Top 10 Responses to Why Should I Use 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.

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.

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?

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 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?

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?

[But hell they will have to do it in the near future when Microsoft starts fining every individual for using Illegal copy ]

So True

Just 1 such indian case on news, and we will have the biggest transition of this millennium !!
Yes Yes, even bigger than the latest cricket world's overhaul ...

we experience a slowdown in speed after PC is running for few hours.

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

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)