Why on earth would someone start using Linux?

Question

Why on earth would someone start using Linux?

Answer 1

Why I use Linux (Mint... but I have also used Ubuntu, Zorin, Puppy, and few other Linux flavors)...



1. It's free.

2. It's faster than Windows 7 and as fast as Windows 8 when opening to the desktop.

3. It comes bundled with free software that is already installed and ready to use as soon as you install Linux. This saves me hundreds of dollars.

4. Upgrades are free.

5. It can run on older computers. (I'm typing this on a 10-year-old Dell)

6. It requires a lot less RAM.

7. There are tens of thousands of free programs... just click software manager and you can search through 60,000 plus programs.

8. It's very customizable.

9. If you don't like your version (Ubuntu for example), you can check out Kubuntu or Xbuntu, which are slightly different.

10. You don't have to load Linux on your computer to test drive it. You can run it from a LiveDVD to see if you like it first.

11. You can carry it with you WITHOUT your computer. You can put it on a Persistent LiveUSB and put it in any computer and boot into your own OS and your own files!

12. No need for antivirus software that you have to pay for every year and slows down your computer.

13. I mentioned that it was free, right?

Answer 2

I can't speak for everyone, but here is my reasons:



1) It's open source. GNU software also runs well without hassle.

2) Less hassle. Since I'm a developer, Windows limits me greatly. It seems all the good

....developer tools work better in Linux IMO. For example, I just type sudo tasksel in terminal

....then check the box for LAMP (Linux Apache MySQL PHP), and I have a fully functional

....PHP website in a matter of minutes, if not seconds. To do the same in windows would take ages,

....and it would be no walk in the park.

3) I have a little background in security. I know I am much secure running Linux.

4) I don't have to resort to torrenting stuff illegally or acquiring programs for large amounts of money. Why would I? I can get pretty much any free software working on my system with ease.

5) I don't like Windows 8... One of the greatest things about Linux... if someone doesn't like something, they make their own version of whatever it is.... for example, there are projects such as KDE, Gnome, and MATE. Gnome decided to go a completely new interface similar to Windows. Lots of people didn't like it, so they took Gnome's old code, called it MATE, and now they are their own little community.

6) Customizable. You can make Linux look anyway you it to...

7) Terminal. Although Linux is good about keeping it dumb for the Users sake with GUI, I find terminal more effective. Mac and Linux have a big advantage over windows in this area.

8) Very easy to discover new software. I can browse a repository of free software, and find interesting programs I never thought about tinkering with when I'm bored. Cool Stuff. Not only that, I don't go to random websites and download exe files... these are apart of a community repository.

9) Certain programs simply don't exist in Windows.

10) I find Linux entertaining. I like to learn new things, and there is always something new in Linux. And when you start learning it, you find the lack of freedom in Windows is just not acceptable anymore. I also like to talk to the guys in the Linux community, so it helps to be running Linux :P

Answer 3

I started running Linux in the mid-1990's because my Unix (SunOS) ISP gave me web space and it was easier to write and test Perl CGI scripts in a similar operating system that could be configured for similar paths than to write them in Windows and have to change paths and other things when uploading them. And I also worked on other web servers that ran Linux or other *nix like systems (FreeBSD, NetBSD), so running and being familiar with Linux just made everything easier. That was at a time when if you wanted to connect to the internet with Win 3.1 you had to download a dial up program from Australia called Trumpet Winsock, and what we now know as Internet Explorer was Mosaic beta being developed by college students at UIUC in Champaign/Ubana, IL.



Linux is open source, so anyone (capable) can read the code to find or fix any exploits (generally safer than Windows without requiring anti-virus software). It had better multitasking before there was a Windows version that could actually do that and less overhead (smaller memory footprint), so applications can run faster with less resources.



Admittedly some Linux distributions have become somewhat bloated to be able to do what people expect a computer to do easily graphically. But some versions are slimmed down to run on older computers that are not even capable of running Windows (or Windows would be very slow in comparison). And it can easily be installed on flash memory (USB stick, SD card, etc.) to boot and run from that.



There are many applications for Linux, even Steam for Linux games. Minecraft runs faster in Linux. So I mostly run Linux at home. Besides that, Linux and many of its applications are free.

Answer 4

It's free and respects your freedom. There is a great community around it, it can be modified. It is very customizable, and for many workloads is very performant. It's really easier to list why someone wouldn't want to start using linux.



1. The prospect of installing and OS scares them.

2. They play a lot of the newest games.

3. They need to use specialized business software that requires some proprietary OS

4. They lack the time or interest needed to learn a new OS.

Answer 5

Hi,



Because it is an open source operating system and works good, if you are familiar with commands. Moreover, most servers in the world run on Linux versions.

Answer 6

this would appear to be a typical hate-post, but regardless i will answer.



- some people appreciate the freedom and choices linux provides.



- its useful for reviving old hardware, which can save money for schools or be used for charity organisations.



- can go longer without a system restart.



etc





http://www.comparebusinessproducts.com/fyi/50-places-linux-running-you-might-not-expect

Answer 7

If you get tired of exploits, or windows acting up. It can be much faster on less powerful hardware than windows.



You can try it on your computer without installing it.



If someone is not to computer savvy, and get in trouble, it can be a better option,



It can also fix your windows if it get infected with nasty virus/malware.



It can also replace windows if a company is not ready to do hardware upgrades and the next version of windows, for cost reasons alone.

Answer 8

Because its the choice operating system off earth.



Nasa, space station, Mars rover, Hubble and others.

Answer 9

Two reasons:

Windows Vista

Windows 8



Oh, and one more reason - avoiding having DRM rammed down your throat

Answer 10

Same reason they use it in the International Space Station: it doesn't suck like Windows.