I have had Linux for a few hours, and I really have started questioning why? What is the real point of having Linux?

Because it it free? Arguably, if you cant just fork over the cash (which most of us can), you could illegally download official programs like Photoshop, which has a much more practical use than Gimp. When you apply for a job, and they see you have experience with Windows or possibly OS X programs, that is a plus. Businesses use these programs, and someone who is experienced with them is more valued than someone who is not. When the business sees you are experience with "rip-offs" of favored programs, what use are you to them?

Because it is safer? It seems that the reason everyone says it is safer is because there are less users. Isn't it like 3% of the population uses Linux, and 7% uses Apple. Why not just get a Mac?

Of course there are those in-depth things like the fact that it is open-source, but for an average user, that just really isn't important.

Is the only real value of Linux price? I am not out to attack Linux, it is just that I am new to it, and I don't understand why it should be chosen over OS X or XP.

Use it because you want to - there are many reasons for using it over another OS.

We don't use warez because we all like to stay withing the boundaries set by the law. Having Linux experience is becoming more and more valuable - a large number of Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies use it in some way or another.

No, not really. Security is inherent in *Nix products.

The most arguable point is...we use it because we like it. Other reasons are there, but that is the one you will hear most frequently. Others may say they like having control over their system, and others may say they like the look. All of us, the linux community, have found our niche in open-source, and couldn't have it any other way.

I recall when I first went over the linux world Fedora Core 2, I was blown away. Running back to windows every few minutes just to solve some problem, but as I continued using it. I became more aware of my computer. I understood what was "under the hood." It was exhilarating, and I just wanted more of that feeling. So, here I am a few months older and wiser, but still wishing I knew more about this wonderful OS so I could use it to its full potential.

What real reason is there to use Linux? The answer is different for many people, and their justification may not be suitable for yourself, grasshopper. The only one who can answer that question for you is yourself. Eventually you will reach a new level of enlightenment and find that answer.

There are many paths to take, and nobody can tell you that yours is the path of the open palm. Thus, nobody is forcing you down that path. If it is your desire to travel the road of closed fist, so be it. The decision is, and always has been, your own.

Oh, where to begin...
BTW, you seem to come off like an M$ troll, but I'll assume your being genuine,... and simply are undereducated

More experience is better. A Linux user often has had extensive exposure to Windoze machines and often knows the system better than most Micro$ofties.

Cost isn't the only consideration, although it can be one. Remember that Linux is not just free as in free beer it is free as in free speech. You will eventually be forced to upgrade with commercial software. I for one was forced to upgrade Quickbooks so that it could interface with the latest tax software. I had no need for additional features in Quickbooks. It just required me to upgrade or have to manually enter all my data in... which I did. I now use online tax prep within a Linux browser (Firefox).

M$ FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt). Linux is not safer because there are fewer users. It is safer because it has a better architecture. Actually, the current percentages you have are reversed. Linux users now account for as much as 5-7% of the computing public, while MAC users account for about 3-4%. If you look statistically at serious infections basedupon percentage, Linux should be much more attacked than it is.

Both Linux and MAC X (essentially FreeBSD with a facelift) are safer because their architecture is more secure. Linux is a multiuser system from the ground up. To gain access to a Linux system at the sytem level, you must hack root. That's not an easy task for a virus. It's pretty hard for a hacker too. While few viruses exist for Linux, the ones that do exist do relatively little damage. That is because if a virus infected a user's account, it could only do what the user can do. Nothing more. A system wide infection is extremely unlikely. Most Linux security threats are low.

In fact it is better to say that Windoze is attacked more not because there are so many users, but because it is such an easy target.

Open source means you own your data. It is in a freely modifyable format. that's very important to the average user. They don't need the latest and greatest most of the time. What they need is for their system to work. Linux works. Very well in fact. Up-times on the order of years are not unusual for servers. Besides, downloading illegal software (warez) is illegal after all. Catching illegal software users is becoming more frequent. Technology that stiffles warez is becoming more pervasive. Open source doesn't and never will have this problem. Make as many copies as you want. Give them away to your friends. It's all good, and that's good for the end user.

