Six Years of Daily Linux Use: Lessons to Ease Your Concerns

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The articles represent the personal opinions of the authors, and Sspai only makes minor modifications to the titles and formatting. Unknowingly, I have been using Linux as my daily driver for six years. If I had to describe the experience in one word, it would be "comfortable.

" Linux, perhaps in the minds of many readers, is "hard to use" and has a "high barrier to entry," with various factors deterring people. To try it out, most settle for installing it in a virtual machine or setting up a dual-boot with an existing Windows system. Using it as the sole operating system on a computer might seem like a challenge.

However, for me, my daily life is inseparable from Linux. Both of my classic ThinkPad laptops have only Arch Linux installed. Thanks to the highly optimized development team and rich software resources, working and playing on a distribution like Arch Linux offers an experience fully comparable to the "two giants," Windows and macOS, and I enjoy it every day.

In fact, while there is a threshold to using Linux as a daily system, it is far lower than imagined. Once you understand the nature of this threshold and use the right methods and techniques to "navigate" it, you will find that you can step over it with a gentle lift of your foot. Next, I will share my experiences and insights on daily Linux usage, aiming to help everyone easily cross the threshold and "re-fall" in love with Linux.

How I Started Using Linux Daily: I first encountered Linux during high school. Initially, like many beginners, I ran it alongside Windows as a dedicated system for programming and development. My main base was still Windows.

That continued until 2018. I was in my junior year of college and found it truly inconvenient to carry a 15.6-inch laptop around every day, so I wanted to find a lightweight notebook.

As a fan of classic ThinkPads, always amazed by the row of professional-looking indicator lights beneath the screen of a classmate's ThinkPad in middle school, I decisively bought a ThinkPad X200. However, at that time, the ThinkPad X200 was already nearly a 10-year-old laptop, and its specifications were outdated: Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo P8600, 2.4 GHz; Memory: 4 GB DDR3; Graphics: Intel GM45 integrated graphics; Hard drive: 128 GB SSD (replaced by myself).

This configuration was more than enough to run Windows 7, but Microsoft no longer supported it; running Windows 10 was too much of a stretch, as 4GB of memory might not be sufficient. I even tried running macOS; it could boot, but lacking drivers made it impossible to use properly. Just then, I remembered seeing a club member using a Linux distribution called Deepin.

So, why not give it a try? I took decisive action, downloaded and installed Deepin, and then installed commonly used software like WPS, officially embarking on my journey of using Linux as a single-system daily driver. This X200 became my study partner, accompanying me through the final year of my undergraduate studies.

I used it throughout to write my graduation thesis, and in my spare time, I wrote code, played with Docker, watched videos... enjoying it immensely. Before I knew it, Linux had become a part of my life.

Deepin brought new life to this decade-old laptop, proving it still had plenty of fight left. Of course, I didn't stop there. After graduation, I tried Linux Mint, Manjaro, and Arch Linux in succession, ultimately choosing Arch Linux as my final destination.

Arch's installation process was initially hard to grasp, but it didn't deter a tech enthusiast like me, and I really enjoyed the feeling of controlling the entire installation process. Paired with Arch, the X200's performance reached a new level, running silky smooth and continuing to accompany me. Questions You Might Have About Daily Linux Use: Having briefly covered my daily Linux experience, I think you might have a slightly new understanding of Linux.

However, as the member of the OS "Big Three" (Windows, macOS, Linux) with less market weight but higher technical requirements, many friends might have some concerns about using Linux daily. Let me break them down below. Is the Barrier to Entry High?

When it comes to Linux, friends might ask whether you need strong computer application knowledge to master it, whether you have to memorize a bunch of commands like learning DOS back in the day, or whether it's harder to use than Windows. Actually, no. A significant portion of current Linux distributions are aimed at personal users.

They come with a Desktop Environment—simply put, after installation, you boot directly into a desktop that provides a series of graphical interface applications: file management, multimedia, web browsers, system settings, etc., everything you need, just like when you use Windows and macOS. The distribution in the image is Zorin OS, which offers an out-of-the-box desktop experience.

(Image source: Zorin OS official website) As for distributions that require you to type commands in a pitch-black interface like DOS, they are generally aimed at enterprise and professional users. Firstly, there are server operating systems like the discontinued CentOS, AlmaLinux, and Ubuntu Server. Secondly, there are distributions for hardcore veterans like Arch Linux and Alpine Linux.

