Why did you pick Linux?

[0sm]

Im kinda wondering on why the mass majority of people enjoy and like linux so much.

Discuss

[RiceMonster]

Recurring Discussions is 3... 2... 1...

[ZankerH]

Because it's an integral part of the GNU/Linux operating system.

[Toadmund]

What do you mean, the mass majority of the minority that use Linux?

Anyway, the answer is simple, we use Linux because of Microsoft.

[0sm]

Well personaly I see linux alot more than vista or windows 7 but seriously im not sure on why,

I have windows 7 on my laptop and linux on my desktop and both are amazing

[Marlonsm]

I don't like using things just because everybody else use. I want to use what is better.
So I started looking for alternatives for Windows, when I found Linux (Ubuntu) I started using it because, for me, it's better.

[Metallion]

I started using it because I had to when I did an internship at Opera. I kept using it because the tinkering and customization ability grew on me. Not to mention overal geek value. Now I'm saying because I've growns attached to certain features that I don't have in Windows.

As far as Mac is concerned, I don't own one and don't really feel like I need one. As for Solaris and other Unix based OSes... They feel so similar anyway and come without penguins.

[RiceMonster]

Anyway, the answer is simple, we use Linux because of Microsoft.

That's a pretty broad "we"; speak for yourself. I don't use Linux because of Microsoft.

[0sm]

Lol comes without penguins.

But yeah I see where yall are coming from, I enjoy it and I see the amount of users growing

[Psumi]

1. It is Stable (more so than Windows if you ask me)
2. It is virtually virus/malware free.
3. It is Not Windows, nor should it be ever compared to Windows due to this.

[waspbr]

If you must know, before I tried it I was very much against it, I thought it was a waste of time given the amount of stuff I could already do in windows and whatnot.

I had already come to terms about being a geek after my bachelors in aerospace engineering, then in mid 2007 I stumbled on digg.com and started seeing all these posts on ubuntu gutsy alphas and betas. Since I was no stranger to (re-)installing windows, I thought that if I was going to be a geek I might as well go to the deep end.

So I downloaded the stable release of gutsy and tried, it I gotta say I was terrified. I looked for as many tutorials on the installation as I could find and even youtube video (which helped a bunch).

On my first try, I messed things up and ended up having to reinstall windows, so I gave it some time. After a week or two, my geek pride was back together and I tackled it again. successfully this time.

Then I saw how little I knew and how much I had to learn about my own computer, I was amazed at the amount of free software. I even found tools , like OpenFOAM, which I have been using to write a thesis on acoustics simulations. My productivity ha increased and my computer headaches have gone.

That being said I still dual boot, my laptop runs both ubuntu and win7, my main computer runs ubuntu and my secondary gaming box runs winxp.

And that is why

[Jon Monreal]

That's a pretty broad "we"; speak for yourself. I don't use Linux because of Microsoft.

Very true. I don't think Windows is a bad OS (*gasp*), and I don't use Linux solely because it's Open Source.

What it comes down to is this: I don't use Linux for one single reason. I enjoy the fast boot times (Windows boots faster on my machine, but as always it takes much longer to get going. I also enjoy the freedom of customization that Linux allows me. Linux is relatively secure (even if only because of marketshare, I won't debate that issue). A part of me probably enjoys the challenge as well (especially with Gentoo which was my first distro, not too much with Ubuntu).

[0sm]

Well, thought out reasonings. Thanks

[xuCGC002]

Why? I didn't like the state I was in with XP. I could barely get anything done, or at least anything done quickly. My wireless adapter didn't work at all, applications would crash without warning, the system would constantly lock up at times when I was trying to complete a task, and it would take 1-2 minutes to boot up (and be usable).

Generally, I'm an impatient person. I don't want something to take minutes to complete, I want it to complete within seconds. I was tired of using the same exact system for 5 years and wanted something new. I considered buying a Mac, but that would be too costly by my parents' budget (I was 10 at the time), and I was not aware of any alternatives.

I remember going to my uncle's house one day and using an old computer of his. It had this strange interface that was quite snappy for a P2. I asked what it was and he said it was "Linux", something free that he used from time to time. I asked for a CD and was given Xubuntu 6.06. I later swtiched to vanilla Ubuntu and have only occasionally looked back, then realized what I had just gone through those past 5 years.

