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Is It Worth It for Tech Marketers to Use Linux?
John Himes
December 20, 2024
Running a Linux operating system (OS) can help technology marketers and other nontechnical professionals be better at their jobs.
Linux provides experiential learning. It gives you more control over your tools. It’s also free, stable, and secure.
That said, Linux does have some disadvantages—especially the steep learning curve.
Memoir of a Linux Noob
My Linux journey started in spring of 2020. Like many of us, I had plenty of time on my hands, to say the least. As I worked on a client project, editing a book on how to get started with Linux, I found myself thinking, “Gee, maybe I could try this out.”
So I dusted off an old laptop, burned the lightweight Lubuntu distribution onto a USB stick, and plugged it in. I clicked through the installation graphical user interface (GUI), instructed the program to clear my disk and start fresh, and watched with anticipation as the installer went to work. Until it broke.
I had no idea what went wrong. I tried again. Same thing. I had turned my laptop into a brick.
My research took me into the GRUB command line. I had never even heard of a bootloader, but now I was on a mission to fix one. I learned that the bootloader loads the OS kernel, which then begins the rest of the software that the computer needs in order to start. Basically, no bootloader means no operating system.
It took days of trial and error as I learned to decipher the glyphs that speak to the computer’s hardware. I became obsessed.
I figured out that there was a problem with my firmware that had likely existed even before my attempt to install a new OS: specifically, my UEFI was borked. When I eventually fixed the problem by using an open source bootloader recovery tool, I may or may not have cried, leapt, or shrieked as my computer finally booted up.
Welcome to Linux.
It may have been frustrating, but that experience of hacking at it until it worked was incredibly satisfying in the end. I felt like I better understood my clients and why they chose to devote themselves to technology.
Just a few months later, I was commissioned to write an article about the challenges of building and updating firmware for embedded systems. It included a discussion of broken bootloaders. I was prepared.
Today, Ubuntu on a custom-built desktop is my daily driver.
The advantages of Linux for technology marketers
You already interact with Linux computers on a daily basis.
Linux powers the majority of web servers, up to around 67%, as well as most mobile phones. Android is a Linux fork. Internet of Things (IoT) devices, cloud platforms, and so much more: most if it runs Linux.
As tech marketers, it’s our job to understand technology well enough to break it down into something that’s easily digestible. Using Linux makes us better equipped for the task.
Tech knowledge and confidence
Personally, I’ve learned a ton about what makes up the guts of a computer through my adventures with Linux. I remember pulling up my first bash terminal, taking a tour of the root directory, and wondering, “What is all this stuff and how does it fit together to deliver the complete user experience that I’ve become so accustomed to?”
The knowledge that I gained from this exploration was huge, but even more so was the confidence that I built. By tackling this technology head-on, by diving in and realizing that I could figure out anything I needed to figure out, I built confidence in my own abilities.
I’m not a software engineer, but I can read and research code well enough to inform my process for an article. Simply knowing that I’ve been able to figure out enough to run a Linux desktop over the past few years makes me more willing to dive into white papers, scholarly research, technical documentation, and techie stuff that most word folks like me generally shy away from.
Finally, the struggles and triumphs provide me with a greater understanding of the technologists that I work with. I have empathy for their pain points and desires because I’ve felt them myself, so I’m better equipped to speak directly to them in my marketing materials.
The nontechnical professional's Linux-enhanced workday
How would you like to not worry as much about computer viruses?
“The clear consensus among experts is that Linux is the most secure operating system,” writes Dave Taylor for Computer World. Linux malware does exist, but it’s usually written to target specific enterprise infrastructure. The common vectors for infecting desktop users—popups, downloads, etc.—usually target Windows because it’s so much more popular.
More care should be taken on devices that connect to a company network, but, in general, Linux is much less virus-prone than Windows or even macOS.
How about not having to worry about your computer crashing or freezing?
“Ubuntu is notable for being about as secure and stable an operating system as you’ll find,” says Michael Muchmore at PC Magazine. “No doubt that’s why Linux powers so many servers that demand a high level of uptime.”
In addition to making your computer more reliable, Linux also gives you more control over the tool itself. One of the main reasons I switched is because I hated how Microsoft refused to let me tell my computer what I wanted it to do. I have a deep disdain for bloatware, nonessential startup programs, and applications that JUST WON’T CLOSE!
Linux provides freedom. I could destroy my entire hard drive if I really wanted to. Practically speaking, this means users can customize their desktop experience in a way that works for them. Taking charge of your own workflows makes you more efficient.
Another way to enhance your workday is by using the command line interface (CLI). I personally use it to navigate my file system, organize projects, take notes, and more. You can take this one step further by creating custom scripts.
For instance, I use scripts to back up my important files, to simultaneously open all the applications that I need to start my workday, and to set up new projects once I receive a brief from a client.
Linux is free
$139 for Windows 11 Home? Get outta here!
Not only is Linux completely free to use, change, and even distribute as you see fit, but it also gives you easy access to an entire ecosystem of free, open source software.
Need to edit a photo? Free. How about write an article or create a spreadsheet? Free. Work on videos? Also free.
Using Linux doesn’t mean that you have to give up proprietary software entirely, either. These are some of the many common programs that run on Linux:
- Spotify
- Slack
- Steam
- Upwork
- Nvidia drivers
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Disadvantages of using Linux
Linux isn’t for everyone. These are some of the difficulties of running a Linux computer.
The biggest thing is that it’s more of a time investment than a Windows or Apple computer. There’s definitely a learning curve to getting started, and you may not have the time or desire to climb it.
Plus, if and when something does break, it’s up to you to fix it. Like I said before, this can be empowering, but it can also be a slog—especially if you’re up against a deadline and your work computer is bugging out.
There are some setups, such as a Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) subscription, that include technical support. But, if you’re in the do-it-yourself (DIY) camp, then it’s up to you to figure out what went wrong and how to fix it.
In my experience, though, this is a rare issue, and it’s not like Windows computers never need tech support. At least a Linux computer will actually tell you what’s wrong and give you all the error codes.
Speaking of Windows, the lack of Linux support for Office 365 can be a major detractor, especially for people who work in organizations that rely on the platform. LibreOffice is a fine substitute in many cases, but it’s worth considering if that’s a concern to you.
Maybe unrelated to work, but another common issue with Linux computers is that gaming can be difficult. Middleware like Wine, Lutris, and Steam Play can bridge the gap between Windows applications and a Linux OS, but it’s not nearly as seamless an experience as gaming on Windows.
That’s why many Linux gamers choose a dual boot setup that lets them boot into Windows for game time and use Linux for just about anything else.
How nontechnical professionals can get started with Linux
You don’t have to be a developer or a hacker to run a Linux desktop.
The best way to get started is to jump in. Dig out that old laptop, create a bootable disk, and give a live session a try. Start messing around and experimenting. You can go as deep as you like, but you don’t even have to open a terminal if you don’t want to.
A big part of that comes down to picking the right distribution. Hardcore customizers may opt for Arch Linux, while those who want a GUI that’s more reminiscent of the macOS user experience can try out Elementary OS. Ubuntu, the most popular distribution of Linux for the home office, is also a great choice.
Be fearless, but also have a plan B. Don’t start with your daily driver. And if you do decide to go all-Linux-all-the-time, be sure to make regular backups. But you should be doing that anyway, right?
I also highly recommend How Linux Works by No Starch Press as a companion for your journey.
If you can effectively communicate about technology, you can run a Linux computer. Doing so will make you a better tech marketer.
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