For beginners, there is usually no need or necessity to touch these distributions, so there is absolutely no need to worry. If you are just using the graphical interface, basic software like the file manager actually requires no tutorial; their interfaces are simple and clear enough, which greatly lowers the barrier to entry. If you want to dive deeper, as an operating system backed by a developer community, Linux and its distributions have comprehensive technical support, and a vast number of tech enthusiasts willing to contribute out of passion, providing various documents and tutorials.

For example: If you are a beginner, there are many beginner-friendly tutorial websites available for learning, such as the Rookie Tutorial, which offers a clear and easy-to-understand Linux introductory guide. Although geared towards server ops, it is also suitable for beginners to learn Linux commands. The famous Linux expert Bird has also published "Bird's Linux Private Kitchen: Basic Learning Edition" to help you master Linux step by step.

Don't know how to use Linux commands or software? Just a quick search on search engines like Bing will often find tutorials written by tech experts. Furthermore, current AI models are quite familiar with a large amount of public documentation and common parameter combinations, and current Agents can access the internet to look up the latest docs when needed.

If you encounter a problem, try asking AI. Additionally, I personally believe that the Windows we use daily is itself equipped with a large number of highly technical, high-barrier features, and its difficulty is not necessarily lower than Linux. For example, PowerShell, DISM (a tool for managing OS images and components), and the large batch of system management tools under the system32 directory are not so simple to master.

If you have ever accidentally clicked into the Windows directory and the registry, you might have been shocked by the labyrinthine complexity and the massive, fish-shoal-like file organization structure. Fortunately, Windows is well-designed, and most of the time we don't deal with such high-end operations. Similarly, this holds true for daily-use, beginner-friendly distributions like Deepin and Manjaro.

Thanks to well-designed desktop environments, beginners can complete daily tasks just by moving a mouse. Is the Interface Hard to Use? When reading Sspai's Linux-related articles, some netizens advise against using Linux daily.

They argue that "using it in a virtual machine is enough" or "if you want to use Linux, don't install a desktop; just honestly type commands in terminal mode." Actually, decades ago, or even in the early 2010s, this view made sense. It directly pointed to one of Linux's pain points: the lack of a good desktop environment (DE).

Early Linux desktop environments were functionally incomplete, and their operational logic was far from the familiar Windows; the UI style was a "living fossil," with outdated designs trailing far behind contemporaries like Windows Vista and Windows 7. For instance, the image below is Trinity Desktop Environment (TDE), recreating the interface style of the KDE 3.x era from over a decade ago, offering a glimpse into the desktop environment design of those days.

Back then, users really had to spend a lot of effort to accept and adapt. TDE interface. Top taskbar, narrow-margin controls, tiny icons—it really took me a lot of effort to adapt.

(Image source: TDE official website) Fortunately, the Linux community advances with the times. Thanks to the joint efforts of development teams and volunteers, today's Linux desktop environments have fully evolved. Whether in operational experience, UI design, or performance, they are increasingly modernized and friendlier to beginners.

For example, today's KDE 6.x desktop environment has operational logic close to Windows, features a clean flat design, is easy to pick up, and is more comfortable to use. Today's KDE Plasma.

(Image source: KDE Plasma official website) Another example is Cinnamon, primarily pushed by Linux Mint, and UKUI developed by Ubuntu Kylin. These two desktop environments have elegant interfaces, allowing you to control Linux in a familiar way, making them extremely easy to use. It is worth mentioning that the domestic computers equipped by our government and enterprises come pre-installed with domestic systems like Galaxy Kylin, paired with UKUI, aiming to help national staff reduce learning costs and smoothly transition their work environments.

Cinnamon desktop environment: low-key, luxurious, elegant, without losing ease of use. (Image source: Linux Mint official website) UKUI desktop environment: the overall interface design strictly follows Windows, helping users get started quickly and reducing learning costs. (Image source: UKUI official website) Besides the aforementioned desktop environments, others worth using include today's Xfce, MATE, LXQt, and Deepin's DDE.

The evolution of desktop environments has freed today's Linux distributions from the limitation of a "hard-to-use interface," and their ease of use and convenience are on par with Windows and macOS. Now, all that's missing is your attempt. Unfamiliar Operations?

For friends just getting into Linux distributions, the most worrying issue might be whether they can get used to Linux's operational logic. Historical computer literacy tutorials focus on Windows, and many friends have mostly interacted with Windows. Under default configurations, some Linux desktop environments differ greatly from Windows in interface layout and operational habits, forcing users to face the problem of adapting.