[bruno9779]

What do you mean, the mass majority of the minority that use Linux?

Anyway, the answer is simple, we use Linux because of Microsoft.

+1

specifically because of Vista in my case.

Vista pushed me to linux, and it is the best thing M$ has done for me

[jeyaganesh]

1. I can change themes, icons and pointers
2. Compiz Fusion - When I get bored I rotate my 3D desktop and fire my windows.
3. Fun to explore new things.
4. Really tired of anti-virus and securty updates.
5. Hate unnecessary warnings and notification.
6. Angry to restart the pc often.
7. Wanted to escape from the system crash.
8. Like the friendly community of Linux.
:D:-({|=

[0sm]

1. I can change themes, icons and pointers
2. Compiz Fusion - When I get bored I rotate my 3D desktop and fire my windows.
3. Fun to explore new things.
4. Really tired of anti-virus and securty updates.
5. Hate unnecessary warnings and notification.
6. Angry to restart the pc often.
7. Wanted to escape from the system crash.
8. Like the friendly community of Linux.
:D:-({|=


+1 Made me laugh a little but nice

[Simian Man]

Package mangement. After doing "yum install gcc-c++ eclipse-cdt SDL*-devel scons vim-X11" to, for example, get all my development tools installed, doing the equivalent on any system without package management is a serious PITA.
Workspaces. Being able to have all of my stuff organized and uncluttered is awesome. I keep one workspace for browsing and fun, and one for each project I'm working on.
The customizabilty that comes with being able to change not only the way your desktop looks, but the applications you use for virtually everything and also the way that the shell works with scripts and aliases.


Stability and viruses have never really been much a problem for me on any OS, so that is not a reason for me at all.

[JDShu]

I actually started using it partly because China endorses it. The other part was because I wanted to try something different from Windows for free (as in beer). Now i just use it because it doesn't slow down over time like Windows does, especially since I'm an idiot user.. and also just because of inertia. Can't be bothered to switch back.

[cascade9]

Why linux? Cause its easier than BSD or Solaris. :D I perfer the GPL to the BSD licence as well.

I actually started using it partly because China endorses it. The other part was because I wanted to try something different from Windows for free (as in beer). Now i just use it because it doesn't slow down over time like Windows does, especially since I'm an idiot user.. and also just because of inertia. Can't be bothered to switch back.

I thought that china had pretty much stopped with the 'red flag is china's OS' rhetoric only they cut a deal with microsoft?

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/hiner/?p=525

[0sm]

Do yall have any idea on ways I can move people towards using Linux on my website?

I want them to experience it, so i need ideas or ways to make them want to use it

[Eisenwinter]

I started using Linux a few years ago in an attempt to come across as an "elite-rebel guy", I'll admit.

Eventually though, I truly enjoyed using the OS, and the whole "I'm cooler than you because I use Linux and you use Windows" thing went away.

[Grenage]

It's open source, has a more logical approach to things, and there is a lot more choice. The fact that you're not a the mercy of a single company's whims is a bonus.

[Grifulkin]

Because it is Awesome.

[0sm]

Because it is Awesome.
QFT

lol I agree but how can I make people on my site want to use it, ive only had 11 clicks on the link sense posted..

[Pott]

For fun. I didn't need to, I just wanted to try it for no particular reasons. I like tweaking.

[MooPi]

I use Linux because Bill Gates is my sworn enemy as he is evil and a cyborg.
Check out the evil mugshot :http://photo.who2.com/photos/billgates/22_500.jpg

Also Steve Ballmer is evil as well because he once threw my chair.
Besides Linus Torvalds speaks to me in my dreams and tells me to use Linux.


Okay seriously, I use it because it's free and it lets me hack my own computer:-D

[0sm]

I use Linux because Bill Gates is my sworn enemy as he is evil and a cyborg.
Check out the evil mugshot :http://photo.who2.com/photos/billgates/22_500.jpg

Also Steve Ballmer is evil as well because he once threw my chair.
Besides Linus Torvalds speaks to me in my dreams and tells me to use Linux.


