What are the advantages of using Ubuntu over Windows 7?

[pty1196]

Thanks.

[ubudog]

You may wish to read this.

[robtygart]

For me

Pro: Its faster, its free, it has 1000s of free software, easy to customize, a lot of different Ubuntu biased Operating systems to choose from, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, Edubuntu, Lucid Puppy.

Cons: Not great for gaming, can run Windows software under "Wine" but some programs might not work, or might have problems. (But Linux has an alternative software)

[cariboo907]

Thread moved to the Cafe, as it isn't a support question.

[prshah]

Thanks.

I prefer Ubuntu to Windows 7 for simple reasons:
a) No EULA hanky panky; Windows 7 EULA spells out restrictions. Ubuntu EULA basically just says: "Do what you want, but don't restrict for others the freedoms you have received."

b) Runs very smoothly even on my Atom n450/2GB netbook; Genuine Windows 7 home basic (pre-loaded) is very sluggish, and nearly unusable at times.

c) Extremely capable and extremely powerful for those who are not command-line phobic. It's powerful anyway, but you can reach new realms of possibilities with the command line.

As for free, that is not really a factor. I would be happy to pay for Ubuntu, in it's current form and license.

There's also plenty of free software for both OSs, and usually free software is multi-platform (Eg, GIMP), so I don't factor that into my choice either.

Hardware manufacturer and/or standardization is really the only issue with Ubuntu now, and only for very few products.

[Bandit]

If you look at it from a technical standpoint then the advantages are arguable. Which would be speed, stability and compatibility. But each user has their own experience. But what is for sure is Linux is much easier to customize all across the board and there are many options and ways to do it.

If you look at it from a legal standpoint, its clear that with the GPL license you own more of your computer, how it runs, what do you want it to do, and it can not be taken away. With Windows the EULA is very restrictive, you never really own a copy of Windows, what you actually own is a license to use windows. Thus you dont have an OS on your PC, MS has their OS on your computer, they dictate what can and cant be done with the system and the formats on which it and the software resides. With Linux whats yours is yours.

[na5h]

Ubuntu is less prone to viruses and malware...and it's fast!

[Gone fishing]

It just generally nicer - it comes with useful programs installed and installing more is effortless with the software center no more trolling the net for hours avoiding scumware etc.

Fast, stable secure and nice.

And we shouldn't forget Free both as in beer and Freedom when you run Ubuntu, Linux or a BSD its yours, not just rented with strings attached from Apple or MS.

[Copper Bezel]

Fun.

[pty1196]

Thank you for all your kind replies.