11 reasons to switch to Linux

Geekzone ^ | 4-FEB-2009 08:24 | foobar

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

People like to publish top-10 lists of all sorts. And "reasons to switch to Linux" is no exception. Many of those have been published, and the latest entry is here. However, I think the author completely forgot a very important point. Also, some of the points he makes should be examined a bit more closely and critically. The comments on the original article reflect some valid and some unfounded criticism. Let me just run through those points (italics are quotes from the original 10-point list, my comments are directly below each point) and provide my own take on those:

1. Free:  Linux is an open source project. As they say, it is free as in free beer. All you need to install Linux is an Internet connection to download the iso files and a CD where you can burn the iso. Compare this with Windows which costs a lot!
   
   That is of course true. It doesn't cost anything to download a GNU/Linux distro, besides whatever charges you have for bandwidth. Note also that in the case of Ubuntu you don't even need to burn your own CD. They will send you one for free if you request it. On the other hand, most users are not aware of the cost of Windows, since it comes pre-loaded with their PC and is 'just there'. Consequently, for many this is not really a reason to 'switch'. The cost advantage is only relevant if you are installing a new computer from scratch. Also, the author forgot to mention a very aspect of 'free'. See point 11 below.
    
2. Linux distributions are COMPLETE: All the decent Linux distributions are complete: they include almost all the applications like office applications, pdf reader, web servers, compilers, etc.

[Squantos]

BTTT !!!

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

#3. Virus, Spyware, Adware?

For me,...this is why I made the switch.....and the fun of trying a lot of this...

[Vaquero]

I hear they have the internet on computers now? Homer Simpson

[CodeToad]

“COMPLETE”

ROTFLMAO!!! Drivers, were are all the drivers???

[JoeProBono]

[RussP]

The faster we rid ourselves of the Microsoft tax, the better.

To give you an idea of how easy Linux is to use these days, I put it on my MacBook Pro, and I find it easier to use than Mac OS.

The only impediments to widespread adoption of Linux at this point are 1) familiarity with Windows and 2) the fact that most computers still ship with Windows by default. As soon as Dell and others start offering Linux pre-installed on a large scale, that should change.

[devere]

What matters to a business is the fully-supported cost, and the quality of all the associated software ( email, word processing, spreadsheet, etc ). Purchase cost may be the least important consideration.

[JoeProBono]

[JamesP81]

The only impediments to widespread adoption of Linux at this point are 1) familiarity with Windows and 2) the fact that most computers still ship with Windows by default. As soon as Dell and others start offering Linux pre-installed on a large scale, that should change.

Bzzt. Wrong. The reason Linux isn't being adopted is because the software people want and need to use doesn't run on it. I've used OpenOffice. It's supposedly compatible with MS Office. This is being charitable. As long as we're talking simple documents, it does well, but I've seen it fall flat on its ass doing the conversions more than once. Not to mention that none of the entertainment titles I indulge in from time to time are written for Linux. And I'm certainly not going to re-buy them even if they were written for Linux.

[JamesP81]

I'll tell you what. I'll consider switching when they release a distro of linux that doesn't randomly decide to quit recognizing my video drivers of its own volition.

I've been there done that with respect to Linux. I am not impressed.

[Trod Upon]

I tried Ubuntu a couple of distros ago, used Slackware for a while before that, even tried Mandrake, Puppy and Suse. Having said that, I use and prefer 64-bit Vista. It’s been absolutely flawless for the year or so I’ve had my laptop—flawless. Everything just works. I really think all the Vista hate was from early adopters loading it on machines not up to spec. It has literally been problem free for me. Better than XP or 98 were by a mile. But if you’re broke or bored it’s pretty hard to beat linux. Ubuntu was the most user friendly linux distro I’ve tried, Puppy was the best for an older machine. I’d go Linux before Mac, given how much Apple charges for what you get.

[joseph20]

The drivers are built-in to the kernel and load automatically as needed. There are some exceptions, such as some scanners and wireless network devices. These are usually supported by manually installing drivers.

[Astronaut]

Every year since 1997 has been “the year of Linux on the desktop” LOL!

I’m not a Linux fan, but OpenSolaris from Sun is an awesome alternative to Windows or the cult of Mac.

[RussP]

The reason OpenOffice isn’t fully compatible with MS Office is that that latter is a kludge, and MS has deliberately kept it so precisely to make it difficult for competitors to achieve compatibility. Is that a good reason to stick with MS Office forever when a superior alternative based on superior standards is available for free? Only if we’re suckers (count on the govt to stick with MS Office and pay for it with out tax dollars).

As for “entertainment titles,” I assume you are referring to games. I’ll grant you that MS has the edge there, but only due to platform dependence. I personally don’t play computer games. I have far more interesting things to do then to bore myself to tears with child’s games. If I ever decide to start playing computer games, I’ll get a toy operating system (Windows).

[RussP]

make that “with our tax dollars.”

[Michael Barnes]

What kind of video card?

[joseph20]

"The reason Linux isn't being adopted is because the software people want and need to use doesn't run on it. I've used OpenOffice. It's supposedly compatible with MS Office. This is being charitable. As long as we're talking simple documents, it does well, but I've seen it fall flat on its ass doing the conversions more than once."

Microsoft Office 2007 already supports Open Document Format (ODF), which is the native document format of Open Office.

[devere]

“I really think all the Vista hate was from early adopters loading it on machines not up to spec.”

Definitely not!

[stuartcr]

I think a big reason is that the majority of regular people that use computers at work, use windows, and that is what they want at home. Most people do not want to learn anything new, and their home computer just isn’t a big part of their lives.