Simple Linux

Most computers sold today have Microsoft Windows pre-installed on them, and a lot of people never change that. So, why should you put the effort in to switching to Linux? What benefits will you get out of it? In this article I hope to provide at least a few reasons why I switched to Linux.

Cost

Most Linux distributions are free (in both senses of the word). Windows Vista ranges from £164.49 to £320.08. If you are buying a new PC, that is instantly £300 that you can now save, or spend on a better computer. Even Windows XP ranges from £54.86 to £84.47. How about Apple, the other alternative for an operating system? Leopard 10.5 is £85.00. Cheaper than Vista, but still not as cheap as free.

There is also tons of free software for Linux, much of which you just can't get on Windows. Consider Microsoft Office. Pick one of the thirteen versions and spend somewhere between £74.01 and £485.84. Then consider Open Office. It is available for free (on Linux and Windows) and does all of the same stuff.

Security

This quote from a QinetiQ research paper says it all:

The numbers differ in detail, but all sources agree that computer viruses are overwhelmingly more prevalent on Windows than any other system. There are about 60,000 viruses known for Windows, 40 or so for the Macintosh, about 5 for commercial Unix versions and perhaps 40 for Linux. Most of the Windows viruses are not important, but many hundreds have caused widespread damage. Two or three of the Macintosh viruses were widespread enough to be of importance. None of the Unix or Linux viruses became widespread – most were confined to the laboratory.

Analysis of the Impact of Open Source Software, Dr. Nick Peeling and Dr. Julian Satchell, October 2001.

Stability

Windows has a tendency to crash quite a lot. You have no doubt experienced that yourself. Linux is much more stable. So stable in fact that many people never turn their Linux PCs off. Whereas in Windows you often need to "turn it off and on again", there is no need to in Linux, even after security updates or software installations.

Freedom

With Linux you have the freedom to do pretty much whatever you want. The main thing that most people care about is how their desktop looks. In Windows, that is pretty much restricted to choosing a new wallpaper. In Linux, you can do all kinds of cool things, along with changing the wallpaper, of course!

Performance

Especially on older hardware, Linux is noticeably much faster than Windows. Many old computers that people consider are just "too slow" can be brought back to life with Linux.

Something New

The natural human instinct to just try something new, something different!