So many questions on here are caused by Windows being a lame operating system. There is an alternative - at least for surfing and e-mail - Linux, which is totally immune to Windows viruses, malware, spyware and all the rest. In fact, Linux is so secure that it's 100% safe to run it without ANY security software apart from a firewall. Your PC will also run faster as it is not being slowed down by Norton/McAfee etc.
The new distributions, such as Mandriva, are excellent and easy to use. In Mandriva I watch DVD movies with perfect quality and sound, listen to my fave MP3s and CDs, upload with built-in FTP, surf safely and securely in Firefox 1.5
Linux is much faster to install than Windows. Does Linux have problems? Yes - mainly with hardware compatibility, but only because hardware manufacturers haven't written Linux drivers. So have a box running Windows if you like, but NEVER let it connect to the web. Get a dedicated Linux box for the web - it's like surfing in a tank!
DC:)
2006-11-01 08:57:24 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Well, I am a genuine Linux Advocate, since 1997. I LOVE Linux.
But, it comes in some 800 versions! Can be confusing to a noob!
And, face it, a lot of the actual users of Microsoft products don't have a clue about the slowness, or the viruses, or the crashing, because they are data entry, or clerk typists, at huge mega corporations, and the IT department does all the heavy lifting!
Those same folks want a computer at home, and figure that there is only one choice, as to Operating system, and that is whatever comes with the PC that they buy! NOT TRUE!!!
There are 800 FREE choices, but, the Microsoft lock on the market means that all individual retail sales of systems will run Microsoft, and the costs are hidden in the sale price, typically $100 or more!!!
That is called the Microsoft Tax. Look that up on a search on Google.com!
Then, when you get it home, and turn it on. there are about 7 or 8 different NAG SCREENS that pop up, every five minutes, to beg you to REGISTER the virus and trojan, and malware, and adware, and spybot, and clean the Registry, suites, at $19 to $29 each, per year!!! They EXPIRE in TEN DAYS!!!
That is called the "Microsoft Stupid Tax"! Look that up in a search on Google.com.
Now, I advocate that we look to the leadership of the richest bully on the block, and see what the multiply convicted PIRATE & FELON Microsoft runs on THEIR computers.
The 45,000 computers that run Microsoft.com, Hotmail.com, and MSN.com, all run Linux. The 400 System Lab computers at the Redmond Corporate Campus run Linux. The Firewalls and routers, development machines, numbering in the thousands, all run Linux. The worldwide Microsoft Corporate network runs Linux. Ad Infinitum.
What does Google.com run? 100, 000 clustered LINUX computers, that instantly answer millions of searches every hour. In fact, over 78% of the Internet runs on Linux, or a related Unix Clone!
Hollywood has rendered every animation movie, and the stunts, Special Effects, CGI, and backgrounds for every movie since "Titanic - 1997", on Linux clusters. Except for Shrek 2. That was rendered on a Macintosh Cluster (Mac OS X is Darwin BSD, another 'Nix!).
NASA launches all space flights using Linux to calculate 'Launch windows' and to track all space debris, Linux, and all the flight controls on the Shuttles, are Linux running on the old 386 systems.
NOAA gives out to all weather station broadcasters, TV stations, a really wonderful Annimation of the satellite map. All rendered in Linux. You see Linux on your nightly TV weather report!
The Fortune 1,000 Corporations use and run Linux as do most major Universities.
Indiana State schools have switched the first 20,000 of 300,000 student computers, to Linux, as the 39th State to do so, at per seat license savings of $1200 per STUDENT!!!
The non-profit charities all run Linux, after the BSA went after the Salvation Army, for all those donated computers, back in 2002, as, the EULA does not permit transfers of Microsoft and 'Trusted Partners' products, because, YOU LEASE the software, the 'Windows', and will always be accountable, to "never SELL or DONATE" it!
All the Anti-Virus companies, like McAffee, Norton, etc. are
'Trusted Partners' of Microsoft. That could be one reason why Microsoft does not 'batten down the hatches' against the storm of "114,000 Microsoft Virus Definitions".
LINUX is THE FREE SOLUTION ! ! !
and you can have it for FREE. and, to save you the huge chore of deciding which of the 800 versions, called Distros, you should try, I will state this. I set up free networks for non-profit schools.
