So I finally ended my experiment with using Linux this weekend. When I reinstalled Windows 7 on my laptop, permanently erasing Ubuntu's Natty Narwhal (v 11.04) from the hard drive. With a sigh of relief, I'm back in an environment that I know well, and have come to respect even more, as a result of my jaunt into Linux land.
Linux is free, yes. But this is free with a cost. And for me, one cost was the time and effort spent to get basic stuff installed and/or working. Another cost was a lack of apps that I'd gotten really used to over the years. The final straw for me was when the DVD I'd ordered about youth soccer coaching was a format that was supported only on Windows. And after spending yet a few more hours searching forums and what not on how to get the format to play on Linux, I gave up.
The final decision point for me was whether I wanted the laptop to continue to be a tool for me, or a plaything. And after being blocked multiple times as a result of apps not working, or apps just not available, I decided it was time for the laptop to be a tool once again. When the OS or the apps actually start getting in the way of you being able to do stuff, then something is clearly messed up.
Needless to say it was a really interesting experiment, and one that I'm really glad I did. Ubuntu and many of the open source apps have come a long way. But they all still have ways to go to catch up to Windows' ease of use, quality and the multitude of applications available for Windows.
