What do you like the most about Linux.

[umerh]

Well I have recently installed Linux and I liked the stablity of Linux.

[kongit]

linux is not bug free :)

Just several hours ago I had to mess around with some ebuilds in gentoo to get pango to compile. fun times.

I really prefer linux because it allows me to use my computer to its full potential. I always felt limited in windows. Not to mention that linux is stable, fast, and has the ability to look far better than windows.

:)

[Keldyn]

What I like most about Linux is the freedom you have. Linux can be made to look like just about anything and can run on almost any hardware. With linux you can customize and tweak it to your exact tastes. Windows lacks this same level of freedom that you have with linux. Sure it is far more difficult to get to grips with, but the time invested in learning Linux is so very rewarding. Unlike windows, linux does not try to hide the inner workings of the OS from you, so if you like to get your hands dirty, and enjoy finding out just how your operating system works then Linux is perfect.

[Schmoove]

99% Bug Free?

Hahaha, it is full of bugs, maybe you don't see most of them, but just like every other OS it contains bugs.... and lots of them.

They face the surface sooner in Windows because like 90% of the people in this world use it and it is the main platform for hackers to attack. I'm pretty sure that MacOSX or Linux isn't much better....

Anyways, I like Linux (installed Fedora) because it is free and still does a decent job.

[Keldyn]

It is silly to claim that Linux is 'bug free". No platform is without its share of problems and Linux is no exception. Last year, Red Hat linux recorded over 160 major vulnerabilities that needed patching.

[umerh]

You can customise Linux to make it run for you.

This is what I also want to do but I can't write in C/C++.

[Redestium]

I'd like it if the software I use everyday was ported. :/

[the evn show]

I guess what I like most about Linux is that (for the most part) it's a collection of very simple elements. It's easy to learn any given "chunks" of a Linux based OS and then you can string them together to do very powerful results. I find that to be very elegant, and I find myself more functional with tools that do one thing, but do it well.

Other systems (ie:Windows) are built on top of very complex systems with very simple interfaces - for some reason I just don't feel at home on such a system. I also get frustrated with tools that do many things, but not particularly well.

EDIT:

free: it's nice but I pay for my *NIXs of choice to support future development.

Free: It's a lovely ideology, but if something noticeably better came along and was not Free - I wouldn't think twice about using it.

Easy and Cool: Cool...I just don't think anyone (aside from geeks) think that a *NIX system is cool.

Open Source: Again, it's nice - but I have only tweaked on the source code a few times, that's not enough to make it a deal-breaker for me. It's one of those 'parts' that make the whole more.

Powerful: There are other powerful operating systems too. Contrary to popular belief windows server products have proven themselves in major companies. Solaris is no slouch either.

Bug Free: HAHAHA

Less headaches: Compared to what? I have fewer problems with Linux machines than I do with Windows machines, but I have fewer still with BSD based systems. Some things you just can't get rid of - like checking logs, backups, and patching/upgrading.

Non-microsoft: I'm not a big fan of their business practices so I don't buy their products and I don't use them if I don't have to. This isn't really a plus for Linux, it's a hit against microsoft.

Edited March 17, 2004 by the evn show

[kongit]

I'd like it if the software I use everyday was ported.

most of it is with the exception of games. what do you use?

[Atlas]

I like it because it's not Microsoft.

[MG-Cloud]

To be honest, the initial thing that attracted me to Linux was that it's free. I'm not the richest person out there, and I'd rather be 100% legal than either be in debt buying the software I need just to function and do my homework (Windows, Office, Visual Studio, Photoshop, Flash, etc etc), or pirate nearly everything I run. Even with the educational discounts, the software I need costs approximately 1.5x (or more, now) what my computer costs. I'd much rather buy a new computer.

So, with that in mind, I installed linux. And, I was and am absolutely blown away by it. The amount of choice available is just incredible, as is the customizability and power that goes along with this os. Granted, I've had a few little bumps along the way, but I love how this OS doesn't treat you like a clueless newbie. The community is great (at least at Neowin and Gentoo, which have helped me solve about all of my problems). It's really exciting also to follow projects as they're being developed, somewhat of a rarity on windows.

I think MS is doing a great job with their products, allowing nearly anyone to use a computer. I have nothing against them, just, I believe that Linux and its associated software programs are far better than windows.

[STV]

the evn show: "Non-microsoft: I'm not a big fan of their business practices so I don't buy their products and I don't use them if I don't have to. This isn't really a plus for Linux, it's a hit against microsoft."

Atlas: "I like it because it's not Microsoft. "

I really with that both of you would grow up and think more openly about such matters.

I wouldn't know as my linux installations go bad almost instantly after setup.

STV

[sandman45654]

Powerful: There are other powerful operating systems too.  Contrary to popular belief windows server products have proven themselves in major companies.

Windows Server is indeed a very powerful os. I run Window Server 2003 at home and it's an amazing os.

Behold the power of Windows!! (yes, I know I have too much free time :rofl: )

Windows running 9 os's

Windows running 5 os's and 30 or so apps

The thing I like the most about Linux is learning new things.

The thing I like the least is not having apps like Dreamweaver Mx 2004, Office 2003, Sound Forge 7....

[Liebe]

it would be nice if pro tools worked on linux... which wont happen till pigs fly...

[BananaMan]

One of the things I love about Linux is the user base and documentation. Every nook and cranny of the Linux OS is documented in one way or another. Whenever there is a problem you can almost guarantee there's a documented solution, or at least explanation on why the problem is occuring. The last two things that are great about Linux is the constant development and the power that Linux has as a server and a workstation, it's just lacking in a lot of decent software on the workstation side of things at the moment.

