Why Use Linux?

  Stability / Reliability / Availability

But, everyone loves the "Blue Screen of Death", right? Linux tends to be a very solid, lock-up free, running-forever-without-a-reboot type operating system. Desktops and Servers (usually) do not need to be rebooted over software installs, security update patches, network reconfigurations, etc., etc. Linux servers often run for years without any hint of downtime.

  Inherently More Secure

Computers around the world are constantly plagued with viruses, spyware, adware, malicious scripts, and numerous other types of "malware". Linux was designed to not allow these sorts of threats to manifest themselves in trouble and / or downtime. Very few viruses are written for Linux because this type of approach simply does not work well with the Linux operating system. More malicious programs may be written targeting Linux in the future, but the very nature of the Linux OS makes it much less susceptible to such attacks.

  Cost

Microsoft Windows © Professional currently sells for around $300. Office for around $550. About the cheapest that you can purchase a Windows Server © license for is around a grand. Depending on what email, database, antivirus, backup, etc. software that you may need to load, that price can quickly rise to thousands and thousands of dollars. Think that sounds like a lot of money? So do we, and many other companies do also. Linux is (usually) free. Most Linux distributions, from desktop to servers, including all of the software packages mentioned above can be had for the cost of an Internet connection and a few blank CDs.

  Fun

Trying something new is exciting and stimulating, and making a political statement at the same time really puts the icing on the cake. Using Linux can be described in many, many wonderful ways, and "fun" is often one of them. Once you climb the small learning curve, projects seem to go as planned. Irritating unknowns present in other computing systems are greatly reduced. You can't hardly run Linux for any amount of time, and learn a great deal more about your computer, your network, and the Internet; you'll then be able to use this information to propel your computing world to newer and more comfortable heights. This, along with throwing the boys in Redmond a little healthy competition, provides a very enjoyable experience for all those involved in The Linux Revolution.

  Interesting Software Available

Search around on SourceForge (or any other large Linux software repository) for a while, and you will quickly see that there are literally millions of software packages which you can download, free of charge. The uses for some of these pieces of software will be apparent, the purpose of others will be more difficult to discern; the point is that you will be able to find the tool for the job, when you want it, sitting right there on the web.

  Compatibility / Interoperability

Linux software has been programmed to be compatible with most software packages on the market, Microsoft © or otherwise. Full Office suites, which can open MS Office files, are available on the Internet. Fact of the matter: Microsoft © is NOT Linux compatible... Linux IS Microsoft compatible! Furthermore, what Linux natively is not compatible with, someone out there has probably written a Linux compatibility layer for. How's that for compatible?

  Powerful / More Configurable

It's been said that purchasing a piece of software that is not open source is like "buying a car with its hood welded shut". Linux provides access to all configuration files, which are easily edited through any old text editor. What you absolutely cannot configure with a configuration file, you can modify directly through the provided source code. Linux empowers you right down to the last detail.

  Integrated / Freely Available Development Environments

Checked on a Microsoft Visual Studio © lately? Try a price tag of about $1500. More Linux development suites than I can mention are available as free downloads, and some are already installed from the first boot (depending on the Linux distribution). Linux development is encouraged! (not taxed!)

  Great Networking Abilities

The Linux operating system is constructed around the TCP/IP protocol. It always has, and, maybe, always will be. This is one of the big new features of newer MS operating systems. What good are computers if they can't talk to each other (other than over-powered typewriters)? Linux's native tongue is the "language of the Internet".

  Clean Running System / Easy Upgrades

Linux systems do not come crashing down around themselves after a period of use; some OSes seem to "eat" themselves, and require regular reinstallation. Linux upgrades tend to go quite well, allowing users to use new OS versions without the need to reinstall. Simply said, Linux tends to be a clean-burning, efficient, and agreeable machine.

  Available Source Code

If 1000 monkeys, with 1000 typewriters, can write the works of Shakespeare in 1000 years, what can millions of skilled Linux developers around the world create? When everyone is allowed to pitch in on a project, wonderful things tend to happen. This is one of the greatest advantages of the Linux system. When a program contains a bug, someone can fix it. When an application needs a new feature, someone will be there to code it. Open source allows it all to happen!

  Easy installation

In the past, difficult installation procedures reserved Linux for only the very geeky. More recently, many Linux distributions come packaged with beautiful and easy-to-use installation programs. There are many freely available Linux distros that, simply, are easier to install than Windows (oh, and you won't find yourself having to reinstall every six months either...).

  Avoid Licensing Headaches

Shout out to the Enterprise Network Administrators out there! When was the last time you spent a whole week figuring out what to do about your company's MS licensing woes? (it hasn't been long enough for me, and we were properly licensed and only in need of renewals) Most Linux software is licensed under the GPL, a very effective software licensing system which allows software to be safely redistributed (along with source code), while still allowing developers to make money with their skills.

  Instigates Competition

A little friendly competition in the marketplace prompts companies to create cheaper, better working products. Such competition is increasing the effectiveness, and decreasing the cost of new productivity features every day!

  Resource Usage

Most Linux distributions take in to consideration that not everyone can afford the newest, biggest computer (since they do come out about every month). A great many of the newest Linux distributions can be configured to run quite well on PCs as small as our old 486s that we packed up years ago. Some distros are geared towards allowing alternate uses of old PCs, such as using a (otherwise useless) 200 MHz box to be used as a highly secure, and wonderfully performing, router.