[markomalley]

6. The source code is published, unlike proprietary systems...and you can recompile it yourself. This means that you (or somebody else) can 100% validate that there is no spyware on it (such as the keylogger built into the Windows 10 preview)
7. There are endless number of distributions that you can try. For a sample, see Distro Watch.
8. With virtually every distribution, you can "test drive" it before installing it by downloading a "live" version onto a USB stick or a CD/DVD and running the OS on the USB stick / optical disk. For example, Linux Live USB Creator (or LiLi for short) allows you to create a live USB to try out over 100 distributions.

If you've never played with Linux before, I'd encourage you to download LiLi, create a live Linux USB and try out a couple of distributions for yourself.

[ClearCase_guy]

I'll put on my cynical hat: 2 huge reasons why people use computers are: 1) Games and 2) Pron -- not necessarily in that order.

I think Linux users can surf for Pron as easily as the next guy. But games are another matter. If Linux can keep up with drivers for cutting edge hardware, and if users can just grab gaming SW from Steam, throw it on the linux box and just play it -- that will destroy Microsoft. But we're not there yet.

[9thLife]

Five Reasons to Use LINUX Obamacare:

1) It's Free!
2) It's easy to use! No, really! Just dump your insurance company and go on to our website -- sorta like just dumping Windows and booting up Ubuntu!
3) I'd continue, but I'm outta time. Just fill in the blanks!

[CommieCutter]

I tried Ubuntu/Linux. (Not sure what the difference is.)

I successfully installed it, and tried to use it on an old Dell Laptop (Vostro 1000). Apparently Dell doesn’t do well with that OS, I couldn’t get the drivers to function correctly..

If I could find a hardware brand that is known to work well with Linux I might try it again.

[NY.SS-Bar9]

It’s versatile: I couldn’t begin to make a list to illustrate the ways that Linux is versatile

Customizing the UI is not "versatility".

Versatility is seamlessly running any application, program or device you need.

Linux has made great strides in the past five years but is in no way "versatile".

Unless the number of installations gets significant enough to attract attention from SW developers Linux will remain a small niche market and Windows/Apple and Android will continue to dominate.

[ShadowAce]

[ShadowAce]

9. You can update a running kernel without a reboot—as of kernel 4.0.

[RayChuang88]

Two things could hurt desktop Linux:

1. Hardware support is still not as good as Windows for the latest hardware.
2. Microsoft could offer very generous pricing for even new install copies of Windows 10 Home and Professional editions.

[Poser]

I use desktop Linux every day. It is pretty good, but I have to go to command line at least 10 times per year. As long as this is true, I suspect that Linux will not become mainstream. It also has to run Microsoft office pro without having to use some sort of Kluge to make it function. I would also like to see it run stand alone QuickBooks. I’m not really happy with the cloud version.

[Don@VB]

I cant say enough about how great Linux is. I’ve put it on 3 laptops that were using XP but were not suitable (financially or technically) for Win7 upgrade.
Feeling confident,I tried to install Unbuntu on my new Laptop alongside its current Win8 and the hard drive crashed. Just wondering if anyone else had a problem similar to this??

[Varmint Al]

This is an interesting article. I have switched over to Linux Mint Rebecca 17.1 64bit and it works very well. One advantage that is not mentioned in the article is that the Mint distribution has all the hardware drivers I have needed.

I have been able to do everything that I want with Mint. I can install Mint on a hard drive and then take that hard drive and put it in a different computer or a laptop and Voila! it boots up and runs.

Try that with Windows and you would have to make a call to India and plead for a key or buy a new key. I have been learning to use the Konsole commands. It is a little like the old DOS days and very powerful. With the Internet help is usually a click away.

Good Hunting... from Varmint Al

[discostu]

your reason 7 is actually one of the biggest reasons people won’t. Too many options just confuses and frustrates people.