I just ordered a free Ubuntu Linux CD as I'd like to try it out, I see loads of people raving about Linux, not sure what's so good about it though? Can someone please tell me ? Compare it with Windows & OS X too please.
2007-04-25 07:28:55 · 11 answers · asked by GeeMail 4 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
It's free, secure, works well, and there's a ton of good software written for it.
2007-04-25 07:37:17 · answer #1 · answered by gomakemeasandwich 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Linux has many advantages over Windows and OS X;
1 – It’s open source making many versions freely available, and meaning there are versions available for nearly every user type.
2 – The size of the files is far smaller, so small that many versions of Linux (Like Ubuntu and Knoppix) can be run from CD, meaning you can run a version without having to install it permanently on your system.
3 – Linux is used extensively within the Hacking community which means there are far fewer Security holes than in Windows and OS X.
4 – The vast majority of Windows software runs with little or no problems under Linux. (I run many versions of Windows programs under Linux)
5 – Some 60% of servers used as web-hosts run a version of Linux, and an increasing amount of business servers now run.
6 – Although Windows still has the largest share of the market (around 91%) Linux or Unix based systems are second with around 7%, OS X have around 1.5%, other operating systems account for the other 0.5%
That’s not to say that Windows and OS X don’t have their advantages of course, there support netwaorks are easy to find. Windows has by far the biggest range of software available, and both systems are basically fool-proof.
I’ve always found it best to run a variety of operating systems, and if you do like Ubuntu, give Knoppix a go.
2007-04-26 01:07:55 · answer #2 · answered by Wren M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cost, Stability, and Support; These three factors are Huge in what makes up a Good OS. The Cost for Most LINUX versions is either Low to Cheap ( Its a lie to say there is no cost, since, Hardware considerations, as well as Software Considerations, Including a Hardware Compatibility list for LINUX is part of the setup). I have seen Linux Workstations Just Stay up almost perpetually, in one case, a server used Windows Products because the Webmasters Employers basically forced him ( it was the Webmasters decision to use Linux) to use MS products because of the Universities Setup. Whilst the Linux Box Stayed Up, the VM Ware running Windows would regularly see Windows Die.
Support for Linux Products is basically Worldwide; The passion to make a product work is amazing; Someone creates something, and since the code is available, someone will patch something, make it better, add features, do all sorts of cool stuff.
Cost: Beats Windows
Stability: Ha... Windows Has more BsOds than a person with cold has sneezes.
Support: I'd like to see MS be so Universal without a Credit Card attached.
2007-04-25 07:33:34 · answer #3 · answered by Mictlan_KISS 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
OSX is distantly based on linux so has some similarities. The major benefits are that most of the software you could need tend to be included with linux, office apps, email, web, programing tools, graphics apps etc whereas with windows you don't get so much inclusive software.
Linux is free and you are able to change whatever you want on it (assuming you have the programming skills).
The downside is linux can be hard to get hardware to work with and in general is less user friendly (though this is getting a lot better).
There are linux substitutes for most windows applications and it is possible to get windows programs to run using wine.
One major problem would be if you play games these tend to need windows or will possibly run on osx too but not linux
2007-04-25 11:13:11 · answer #4 · answered by Gordon B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both Mac and Windows are written so that the code cannot be read, which makes them complicated. The main advantage of Linux is price and code simplicity. Since Linux is free there is no registration hassle, Linux code is better written so it doesn't require as much resources as Windows or Mac. Linux is difficult to hack, ninety percent of servers run Linux for security reasons. At present there isn't any wi fi support in Linux. This can be bypassed by using a wi fi USB device.
2007-04-25 07:42:26 · answer #5 · answered by grysmn 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its impossible for hackers to hack it becouse they never want to hack it! I say its securer than Mac OSX and Windows put together. Im using windows and free linux(run from cd one live) i mainly use linux
2007-04-25 09:17:00 · answer #6 · answered by Jackkkk 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's open source and uses very little memory. It's more for developers though since it's not as easy to use as windows or os x. It's very good as a server os since it usually has very few security holes.
2007-04-25 07:32:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
not a huge linux fan, but there are some advantages
-it's free
-there is a huge community of linux users who are anxious to help solve computer problems when they arise.
-there is all sorts of free software available exclusively to linux users.
-for all who are anti-microsoft (get over it!) linux is NOT microsoft.
2007-04-25 07:32:58 · answer #8 · answered by Carlos Santana 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's FREE!
It works as well as Windoze and OS X, except for gaming.
It's more secure. No virus, spyware, etc.
It's more stable. Doesn't crash.
It's fun.
It's FREE! Get it and enjoy!!!
2007-04-25 07:34:25 · answer #9 · answered by ELfaGeek 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
i've never been on a linux. and even though i've never been on it, i think it sucks. becuase it's not as popular as a PC or a Mac
2007-04-25 07:31:58 · answer #10 · answered by ♥Brittany♥ 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