Why am I using Linux?

It's easy, it's free and it's fun...
And I'm not afraid to open my mail anymore.

  Then there is the software . . . you'll read references to Open Source, OSS, F/OSS, GPL programs -- these are programs that are "free as in freedom", rather than "free as in beer." The distinction is that GPL-ed code can be used without any charge. You can also change the code to your liking. The reason it is not "free as in beer", however, is that if you do redistribute a program you make from the source code, you also have to redistribute the source code under the same license. -- Those who use your code can use it freely and change it also. (Although you can charge a fee for the compiled version of the program or for support.)

  The beauty of this for the typical PC user is that there are literally thousands of programs you can use free of charge. The Firefox web browser and the OpenOffice office suite are two popular examples of this type of software. The Gimp (image editor) and k3b (cd/dvd burning) are two other programs I use every day. On Linux, naturally. Linux itself is GPL-ed.



Is Linux for you?

PROs -- I think there are four good reasons to switch.

• Cost. You can download it or get it from a friend for free. Legally. Windows XP costs about $150 from the store. And as mentioned above, there is a plethora of free software to accomplish just about anything without additional expense.



• Security. You just don't get all the virus and spyware you do with Windows. Not only do less virus-writers target Linux, but it is inherently a more secure system than Windows. It was written with security in mind, developed and used/tested more frequently on servers, where security is imperative. [In other words, even after it becomes more popular than Windows, there will be a lot less security/virus problems.]



• Runs on older hardware. I guess you could lump this under cost, but it is really a separate issue. The fact is running the latest Linux with the right combination of window/file manager (for instance icewm/ROX) can be run efficiently on quite old hardware. For instance, a Pentium II with a $10 TNT2 video card can play lots of 3-D games as well as play videos, music and generally run in a very snappy manner. Got kids? Pick up or reuse an old machine and put Linux on it. It solves lots of problems.



• Its more fun. Millions of folks are using it and talking about it on the internet. They help each other out, try all kinds of new software that is being released every day. Tailor their system to exactly what they would like. The geekier among us write scripts and programs and share them with others. There is a huge and growing community of Linux users out there doing it their way and helping each other out. Maybe you want to join the club?