I prefer http://pclinuxos.com that is a LiveCDrom, that boots in any X86 "Intel" computer, with 1900 FREE games, programs.
It is based on Mandriva. If you like it, read the install notes and the website forum. We're here to help you. Then, you can hit the INSTALL button. it is on screen, on the desktops.
It will, upon installation, actually run your old computer upto 50X faster that it ran in Microsoft windows, totally virus proof. Minimum requirements are a 133Mhz cpu, with 82 Mb of RAM.
The minimum practical requirements for most of the 5500 installed games, programs, applications, are 350 Mhz cpu, with 128Mb of RAM.
An 800mhz system with 256Mb of RAM, running virus proof Linux installed, will benchmark equal to a P4 1.5Ghz system, running Microsoft XP Pro, with all their fastest tweaks, plus their anti-virus programs... The Quake Server Benchmark was used by PC Gamer magazine, plus, others, for those comparison tests.
That is why Microsoft, our entire US government, and 165 nations, all run Linux. One linux server replaces upto 12 Microsoft servers and two technicians. Think how happy the Corporate shareholders are, at the Fortune 1,000!
You will be even happier, to have a STABLE and FAST system that actually does YOUR bidding! and resurrects YOUR old system from the closet, the basement, the garage!
Americans trash over 300 MILLION computers each year. Linux is GREEN! Linux runs old hardware, and, it also runs the latest gadgets and gizmos! TIVO is based on LINUX!
2006-11-01 09:52:52 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
i have been thinking about moving to Linux for the last year. I have tried lots of different 'Flavours' and they all seem very good esp Knoppix. Altho it is secure just think if all the people who use windows migrate across to it?Virus writers would have a field day with open source software.Maybe consider running windows xp alongside a Linux 'distro' to start with and see how you get on with it and then make your choice.
Regards
Rob
2006-11-01 09:02:28 · answer #2 · answered by robert j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok, I am a multi boot user of many different os's, and like most...
Thus said, i need windows for all the work programs I use, linux is a smooth, sweet, fun os but does not do 1/3 of the things I need it to!
I have been considering building a linux/unix only system for writing drivers to all the machines I use, and will eventually, but as for now I will use what I have!
2006-11-01 09:19:20 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I used Mandrake distro of Linux in the past and I liked it. I've tried convincing everyone at home that we need to make the switch for household desktop but they refuse to learn something new.
The only reason I don't use Linux on my laptop now is primarily because of AutoCAD. I did manage to get it to run somewhat using a build from the WINE project, but that was about 3 or 4 years ago when I had Mandrake dual booting with Win98 (household desktop). Since then the harddrive has been replaced and switched to Win XP.
In answer to your question though...most people don't use it because they are afraid of it, Microsoft is easy, and possibly uninformed of the available choices.
2006-11-01 09:22:28 · answer #4 · answered by ModelFlyerChick 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because Windows comes pre installed so that is all they know. Also most think Linux is too hard to use. Mandriva, OpenSUSE and Ubuntu are the best Linux distros for new linux users, they are simple to use.
Linux is NOT 100% immune to malware...it has Rootkits, but to get infected with a rootkit on linux you would have to be pretty stupid!
2006-11-01 09:18:23 · answer #5 · answered by sihidat 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
windows is more user friendly and Microsoft has a giant monopoly on pc also a lot of of people go on advertisements. like the new mac commercials there bringing up mac's positives. if Linux did the same thing then Linux would do better.
2006-11-01 09:02:57 · answer #6 · answered by Demetri N 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Well the answer to this question is ..
Is that why you got internet full of forums discussing problems facing on linux systems..
Ok lets say I wanna Install linux 64bit x-buntu on my computer ( I actually did install that 5 cd devil ). Problems with sound card drivers..all in one wont work...no webcam...!
So the complete story is its secured but not supporting.
& one thing to remember nothing is perfect & its only human to want more.
2006-11-01 09:05:22 · answer #7 · answered by Rockytruelyrox 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Because windows is ubiquitous.
2006-11-01 08:59:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
because linux isn't stable.. and you can't download that much programs on it.. and it's hard to use.. it's all commands.
2006-11-01 09:06:54 · answer #9 · answered by lomatar1186 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
because i have no idea how to use linux...
2006-11-01 09:05:17 · answer #10 · answered by ryanisalifestyle 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