Hi!

I got a schoolproject about operating systems. My subject I chose was Linux, so that's why I'm here! For this project we have to contact a specialist about the subject and have a sort of interview, so I tried contacting a linux specialst. But after a few weeks I still didn't got a response. So this is why I would like to ask my questions here.

So, here they come

1. What is the biggest benefit about Linux in contrast to other operating systems, such as Windows or Mac OS?
2. What is the biggest downside about in Linux in contrast to other operating systems, such as Windows or Mac OS?
3. Are there certain things about Linux which you would like to change or improve?
4. How would you try to make Linux more populair, without changing the "Linux philosophy"?
5. How do you see the future of Linux in contrast to the other operating systems?
6. Which distribution is your favorite, and why so?
7. For which type of user are the most distribution made for?
8. Do you think it's a good idea that certain computer manufacturer supply stock computers with Linux distributions?
9. How is it possible that Linux develops faster than other (non-free) operating systems, such as Windows?

Everybody, feel free to answer!

Thanks in advance

We're not supposed to do homework... but this isn't quite the same as the rule is talking about. But - really, you need a specialist. Who have you tried and how?

You may want to try an academic - like a university? Someone who has written a linux book? Look for a LUG - they usually know how to contact people that can help. And you could aways e-mail rms

Freedom - the right to use, modify and redistribute as I wish.
Others insistence on non-free standards compliance. MS Word format, DRM, mp3 etc.
Userbase - would like this larger.
popular = used by more people, sure. popular = well liked by the users, that has already happened.

Note, every year a very large number of people get the flu, would you say that it is "popular"?
Linux adoption has been sitting on the edge of an explosive-growth cycle for a while. Lots of people use linux already without knowing it. It's in their phones or running the servers they use. Linux has got into universities and now schools are joining.
I use Ubuntu for it's utility and freedom on the home desktop and it is such a synch to maintain.
Free distributions are primarily aimed at the home user, with a leaning towards technical curiosity. Commercial distros are primarily aimed at businesses and schools.
Yes - it nudges certain proprietary OSs off their number one foothold. Note that IBM and hp have pre-installed linux, and there is an industry move to supply manufacturer-certified OS-less configurations. These moves are vendors toes in the water.
The freedom principle. Anyone with an itch to scratch can do so. Sharing the results means that others get to build on the preceding innovation right away, instead of waiting for the patent to expire in 50 years.