My Linux Journey: From Ubuntu 10.10 to Windows Again

From Linux to Widows

When I first dipped my toes into Linux back in the days of Ubuntu 10.10 “Maverick Meerkat”, it felt like stepping into a whole new world. Windows was what everyone around me used, but Linux opened a different dimension of computing — one built around freedom, flexibility, and an incredible sense of community.

The Appeal of Linux

Ubuntu 10.10 Desktop

For me, Linux wasn’t just another operating system. It was about control. Unlike Windows, where everything felt boxed in, Linux allowed me to customize, tweak, and explore in ways that made the machine feel truly mine. The variety of desktop environments — from the simplicity of GNOME to the elegance of KDE — gave me choices that Windows could never match at the time.

I remember experimenting with Ubuntu, then moving on to Linux Mint for its smoothness and ease of use, and even giving Kubuntu a run for its polished KDE desktop. Each distro had its personality. Some offered stability, some focused on performance, while others simply looked stunning with all the “eye candy” — and the best part, all of this came free of cost.

The Practical Challenges

But as exciting as Linux was, my profession eventually brought me back to reality. As a lawyer, much of the specialized legal profession software that I needed was built only for Windows. While Linux offered flexibility, compatibility was always a challenge. Workarounds like Wine or virtual machines were never as seamless as I needed them to be in a fast-paced legal environment.

Back to Windows — With Gratitude to Linux

Eventually, practicality won over passion, and I shifted back to Windows. But the years I spent with Linux were not wasted — they taught me how computers work beyond the surface, how to think differently about software, and how to truly appreciate open-source innovation.

Linux remains a reminder that there are always alternatives, often better ones, waiting outside the mainstream. Even if I now run Windows for work, the spirit of exploration Linux gave me continues to influence how I approach technology every day.