Barry Caldwell 
Linux: The Operating System You Can’t Escape
Linux is the operating system that powers almost everything we use today. From the cloud to social media, Google, and even your fridge, thermostats, Android phones, robots, remotes, and smart speakers, Linux is everywhere. Without Linux and open-source software, businesses across the globe wouldn’t be nearly as competitive. This is a fact, not an opinion.
However, many people believe that Linux isn’t viable for consumers or home users. This opinion is shortsighted because the current state of Linux not only makes for an ideal operating system for your home computers, but it can also bring considerable value as a server OS on your home network.
Most Linux operating systems are as easy to install as an app. With GUI installers, just about anyone can point and click their way to a full-blown server operating system on their home network. In fact, there are guides available that walk you through the steps of installing Ubuntu Server in less than 30 minutes.
Beyond that, there’s a world of possibility to unleash when you allow Linux and open-source software into your home. Linux is not just about cost, although it is a free operating system. More than anything, Linux is about freedom. Instead of having to do things the Apple or Microsoft way, you can do it your way. It’s the Burger King of operating systems.
The freedom to use Linux how you need it, where you need it, and when you need it is what makes it so valuable. It’s also about security. Although Linux is one of the most secure operating systems on the market, that’s not exactly the kind of security we’re talking about.
Many people use Google Workspace, Office 365, or iCloud. However, for certain sensitive documents, it’s not okay to share or save via a third-party hosted solution. That’s where Linux and open-source come in. On a home network, you can deploy a number of Linux servers that can be used as in-house cloud systems, invoicing and billing platforms, project management tools, and more.
The software you can use includes Nextcloud for storing, sharing, editing, and creating documents, InvoicePlane for billing and invoicing clients, OpenProject for project management, and Portainer for container deployments. Samba can also be employed on all of your Linux machines for file sharing across systems.
By effectively replacing all of those third-party services (some of which you pay for) with free, open-source tools on your network, you’re not relying on Google, Microsoft, Dropbox, Slack, or Apple to keep the security of your data as a top priority. Although the chances of Google getting hacked are slim, it’s not impossible. One of the issues that’s causing great concern is AI.
Artificial intelligence must be trained to be effective. With Google, Microsoft, and who knows who else using more and more AI, they need content to train their systems. Who’s to say they are not using documents saved to their systems as fodder for training? Migrating from Google Docs to an in-house Nextcloud instance is one solution. Nextcloud includes all the features you need to develop and write fiction, without having to worry those books are being used to train AI.
This level of assurance, along with complete control, is why bringing those needs in-house is preferred. On top of that, if you lose your internet connection, you can still reach the servers on your network, so you can continue to work.
Linux on the desktop removes a number of frustrations you’ve probably experienced with other operating systems. With Linux, you get to do things your way. If you don’t like the way a Linux distribution works, you can change it. You won’t be stuck with a one-size-fits-all approach.
In conclusion, Linux is an operating system that you can’t escape, and it’s not just for businesses. Linux is an ideal operating system for your home computers and can bring considerable value as a server OS on your home network. The freedom to use Linux how you need it, where you need it, and when you need it, along with the security of your data, is what makes it so valuable. With Linux, you get to do things your way, and that’s why it’s the Burger King of operating systems.
