Don't let Linux whip you. It's only a computer operating system. No matter how technically illiterate you may think yourself, working with Linux is going to cure that. As long as you are using a spare computer, you won't harm a thing. If you do damage things, you can always re-install your distribution. Consider your work with Linux to be a voyage of discovery, a romp in a foreign land where the worst thing you can do is corrupt your hard drive data. Considering all the other risky behaviors that are out there, playing with open source operating systems is hardly even worthy of considering risky. Unless you are stupidly trying to put Linux on a computer you must have operational for your business, nothing you do is going to bring the world crashing down around your ears.
If it ain't fun, you ain't doin' it right!
Finally, you should look upon working with Linux as fun. If you look at it as drudgery, it will whip you! Of all the lessons I learned on The Linux Project, having fun with it is the most important. Having fun took me from a place where I was ready to throw this machine out the window to a place where I use Linux more often than I do Windows. Having fun took me from a place where I was ready to start smashing CD ROM disks into smithereens to a place where I wrote a thirteen-part essay on the wonders of Linux.
It has also brought me to a place where I am much more comfortable learning computer programming languages, such as C++ and Linux scripting. Before my work on The Linux Project, the last time I had worked with any programming language was way before I sprouted a hair on my face. Now at forty-four, I am diving into the festive world of C++ programming and Linux scripting.
While none of these skills might bring me lots of money, I am used to that. To me, it's about stimulating my mind. If you stop learning, you might as well stop living. If, somewhere down the road, learning any of this stuff makes me money, far out! If not, at least I know I have moved ahead in my own knowledge. There's a lot to be said for that!
So there you have it. That which began as a failed late-night attempt to put a crappy Linux distribution on this machine has morphed into a thirteen-part research project and foray into research-based journalism. It has truly been a fun and interesting ride. I have learned much. I figured I'd learn a bit, but to think I am now working on writing C++ programs just blows my mind. I didn't expect that! I am glad that it happened though. I can't wait to see what happens next.
For now, I am calling an end to The Linux Project. I may bring it back in some form or fashion at a later time, but for now, it's time to work on a different project. I proved that I can write stuff that isn't charged with acid, venom or political intrigue. I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed doing the research.
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