For someone who spent their entire computer-literate life tethered to Microsoft Windows, the switch to an open source operating system like Ubuntu was nothing short of transformative. After six years of working exclusively with Ubuntu, navigating the Windows interface now feels like stumbling through a foreign city without a map. The change has been so profound that I’d need a few minutes just to find my way around the Windows dashboard! If you’ve never ventured beyond the familiar shade of the Windows umbrella—or its Apple counterpart—this might sound surprising, even strange. You might wonder: What difference does it really make which operating system (OS) we use? The truth is, the choice of OS matters, and it hinges on three key factors: availability, budget, and, most importantly, purpose. Let’s dive into why I made the switch, what open source and closed source mean, and how they impact your computing experience. Why… Open Source vs. Closed Source: A Journey from Windows to Ubuntu