Why Do You Use Linux? Options

[Jim]

There was thread like this a wile back, but I want to re-open it. I got in a debate last night with a friend of mine over why people should use linux, so I want to ask you guys why you use it.

I use linux for a plethora of reasons, first, I'll admit part of me just likes being different, but there are lots of practical reasons why I use linux. Linux allows me to ssh into our school network and run all the programs I need in a graphical environment easy. Linux is a heck of a lot more stable than windows, and safer, seems like every week there is a new worm scare.

Plus I believe that Microsoft puts out products below what they could do because they don't have to do better. Microsoft is one of the largest corporations in the world, if they wanted to they could put out an OS that would blow everything out of the water, you can't deney that. They could put up the pay checks to get the best programmers in the world. But they don't, why? Because they don't have to because there aren't alternatives. Thats why I use Mac and Linux, for one, they are better in a lot of ways, but two, the more people who use other systems the more competition there will be on every side, and thats what creates good programs.

Linux developers have to work very hard to even try to get people away from windows, and look at what its created, a beautiful OS with tons and tons of great programs. Competition is what makes the software world (a little not to no-e-patents) and thats why there needs to be alternatives to Microsoft products.

[Corey]

Why I Use Linux:

- Free as in freedom, free as in beer
- Better support, it's amazing that not paying for support gives you better results
- The geek factor
- Only need to reboot for a kernel upgrade, and nothing else
- Better support for troubled hardware (example, if the bios doesn't pick up something, windows won't see it, but linux will because it only uses the bios for the time and that's it)
- KDE is a snazzy interface
- Able to see the source code for almost every piece of software on the system, great for new programmers
- Remote access for almost everything that is fast and secure
- Command line that is not stupid, i like using my keyboard
- Choice.
- Safe from viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, etc.

Why I Use Windows:

- Games (plain and simple, NHL2004, etc.)
- Winmodems
- Faster interface (quicker opening up My Computer then opening up Konqueror, but there are tradeoffs for tthis)
- More integrated UI, linux ism oving towards this more and more
- Better driver support straight from the manufacturers.
- A lot of free software is still available for windows: FireFox, Gaim, X-Chat, Thunderbird, etc.


There is honestly my reasons on both sides, I may have missed a few things, but that is generally. I know that it's stpuid to list windows as having a faster interface, but, from the end user, clicking My Computer or IE, it opens up quickly. and as an end user, that's what I want.