Linux Top 10 Responses to Why Should I Use Linux?

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Gaurish

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If you’re a Linux enthusiast like me, you’ve probably tried to convert a few people over to Linux from another operating system. Even though you succeed many times, there are always a few ‘geniuses’ out there who need some real persuading to switch over to Linux.
So here are some quick and simple things about Linux you can point out to your potential convert.

1. Linux helps you get rid of viruses, worms, and other computer infections.

Although it is possible to get infected even with Linux (malware is mainly written for Windows), its system architecture, based on a server-client relationship makes it difficult for a virus to do any damage. See this post.

2. Linux is fast and will stay fast

Vista is a huge resource hog. XP isn’t too humble either. If you use Windows for a longer time and install lots of different programs, your computer becomes bloated with trash data, consequently becoming slower. With Linux, even a major distro won’t demand more than 256 RAM to run passably with all the bling and a maximum of 2 GB of space. And it won’t get slower.

3. Linux is easier to use than Windows. Using the Terminal is not necessary in most cases.

What could be easier than opening a package manager, selecting the software you want, and letting Linux download it for you? I hate it when people complain about how Linux’ hardware support bites. They probably aren’t aware of the fact that Linux supports more devices than Vista. I should know, I had my share of problems with three different versions of Windows with lots of pieces of hardware. Ndiswrapper-gui is fool-proof and you know it! You can’t expect a new user will know how to solve every issue.

4. Linux is free as in free beer AND as in free speech. Cost does NOT define the value of Free Software!

All of the major Linux distributions are free of cost. Yes, that’s zero dollars. Ain’t it great to have a whole operating system and not be afraid you’ll get fined? You can choose from a multitude of great open source apps which come under the GPL license, too. No need to worry about the

5. Your porn collection is safe with Linux

Don’t laugh. I’m not a big fan of porn, but it has a big market share on the Internet. On Linux, (which is trojan, virus etc. free), every user gets a password, and you can see the source code so you know that FBI isn’t checking you out, like on Windows.

6. Thousands of Windows-only applications (even Photoshop CS3) and games work with Linux through WINE just as fast. You can also find good alternative open source software.

The Linux experience may be a bit different for a user who needs some Windows-only software, because there is no good equivalent for it on Linux. There’s always WINE though. It’s a compatibility layer which can install Windows programs on your Linux Box, even games like Call of Duty, Unreal Tournament, Half-Life 2…

Search open source alternatives

Search the Wine application DB

7. Linux looks better than Windows Vista or Mac OS X

It’s a simple as this: Linux has got Compiz Fusion and a very nice default theme, normally. You can imitate ANY effect other operating system boast with. If a Mac user still thinks his Mac OS X or Vista look better, don’t worry. You can make Linux look exactly like it in under 15 minutes.

8. Linux is fun

People always tell me this. And why? Linux users have the power to expand their system for free, they are free to modify the system exactly to their needs. You learn something new this way every day with Linux and if you do things right it can reward you with the desired results.

9. You can help improve Linux

There are lots of jokes made about ‘teh 1337 powerz of communityz’!!! Sadly, they exist mostly because they don’t know any good arguments against community. In open source, you can actually speak to the actual developers, help translate, develop and improve the software you are using right now while not helping others make wads of cash.

10. Linux makes you give your computer a name

It’s possible on every OS, basically, but Linux demands you do it! Sheer coolness.
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Taken from here
 
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as someone who has been fed on windows (and is now choking) linux is something that is a novelty. naturally, the desire to just try it out. in my case, it is more because i have just bought a laptop one month back and in this 30 days' time, would u believe it, the comp has slowed down!!! the first time windows xp loaded soon after the fourth time the blue bar crossed (that thing u see when windows is loading). now it takes 12!!! my old 466 Mhz desktop, which i recently formatted takes 7!! so yeah windows does slow down with time... and that despite the fact that i have ccleaner installed and regularly clean the registry.

i have still not used linux (i'm tired to telling why. read 'sad ubuntu story' post) but having used xp for so long, it doesn't feel as if i've got something new when i use my new laptop. it's that same old thing. the same old interface.

but yes, i do get a lot of associated software which i can get over then net. but then again, all these softwares are linux based -- firefox for windoes, open office for windows, vlc player for windows etc. the only thing that is microsoft if the OS.. rest all applications being used in linux. not by compulsion or any bias towards linux alternatives, but because i have tried them out and found them to be much, much better than microsoft versions.

