[WinXPUser17]

Would Anyone Suggest Linux over Windows and why?

Just curious

[Toshiro]

I think MANY people would suggest Linux over Windows, and for several reasons. I'll try to give a few examples:

->There are tons of Linux distributions (varied types of Linux OSs) and you can find one specific to your needs or purpose

->A LOT of Linux distros are free

->You're free to do more configuration (of course, you could also more easily screw something up)

->Not run by MicroSoft...

->Linux is, in general, more stable than Windows, and is less likely to crash (I've never had my Knoppix crash on me...)

->There aren't many Linux viruses around (probably not much Spyware either), so you don't have to worry much about that

And of course, the two main reasons NOT to use Linux:

->Not a lot of commercial software is compatible with Linux (some hardware, too), but of course you can usually find a home-brewed substitute that's just as good or even better

->Linux takes a bit more computer-know-how than Windows, and people familiar with Windows might get very confused with Linux at first, because it works a lot differently

[horndude]

I made the switch, and I will never go back to winblows.Reasons:stability, it just plain works, can be setup to do anything, cheap hardware-->no need for anything speedy to get things done,not much worry about viruses or constant patches,its free, its open source.

These days you need a fairly speedy PC to run windows effectively, not so with linux, anything over 5-600mhz w/100mhz bus and 128mb ram and you can do alot.Watch dvd's,surf, do office stuff, it has native top notch networking tools and servers,burn cd's, etc etc.

The only issue I have run into is it can be a little finicky about hardware, especially printers, other than that its all good.

[Kaniver]

Things I dislike about Linux!
Won't play all the latest and greatest games........biggy!

Downloading and installing software a big pain in the *%$....duh

[horndude]

Last games I installed were simple matter of downloading and clicking on the installer.

Other stuff I just type installpkg <name_of_file>, and poof its installed.Problem?

If its something that needs compiled, its unzip/untar, make, and make install, again, problem?It isnt difficult.

[WinXPUser17]

Thanx for all the helpful information, my dad was thinking about switching and i wasnt sure if it was a good idea or not..............i see that its not cuz his life revolves around the latest games and that is a major use on his computer........


But let me get this right Linux Is FREE..............or just the patches

[adamhic]

It's free at least a lot of them are if your dad wants to try it out have him download it from Here them just put this (knoppix) on a cd restart your computer and boot from the cd to try it. It's a OS on a cd it's great!!!

[hilowe]

Linux is a free operating system. You can buy CD's off of the internet, and have them sent to your home, or you can download it, and burn it to CD on your own.

If you decide to try Linux, you can download from www.linuxiso.org

Edit: Adamhic beat me. Knoppix is what I've been using to learn on.