So you want to consider a move from propriety software. You've had enough of imprisoning software, and want seek out software which does not undermine your freedom?
Well done! You've made the first step by making the decision or at least acknowledging that there are better ways to do your personal computing without sacrificing liberty!
Now if you are a Windows and/or Mac OS "consumer" and wish to simply become a "user" of a freedom abiding operating system then many, will find the process daunting and frustrating.
Even if you managing to just checkout a VM image or LiveDVD of a Linux, it will feel like someone just lobbed a big bag of potatoes to catch. Those potatoes are simply going to fall all over the floor; You simply aren't going to cope with all the changes. Even basic work which you know you can do in 2 mins on propriety software is going to take 20 minutes the first time.
My suggestion is to take an empty bag (which we can say is the idea or motive to want to make the move), stay in your familiar OS and instead of putting in the rotten potatoes (say proprietary software), and reach out to GNU or other such free alternatives (the good potatoes) that are supported by your 'comfy' operating system *and* GNU/Linux. That way the small changes of adding new potatoes to your bag will be such that you wont drop them. Far easier than trying to catch them all in one shot. And when you are inevitably ready to make the shift to a free OS, you'll already have your at least bag half full, and will find the process a lot smoother.
By all means keep the familiar software packages around while you investigate the alternatives.
Here are some suggestions which you can start checking out today:
Instead of MS Office, try OpenOffice. StarOffice, or many of the alternatives out there. If you are not that reliant on MS Office, then just uninstall it now.
I don't need to say this, but delete the Internet Explorer and/or Safari icon from your desktop. Use Firefox, Opera or at least Chrome. You simply don't need Internet Explorer or Safari, no excuses on that one.
For the creative people, if you are an Adobe consumer, try GIMP (Photoshop alternative), Inkscape (for Illustrators). There are plenty freedom fighting alternatives out there. Seek them out and you shall find something to replace with.
Skype? Oh dear, this indeed is a bad potato and its frustrating how many people are reliant on this one. Even though its available on Linux, it does not respect your freedom, its source code is not available, you don't know or can't confirm what is happening in this software. Its basically not to be trusted. Get out if/while you can! Its difficult because most of your contacts on there will not be that willing to swap to another IM just for you. The least you can do is make them aware of their imprisonment that that their freedoms are being violated and that there are alternatives.
I recommend Jit.si. They recently announced Google Hangout like web based video conferences. Perhaps at least if you can just to get Google Hangouts for now, then that is one step away from Skype.
Software Developers? I am a developer myself and have actively made a career path which supports my morals in software. First step is at least find a GNU text editor or IDE. If you are a .NET developer, then oh dear! (Don't worry I used to be one, so don't be insulted). Consider looking into more different languages and start to untie the grip of Microsoft's iron fist you may or may not have found your neck to be entangled in. If you are a developer then there are plenty of options out there and I will leave the investigations up to you. Python is a language worth checking out.
For more advanced software then checkout the numerous tutorials to help you get in to the new software. If there are features you want, request them to developers. That's the idea and what is meant by 'freedom' in software. If you really want a feature in the software you use, its fairly to get in in. Consider that possibility with propriety software? Keep dreaming! They only adhere to the masses.
If you've already tried making the sift to GNU/Linux a few times, but had to default back to Windows or Mac OS. Then take the suggestions of small incremental changes and bite size learning curves.
Making small steps is worth the effort. Its a long and gradual change, and the aim is unbuckling yourself from the slavery and savagery that is rife in the non-free computing world.
Free society? Free yourself!
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