I first became interested in GNU/Linux thanks to one of my cousins, who works as a data scientist. I bonded nearly immedaitely with him due to the fact we share a deep interest for everything that had to do with computers and technology as a whole.
Back in 2016, when I was only nine years old, he introduced me to Debian. He first showed me how to install it on a virtual machine and eventually guided me through the process of installing it on my own laptop. I was more than enthusiast to have someone help me navigate through such a complex system at that age, and I remain incredibly grateful for his guidance even today.
I like to think that if I hadn't started using GNU/Linux and exploring different distributions, I would never have gained an interest in the underlying aspects of software, the internet, and so much more. It has, most importantly, given me the possibility of understanding more about what today's world of technology has been built upon.
I have always craved to know more about things worked under the hood. I find joy in discovering how engineers develop the software we recurringly use, something that the consumers' eyes are not supposed to see. The logic behind this concept fills me with the need to "poke things with a stick" and test the different outcomes.
During my teenage years, the uses I have done of GNU/Linux variated a lot. From trying out new systems and interacting with the community, along with contributing to projects, to developing Android firmwares and learning to appreciate automation thanks to scripting and its capabilities.
Needless to say, especially after reading this website, GNU/Linux could be identified as 'too nerdy' from the average person, who just wants to browse the web or play games. It's perfectly valid to want technology that 'just works' without needing to see under the hood; while this being true, it is important to first look at things under a different view.
As we hand more responsibility to tech giants, and as their methods to gaining our data and consent become increasingly invasive, it becomes fundamental to look at the world from the outside. One of the greatest advantages of GNU/Linux is freedom, a concept that has, unfortunately, become a rarity in the modern digital age.
Beyond its ability to give a new life to old hardware, the concept of being a GNU/Linux user is also about reclaiming control. The act of spending hard-earned money on devices, only to be told by the manufacturer how we are allowed to use them, is rather ironic: this is what I stand for, and what I expect more people to realize before it's too late. We are the ones with control over our data, who decide where it goes and what others can do with our information, despite companies trying to do the exact opposite.