Fortunately, various development teams have achieved breakthrough results, enabling users accustomed to Windows to quickly pick up Linux distributions: quite a few distributions and their desktop environments are designed to be as consistent with Windows as possible. For example, the aforementioned distributions Zorin OS, Linux Mint, and Galaxy Kylin/Ubuntu Kylin with UKUI recreate the Windows operational experience, greatly reducing learning costs. Other distributions make targeted optimizations to existing desktop environments to make them easier to use.

For instance, Manjaro deeply customizes Xfce, placing the taskbar at the bottom and installing an enhanced launcher plugin (equivalent to the "Start Menu"), making it friendly for beginners. Therefore, I recommend prioritizing these beginner-friendly distributions. Few Software Resources?

Over a decade ago, the lack of software resources was indeed a "fatal flaw" for desktop Linux distributions, enough to deter users who wanted to try Linux. Big companies rarely released software for the Linux platform, and even when they did, it lagged behind the other two major platforms, unable to guarantee a consistent experience. While the existing Linux software lineup had some excellent products, they were not necessarily comparable to professional competitors.

Today, things are vastly different. Whether it's major corporations or open-source developers, there is an increasing emphasis on the Linux platform. Linux, once a barren land for applications, has transformed into a fertile ground.

Consider these encouraging examples: Office software: The birth of WPS for Linux completely rewrote the history of scarce office software on the Linux platform, making smooth office work a reality. Development tools: Microsoft released a Linux version for Visual Studio Code, and JetBrains' flagship IDE series can run natively on Linux. Web browsers: Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox have long offered Linux versions, with functional experiences identical to the Windows versions.

Audio and video playback: You can use VLC and SMPlayer to watch videos, and Audacious to listen to music. Gaming: The famous gaming platform Steam has released an official Linux version, and combined with the Proton compatibility layer, you can already play many games. Distribution development teams are also working hard to improve Linux's software ecosystem.

The most active in software adaptation is Deepin; in its app store, you can download many commonly used applications, ranging from office to audio-visual entertainment, and even familiar ones like QQ, WeChat, and WPS. Deepin's official website introduction to its app store. (Image source: Deepin) Other distributions do not suffer from a "software drought" either.

For my daily use of Arch Linux, the official software repositories are comprehensive enough, covering all aspects of daily Linux use. When encountering commercial software not included in the official repositories, you can use the AUR (Arch User Repository) to install it, such as WPS. Additionally, even if the software you want to use doesn't have a Linux version and only has a Windows version, you can run it via Wine.

Wine is a compatibility layer software that allows Windows software to run seamlessly in Linux, invisibly expanding the Linux software ecosystem. Of course, the above is just a small part of the Linux software ecosystem. When you officially start using Linux daily, I believe you will be even more amazed by the prosperity of the Linux software ecosystem, because the daily Linux work experience previously unimaginable is now right before your eyes, right by your side.

Benefits of Using Linux Daily: Based on my own experience, I love Linux not only because it is a part of my daily life, but also because it brings tangible benefits. Reviving Old Machines: Linux distributions generally have low hardware requirements; even computers over a decade old can be smoothly driven and run fluidly. I have two "antique" ThinkPads: the X200 and the R400.

They both only have 4GB of memory and low processor clock speeds (2.4 GHz and 2.5 GHz, respectively), making them inadequate for running Windows 10 and Windows 11.

However, after installing Arch Linux, these old machines got a second lease on life. Paired with a SATA SSD, they are fully revitalized; software opens "instantly," and the running experience is silky smooth. At the same time, thanks to Arch's rolling release mechanism, the laptops can always use the latest LTS kernel and application software, ensuring security and performance.

Therefore, I only need to buy used old laptops at extremely low prices and pair them with a Linux distribution to add more "capable assistants" to my arsenal. Promoting Environmental Protection and Resource Utilization: Next, let's look at the bigger picture. Every year, a massive number of computers are phased out due to "outdated specs.

" The so-called upgrade standards introduced by Windows 11—starting from 8th Gen Core, plus hardware restrictions like TPM 2.0, UEFI, and Secure Boot—prevent many adequately configured computers from enjoying the latest Windows system services, forcing them to be "eliminated." This is undoubtedly a waste of resources.

You should know that these computers are still more than capable of running Linux distributions—typical personal Linux distributions only require a 64-bit processor, 4GB of starting memory, and a SATA SSD, nothing more. If these computers could run Linux distributions, it would invisibly reduce waste and add strength to "lightening the load" on the Earth. Zorin OS is one responsible for the Earth...