As I've mentioned in a previous Linux Line post, I am not a programmer. Yet Linux is built on the philosophical principle of freely sharing source code. This is how those who create Linux frequently advocate it.
But if I'm not a programmer, and source code therefore means little to me, why do I use Linux? Why do I spend much of my time suggesting others use it? Is it just because it's available fore free? (Spoiler: No.) These are interesting questions that are not discussed very often.
I list my personal reasons for using Linux below. Some are downright practical, while others are more philosophical. I invite you to post your own reasons for using Linux in the comments below.
On the other hand, if you're one of those teetering on the brink of switching to Linux, reading this list might be a good place to start, and you may find some inspiration to make the leap (if you are a Linux beginner, you might also consider getting a copy of my free-of-charge book too).
I almost agree with your thoughts except the virus bit. Since most viruses are designed to either take control of or send information from your computer their is one catch and the part the most Linux advocates leave out. Due to the fact that the source code is freely available actually makes it easier to write virus code for Linux. Lets add the simple solution of getting pass the need for using root password is simple as writing the virus to load during boot and hacking grub to change the root password. Nifty little trick learned from my Linux instructor. The other point made is the main reason Linux is not attacked as often, it is the minority among the various Operating Systems there fore is not targeted by criminal element as often. Thanks for pointing that fact out.
One last thing is try using Fedora although it isn't as user friendly as Ubuntu, it is typically a great OS and fun to play with.
"there's no "right way" or "wrong way" of doing things"
Statements like that need anecdotes and qualifications. Windows is the same way. Some people like to use a static IP, some dynamic. Some people like to put a password on their login, some don't. What's an area you've experienced unreasonable restriction in Windows where linux made you feel liberated?
"If I don't like a particular piece of software, I can use an alternative."
Outside of a corporate IT environment, this holds absolutely no water. Open Office, Pidgin, Thunderbird, GIMP - you name it, there's an open source application (usually available in Linux as well) that comes near or often surpasses its closed-source equivalent. If you don't know about them, that's not Windows' or Microsoft's fault, that's yours.
"You should do things the way Microsoft tell you to!"
Again, outside of a corp IT environment, I can say with 100% confidence that I've never heard anyone that would say that. In fact, anyone I know would appreciate a good convenience/productivity hack.
Talking about DRM, there's only one place I've run into DRM. Blu-Ray on HDCP. That's IT. I've played more DVDs than I can count, more video files, more various audio files - self ripped and otherwise - and never had a problem with ANY of them. Show me a case where DRM actually affects you, rather than just a bullet point argument in the Anti-Windows Manifesto, and I'd be happy to hear about it.
Talking about community, it comes down to one thing. People are people. Windows and Linux users are exactly the same. A friend of mine is trying to get Ubuntu Linux to acknowledge his keyboard after resuming from suspend and it just. will. not. He's tried everything. He's even logged into the Ubuntu IRC channel and has his question ignored multiple times. Sounds like a proactive community to me! On the other hand, you have people like Mark Russinovich making some of the most in-depth and unique system tools for Windows you could imagine, as well as active forums for mods both aesthetic and technical.
With viruses: Any computer is safe until you connect it to a network. As long as you are behind a firewall and use safe surfing practices, you'll never get a virus. Last time I had a virus it came from download a keygen for a program I should've paid for. My fault! I went and bought a copy and gave the developer their due credit. Yes, there are more viruses for Windows, but using Linux and using Windows shouldn't have ANY effect on your level of vigilance as a competent computer user.
And of course, Windows gets major updates every year, and lately a wholly overhauled OS every three. And like any update on a PC, be it Windows or Linux, yes, the updates CAN break things. An Ubuntu update utterly broke my system last year. I fiddled with it, but suffice to say I eventually gave up and haven't gone back to linux since.
And yes, lastly, linux is free. It's all about what you value. I value my time. While many things in Linux are just as fast or slow as they are in Windows, it's the little nitpicky things like, why won't my mouse's back and forward buttons work, or why doesn't my touchpad function properly? Why does it lock up whenever I try to play a movie? Those things take substantially longer to fix in Linux and require you to go under the hood more frequently. And if you LIKE going under the hood, awesome. There are guys who would rather drive a car they built/restored, just like there are users who'd rather compile gentoo from scratch. There are people, though, who use a car to get from a to b to z, and users who use the computer as a tool rather than using it for the sake of configuring and fiddling with it constantly.
by Anonymous (not verified) on 4/22/09 at 10:55 am |reply
Linux is virus free?
Linux is virus free? Wow.
And you make a point about being able to turn off certain extensions and so on - for what reason? Would Windows suddenly be better if you could disable the ability to paste files? Or not force you to use "folders"? Sure, you can do whatever you want with Linux in a lot of ways, but to what end? For what purpose? In what way is this making you more productive?
Now, if you want to say its good that you can do it just so you can tinker, thats fine. But thats like converting your 2008 Chevy to a carburetor just so you can monkey with the jets. Sure it may be fun to a car nut who loves carbs, but is it useful, practical, or worthwhile to your average person who doesn't even know what a carburetor is? Of course not.
Bottom line, a lot of people use Linux because it lets them feel "holier than thou" about being able to monkey with the internals of an OS. And, theres nothing wrong with that if thats what strokes your cucumber. But, its not a good reason to not use Windows for the VAST majority of users, which is why for all of the proselytizing that Linux will put Microsoft under, it barely expands what is a niche user market.