No it's not price. Price is the last thing. It's freedom. Freedom to choose, to use and to keep using.

as Brane Ded said every body has his reasons and when you stay with linux for some time you will come to appreciate its strength

i mainly use linux :

1) Security (No spyware , viruses , trojans ,.........)
2) Speed
3) Multitasking
4) The power of its bash scripting (as you could do nearly anything from the console)

5) I LOVE IT

Doens't this seem to you like trolling? This kind of posts will always show up from time to time, trying to discourage the Linux user (especially the newbies, firstcomers at LQ, for whom reading such a post will bring doubt into their souls).
I know that the right thing to do is to calmly and politely explain to the starter (troller perhaps) of the thread the advantages (and disadvantages, of course) of using Linux, but in such cases I think I'm not mistaking if I'd ask him/her: why did you even bother to spend that few hours using Linux? You didn't even mention which distribution have you used.
Also, go tell that to Microsoft, Adobe, whomever. This kind of statements could bring you troubles.
Spend a few more time using Linux, if you really won't like it, choose whatever OS you want, the one that fits you on any point of view (financial, useability, security, etc.). Has someone forced you into using Linux?

I'm not trolling, I'm serious. I really know nothing about Linux, and I want to see what it is that drives it. The fact that it will give me a better understanding of my comp is a good one. I plan to spend weeks on it before I really judge it, I was just giving my first impressions.

I'm glad you're no troll. Just keep posting if you need help. We'll keep helping you.

I realize to this point, the discussion has gone well. However, the idea behind the post is the million dollar debate: Linux vs Windows vs Mac: Battle of the OS's.

There technically is no 'linux' question here.

As such, I'll move this to General.



Cool

I'm a nux newbie ( Aren't we all ? ) working all day long on M$ server and workstation.
I am working with it for one or two years now ( at home only ) without spending to much time on it.

Why did i choose linux at home ?
Everything you've read below and a really great community where u can find any answer at any time and take advise from LQ for example.
People are not giving u solutions only, but will help you finding urself the path to find it. ( i've heard many times RTFM and i'm reading man now )
And this is kinda great !

In my point of view "What is the real point of having Linux? " is not the right question.

"What could i do with my microsoft system without paying licences all the time ( Anti Virus, Spyware, Firewall, Office, Photoshop ... )" was the question some months ago.
Answer was nothing. ( can u do something with paint and notepad ? )

Linux is now giving me what i want except playing.
Now, i do use XP for games only, waiting patiently for game editors to understand there is something else than Windows !

You will never find killer app or anything else on *nux system that will give u the argument to replace totally Windoz.
Don't choose linux for this, but as a real alternative to your favorite os.

Hope i gave you the desire to try it.

pierre

Why use Linux? First, you shouldn't compare it to Windows. They both do different things better than each other. Yes, Windows does some things better than Linux. No, I am not a Microsoft goon. But you have to admit this sooner or later.

Linux is an alternative. People come here thinking Windows is the answer, and ask why use Linux. Why use Windows? What's so good about Windows.

It's all down to personal preference. Since I enjoy games like America's Army (and don't go telling me theres a Linux version, because I play other games too), I tend to use Windows more. However, I've started trying to do all my word-porcessed assignments on Linux. Unfortunately, I can't use OpenOffice's equivilent to Powerpoint very well, so I still use Windows for this.

Linux is NOT less immune to viruses. It simply isn't targeted. Say you want to start a DDoS attack on SCO. Are you going to try and zombie 3% of machines across the world, or 90%? Thats why Windows is at risk. If Linux was used by 90% of the population, there would be (probably) just as many viruses on Linux, possibly more due to certain component's community development.

If you've only used Linux for a few hours, stick with it . It's well worth the ride.

i use linux for following reasons (as do most people to some degree):
-ease of installing programs and configuring options/settings
-amount and quality of server programs
-user-configurable gui
-the separation of core program and gui: you can use the gui you want to do stuff you do
-easy administration/troubleshooting via command line (especially important when doing it via gprs ssh & cell phone or pda )
-lot´s of different desktops to choose from: you get the functionality and looks you want.
-support for many file formats out of the box
-open souce philosophy

that´s about it.

The command line gives me a rush.

I haven't had to reboot my server for 200 days except to put another network card in.





When I ran windows 2000 I had to reboot every month or so to keep it from crashing and keep speed up