Operating Systems: Why Linux?

Anyone who talks about computers with me knows I use, love, and advocate linux (notice not capitalized!) over any version of Windows (TM). I'm speaking as a regular desktop user, not a systems administrator or commercial user. That is to say; we use our computers to look at photos, surf the net, listen to music, watch videos, email, write letters, maybe even chat or talk - but not to make a living. Let the debate begin...

Why not Apple?
OS/X is indeed at great operating system. It's so much like linux that I can tinker with it with ease (and break it with ease!). OS/X is a great OS that runs only on very expensive hardware. Apple laptops are very pretty and well made, but are they better than HP's or Dell's? Maybe - but not two or three times better, which is how they're priced. Three times better would mean three times faster, three times more applications, three times more productivity, and three times (fill in your personal favorite). Apple computers are simply not worth the extra money, period.

What's wrong with Windows?
DISCLAMIER: I have not yet had any Windows 7 experience - I hear nice things, but I'll believe it when I see it.
I have been using Windows since version 3.3. A version that most of you didn't even know ever existed I bet. But the real version we are all most familiar with is XP. 98 was pretty good, but XP was much better than it's predecessors. Vista simply failed and I don't think anyone can refute that. Vista failed so bad that Microsoft brought back XP by updating it with service pack three - a move they hadn't intended on doing.

So let's compare XP to linux (any flavor)...

1. Cost
This is easy and undebatable. Almost any version and type of linux is free from cost. Totally free. If you want to you can buy commercially packaged version from a few vendors and get "offical" packages (programs and updates) and support. But even those versions of linux are also available as a free download, albeit without the include support or the pretty box. Also, none of the home versions cost anywhere near as much as XP. Usually less than 25% as much. I have paid for some versions of linux in the past and even donated to some of the free ones that I felt deserved it and I used regularly. If you have a slow internet connection or don't like to download and burn your own CD's, you can get any of the free linux distributions on CDROM for $2 to $5 from several sources via mail.

By the way - Did you know that your computer costs more than it should because Microsoft forces vendors to install and sell their OS or they won't support their hardware? No wonder the European union has sued MS over and over again. Too bad our politicians are afraid of taking on such a huge corporation. Remember MaBell? Isn't it time to break up Microsoft? A few vendors - notably Dell and now HP - have started selling machines without Windows and installed linux instead, but not with a lot of support or fanfare. I'm willing to bet Microsoft has dictated terms and pricing to those vendors as well (just an opinion!).

And not only is linux free - so are almost ALL of the applications. That's right! I edit photos, copy DVD's and CD's, email and chat, print letters, watch movies, and much much more ALL FOR FREE. Again, there are commercial versions of some applications and I have paid for one or two (VueScan is one example). But all or almost all have free version available or at least a free alternative. Windows Vista Home Basic wouldn't even play DVD's without additional un-free software.

2. Freedom
Linux is free. Not only free as in cost, but free as in license. I can download, copy, install, modify, give away, and use linux whenever, whenever, and with whomever I like without a corporation breathing down my neck or making me pay for upgrades or threatening me with lawsuits. No secret code to enter and no "Windows Genuine Advantage". What are great name for what is essentially a digital watchdog to make sure you're behaving legally (in Microsoft's view). Too bad we can't have a program that notifies us when Microsoft behaves illegally or immorally. There are things we use in linux that are not free from licensing - video codecs and such - but there are usually free options for those of you that wish to remain licensing free.

Windows Vista is loaded with DRM (Digital Rights Management) that causes all kinds of issues from hardware malfunctions to excessive memory and CPU use. An example for this copy protection technology for HD-DVD and Blu-ray disks. High-quality audio and video output is reserved for protected peripheral devices. This means artificial degradation of the output quality. Linux has the ability to play these and other formats without artificial rules and requirements. Imagine, getting to play a DVD you bought the way you want. Seems like that should be a given, not a special treat.

3. SecurityLinux - any version - is so more secure than Windows there aren't really any anti-virus programs in use. There are a couple of anti-virus programs for linux that remove viruses from Windows installs and emails, but they simply aren't needed by the casual desktop user. Are there occasion security issues? Of course, but these are publicly documented and therefore fixed as soon as humanly possible. In the Microsoft world - these holes are kept secret which means only a select few (like hackers and virus writers) know about them and can therefore exploit them. Even if a hacker managed to gain access to my network they couldn't do much without my personal passwords. I will say one final thing about this issue: In six years as linux as my primary desktop operating system I have not had even one virus, spyware, adware or any other form of malicious software. I can't add anything else, nor do I need to.

4. Hardware Requirements
Each new version of Windows requires more and more memory and better, faster CPU's. It actually seems as though Microsoft and the PC makers are in collusion with each other to keep you trapped in an endless cycle of
upgrading. Almost any current version of linux will run on any old 386 computer with 256mb ram and 2gb's of hard drive space. Try that with XP! If you want Vista or Windows 7 to work you'd better have at least a Pentium4 and 1gb ram plus at least 64mb of video ram and 8gb of hard drive space. Obviously linux works better with more resources just like Windows, but nothing will speed up that old desktop or laptop like a properly installed and configured linux install. The next time you're thinking about upgrading your PC, try installing linux on it first. You might be pleasantly surprised.

5. Usability
Finally an area we can debate over! Usability may be too subjective to boil it down to one single right or wrong opinion. What do you use your computers for? How are those uses impacted by our choice of operating systems? What is the most important area or type of usability? I can guarantee a teenage video game junky, a middle-aged businessman, a stay-at-home parent, and a tech-y computer geek will answer all those questions differently.

Just as in the reverse noted above - where linux suffers, Windows shines. Some types of hardware are not well or fully supported in linux. This is usually because hardware developers are secretive about their designs and have the right to be, so they don't release their drivers to the public. I think in this day and age they would be better off if they did, but I don't own one of those companies so who cares what I think about it. Any hardcore video gamer will tell you he needs Windows. He also needs a lot of RAM, a huge hard drive, a big monitor, a powerful CPU and video card and a very large power supply to run it all.

So what is the final answer?
In my opinion: Unless you have the need for a very specific program that there is no viable alternative, linux is really the only choice. It's free to use, free from artificial restrictions, free from viruses and malware (mostly), runs very well on older, cheaper hardware and can do just about everything Windows can and better, faster, and safer.


What are you waiting for?