Almost none of the above applies to Linux/UNIX on a server, however.
by Torquer (not verified) on 4/22/09 at 11:26 am |reply
Where Google Chrome security fails: the password I heard mention that the Chrome OS will have some sort of encryption available a la bitlocker. If it's possible to encrypt personal data using another password or key, then it may have potential for very secure data.... And Ubuntu has an 'encrypt home directory' option, perhaps google should follow suit.
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Almost Agree
I almost agree with your thoughts except the virus bit. Since most viruses are designed to either take control of or send information from your computer their is one catch and the part the most Linux advocates leave out. Due to the fact that the source code is freely available actually makes it easier to write virus code for Linux. Lets add the simple solution of getting pass the need for using root password is simple as writing the virus to load during boot and hacking grub to change the root password. Nifty little trick learned from my Linux instructor. The other point made is the main reason Linux is not attacked as often, it is the minority among the various Operating Systems there fore is not targeted by criminal element as often. Thanks for pointing that fact out.One last thing is try using Fedora although it isn't as user friendly as Ubuntu, it is typically a great OS and fun to play with.
"there's no "right way" or
"there's no "right way" or "wrong way" of doing things"Statements like that need anecdotes and qualifications. Windows is the same way. Some people like to use a static IP, some dynamic. Some people like to put a password on their login, some don't. What's an area you've experienced unreasonable restriction in Windows where linux made you feel liberated?
"If I don't like a particular piece of software, I can use an alternative."
Outside of a corporate IT environment, this holds absolutely no water. Open Office, Pidgin, Thunderbird, GIMP - you name it, there's an open source application (usually available in Linux as well) that comes near or often surpasses its closed-source equivalent. If you don't know about them, that's not Windows' or Microsoft's fault, that's yours.
"You should do things the way Microsoft tell you to!"
Again, outside of a corp IT environment, I can say with 100% confidence that I've never heard anyone that would say that. In fact, anyone I know would appreciate a good convenience/productivity hack.
Talking about DRM, there's only one place I've run into DRM. Blu-Ray on HDCP. That's IT. I've played more DVDs than I can count, more video files, more various audio files - self ripped and otherwise - and never had a problem with ANY of them. Show me a case where DRM actually affects you, rather than just a bullet point argument in the Anti-Windows Manifesto, and I'd be happy to hear about it.
Talking about community, it comes down to one thing. People are people. Windows and Linux users are exactly the same. A friend of mine is trying to get Ubuntu Linux to acknowledge his keyboard after resuming from suspend and it just. will. not. He's tried everything. He's even logged into the Ubuntu IRC channel and has his question ignored multiple times. Sounds like a proactive community to me! On the other hand, you have people like Mark Russinovich making some of the most in-depth and unique system tools for Windows you could imagine, as well as active forums for mods both aesthetic and technical.
With viruses: Any computer is safe until you connect it to a network. As long as you are behind a firewall and use safe surfing practices, you'll never get a virus. Last time I had a virus it came from download a keygen for a program I should've paid for. My fault! I went and bought a copy and gave the developer their due credit. Yes, there are more viruses for Windows, but using Linux and using Windows shouldn't have ANY effect on your level of vigilance as a competent computer user.
And of course, Windows gets major updates every year, and lately a wholly overhauled OS every three. And like any update on a PC, be it Windows or Linux, yes, the updates CAN break things. An Ubuntu update utterly broke my system last year. I fiddled with it, but suffice to say I eventually gave up and haven't gone back to linux since.
And yes, lastly, linux is free. It's all about what you value. I value my time. While many things in Linux are just as fast or slow as they are in Windows, it's the little nitpicky things like, why won't my mouse's back and forward buttons work, or why doesn't my touchpad function properly? Why does it lock up whenever I try to play a movie? Those things take substantially longer to fix in Linux and require you to go under the hood more frequently. And if you LIKE going under the hood, awesome. There are guys who would rather drive a car they built/restored, just like there are users who'd rather compile gentoo from scratch. There are people, though, who use a car to get from a to b to z, and users who use the computer as a tool rather than using it for the sake of configuring and fiddling with it constantly.
Linux is virus free?
Linux is virus free? Wow.And you make a point about being able to turn off certain extensions and so on - for what reason? Would Windows suddenly be better if you could disable the ability to paste files? Or not force you to use "folders"? Sure, you can do whatever you want with Linux in a lot of ways, but to what end? For what purpose? In what way is this making you more productive?
Now, if you want to say its good that you can do it just so you can tinker, thats fine. But thats like converting your 2008 Chevy to a carburetor just so you can monkey with the jets. Sure it may be fun to a car nut who loves carbs, but is it useful, practical, or worthwhile to your average person who doesn't even know what a carburetor is? Of course not.
Bottom line, a lot of people use Linux because it lets them feel "holier than thou" about being able to monkey with the internals of an OS. And, theres nothing wrong with that if thats what strokes your cucumber. But, its not a good reason to not use Windows for the VAST majority of users, which is why for all of the proselytizing that Linux will put Microsoft under, it barely expands what is a niche user market.
Almost none of the above applies to Linux/UNIX on a server, however.