101 reasons to switch to Linux

[Periandros]

Guys, help me here. I'm not a geek and it seems to me that you need a degree in Computer Science to work with it.

It is more stable? No more blue screens.

Let's add some more to this list.

 

[Ancalagon]

Sheesh the first few are easy.

1. Its free.

2. You can contribute to it if you want - so you have control over what direction it moves in.

3. Wide choice of distros and packages make it very customizable for a wide range of uses.

4. Its customizability means it end up with a very small footprint, making it suitable for running on less capable machines.

5. Predictable and short release cycles for the major distros means constant improvement and innovation - you wont be left behind.

6. Stable and secure - good for servers and workstations.

7. Command line tool (this is both a pro and a con actually, since although its very powerful, its over utilization means the GUIs arent as good as Windows).

8. You'll understand linux humour.

 

[Mercurious]

1. It is a great operating system. Most of the applications you need work out of the box and it is as easy as search and install to add new ones. It has also matured over the years, enough to rival Windows.

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

Its easy to use, gone are the days where an out-of-the-box install required at least 5yrs experience to get it working. I've lately installed UBUNTU on netbooks for virgin users and they all comment on how easy it is to use.

 

[Bizkit87]

linux sucks



/flamesuit on



jk

 

[Periandros]

Its easy to use, gone are the days where an out-of-the-box install required at least 5yrs experience to get it working. I've lately installed UBUNTU on netbooks for virgin users and they all comment on how easy it is to use.

Virgin, you say. I'm not so virgin, grew up with DOS and Windows and still I cannot get the freakin thing to install on my PC. I get a scrambled screen and don't know what to do other than to visit the Librarian for a beer and some instruction.

 

[alt146]

Virgin, you say. I'm not so virgin, grew up with DOS and Windows and still I cannot get the freakin thing to install on my PC. I get a scrambled screen and don't know what to do other than to visit the Librarian for a beer and some instruction.

Sounds like your xconf is messed up, which is one of the more painful things you often have to fiddle with in linux.

Whatever-number-we're-on-now) sudo apt-get install all my programs. On debian at least. Tell linux what programs I want, then go back to doing something I want to do, rather repeatedly clicking 'Next' and 'I agree to the terms of the licence agreement'.

 

[Jabberwocky]

You can post lists about reasons to switch to linux

That program with which you can make Mandelbrots

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Compiz

Memory management (recently also discovered how to configure the use of memory between swap and physical ram - nifty).

 

[acidb]

linux sucks



/flamesuit on



jk

LOL, I'm surprised no one had a go yet.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Hehe, I think Windows sucks. Everybody has their opinion!

 

[kingrob]

Hehe, I think Windows sucks. Everybody has their opinion!

All Windows OSes prior to Windows 7 & Server 2008 R2.

I also expect big things from Windows Phone Series 7 - it's turning out to be a good year for ol' Microshaft.

*I WANT MY UBUNTU 10.04 NOW!!*

 

[Ockie]

erm...cause the penquin is adorable as hell and linux is cool!

 

[Alastairo]

Virgin, you say. I'm not so virgin, grew up with DOS and Windows and still I cannot get the freakin thing to install on my PC. I get a scrambled screen and don't know what to do other than to visit the Librarian for a beer and some instruction.

If you are struggling, I suggest you start with a live disk from puppy linux. It is very friendly and helps you learn the basics. And its only a 100mb download.

 

[murraybiscuit]

as far as i'm concerned, the average user hierarchy of needs goes like this:

1. web, email, social media and online banking
2. word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, printer support
3. audio and video playback, camera, mobile and media player support
4. media authoring, gaming and basic system customisation
5. software engineering & advanced system customization
6. software contribution and collaboration

for a level 3 user:

the benefits of linux will be price, licensing and performance on cheaper hardware.
the benefits of windows will be hardware compatibility, software support and familiarity.
the benefits of mac will be a pretty ui, iLife software and the social statement.

that's a simplistic view. every platform will have its issues. you could be swapping ms instability for linux incompatibility for example.
you have to try in order to decide what works for you. finding somebody to help out is a good thing and will save you time.

 

[Bismuth]

Well, first of all, it isn't Windows!. Which, depending on your needs, could be a good or a bad thing.

Try a LiveCD to make sure your hardware is compatible, and then dual-boot. You will more than likely end up making your own list of "100 reasons to use Linux" then. If you are new to Linux, try Ubuntu or Mint, both more user-friendly than your other choices, for a beginner. I have never used Mint, just basing that on comments I have seen on this and other forums, and heard around as well.

Also visiting Ubuntu Forums can be informative w.r.t. Ubuntu Linux.

B

 

[Other Pineapple Smurf]

LOL, I'm surprised no one had a go yet.

I don't feed trolls

 

[BigAl-sa]

the nicest thing for me is when a vista+= "user" asks for help, I can honestly say "this doesn't look like the windows I'm used to, sorry, I can't help you"

And it really has been difficult working for a Vista-based "customer"

Bigal's comment: switch to Linux

 

[SilverNodashi]

1. It's free.
2. It isn't Windows
3. You can run whatever you want to
4. It'stable
5. It's secure
6. Support is free and plentiful.
7. if you don't like something, code, or download something new.
8. You don't need to pirate anyting
9. You don't need to hide from the feds.
10. You are the coolist kid on the block
11. My old 486 still runs fine as a firewall, and a PI as file server
12. You can run multiple OS's on the same PC to save costs on power consumption
13. It's fun to hack the kernel, in order to speed up the PC or try out new networking features.
14. Games are generally free
15. You don't need to worry about viruses, worms or trojan horses.
16. Your PC could be controller remotely much easier than Windows
17. Running your own web, mail, database or development server is already part of the normal installation.
18. You can choose between many different desktops to use
19. If you don't like Open Office, then use something else
20. IR doesn't invade your privacy anymore.
21. You can joi a lot of geek get-together's, for free.
22. You don't have to pay R1200 per hour for telephonic support.
23. You don't need to upgrade your PC every year just cause your hardware vendor says so.
24. You can learn to code, without any extra costly tools
25. You can learn to hack, and other hackers won't think funny of you
26. You have a choice of at least 20+ distro's to use. If the one doesn't suit you, try another. And it's free
27. You can legally copy your OS CD and give it to your friends.
28. When last did you reboot? Yesterday? Last week? I rebooted 287 days ago
29. don't like thunderbird? No sweat, try out something new. now extra cost.
30. You don't need to fund someone else's mistakes.

 

[acidb]

I don't feed trolls

Thanx for sharing, but no one asked you to