comments and ribbing from the “Uecker seats.” That’s okay! My humility will serve as a stepping stone for other people who want to migrate and just as importantly, help developers grasp the big picture with respect to providing useful software. Ignorance, after all, is only a lack of knowledge. Ignorance is curable. Hopefully, both users and developers learn from my frustrations and mistakes!
Finis.
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