... and yet when i do install linux, it will be be a second cousin to windows. what i'm worried about is the stability of linux operating systems. but then everyone says they are far more stable than windows. the second thing is compatibility. can i use gmail on linux? yes, i can through pidgin. would the document i wrote on open office on a linux OS be saved in word format so that someone still stuck with MS Word can see it and modify it? possibly yes. but then isn't linux made up of bits and parts drawn from hundreds of softwares made by different people using different techniques? but then windows is made the same way, or is it? would that create a conflict within the OS? can't say. if i don't like linux, can i remove it and get the partition back? well?

but then i guess skepticism about linux would come from not knowing enough about it. most of the things (do this, do that) about linux seem complex to me. but perhaps for a linux user to hear someone say a "do this and do that" about XP would sound bewildering because he has no clue what the fella is talking about.

ignorance is what creates this skepticism; add to that the notion that something free cannot be good (Hah!). as an XP user who is trying to test linux as a preferred OS, the road is fraught with doubts and skepticisms. it will take some time to get used to a new OS environment. i don't think patience would be a virtue most users will have. so linux will have to "Wow!" the user from day 1. can it do that?
 
pause said:
what i'm worried about is the stability of linux operating systems. but then everyone says they are far more stable than windows.
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Linux is Rock stable, Its because of the Linux Kernel(kernel is a core part of OS).When Linux Kernel Was made no comprise was made in stability. You do not need to restart Computer every now & then as in case of windows. It Linux can 24/7. where as in windows, we experience a slowdown in speed after PC is running for few hours.

the second thing is compatibility. can i use gmail on linux? yes, i can through pidgin.
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How can you use Gmail though pidgin, as Gmail is Email service from Google & Pigdin is a Multi protocol instant Messenger?

but then isn't linux made up of bits and parts drawn from hundreds of softwares made by different people using different techniques? but then windows is made the same way, or is it? would that create a conflict within the OS? can't say. if i don't like linux, can i remove it and get the partition back? well?
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This the Power of windows, it made of small pieces. figure it out like this. Windows is like a car made all in single piece & Linux is made of many smaller units. If something goes Wrong with your car, get a new one( read Format & install again). but with Linux You can repair the part which is not working, no need to install again.

Also This gives us Choice of choosing components . The Punch Of Linux Is
Linux - We have a Choice

Everything in Linux can be customized according to Requirements
would the document i wrote on open office on a linux OS be saved in word format so that someone still stuck with MS Word can see it and modify it? possibly yes.
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Openoffice supports many other format apart from ODF like DOC,PDF etc. You are talking about compatibility, even MS office suffers from this. Like version 2007 files do not open correctly in previous versions. So Best would be Convert the document in PDF and carry it around.

FYI, OpenOffice.org is standards compliant - certified by OSI as open-standard compliant, and the first software package in the world to use OASIS OpenDocument Format (ISO 26300) as its native file format.

but then i guess skepticism about linux would come from not knowing enough about it. most of the things (do this, do that) about linux seem complex to me. but perhaps for a linux user to hear someone say a "do this and do that" about XP would sound bewildering because he has no clue what the fella is talking about.
ignorance is what creates this skepticism; add to that the notion that something free cannot be good (Hah!). as an XP user who is trying to test linux as a preferred OS, the road is fraught with doubts and skepticisms. it will take some time to get used to a new OS environment. i don't think patience would be a virtue most users will have. so linux will have to "Wow!" the user from day 1. can it do that?
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True, Its easier to use Linux then most windows users think, as you are used to windows Ways. For using using linux you need to unlearn Few Things. Remember Linux is Not Windows
But don't worry you will Soon get used to the Linux way of doing things
 