Okay seriously, I use it because it's free and it lets me hack my own computer:-D

I love the story plot.. I really saw it when I closed my eyes

[dmengo]

I'm looking into Linux now because I really don't want to be a "one trick pony."

I've always been a Windows and Mac support person throughout my IT career and will probably never give up my Windows desktops entirely.

With that said, I'm planning to start learning Linux system administration and then studying for the LPI and Linux+ certifications to be more “well-rounded” in my field.

This may sound cliché, but there's a big world out there and a lot of it runs on the Linux platform.

[Lyleb]

I started using Linux back in the late 90's. Redhat 5.1 to be exact. Then it was just interesting. Took an online course. Played around with various Distros over the years, Redhat, Suse, Mandrake, Knoppix, Fedora, and finally Ubuntu. The old "Screensavers" show helped a lot. Have had my desktop at home exclusivly Linux for several years now (until this past week when I bought a new emachine with Windows 7). My laptops have all been dual booting for the most part with some form of Windows. I use Linux the VAST majority of the time.

Why? Cause it's not Microsoft initially. Now, because I just like it better.

Jury's still out on Windows 7. Just got a new desktop with that installed, it seems nice, but it already is dual boot with Ubuntu 9.04 which is what I'm using now.

[eriktheblu]

I wanted to be in control of my OS.

[nothingspecial]

I didn`t pick linux, it picked me.

[ticopelp]

Vista looked awful and I was tired of paying for overpriced Mac software, and friends were talking up Ubuntu, so I gave it a try. It didn't take long for me to get hooked.

[RiceMonster]

I didn`t pick linux, it picked me.

In Soviet Russia...

[JDShu]

Why linux? Cause its easier than BSD or Solaris. :D I perfer the GPL to the BSD licence as well.



I thought that china had pretty much stopped with the 'red flag is china's OS' rhetoric only they cut a deal with microsoft?

http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/hiner/?p=525

ahaha it was a while ago and much has changed. Its what got me to notice Linux, but not what got me to stay ;)

[nothingspecial]

In Soviet Russia...

No, in Timperley

[e-Gee]

I use linux because I can !!!

[ElSlunko]

Because I like it.

[fancypiper]

Because it works and fits my needs (and pocket book).

[A_T]

I prefer both the Gnome and Kde desktop to Windows.

[fromthehill]

not because I disliked windows itself
I just wanted to learn something new

and I wanted to get rid of the endless WGA vs WGA-crack disaster:p

[0sm]

Lol im loving the responces on this

[the8thstar]

Why not?

[chris200x9]

I used it originally for something different but I stick with it because it's fast, easy, stable and familiar.

[0sm]

why would anyone recomend linux to others?

[MooPi]

We should recommend Linux because Darth Gates is Evil. The Jedi Knuts of Linux need to defend the commom computer user of the dark side of the farce. They will use FUD to sway you to the dark side. Besides it's free and you can do fun stuff "cool".

[jrusso2]

Back in 1996 I was running Windows 95 and having issues with crashes. I was telling a friend what can I do? He said I should run Linux. I said what? He handed me a Slackware install and that was it.

Been running Linux ever since.

[fromthehill]

I wouldn't recomment linux to anyone in my family
windows runs fine on their computers

if I installed linux I would be the only one who can fix it when something goes wrong. linux is pretty stable but definetly not fool-proof. they will definetely find a way to screw it up.

windows will keep running (a lot slower but still) when it's loaded with spyware and viruses. they aren't able to screw with system files. viruses mostly want to gather information to make money so they won't make the computer unbootable either

when they screw up in linux it won't do anything.

I don't care about their privacy, they send my (and 49 others) telephone-number, adress and e-mail to some shady company so they would win a ipod (which was obviously a scam). whith dutch banking systems keyloggers are useless so I don't have to orry about that.

it's not linux's or windows fault. their brains stop working when there's electricity flowing in a 2 meter radius

[dragos240]

It's because.....

I can compile
I can customize
I can design
I have no limits
I can make menuconfig
I can have fun
I can do ANYTHING.

[dragos240]

I wouldn't recomment linux to anyone in my family
windows runs fine on their computers

if I installed linux I would be the only one who can fix it when something goes wrong. linux is pretty stable but definetly not fool-proof. they will definetely find a way to screw it up.

windows will keep running (a lot slower but still) when it's loaded with spyware and viruses. they aren't able to screw with system files. viruses mostly want to gather information to make money so they won't make the computer unbootable either

when they screw up in linux it won't do anything.