[KenLin]

I answered free, but that's not entirely it. I really like the whole collaborative effort thing. People across the world working together to come up with something really good, all for free. I also think it's really cool that something that started out as a school project has turned into such a huge deal.

[MR_Candyman]

ok, I could have voted for any of the reasons, but really I love it because it is FAR LESS HEADACHE. Once you get your system up, it just runs, and runs perfectly (unless you're an idiot who kills it...I have a few times but have always been able to fix it without re-install). If Windows messes up, can you go and open up the system files in a text editor? no...it's doubtful you can even access the windows partition if it is too messed to boot.

Another thing I LOVE about it is battery life in laptops. Mine lasts 2 hours MAX in windows (idling basically) but it's lasted 6 hours doing large compilations in linux. Why the difference? No idea, makes no sense to me, but I know it does it so I don't care why.

Only thing I don't like about nix is the availability of games and good audio recording/engineering programs.

[AcdShdw]

I love the battery life it gives me for my laptop i love that its free and i love that its stable but HATE! the driver support for my video card ( not everything is perfect) i hate the wireless support , lack of video editiing support ( although their are alternatives) missing Mpeg audio support (now in all distros) , linux is going down hill lol

[scoobydoobie]

a list of things I like about Linux:

[memNOC]

definitelly the power aspect.. Windows (XP) is already free, stable, bug-free, easy and cool and less-headache for me..

i intend to use Linux mainly because of the mind-numbingly high choice aspect and power.. by power, i mean you can practically have it do or perform for you anything you'd like.. command-line is a very powerful medium, moreso than a GUI..

also, add the fact that you don't need to worry about viruses, fragmentation or security exploits Windows users suffer constantly, and i can easily overcome the difficulties and headaches it takes to install and time to adjust to a different system..

(Y)

[orestes]

One of the inportant things for me as a reason why i like it is the resource usage. The fact that any given time, depending on whats installed you can have 40 processes running and your utilizing near only 10-15% of your RAM, and virtually no CPU unless your compiling, XP with 40+ processes is deadly....I have my XP down to 25-27 running processes and still it doesnt run as smoothly as nux. I also like tweaking out the dtops and functionality of the different WMs...which in order to do in WinXP you'd have to install 3,000 apps or crack a few hundred system files.

[the evn show]

I really with that both of you would grow up and think more openly about such matters.

How do you propose I grow up? Blindly support a company that is anti-completive, illegally abuses it's position as a monopoly, and has a track record of profits before security? I also don't care at all for their practice of embrace-extend-break for standards (ie: CSS in internet explorer annoys me on a daily basis).

Sorry, I'm one of those people who doesn't support companies unless they earn it. Microsoft just doesn't do it.

They have some excellent products (word, and visual studio) but the way they act as a business is not something I can support.

[STV]

They have some excellent products (word, and visual studio) but the way they act as a business is not something I can support.

this way of thinking will get in your way. you say you wont use their products unless you have to, but doesnt that still breaks the limits that you have set for yourself (i.e. not to use MICROSOFT products). you either accept them and use their products or dont accept them and not use their products. The business aspect of their image should have nothing to do with the software aspect of it.

I dont want to start a flame war because that is just not a good way to converse with another person.

I do respect your limits on such matters but I dont understand how you cant see that Microsoft is changing, believe it or not. I think that people, such as yourself, should give them more open and accept them.

STV

[Danrarbc]

I don't care about most of the options.

I don't care if it's free, I can afford Windows. Windows XP hasn't crashed on me for over a year, and that crash was my fault, so stability isn't the reason I use it. It is not easy, and I don't care about being cool. I don't make my software choice an almost political issue, so I don't care about open source. For the bug free issue refer to the stablity answer. I've had more headaches in my 6 months or so of solid Linux use than I've had in all the time I've had this computer on Windows. And I couldn't care less is something is a Microsoft product or not.

What I like most is XFT text rendering, easy on the eyes. That and a choice in interfaces, all you can change in Windows is your shell, here almost anything can be changed.

What I dislike is the lack of transparency in X, though it's being worked on now. I also think the number of distros can slow development on some things too. If there were fewer distros each one could theoretically have more people working on it, and maybe things would move even faster.

[the evn show]

You say you wont use their products unless you have to, but doesnt that still breaks the limits that you have set for yourself (i.e. not to use MICROSOFT products).

You've got PM, so I'll keep this brief.

I make my living writing code and doing design; I can't control what the people who pay me are using at their offices, so if they want to pay me to use a copy of VisualStudio or Windows, or Microsoft BOB I can bite the bullet.

Furthermore - why are you pushing me for an absolute stance one way or another? Last check, I was free to run or not run whatever software I want, for any reason I want (even because My dog told me to) provided. If you're looking for a flaw in my convictions: knock yourself out - I can assure you they're unlikely to change because random Q internet guy thinks I'm being unfair to a company because I don't like the way they operate.

you either accept them and use their products or dont accept them and not use their products.

With 90%+ market share it's impossible to have nothing to do with Microsoft. It's like trying to breath only the oxygen molecules in the air: there's just too much nitrogen for that to be possible.

In my house I don't have a single Windows machine - and the huge collection of software Microsoft gives to me every year (as a student) is sitting in a briefcase in a closet in my basement - only to be used if there's no other way around it (ie: I have a course that requires MFC/C++ at school). I have the freedom to make that choice there - so I do.