Why should I use Linux?

Question

I've heard a lot about Linux and I've looked at Ubuntu and Kubuntu. Why should I use Linux. Is it even worth it?

Answer 1

Advantages of Linux:



•Cost – The most obvious advantage of using Linux is the fact that it is free to obtain, while Microsoft products are available for a hefty and sometimes recurring fee. Microsoft licenses typically are only allowed to be installed on a single computer, whereas a Linux distribution can be installed on any number of computers, without paying a single dime.

•Security – In line with the costs, the security aspect of Linux is much stronger than that of Windows. Why should you have to spend extra money for virus protection software? The Linux operating system has been around since the early nineties and has managed to stay secure in the realm of widespread viruses, spyware and adware for all these years. Sure, the argument of the Linux desktop not being as widely used is a factor as to why there are no viruses. My rebuttle is that the Linux operating system is open source and if there were a widespread Linux virus released today, there would be hundreds of patches released tomorrow, either by ordinary people that use the operating system or by the distribution maintainers. We wouldn’t need to wait for a patch from a single company like we do with Windows.

•Choice (Freedom) – The power of choice is a great Linux advantage. With Linux, you have the power to control just about every aspect of the operating system. Two major features you have control of are your desktops look and feel by way of numerous Window Managers, and the kernel. In Windows, your either stuck using the boring default desktop theme, or risking corruption or failure by installing a third-party shell.

•Software - There are so many software choices when it comes to doing any specific task. You could search for a text editor on Freshmeat and yield hundreds, if not thousands of results. My article on 5 Linux text editors you should know about explains how there are so many options just for editing text on the command-line due to the open source nature of Linux. Regular users and programmers contribute applications all the time. Sometimes its a simple modification or feature enhancement of a already existing piece of software, sometimes its a brand new application. In addition, software on Linux tends to be packed with more features and greater usability than software on Windows. Best of all, the vast majority of Linux software is free and open source. Not only are you getting the software for no charge, but you have the option to modify the source code and add more features if you understand the programming language. What more could you ask for?

•Hardware - Linux is perfect for those old computers with barely any processing power or memory you have sitting in your garage or basement collecting dust. Install Linux and use it as a firewall, a file server, or a backup server. There are endless possibilities. Old 386 or 486 computers with barely any RAM run Linux without any issue. Good luck running Windows on these machines and actually finding a use for them.



Disadvantages of Linux:



•Understanding – Becoming familiar with the Linux operating system requires patience as well as a strong learning curve. You must have the desire to read and figure things out on your own, rather than having everything done for you. Check out the 20 must read howto’s and guides for Linux.

•Compatibility – Because of its free nature, Linux is sometimes behind the curve when it comes to brand new hardware compatibility. Though the kernel contributors and maintainers work hard at keeping the kernel up to date, Linux does not have as much of a corporate backing as alternative operating systems. Sometimes you can find third party applications, sometimes you can’t.

•Alternative Programs – Though Linux developers have done a great job at creating alternatives to popular Windows applications, there are still some applications that exist on Windows that have no equivalent Linux application. Read Alternatives to Windows Applications to find out some of the popular alternatives.

Now that you have an understanding of some of the advantages of Linux, its time get out there and experiment. Windows can be a great tool for the lazy and incompetent, but it takes a true scholar and one who wants to learn to run a robust operating system like Linux.

Answer 2

Your question is the same as "should i eat with sticks or fork and knife" or "Should I buy a car or a truck?".

First you have to ask yourself what you want to do with your computer. When you know your answer, then go and check which operating systems support your needs.



For example if you want to use your computer primarily for gaming, I do not recommend Linux. Most game development is still being done for Windows and Mac (with Windows having a slight lead).

That being said, one of the main game distributors in the world -Steam- is actively working on a game console running on a modified Ubuntu distro. Once this project is really kicking off, more and more game developers will start focusing on making sure their games run on Linux too. A lot of games already do, but far from all of them. Buying games from companies that do develop Linux games, even if you're still playing on Windows, will greatly benefit all gamers in the future and put pressure on others that don't.



On the other hand, if you are not a gamer, chances are that you will benefit immediately from using Linux. Desktop versions are becoming pretty stable these days (use to be different) and for servers in general, Linux has been the way for over 20 years now, simply because of its improved stability and security over competitors.



If you are used to Windows or Mac, there is always a learning curve you have to overcome. It's the same if you switch from Android to iOS or from Windows to MacOS. Things are a little different and it takes time to get used to it.



Independent tests have been done though, to see which is most user-friendly, Ubuntu vs Windows for example. Tests have been done on people who were not familiar with either operating systems and generally Ubuntu comes out on top.



That being said, if you are used to certain applications, for example Photoshop, you might want to keep using Windows. There are alternative software packages for Linux distros that can basically do the same thing, but Photoshop specifically is one of those examples that are deal breakers for a lot of users. Microsoft Office is another one of those packages.



But if you oppose to change, why would you even consider changing from Windows or Mac to Linux in the first place? Like I said, making the switch requires a learning curve.

This is only made more difficult because not all Linux distros (RedHat, Ubuntu, Slackware, etc) work the same way. They make use of different software installation systems, different organization of system files, different look and feel and so on and this can be very confusing for newcomers. This is arguably also a huge reason why it's so difficult for game developers to enter the world of Linux, hence Steam is opting for Ubuntu and only giving support for this distro.

Answer 3

Viruses are less of a threat on Linux. The very way a Linux system is designed makes it very difficult for a virus to function as it does in Windows. This also applies to spyware, malware, etc.

Answer 4

Linux and Unix (for that matter) are only more secure because they have not been targeted by the hacking community. Windows does have many, many built in security problems, and Microsoft's arrogance just taunts the hackers to prove it to MS over and over again.

Linux and Unix (there are free versions of Unix now too) are both good Operating Systems. There is more and more programs that run on them, and there are still some application software companies that produce for them. But if you need something to use at home for work, there will always be a need to either learn to use new software (like Open Office) or just have a Windows system.

Answer 5

Reasons NOT to use Linux.

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# No gaming support

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# Little/no OEM support

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# No iPod support == This is changing, but it’s a big sticking point.

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# No migration tool

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# Driver/hardware confusion == It's bad enough just re-installing Windows.

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# Free tech support dries up

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# Confusion about distro differences == Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu?

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- http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/why-linux-still-sucks/7532

Answer 6

For gaming there is XP



For everything else there is Linux



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://www.linuxmint.com/blog/?p=1418

http://fcoremix.wordpress.com/2010/05/25/lucky-13/

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



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

http://duncsweb.com/2009/09/27/mint4win-a-wubi-based-installer-of-linux-mint/



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 7

Hello,

The dj program I like the most is Traktor Pro. Try it for free here http://bit.ly/1lAZS2c

You should definitly try it

Regards

Answer 8

Windows sux

Answer 9

Worth it? IT'S FREE, how can you lose?