Learning Linux for non-Computer Engineer
 

Hi
Do learning Linux only beneficial for Computer Engineers (Administrators, Programmers, Hackers etc.)? Or people from other fields (Engineering, Natural Sciences, Earth Sciences etc.) can also get benefit from learning Linux? Can you please enlighten me that how people from other fields can get benefit from learning Linux?
PS: Me and some of my friends will gather to discuss about Linux teaching, and I want to raise this point, that Linux can also help people from non-computing fields.
Regards

Linux is not just for IT people, or even for scientists — its for anyone who wants a reliable operating system with well-tested software. That's why most web-servers (e.g. Amazon, Wikipedia) use it. That's why universities like Cambridge and Princeton recommend it.

Depends on what area you are interested in: General computer use, data capture and analysis, business software, education, audio, graphics?

There are solutions of varying quality on Linux to all of these. For example, I recently learned that Matlab is available on Linux.

The chief advantage of Linux over Windows is the openness. It provides the tools to discover information and use it. For example, if a file shows up in an email attachment on Windows, your main option is to click on it and see what it does. On Linux, the "file" command will tell you what type of file it really is, regardless of meaningless filename extensions.

Lots of people use newbie-friendly Linux distros without knowing anything about computers.

My father was Burton J Peckham, awarded as one of the top 10 Civil Engineers in the North American District (one quarter of the world). In the 1970s we (his kids) designed a survey program for completing the circle and minimizing the offsets for a topographic survey problem that his guys had to solve often (on a 8080 based machine with a whole 8k usable ram, in a mix of BASIC and machine code). By the mid '80s they were using multiple computers to solve different problems and save time and money in the office. In the '90s he had a portable unit with a portable printer in his truck doing Seismographical analysis in the field. He was never a programmer, but he took to computers as fast as he did to any tool of his trade.

Engineers deal in mathematical analysis and real-world interpretations of measurements, and predictions driving processes and requirements. This mix of mathematical analysis and practical prediction is true in a general way of all engineers, and what sets them apart from the other fields and from pure Scientists. Mathematical modeling and calculation is EXACTLY what the first computers were designed for, and STILL where they best shine. the Engineers at NASA were some of the first to adopt Linux in engineering, and apply it to modeling to aid in solving engineering and orbital navigation problems.

My point is that Engineers, of all engineering fields, can take advantage of computers. Also that Linux is arguably the best platform and most appropriate operating system for obtaining that advantage, although not the only useful option it has the greatest range of appropriate tools. You do not need to be a coder to obtain advantage, and you do not need to be a Linux user: but it helps!

The good news is that the thought patterns and learning one has developed to become an engineers apply. I have had Medical Doctors ask me about that "Any Key" mentioned in the messages: never an engineer, they ask smarter questions that are harder to answer. ;-) It may not all be easy, but it will be easier for you than for someone with a non-technical focus.

I like to be in control of my computer (and other devices I own). It's never 100%, but Linux definitely helps with that.
I am not an IT professional of any kind.

That's the gist really; you might want to look at Archlinux' definition of user-centrality which I like very much (just as their other core priniciples).

Some people want to understand how things work. I am one of these people. While many might choose an engineering or IT job because of that, it's not a foregone conclusion.

Any sort of field where you need to manipulate information and data. Just off the top of my brain...

Linux is widely used in film animation.

Linux is used in DNA research, healthcare etc.

Linux is used on the space station as well as the Falcon 9 rocket.

There is a while bunch of geographic information software developed for linux.

I am not an engineer, just a general user. I am on a strict budget. Windows 11 is replacing Windows 10. My 9 year old hardware can run either Windows 10 or linux, but it cannot run Windows 11. I must either buy new hardware in the next few years or switch entirely to linux. As over 90% of my time is already spent on linux (Internet, word processing, graphics, some gaming), it will be linux all the way.