I don't care about their privacy, they send my (and 49 others) telephone-number, adress and e-mail to some shady company so they would win a ipod (which was obviously a scam). whith dutch banking systems keyloggers are useless so I don't have to orry about that.

it's not linux's or windows fault. their brains stop working when there's electricity flowing in a 2 meter radius

I agree. Same for my family. Love your avatar, orange haired konata.

[overdrank]

Moved to Recurring Discussions

[speedwell68]

I was becoming disillusioned with XP. It's slowness, crashing, viruses and the cost of the Software. I started playing with Linux casually. Then I bought a Vista laptop and hated it, as I had no other legal OS choice I went for Ubuntu 6.10 and have never looked back. I will never own a PC with a Microsoft OS again, not that I think all Microsoft products are bad, this keyboard is excellent.

[BuffaloX]

My wife began using it for music, and I was surprised to see how good it was.
XP was getting pretty old and boring, Longhorn never happened.
Linux is free as in both speech and beer, this nice rich guy (Mark Shuttleworth) had some ideas I thought was pretty cool, I like the FOSS idea, so it was an easy choice.

[Tipped OuT]

That's a pretty broad "we"; speak for yourself. I don't use Linux because of Microsoft.

+1

I personally use Linux as a hobby. It's fun to mess around and try new things.

[0sm]

As a hobby? how so lol

[MelDJ]

i saw a laptop advert with the penguin logo with the words linux under it next to it and decided to find out what it was. the rest is history

[Tipped OuT]

As a hobby? how so lol

Hobby-

An activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation.

That's how.

[0sm]

lol thanks i guess

[lamone29]

I am going to school for ISS and got a taste of the computer world outside of Microsoft. I became interested in how linux can benefit me in security. \\:D/

[0sm]

the security that linux offers is amazing compared to microsoft

[Zoot7]

It's...

More Stable than Windows (in my experience, can't comment on 7 sufficiently yet).
More versatile - Not restricted to One Window manager, file system etc.
More customizable than Windows
.. among many other advantages.

And most importantly, it's a LOT of fun to tinker with.

[valvegrid]

A work colleague gave me a copy of Xandros 1 many years ago because he didn't like it, I was running Win98 SE and it was like a step up, I instantly took to it. I've used a few distros and they are all good and Linux does exactly what I want to do without messing about with all this silly AV and anti malware programs which I seemed to be spending more and more time on. The other thing is it's amazing stability.

I still have Windows 2000 for the sole reason to play with my FS and play trains, it doesn't connect to the internet so it's no problem. If I could get those two programs working on Linux I would say good bye to Windows completely.

[lrcaballero]

First of ALL, Linux is not for the masses!!!! MS Windows IS for the masses!!! Linux is an OS that shows you the way into the Linux world and as time goes on and you become a part of the community, Not only you learn, but you help others learn based on your experience and that is what a community is all about. Also, why pay hundreds of dollars for and OS and Software when you can have it for a very minimal cost!!!! and not only that but Linux is an OS that makes you roll-up your sleeves and get to work (as far as terminal is concern) with Windows they keep you asleep meaning that the least you know about my OS the better for me,(more control over you!!! the user).

Welcome to the Linux world and thanks for been part of the community!!!

Linux Rocks!!!!!! ;)

Luis

[bobcollard]

Im kinda wondering on why the mass majority of people enjoy and like linux so much.

Discuss
When you have worked with a MSDOS, in whatever form it takes, long enough you come to realize that it never worked for you. I've been in the game since MSDOS 2.7 came out with two 5 1/4" drives and 64k of RAM. It didn't work then, we had to hack the registry to change a periferal, add RAM or anything. If you think things have changed, go to any forum and read. Linux, a Unix based system, gives you all the tools, the source code and when you put it in your machine you learn how to make it work for you. Besides, the price is right.

[RochJer]

I was introduced to use Ubuntu about 2 years ago from my old friend's referral. Now I'm really happy I'm using it because it is MUCH less trouble than my current XP pro I'm using on my old machine - 120 HDD, 512 MB ram, P4. It works great with Linux distro while on XP it is very slowwww!!

