Although Windows is still the most popular and most used operating system in the world, Linux is of great importance in computer science. The problem with this operating system is that, for years, it has been considered a difficult to use and incompatible system. Although today it is as simple to use as Windows (or even more), and we can find applications for everything we can think of, many users are left wanting to try it for lack of knowledge and not wanting to risk their PC. Luckily, there are ways to easily test Linux without risk.
One way to test operating systems on our computer without risking damage is to use virtual machines . However, there are users who do not want to download and install programs, or do not even want to download an ISO image of Linux to launch it.
For all these users, there is another alternative that will allow us to test Linux on our computer for free, in seconds and without downloading anything: OnWorks. This website has a list of virtualized distros ready for any user to try from their browser. The website is completely free and, in addition, does not even require registration to access these images.
Testing Linux has never been so easy
OnWorks offers us a large list of virtualized operating systems that we can test from our web browser. Among others, we can find distros based on CentOS, Fedora, Ubuntu and Debian. All distros are already installed and configured, in addition to having some simple programs installed by default. In this way we can experience from the outset the full potential of Linux.
Some of the most interesting distros we can find are:
- Ubuntu
- Debian
- Linux Mint
- Reacts
- Parrot OS.
- Elementary OS.
- Kali Linux
- MX Linux
- RHEL Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
- OpenSUSE
- Fedora
We can even find a Windows 10 emulator to use the Microsoft operating system from the web.
How to test Ubuntu from the browser
In order to test the operating systems that OnWorks offers us, what we must do is open our web browser (Google Chrome, Firefox, etc.) and access the list of distros from the following link . The web is not exactly the newest and most beautiful we can find, but at least it is simple to use.
We will locate the distro we want to use (in our case Ubuntu), and click on the ” Run online ” button. A new page will open with a 30-second countdown, during which the virtual machine will be prepared.
As soon as it is ready, it will open automatically, and we can start using it.
We can do what we want inside these virtual machines. Of course, we recommend you not download or save personal files in them. Nor sign in with our credentials. Although the changes are deleted when the instance is closed, we do not know exactly what is running below.
When we get tired of using Linux, we simply close the window and that’s it. The instance is removed from the server.
It is not perfect
Although the distro works quite well and allows us to get an idea of how this operating system is, how its applications work and what Linux is , the truth is that performance leaves enough to be desired. When running in streaming, in virtualized containers and, in addition, free, the power is limited.
Running operating systems on virtual machines is also a very heavy task, which requires a lot of resources and, of course, it costs money. OnWorks allows us to access these operating systems for free, without registration or limitations. However, to cushion expenses, it shows a lot of publicity, both on its website and on the sides of the virtual machine. It is not annoying or intrusive, but it must be taken into account.
Despite this, if we have always been curious to try Linux and we have never dared for fear of breaking our PC, thanks to OnWorks we will be able to test Linux without any danger.
