Why do you use linux?

V4NT0M

V4NT0M

V4NT0M

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The "what do you still use windows for" thread got me thinking, I recently tried out Ubuntu 9.10 on my laptop because I've never really tried linux. Had a go and liked what I saw in general but It didn't really capture my imagination. It did everything that Windows did (mostly) but I couldn't see any reason why I would use it over windows 7.

So why do you use it, is it cost, work or is there something I'm missing?
 
Good question, certainly isnt the cost argument for me, instead I think I use it purely for the geek factor it has over Windows :p

I've had to use it throughout my degree for things like software design, network analysis, hacking, forensics etc. The entire openness and flexibility of every part of the OS is a key factor for me making it perfect for many technical tasks.

I also really like how Linux does package management, Windows could really learn from Linux's use of centralized software repository's.
 
I don't understand nor do I need to do the technical things that people like TNTcoder use linux for.

I dual boot and it is because it's open, you can make the distro how ever you want it. It's easier to bug fix than windows.

I guess I like it for geekiness, it works well, I can fiddle with it. When I fiddle with Windows it often feels like your trying to hack it, I guess because MS don't want people fiddling with it.

Linux software repo's are amazing, every program you could ever want is just one click away. With windows you have to find it on google3 etc.

I suppose I mainly like it because it's different.

All I want on linux is the windows snap feature thingy...
 
Superewza said:
Mainly the fact that's it's Open Source. Other than that, for my uses is better in pretty much every way.
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Can you clarify that?

I sense from the replies so far that most of you seem to just be using it because it's different...

I like the package manager myself, I think it's a good idea, it's kind of nice to see someone talking about an app and all you have to do is type a few words into the terminal to install it :D Would be nice to see a similar thing in Windows.
 
I installed it as I like to tinker but removed it after a couple of months as the hotkeys on my laptop didnt work, it was hard to set up full disk encryption unlike in Truecrypt and dual booting with windows seemed pointless as if I'm dual booting I may as well just use windows all the time as it does everything i need. I didnt NEED linux but it didn't work 100% with everything I wanted so I just went back to windows for convenience.

To be honest, Windows 7 is great so I don't really feel the need to run away like I did when using Vista. Linus was fun for the geek factor and being "different" but I didn't actually need to use it and as I had already bought Windows the cost wasn't a factor either (£45 on preorder).

The cost factor, however, is coming into play because my parents have a desktop a media center and a laptop all running XP at the moment and the preorder doesnt exist anymore. Upgrading them all to Windows 7 will be around £300 so in that case Linux would be fine for them as they only use the internet - but alas try talking elderly parents into having Linux!!

The irony is that if MS still did the family pack they would make £150 but by removing family licences for 3-machines they get £0.
 
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I've moved away from Linux a little as I now have a Macbook and am thoroughly enjoying OSX. But the reason for my use of Linux in the past were:

* It's free so I didn't need to pay for an upgrade on an older laptop.
* It taught me how to use Unix which I was doing a lot of at work.
* It runs better (faster) than Windows on an older machine.
* I like the idea of Open Source and want to support it.
* It was easier to install than Windows and all the hardware was woring out of the box. With Windows I had to install a lot of extra drivers.
* On my modern(ish) quad core machine the memory usage and especially the multithreading was FAR superior than Windows. In Windows Vista my quad core still felt unresponsive. In Ubuntu it absolutely flies.
 
Skyfall said:
Can you clarify that?

I sense from the replies so far that most of you seem to just be using it because it's different...

I like the package manager myself, I think it's a good idea, it's kind of nice to see someone talking about an app and all you have to do is type a few words into the terminal to install it :D Would be nice to see a similar thing in Windows.
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Browsing, playing music, programming and folding etc. I much prefer the way these things are done in Linux to the restricted options Microsoft offer, not to mention the fact that a Linux based OS will do them using far less resources. I know some people who won't install a program if it's not open source, while i'm not quite that serious about it it's still an important factor for me.

Yes, it's different. Is it better? It would be if more people used it, then it could be properly supported. As is... i'd say it depends on what you want it to do. For just everyday tasks and light gaming (most of my computer usage) then i can't see why you would use Windows. For something more specific, like perhaps serious video editing or 3D modelling then yes, you need the programs that are made for Windows solely because of its monopoly.

You're looking at it the wrong way i think, not 'what does Linux have but Windows doesn't?' but 'what does Windows have that Linux doesn't?'. Then you can weigh up if it's worth using Windows. You're acting as though Windows should be the OS of choice when really the OS of choice should be the best one for that persons uses.

Although that said, there's little reason for almost everybody not to be dual booting some sort of Linux distribution as is.
 
* It was easier to install than Windows and all the hardware was woring out of the box. With Windows I had to install a lot of extra drivers.
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Ironic thing is, my MS optical intelimouse worked (all buttons) no driver needed in Windows, had to install the driver from CD. Plus, I only use windows to game now.
 
linux is far more stable for what i use it for
its highly customisable
less likely to get trojan/virus

i don't care for open source/closed source as long as it works well i.e. i'd happily pay for good commercial software that works on linux

downside is gaming for which i have to dual boot to win 7
 
Personally I tend to use Windows or OSX on the desktop and Linux on servers at home.

I have run Linux on the desktop in the past but tend to just use Windows for ease now as I have less time to fiddle, (although I tend to fiddle with Linux all the time at work)
 
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I used to use it for a little technical challenge - but now its second nature and it annoys me having to boot into windows every now and again (mainly for skype). People sometimes ask why i use linux, and its sometimes seen as a geeky niche thing, but it does everything I need and I have got used to it. I also get annoyed with the time it takes to get anything done on Windows. Once you learn how to do what you need on linux then you get to like it.
 
Ross1234 said:
masterluke you get skype for linux.
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i know but for some reason i get audio dropouts and echo on the line on the linux version :( I suspect its because I'm using audio over spdif as it works fine at a mates house over regular pc speakers.

EDIT - just reading Superewza's post above - pretty much sums up my feelings on the subject with better words than i have.
 
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i tend to try linux everytime a new version of ubuntu comes out. i then get bored of it after a couple of weeks and go back to windows :(

rinse and repeat..

i dont know why i do this though.
 
-Tauren- said:
i tend to try linux everytime a new version of ubuntu comes out. i then get bored of it after a couple of weeks and go back to windows :(

rinse and repeat..

i dont know why i do this though.
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An operating system shouldn't really be something you "get bored of" though - an operating system is just a tool like a hammer.

I use Linux on my main work PC because it is very stable as well as being nice and quick, especially for multi-tasking. I always find myself doing a Windows re-install practically every six months to maintain decent performance, and it takes the best part of a day to get everything running how you like it again...
 
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