What makes linux a good operating system?

Question

Just curious.

Answer 1

Linux itself actually isn't an operating system but rather a kernel upon which operating systems are based. There are a wide variety of linux-based operating systems, most notable of which is Ubuntu. Operating systems like Ubuntu are advantageous for many reasons. Firstly, they're free because they are open-source, meaning the code of the operating system is written by programmers throughout the world, a.k.a. the free software community. Because it is open-source, individuals themselves can personalize the operating system however they want to, given they have the necessary knowledge and resources. Moreover, the operating systems developed by programmes in the free software community are better geared to computer users because they are written by the people who use the operating systems. Secondly, the majority of the software used by linux-based operating systems is free as well, and, not to mention, every bit as powerful and effective as their Mac and Windows-based counterparts. Thirdly, because linux lacks the popularity of Mac OS X and the Windows series of operating systems, linux users are much less prone to viral attacks or any harm of the like. Hence, linux-based operating systems are a remarkably safer choice when browsing the web. Fourthly, as mentioned in another answer, linux-based operating systems are generally faster than Mac OS X or any Windows operating system, and they allot much more control over the system to the user, whereas restrictions to certain controls of Mac OS X or Windows are installed and extremely hard to bypass. There are many more advantages to linux-based operating systems, albeit increasingly insignificant.



Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Hello



Past:



Linux was a stable, reliable platform great for everything from web servers to database servers that had little credibility on the support front, poor visibility at the executive level and no market share on the desktop (let's face it, the original desktop environments needed work). I used windows at home and on desktops at work and had web servers, database servers and routers that were reliable and needed little maintenance.



Present:



Linux continues to be at the forefront of server, virtualization and embedded technologies and will likely not be going anywhere in this respect. Desktop environments are slick, efficient and are now considered as a serious threat to the Windows platform which has reigned supreme for over 10 years. Executives now look to Linux (and OS in general) as a way to curb insane licensing costs and make themselves look like heroes in the eyes of stake and shareholders alike. Business are now, quite literally built on all facets of Linux. I can now say that every piece of hardware in my house runs Linux/BSD, including my multimedia pc and all desktops.



Future:



The word "microsoft" will replace the word "legacy" in the dictionary.



"Man....that ISA bus is sooooo microsoft!"



Hope this Helps

Thanks

Answer 3

Performance and stability over Windows and Mac OS X, programmer friendly, open-sourced and free, highly customizable, superb security, lack of malware (viruses, spyware, etc.), simple install, relatively easy to use, already bundled with essential software (no additional downloading), most software is free and open-sourced, starts and shuts down fast, and did i mention it's free?



It seems the most mainstreamed distribution of Linux is Ubuntu, which I highly recommend. I have it installed on all my computers. Ubuntu has the most support, and is aimed for home use, and there is a version specific for netbooks.

Answer 4

Fast FREE and many versions of it to suit what you want, Ubuntu can be installed on top of a windows installation which is nice, only thing bad is how complicated it is.

Answer 5

Why Linux is Better

http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/



Here are some options for installing or trying out Linux



Option One (Full installation)



I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 9 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 10.04 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled



Linux Mint 9 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=52



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 9 (Isadora)

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-9-isadora



Linux Mint 9 User Guide Download pdf.

http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_isadora.php



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 9 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation



Linux Mint 9 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive



Also worth considering :



Fedora Remix (Fedora with elements of Linux Mint)

http://fusionlinux.org/2010/05/25/lucky-13/

http://iso.linux.hr/community-fedora-remix/

http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/13/html/User_Guide/



Again Fedora Remix can be run direct from the LiveDVD without touching your Hard Drive



Option Two (Install Linux inside Windows)



Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning

http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi



You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.



Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 10.04 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.



Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu



Ubuntu 10.04 Download

http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download



Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) User Guide

http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Lucid



Linux Mint 9 which is built upon Ubuntu 10.04 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed



As with Linux Mint 9 and Fedora Remix, Ubuntu 10.04 can also be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive



Option Three (LiveCD)



Here the possibilities are endless as you can try out as many different Linux distros. as you like until you find the one thats right for you DISTROWATCH.COM gives full listings (second lists the major distributions)

http://distrowatch.com/



Major Linux Distributions

http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major





LUg.

Answer 6

http://linux.about.com/od/linux101/l/blnewbie0_4.htm