Why Linux?
Some of you who knows me knows that I am a hard-core Micro$oft hater. Some of you who knows me better than that also knows that I am sometimes inconsistent. On that note, here I will give some arguments on why you should not use Windows as your operating system and use Linux instead.
- Linux is much more secure. Because of the inherent permissions built into Linux, regular users will not be able to screw the operating system as much as in Windows. Most Windows users use the administrative privilege everyday and doesn’t know better. They are able to install and uninstall programs anytime, but does not understand that many times this allows unauthorized programs to also install themselves and wreak havoc on their computer. That won’t happen in Linux.
- Linux is Open Source. The operating system that shapes Linux is Open source. It is mostly done non-profit, and regular people, hobbyists, are who makes this OS, not a major corporation. Why is this good, then? Because if you have problems, you just need to go to the internet and asks the millions of developers working on Linux for help. Contrast that to calling Microsoft to help with your problems.
- Your copy of Linux is legal. It can be safely assumed that most people in Indonesia uses pirated version of Windows. Even though most people do it and feel that there’s nothing wrong with it, it is still stealing. Linux is available free of charge if you are willing to wait for the downloads of the CD images. It is legal, halal, kosher, ok.
- It promotes good computing practices. The privilege system in Linux promotes good computing practice. Most people should not be able to install and uninstall, because it creates vulnerabilities on the system. Only people who knows what they’re doing should install and uninstall and make system-wide changes.
- Linux has become very user-friendly. Most people wouldn’t even notice that a coworker is using Linux as an OS if they didn’t look very carefully. Most people also would not have a lot of adjustment period in using Linux, especially if they use their computer for browsing, emailing and using office suites. There’s simply not many things that are different in terms of user interface.
- Linux is really multi-user. More than one user can use one computer at the same time and access their personal files and settings. I am talking of real multi-user capabilities. Not logging off and logging on again or the so-called switch user. Linux user just need to go to any computer that is connected to the network, log in remotely, and have their desktop and files right there. That is the power of X-desktop that will never be matched by Windows in the near future.
- Linux uses lower computing requirements. Users can continue to use their pre-Pentium computers comfortably. I know of some people who still uses 486s, load them with Linux, and uses these machines as file and internet gateway servers. It is good for the pocket and good for the environtment.
- Do your part in screwing a major corporation daily. By using Linux regularly, we are doing our part of giving a middle finger to a major US corporation. How else can you do that regularly?
Of course, these are just some reasons why you should use Linux. Other reasons are available, but I can’t go over them because it might get pretty technical. I invite you to post your comments on these. Oh yeah, I don’t deny that there are some good reasons on staying with Windows, such as that you are tied with some programs, such as Photoshop, CorelDraw, Final Draft, etc. But you know, you can always double boot, and ask yourself, is it really worthed to deal with all the hassles, and stealing at the same time?
PS: to know more about the security consquences of using Windows, read here and weep.
