1. Linux Operating System Doesn’t crash
Linux has been proven to be a reliable operating system. Although the desktop is not a new place for Linux, most Linux-based systems have been used as servers and embedded systems.
High visibility websites like Google use Linux-based systems, but you can also find Linux inside the TiVo decoder in many living rooms.
Linux has proven to be so reliable and secure that it is commonly found in dedicated router and firewall systems used by high-profile companies to protect their networks.
For more than ten years, it has not been uncommon for Linux systems to run for months or years without the need for a single reboot.
2. Viruses are very few
Although it is possible to create a virus to attack Linux systems, the design of the system itself makes it very difficult to get infected.
A single user could cause local damage to his files by running a virus on his system; however, this would be an isolated instance rather than something spreading out of control.
Also, virtually all Linux vendors offer free online security updates. The general philosophy of the Linux community has been to address potential security issues before they become a problem rather than waiting for the susceptibility to go unnoticed.
3. Virtually independent of hardware
Linux was designed and written to be easily transportable to different hardware. For the desktop user, this means that Linux has been and will likely always be the first operating system to take advantage of advances in hardware technology, such as AMD‘s 64-bit processor chips.
4. Freedom of choice
Linux offers freedom of choice as to which manufacturer you buy the software from, as well as which application programs you want to use.
Being able to choose the manufacturer means that you have a real choice when it comes to the type of support you receive. Being an open source software, new manufacturers can enter the market to address customer needs.
Choosing your application programs means that you can select the tools that best suit your needs. For example, three popular word processors are available. All three are free and interoperate with Microsoft Word, but each offers unique advantages and disadvantages. The same goes for web browsers.
5. Standards
Linux itself and many common applications follow open standards. This means that an update on one system will not make other systems obsolete.
6. Thousands Of Applications
Every Linux distribution comes with hundreds and possibly thousands of application programs included. This alone can save you thousands of dollars for each desktop system you set up.
Although this is a very small subset, note that the OpenOffice.org office suite is included, as well as GIMP, a program similar to (and many people say it is more capable than Adobe Photoshop); Scribus, a document design program similar to Quark Xpress; Evolution, an email system equivalent to Microsoft’s Outlook Express; and hundreds more.
For the more technically inclined, development tools are included, such as compilers for C, C ++, Ada, Fortran, Pascal, and other languages, as well as interpreters for Perl, PHP, and Python. Editors and version control tools are also included in this category.
Whether you’re looking for instant messaging clients, backup tools, or website development packages, they’re all likely included in your basic Linux distribution.
7. Interoperability
More and more computers are connecting to networks. No system would be complete if it did not include tools that allow it to interoperate with computers running other operating systems. Once again, Linux is very strong in this area.
Linux includes Samba, software that allows Linux to act as a client on a Microsoft Windows-based network. In fact, Samba includes server roles so that you could run a Linux system as a server for a group of Linux and Windows-based client systems.
In addition, Linux includes software for networking with Apple networks and Novell Netware. Also included is NFS, the networking technology developed on UNIX systems.
8. It is a community relationship, not a customer relationship
Other operating systems are single vendor products. Linux, on the other hand, is developed openly and this technology is shared among vendors.
This means that you become part of a community rather than a single manufacturer’s customer. In addition, the provider community can easily adapt to the needs of various user communities rather than launching a “one size fits all” philosophy.
This means that you can select a Linux vendor that seems to best meet your needs and be confident that you can switch vendors later without losing your investment, both in terms of costs and learning.
9. It’s not about the size of your processor
Due to a combination of Linux’s internal design and development contributions from a diverse community, Linux tends to be more frugal in its use of computing resources.
This can manifest itself in a single desktop system that runs faster under Linux than another operating system, but the benefits go much further. It is possible, for example, to configure a single Linux system to act as a terminal server and then use outdated hardware such as so-called thin clients.
This thin client / server configuration makes it possible for older, less powerful hardware to share the resources of a single powerful system, extending the life of older machines.
10. Linux is configurable
Linux is a true multi-user operating system. Each user can have their own individual settings, all on one computer. This includes how the desktop looks, what icons are displayed, what programs start automatically when the user logs in, and even what language the desktop is in.
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