Linux: Not Just an Operating System

I have been running different Linux distros since about 2006. I have mostly settled on Ubuntu for it’s ease of use, and for the fact that windows users tend to have the least issues with it. However, there are MANY other distros out there that I have installed and tested just to learn about. Most of them are very good. All of them are better than Windows, and none of them cost as much as Macintosh. So, what do I have to say about the Linux Operating Systems in general?

The pros:

1. No Viruses, unless you personally pissed someone off.

2. Once everything is installed and running properly, you don’t have to (although you can) update, fix, and defrag every 6 months. It just isn’t necessary.

3. Download whatever you want. No malware, spyware, etc (unless it’s embedded in the internet browser, which is easily fixed by deleting your cookies).

4. The repositories are full of useful, interesting, and free programs.

5. One Word: Compiz.

6. The forums for Linux contain some of the most valuable and helpful people on the internet. Best tech support ever.

The cons:

1. Some harware is really not easily compatible with Linux (though with a little labor, it usually can be fixed).

2. If you are a gamer, there are sometimes quite a few things you must do to get your game of choice running properly (or you could install some of the free linux games- though they are not nearly as well developed yet.)

3. Everyone who owns a windows computer will undoubtedly tell you (after a while) “Why don’t you just run windows? Isn’t it easier?” Laziness seems to be what America was founded on, apparently.

4. MAC users will be mad that you got essentially the same computer and operating system (because OSX is based on the UNIX kernal), without giving Apple your first child.

But there is more to the open source movement than good software design. The open source movement is about a community of people (users and creators) working toward a few common goals: 1. creating user-friendly, highly customizable software, 2. Creating said software for free to the general public and 3. helping users all over the globe to really understand computer technology, no matter how many times a new user in the forums may have to have something explained to him, or how many steps you have to break it down into before he/she understands what to do.

The open source movement is about freedom of choice, freedom from copyrights, and freedom from companies that create software that forces you to buy MORE every 6 months in order to keep your computer from becoming obsolete. Sure, sometimes they are behind on drivers and software. But I would rather support an open-source operating system without wireless internet for a few days or without a couple of drivers for a few days while I fix the problem myself with the help of the lovely people in Ubuntu forums, than be skrewed by companies with millions of dollars, for thousands more of my own dollars. And that is the beauty of the open source movement.

If you have not already tried a Linux distribution, please try a download now at www.ubuntu.com/download.