[RochJer]

Vista looked awful and I was tired of paying for overpriced Mac software, and friends were talking up Ubuntu, so I gave it a try. It didn't take long for me to get hooked.

That is the exactly reason why I am deciding to use ubuntu more often. What's the point of purchasing new MACbook pro and overpriced apple products when you can all fix the hardware and Ubuntu still runs great! It is in Linux root while MAC is in Unix root but in my honest option, I do not see any difference at all! Long live Ubuntu!

[murderslastcrow]

Well, unless you started out as a Windows user, there's nothing you're really missing out on except some of the PC-only brand-name games out there. Everything you could possibly want out of a computer is there, for free, with ease, stability, security, and it's free. And it's ridiculously fast. I don't really see why I wouldn't use Linux, it has a solution for everything.

Open source rocks, it shows the potential people can have when they work together for a common goal. And that, even if it's a tiny size, Linux (the kernel) can be VERY important.

[Chame_Wizard]

High learning curve and the potential I have to do a loooooooooooooooooooot of things.

ALL FLOSS.:guitar:

[0sm]

im loving the comments yall keep them coming!@

[hellion0]

Because I was tired of having to practice the CYOA principle every second I was connected to the Internet.

[inhiway]

I've been testing different distros for 3 or 4 years. I've never broken free of Windows, but I've never let some distro of Linux be far away either. I've always dual booted with whichever version of Windows I had installed at the time. My main reason for using Linux is curiosity and secondly because I can experiment and learn something new along the way without having to spend money to do it.

[OwNeD]

i picked linux because its better then windows for me.
1 Its FREE! :P
2. its stable
3. you can customize it more
4. no IE or WMP.
5.u dont really need antivirus software etch. perhaps that will change in the future.
i only use windows for gaming. the rest is linux

[jeffus_il]

This is why...

Richard Stallman - Free Software Briefing WSIS-2005


[/URL][URL]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk-nTWFfJw8 (http://http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk-nTWFfJw8)

[0sm]

jeffus great point tbh

[Toadmund]

That's a pretty broad "we"; speak for yourself. I don't use Linux because of Microsoft.
Oops, sorry, I switched because of Microsoft, I use Linux because I like it.

Is that better?

[oldos2er]

Once I gave up on OS/2, there was really no other choice but Linux.

[dlzerocool]

Great support, great community, you can do your own personalized system and you can help !

It fit's my needs and my way of thinking.

After few years of windows and mac, Linux still is the best os available that fit's my daily use and work.

But sometimes I just get really angry because open source developers are such XXXXholes... when we talk about working together in the same way...

A few minutes ago I had to do a ln -s /dev/input/js0 /dev/js0
just because there's no standard around it..
And things are really worse when we talk about distributions specifically "bad implementations of pulse-audio (like Ubuntu), mess in network-managing etc..." Sometimes I think that they lost their minds on how things should be done instead of what should be done, then how.

So if you think like me and love your System please feel free to give feed backs to developers about it! (I already do it)

But this all things together make Linux what it is today so yes I do like it, and I do like help others.

[hoppipolla]

It gives me freedom, has a great community, fantastic desktop, flexible, powerful, secure, stable, I support open source, runs better on my slightly older hardware, easy to update, lasts longer, longer uptime, manages my memory better, choice of DEs, brilliant apps (and Qt4 enhanced!)... erm... there are a LOT of reasons... lol

[Roasted]

It gives me freedom, has a great community, fantastic desktop, flexible, powerful, secure, stable, I support open source, runs better on my slightly older hardware, easy to update, lasts longer, longer uptime, manages my memory better, choice of DEs, brilliant apps (and Qt4 enhanced!)... erm... there are a LOT of reasons... lol

This.

[Chame_Wizard]

It gives me freedom, has a great community, fantastic desktop, flexible, powerful, secure, stable, I support open source, runs better on my slightly older hardware, easy to update, lasts longer, longer uptime, manages my memory better, choice of DEs, brilliant apps (and Qt4 enhanced!)... erm... there are a LOT of reasons... lol

Same here and more off course .:lolflag:

[Ylon]

...make the thing I want, the way I want.