FAQ

Is Linux right for me or my business?

Linux is not suitable for all types of workflows. You should always use the right tool for the job instead of always using the same tool because it’s your favorite. Here are some common scenaries where using Linux does make sense and where it doesn’t.

Where Linux doesn’t make sense…

Linux is not a good fit for big corporations who already have a user base who are accustomed to Windows environments. The time and energy to retrain users would be too much relative to the benefits of using Linux.

Linux is also not a good fit for companies requiring extensive useage of GUI intensive applications like the Autodesk or Adobe products. This is because these products often don’t have installers available for Linux platforms since the Linux desktop market share is so small it’s not worth it for companies to build their applications for Linux desktops.

Where Linux does make sense…

Where Linux does suit well is small businesses or charity organisations which operate on a low budget. Using Linux means not having to incur expenses like licenses (excluding web-based applications), anti-viruses or higher-end hardware which is typically required to run Windows systems.

If you’re business’s workflow can operate using just a browser and an office suite then Linux is perfect and can serve your business well.

It also suits individuals who want a system that doesn’t install a bunch of bloat or spyware and respects their privacy by not constantly monitoring and logging their computing habits.

What are the downsides of using Linux?

No system is perfect. Linux has many drawbacks which should be carefully considered before making any decisions. These are some of the most common drawbacks.

Steep learning curve

While not as applicable if you’re going to have someone else (like us) managing the system, Linux can be difficult to learn if one doesn’t have a computer background. Maintaining and configuring a Linux system will require one to get familiar with different computer components and make use of the terminal. That said if you’re just a regular user the Linux desktop environment should be relatively easy to switch over given enough time to adjust.

Limited desktop packages compared to Windows

Since Linux has less then 5% of the desktop market share not many developers build desktop applications for Linux because their isn’t much incentive too. Now this isn’t a problem if you’re workflow is largely web-based but if you require an application (like Adobe or Autocad) that doesn’t run on Linux you will either need to install a Windows virtual machine (which can be painful) and run the application in that or use a Windows emulator like Bottles (and even then it’s not guaranteed to work). Before making the switch make sure you identify all applications required for your workflow and find a suitable Linux/web-based replacement if needed.