Most of us are still using Windows Operating systems like Windows XP or Vista. But everyone should have heard about Linux and its features. In this article I discussed about Windows vs Linux. If you haven’t tried Linux and is thinking of switching to a new operating system, Here are 10 reasons to make the switch from Windows to Linux..
1. Free: Linux is an open source project. As they say, it is free as in free beer. All you need to install Linux is an Internet connection to download the iso files and a CD where you can burn the iso. Compare this with Windows which costs a lot!
2. Linux distributions are COMPLETE: All the decent Linux distributions are complete: they include almost all the applications like office applications, pdf reader, web servers, compilers, etc. You don’t have to pay anything to download and install these applications. Ubuntu comes with OpenOffice, which is a perfect substitute for MS Office.
3. Virus, Spyware, Adware ? None of these can affect a Linux based system. In fact, you don’t even have to install an anti-virus software which bogs down system performance in Windows.
4. Low system requirements: I have a tough time running Windows XP on my system and Vista needs 1-2 GB RAM to work properly. On the other hand, Ubuntu boots and runs perfectly fast on this low configuration PC.
5. Much Stable: Linux is much more stable when compared with Windows. This is the reason most of the web servers are run using Linux. Forget about the blue screen of death [BSOD]!
6. Programming tools: If you want to learn programming, Linux is the best for you. Linux distributions come with many compilers and other tools to write and execute code. For example, I use gcc to compile C files which I write using the vi editor. I also have python IDLE installed which I use to learn programming in python.
7. Faster release cycles: Linux distributions are upgraded very fast. New versions of most Linux distributions are released once in every 6 months.
8. Helpful community: Linux has a large fan-following. There are many forums and blogs which can help you if you have any problem. Millions of people cannot be wrong!
9. You can run Linux along with Windows: You can run Linux along with Windows on a different partition. You can boot to Windows wherever you want. It is also possible to run Linux in Windows using emulator software like VMWare or MS Virtual PC. Likewise, it is also possible to run Windows applications in Linux using emulators like Wine (This Wine is different!).
10. A new learning experience: Install Linux on your computer and you will learn many new things. Linux does have a point and click interface, but you can use the command line or “Terminal” as it is called to completely unleash the power of Linux. This way you will learn many cool and new things.
Are you ready for the switch ? Which distribution to choose ? The answer to this question would depend on your specific needs. Here is a list of Linux Desktop Environments. I also wrote about How to Create your own Linux Distribution. However, if you are a newbie I would recommend Ubuntu or Edubuntu. This Linux distribution if very easy to install and is the most popular distribution currently in use. So point to www.ubuntu.org, download an iso file, burn it and install it on your system.
Hi! I’ve been following your site for a while now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Austin Tx! Just wanted to say keep up the fantastic work!
You talk like you’re an expert on Windows and Linux.
Try reading this – http://www.geekzone.co.nz/foobar/6229
glad to be one of several visitors on this awe inspiring web site : D.
Jesus loves you
well, too much stress on linux. i think so far windows is concerned, basically, in india it is virtually free. The next most important thing is that in virtual pc u have limited scope of using the options of linux. i mean that u cant get connected through internet in the individual computers.
There are so many users who are facing in using the functions of linux, to run the terminal u r supposed to be not lese than a programmer. later, i personally feel that the latest version of linux has created a lot of problems in four year old (pentium 4) computers as the same are somewhat not compatible with the hardwares. U cant play mp3 songs with the programms comes with the full package of installation CD . For every problem u have to look for the internet for the codes.
Then why should we prefer linux. so far security is concerned, user friendly nature of microsoft, the available compatible softwares are giving more options in playing/operating with the computers. I dont know, Why the linux not giving solutions in its CD of operating system even for the users who are not getting connected with internet.
Alot of the posts here state that the distros that come on cd or DVD are incomplete, but in the grand scheme of things they are the essential applications that come from the open source community. Any propriety codecs and such can be installed by looking them up on google. Installing things from the terminal becomes with a little reading, other than synaptic has a full range software that can cover the basic needs of any human being. The biggest problem I have encountered with Linux is the lack of using mainstream games, and the list above doesn’t even mention those. And for those who try to bring down Linux by saying it doesn’t support EVERYTHING, it is developed by the open source community who isn’t paid a nickel for their work, so I would have to say that the software and programs that are provided in Linux are pretty damn good. Microsoft does have a great operating system, yes, I’m not denying it, but Linux can compete with Windows and anyone who disagrees should read google a bit more. Anything and everything you need to know about Linux vs Windows vs Mac *for those of you who prefer Apple* there are tons of other lists and unbiased forums to read about it.
I very much agree with #1, #10 and #4. But:
#2 Hah, the full DVDs may be complete – I can’t speak for those – but live CD distros are just rage-inducing. They’re not incomplete on the surface (the apps are all there); it’s when you dig a bit deeper and start needing drivers,codecs,everything. Torture is having a fresh install of linux with no internet connection.
#3 Windows is still faster/smoother/slicker. Without a trusty antivirus to bog it down, the performance battle would be too one-sided.
#5 The OSes may not crash… just *the apps*. And half the time they are unable to run again, unlike Windows.
#7 Has no meaning.
Now you should come up with the top ten reasons why people who try Linux go back to Windows. You people act just like the Jesus freaks, acting like people are just too stupid to know they can be saved and spend eternity in heaven. I’m one of millions of people duped into the Linux myth, left with nothing more than a week erased from my life. Christ, I must belong to 12 different Linux forums worldwide trying to get basic features and services to work. Want to share a printer? Prepare to invest a weekend on it. I’ll never forget the hour I spent at Panera Bread, trying to connect to a network that had to be manually entered and configured while Windows users simply had to click “connect”.
There are two extremes about malware on Linux, neither are correct.
1. It is comletely immune to malware–Incorrect as others have already pointed out.
2. It does not get as much malware because fewer people use it.–Also incorrect, it DOES have a better security model than Windows, fewer people using it contributes only slightly compared to this fact.