How I Used Linux As An Undergraduate In Sri Lanka
Introduction
How I use Linux in my college time? An Interesting topic to discuss in 2024. Isn’t it. Before dive in to the depth, let me introduce myself.
I am a college graduate with the special degree in the field of Computer Systems and Network Engineering. And a tech enthusiast, specially when it comes to Linux and Free and Open Source Software and technology.
I have been using Linux Operating Systems and workflows for close to a decade now. In this post, I am going to explain my journey with Linux Workflows during my college/ university time as an undergraduate.
You may have read numerous blog postings, Vlogs, and other letters discussing user experiences with migrating to Linux-based processes or using Linux for certain time periods or motives. So, why is this blog post special? Here’s why. Where others would not dare, I pursued my studies using an absolutely Linux-only workflow.
I believe that utilizing Linux Workflows was one of the best decisions I made during my time as an undergraduate. I’ve learned a lot of things that most of my fellow pupils are unlikely to discover. I also believe it has a significant impact on being selected for my first job opportunity. Using Linux Workflow was not always smooth. Certainly, there are advantages and disadvantages, which I will be discussing more in future.
How it’s began
Even before I began reading for my undergraduate program, I was using the Linux operating system as a personal workflow and hobby. Since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by how things work. So, why not? I wanted to learn how Linux systems work.
So, back in the day, I experimented with a Linux distribution named Hanthana Linux. Which I learned from a science fair at my school. Hanthana Linux was a Fedora-based Linux operating system developed in Sri Lanka. It was exciting. but my first experience was incredibly frustrating. Because I expected it to work similarly to what I was currently using. It’s no secret that Microsoft Windows XP was a tremendous hit that day and worked exceptionally well. Then, I switched back immediately to Micorsoft Windows XP.
Years later, while I was in Ordinary Level-grade 11 (Secondary School Senior Year), That’s when I to learn about the Linux operating system again in my school textbooks. This is where the magic happens. By then, I had a good computer and was experimenting with Linux operating systems in Virtual Box. Even though I was doing the most basic things on the Linux operating system, I began to realize that it operated in a completely different manner than what I was used to.
After a while, I dual-booted my computer with Microsoft Windows 10 and Ubuntu 16.10. And I used Ubuntu and Linux Mint for a while before I started serious distro-hopping until eventually I settled down with my favorite Kubuntu (A spin of Ubuntu with KDE Plasma Desktop Environment). For the past year and a half, I’ve used nearly all of the top Linux operating systems available. Nevertheless, I’m glad I did it. Because I was able to clearly differentiate between Linux operating systems and learn a great deal about Linux Operating Systems Families of Debian, RedHat Enterprise Linux, and Arch Linux. Also about the Enterprise and Personal Computing operating systems.
Using Linux as an undergraduate
At the beginning, I had the same doubt that most of Linux users had in their beginning of Linux journey.
Will I be left out?
Unfortunately, it did happen. Although it was only a moment until I found my way around and wrapped up the work. Tools used by computer laboratories were propitiatory and some of the time Instructions were only given for Microsoft Windows specifically. I turned this situation into an opportunity to learn how to do things in a new or alternative way.
At first, finding suitable alternatives to the software I was used to presented a bit of a challenge. Within a reasonable time-frame, I found a suite of open-source tools and proprietary tools that work on Linux that perfectly fit my needs, making the challenge manageable. From that point on, my transition to Linux was smooth sailing — like butter gliding on warm toast!
It is worth noting that many of my fellow classmates faced various challenges along the way with everyone believe the standard if not the only way of doing things. Fortunately, most of the issues they faced weren’t problems I ran into. However, that didn’t stop me from learning a great deal. By assisting them in troubleshooting and finding solutions, I gained valuable insights into the different challenges users might face when using other platforms as well.
Conclusion
Today’s conclusion is you have to start the journey rather than considering to start. And if you are savvy enough, you will find the way around. And you will be rewarded with knowledge for your savviness. Keep in mind that not everything works the same way.
To be continued…
In the coming postings, I will be discussing about my gears, challenges I faced, alternatives I used, my typical workflow, and so. And, I will also share additional tips and constraints to consider for students who are using Linux Workflows as well as potential students who will be using them. Stay in touch.