I think u either use windows or Linux or any other OS it will take time for getting used to it :S . If u tell a person who has never used a comp before, it will take him the same time to get used to any of the OS which ever he chooses. :rofl:

The bottom line is alot of people are used to windows and they do not want to waste there time getting used to linux :@ [But hell they will have to do it in the near future when Microsoft starts fining every individual for using Illegal copy :rofl: ]
 
thanks gaurish :) i was actually refering to gtalk. sorry abt the mix-up.

in open office, the windows version at least, i do have the option of saving a file in .doc format. isn't there such an option in open office for linux?
 
pause said:
thanks gaurish :) i was actually refering to gtalk. sorry abt the mix-up.

in open office, the windows version at least, i do have the option of saving a file in .doc format. isn't there such an option in open office for linux?
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Yeah, its the same openoffice you use on windows:)
 
andrew327 said:
[But hell they will have to do it in the near future when Microsoft starts fining every individual for using Illegal copy :rofl: ]
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So True :rofl:

Just 1 such indian case on news, and we will have the biggest transition of this millennium !! :P
Yes Yes, even bigger than the latest cricket world's overhaul ... :rofl:
 
I think in India people use windows because its taken for granted as free. Assemblers bundle illegal copy of windows to lower the total pc cost. This is why 'linux is free' doesn't appeal to many since Windows is free for them as well :).

I'm sure Microsoft is aware of the rampant piracy in India but has not cracked down on illegal setups as of now. They however do seize countefeit copies.

There are three things which can happen if Microsoft cracksdown on Windows piracy.

1. People will go buy the original ones..
2. Opt for Linux as an alternative..
3. Move on to MAC.

Since there is Adobe and microsoft office for the mac it makes the best alternative to a Windows based pc. For gaming they may move on to consoles...
 
a few other reasons....

1.go to microsofts site without any fear
2. browse any pron site without fear of spywares and trojans.
3.have the false feeling of satisfaction.."im running such a complex thing"
4. have a reason to start a lame linux club
5.think of ways to make ur own linux distro...
 
hunter said:
So True :rofl:

Just 1 such indian case on news, and we will have the biggest transition of this millennium !! :P
Yes Yes, even bigger than the latest cricket world's overhaul ... :rofl:
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Dude u want one case i know many, where Microsoft officials have raided many enterprises & offices. And fined them royally for using pirated copy of Windows and also many other software companies like corel, Adobe etc...
Have done the same in india.

It's just they are not eying any individual out here for now, that doesn't means they will keep quite in the future.
 
Gaurish said:
we experience a slowdown in speed after PC is running for few hours.
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care to explain ? .. ive been running xp for more than a few days (24/7), not only for internet traffic , but to play some of the best games & multimedia.
Its' been ages since i ever saw a BSOD , infact..ive never seen a BSOD since i upgraded the machine (last september i think)
 
I think in India people use windows because its taken for granted as free. Assemblers bundle illegal copy of windows to lower the total pc cost. This is why 'linux is free' doesn't appeal to many since Windows is free for them as well
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so true.. so true :ohyeah:
 
super_saiyan said:
care to explain ? .. ive been running xp for more than a few days (24/7), not only for internet traffic , but to play some of the best games & multimedia.
Its' been ages since i ever saw a BSOD , infact..ive never seen a BSOD since i upgraded the machine (last september i think)
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+1.

Make that last April for me, that too when I was testing my E6600 at 4.1Ghz :)
 
^^ everyone isnt alert/savvy enough , i have seen many people who have just started using windows get their pc's infected in a few days

they even open things like happy birthday.exe , wallpaper.exe etc
 
Some very valid points there. One more thing they could have added is that linux does not need drivers for most inbuilt hardware like sound/ethernet. Graphics drivers are also a snap to install now a days thanks to restricted driver manager in many distros.

But to me, the single BEST feature in linux that windows sucks at is apt-get. A single click, and you can update ALL the software on your system, without a problem. That is almost impossible on windows.
 
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