Re: [Nolug] 10 Reasons to Switch to Linux

On Wed, October 19, 2005 10:11 pm, Nimrod said:
> 1. It Doesn't Crash
>
> Linux has been time-proven to be a reliable operating system. Although the
> desktop is not a new place for Linux, most Linux-based systems have been
> used as servers and embedded systems. High-visibility Web sites such as
> Google use Linux-based systems, but you also can find Linux inside the
> TiVo set-top box in many livingrooms.
>
> Linux has proved to be so reliable and secure that it is commonly found in
> dedicated firewall and router systems used by high-profile companies to
> secure their networks. For more than ten years, it has not been uncommon
> for Linux systems to run for months or years without needing a single
> reboot.
> 2. Viruses Are Few and Far Between
>
> Although it is possible to create a virus to target Linux systems, the
> design of the system itself makes it very difficult to become infected. A
> single user could cause local damage to his or her files by running a
> virus on his or her system; however, this would be an isolated instance
> rather than something could spread out of control.
>
> In addition, virtually all Linux vendors offer free on-line security
> updates. The general philosophy of the Linux community has been to address
> possible security issues before they become a problem rather than hoping
> the susceptibility will go unnoticed.
> 3. Virtually Hardware-Independent
>
> Linux was designed and written to be easily portable to different
> hardware. For the desktop user, this means that Linux has been and likely
> always will be the first operating system to take advantage of advances in
> hardware technology such as AMD's 64-bit processor chips.
> 4. Freedom of Choice
>
> Linux offers freedom of choice as far as which manufacturer you purchase
> the software from as well as which application programs you wish to use.
> Being able to pick the manufacturer means you have a real choice as far as
> type of support you receive. Being open-source software, new manufacturers
> can enter the market to address customer needs.
>
> Choice of application programs means that you can select the tools that
> best address your needs. For example, three popular word processors are
> available. All three are free and interoperate with Microsoft Word, but
> each offers unique advantages and disadvantages. The same is true of Web
> browsers.
> 5. Standards
>
> Linux itself and many common applications follow open standards. This
> means an update on one system will not make other systems obsolete.
> 6. Applications, Applications, Applications
>
> Each Linux distribution comes with hundreds and possibly thousands of
> application programs included. This alone can save you thousands of
> dollars for each desktop system you configure. Although this is a very
> small subset, consider that the OpenOffice.org office suite is included as
> well as the GIMP, a program similar to (and many people say more capable
> than Adobe Photoshop); Scribus, a document layout program similar to Quark
> Xpress; Evolution, an e-mail system equivalent to Microsoft's Outlook
> Express; and hundreds more.
>
> For the more technically inclined, development tools, such as compilers
> for the C, C++, Ada, Fortran, Pascal and other languages, are included as
> well as Perl, PHP and Python interpreters. Editors and versioning tools
> also are included in this category.
>
> Whether you are looking for Instant Messaging clients, backup tools or Web
> site development packages, they likely are all included within your base
> Linux distribution.
> 7. Interoperability
>
> More and more computers are being connected to networks. No system would
> be complete if it did not include tools to allow it to interoperate with
> computers running other operating systems. Once again, Linux is very
> strong in this area.
>
> Linux includes Samba, software that allows Linux to act as a client on a
> Microsoft Windows-based network. In fact, Samba includes server facilities
> such that you could run a Linux system as the server for a group of Linux
> and Windows-based client systems.
>
> In addition, Linux includes software to network with Apple networks and
> Novell's Netware. NFS, the networking technology developed on UNIX systems
> also is included.
> 8. It's a Community Relationship, Not a Customer Relationship
>
> Other operating systems are the products of single vendors. Linux, on the
> other hand, is openly developed, and this technology is shared among
> vendors. This means you become part of a community rather than a customer
> of a single manufacturer. Also, the supplier community easily can adjust
> to the needs of various user communities rather than spouting a "one size
> fits all" philosophy.
>
> This means you can select a Linux vendor that appears to best address your
> needs and feel confident that you could switch vendors at a later time
> without losing your investment--both in terms of costs and learning.
> 9. It's Not How Big Your Processor Is...
>
> Because of a combination of the internal design of Linux and development
> contributions from a diverse community, Linux tends to be more frugal in
> the use of computer resources. This may manifest itself in a single
> desktop system running faster with Linux than with another operating
> system, but the advantages go far beyond that. It is possible, for
> example, to configure a single Linux system to act as a terminal server
> and then use outdated hardware as what are called thin clients.
>
> This server/thin client configuration makes it possible for older, less
> powerful hardware to share the resources of a single powerful system thus
> extending the life of older machines.
> 10. Linux Is Configurable
>
> Linux is a true multi-user operating system. Each user can have his or her
> own individual configuration all on one computer. This includes the look
> of the desktop, what icons are displayed, what programs are started
> automatically when the user logs in and even what language the desktop
>
>
>
>
> Roland
>
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Don't forget to site your sources.
http://www.tuxmagazine.com/node/1000117

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Received on 10/19/05