How about this for a reason for the everyday human? Privacy. A person doesn't have to be computer savvy to appreciate not being tracked/watched everywhere they go. Linux is the first step in a series of steps toward that end.

Another reason is that a computer is just a tool to get jobs done. If you're an office employee, maybe Windows is better. What about CAD? What about video editing? Does one OS offer more in terms of options and opportunity than another?

Or how about personal security? The world is plagued with people who want ill will for computer users. More or less, they want your data, passwords, credit info. What OS is better for those people? With commercial OS, you have to subscribe to antivirus/malware software, that doesn't work half the time, just to feel somewhat safe.

And then, of course, the financial aspect. Linux is free (as in financial cost), no strings attached. Commercial OS might be free with handicapped functionality, if you don't want to register. Same with commercial software, antivirus, antimalware.

Ok, I know, it sounds like propaganda. But I've been using Linux for about 20 years, in various capacities. So I speak from my own experience, take it or leave it.

As someone who is in no way an engineer, I can second what the others have said. Linux has been my primary desktop OS for a decade and a half, since I decided to put Slackware v. 10 on my primary computer, which, at the time, was Dell laptop.

At this point, I no longer own a Windows machine (though I do have a legitimate and registered VM of WIN8 just for grins and giggles).

There are lots of good websites and podcasts for learning how to use Linux. A websearch for "[topic] linux" will often return useful results.

I'm going to recommend one podcast in particular; the podcast and website are both excellent resources: Goinglinux. Their slogan is "for computer users who just want to use Linux to get things done." Their focus is decidedly practical; they get no more technical than they need to be to address the topic(s) of the moment.

Thanks everyone. You've really enlightened me. Let me summarize the things which I have learned from your answers:

1. Linux is not confined to Computers, rather, it is being widely used in all the fields. Some of these fields include Agriculture, Astronomy (space station, rockets, mars helecopter), Biology (DNA, genome research), Business, Natural Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geology...), Engineering, Film and Media Industry etc.
2. Linux respects your privacy. If you want your personal information to be only "yours" then Linux is you only way.
3. If someone is of the attitude that he/she wants to know that how things work, then he/she cannot satisfy his thirst by using closed source OSes.

BUT, (there is always a but :) )

I think in my region, I cannot convince people by using "open source" as an argument. Because, although "openness" and being and open source software is one of the strongest point of Linux, but here, in India, it is very difficult to convince people by using "open source" as an argument. The reason is that, here, proprietary (and pirated) software is so common that you can get your USB filled with all kinds of softwares for 0.05 Dollars or even free in most cases. Usually people and organizations, here, don't mind using Pirated softwares and piracy is an accepted norm here :( So, instead of openness, I use "Speed, Stability and Security" as an argument in favor of Linux and it help a lot here in India.

In summary, I have learned a lot from your answers. Thanks a lot :)

Hazel
I purchased your book "The Charm of Linux" and it's a real gem. I suggest the OP do the same.

Thanks, that's very sweet of you.

It's good that you're approaching it from the advantages of speed, stability, and security. Price is of little concern¹ around the globe, for a lot of reasons (driven by M$) and you've touched on just one. In addition to the advantages of speed, stability, and security, I would also say that there is the matter of ease of use and GNU/Linux has surpassed Windows and other products from the same company in that matter around two decades ago. However, the biggest advantage is that of flexibility and customization or, in another word, freedom. That's what the "Free" as in Free Software is supposed to refer to but often gets confused with free-of-charge, sometimes intentionally. Think स्वातन्त्र्यम् rather than निःशुल्क, or something like that. If I recall correctly one reason for the confusing name is that Liberty Software was already in use by an established company at that time the choice was made.

(¹ total cost of ownership is much lower for FOSS, but most cost-benefit analyses are thoroughly ignored or offload the real costs as "externalities".)

Thanks for the head's up. To support a fellow Linuxer (hazel), I just ordered as well. Looking forward to reading.

@Hazel, I guess it would be against the rules to link your book in your signature for better exposure?