What are the advantages to Linux and alternate OS's?

[brown32]

I am an average computer user with novice-intermediate knowledge of my computer system. I have never seen Linux or other OS's run besides windows9x/or NT.

I was wondering if there are any advantages to learning to use Linux or windows NT for the average home user? How would my average use benefit from using these OS's.

I am hesitant to install them unless there is some benifit for my simple uses.

Thanks,

Tony B.

[AuraEdge]

Lemme start this up...
Lets see..first off the number one reason to run Linux or BeOS or somthing like that is that IT ISNT MICROSOFT [img]/forum/smile.gif[/img]. Windows OS's are resource killers (bad for stuff like RC5 and SETI@Home). Also SMP can be enabled in non win 9x OS's (meaning Unix and NT). Hmm..probably more flexible if u know how to use it. Oh yeah..its FREE! Red Hat Linux is gunna be my first stab at non win 9x Computing...Im gunna be putting together a second comp soon, so well see how it goes on it!

[Dominus]

1. Linux can run for years without crashes and reboots.

2. If you don't like anything about the OS, the code is free, so you can change it.

3. It's completely free. Download it off the net for free, or buy a CD for $2.

4. All updates are completely free.

5. A few days after a bug is found, a patch is released.

6. If you can't wait a few days, fix it yourself.

7. Hardware doesn't work well enough? Write your own drivers.

8. The entire OS was designed around networking, unlike Win98, where networking is a second rate add-on.

9. Beowulf-Cluster Supercomputers!

10. If you have Linux experience on a resume, you're hired.

Keep 'em coming, boys.

[This message has been edited by Dominus (edited 09-05-99).]

[JerseyJoe]

Competition is good. In addtion to the reasons given above, OS's like Linux or Beos encourage MS to try to improve their product or lose market share.

[CMonster]

From the desk of BeOS 4.5;

I am listening toa music CD while connected via BeOS dial-up networking and posting this via BeOSs "Net Positive."

Personally I prefere Linux, which has support for a vast array of hardware platforms, but the BeOS is now a very good second choice; however, BeOS highly is selective with hardware - you almost have to build the computer around it.

The use of alternative OSs provides you with greater experience and better familiarity with computing in general. Even if you decide an alternative OS is not for you, the experience will help you with your Windows computing.

I use Caldera OpenLinux 2.2, which I bought directly from Caldera. Although Linux is obtainable for free, I would recommend buying a distribution, which can cost from $29 to $79. This helps support companies who are constantly improving the OS, helps keep people employed, improves the economy, and saves you a rather lenghty download (also insuring that you get uncorrupted data which can occur with a modem download). Perhaps best of all, you will have the CD, manuals, and limited tech support. In addition you can install it on as many machines as you like - but there are certain restrictions on 3rd party applications that run on Linux.

It can be tough at first, but if you like challenges an alternative OS can be very rewarding. There is a tremendous amount of support sites for Linux on the internet, a real community.

Finally, there is no reason to give up your current OS to try an alternative - discover the magic of dual booting!

Help stop MS world domination.

Goerge

[AuraEdge]

lol...funny u should mention that if u mention Linux on your resume your hired. My friend went for a interview for ISP tech support, and I was in the room while he was interviewed...well one of the guys questions was exactly this...do u have any expierence with Linux? Course he choked on most other questions too (like what parameters do u need to start up and email account..he sat there and said I dunno...and Im thinkin STMP AND POP3!! grrr [img]/forum/smile.gif[/img]), and Im standing in the room frustrated cuz I cant say nuthin. Dont ask just thought Id share that with u guys.

[johnpaul]

Here's one columnist's opinion:

http://www.chron.com/content/story.html/tech/324615

JP

[nilknarf]

I currently still use Win 9x/NT as my primary os's (sorry). I have Red Hat Linux installed on one machine.

I have 3 problems with linux -

1. I haven't had enough time to learn everything that you can do with it.

2. There isn't much software commercially available yet.

3. The computer that I have it installed on doesn't have enough HD space to do much.


The fixes for my problems are as follows:

1. Hook the linux box up so that I can play around with it.

2. Just wait, MS has ticked off enough people that there'll be more for linux than for MS in a year or two.

3. Pull the big drives from my NT/98 box and put them in the linux box.

See, with linux it's even easier to fix problems than with MS!!!! (not to mention the fact that I can change the OS whenever, and however, I want!)

[Sensei^]

you may want to try this website if your having problems getting over the small humps linux throws at us...

http://www.linuxnewbie.org

yeh its my site.

Sensei
http://www.linuxnewbie.org

[ANTONIO E GUERRA]

Linux is by far the most stable operating system I have ever tried. If you want network security, Linux is your best choice and it is virus free. However, I must admit that it took me a couple of months to get familiar with the different commands. You need to learn to forget windows. Believe me, if I learned it, everyboady can with a little of patience. Nowadays I am running an Xwindows that looks exactly like windows 98 but it is crash proof. Staroffice is an excellent software package very similar to Office 97. Corel and Netscape are now writing software for Linux.In terms of software, Linux provides with excellent download and customized software from its different flavors. For those of you who love Phosotoshop, try Linux photo and image manipulators. They are amazing!You can even customized all the software to your personal needs. It is always interesting to try a different path and see how is the world outside that "window".

[simon]

Advantages:

Multitasking, multiuser, stable, free, fast and fully user configurable.

Old men like me started computing with Unix,
so its easy to learn.

Disadvantages:

GAMES - so few and far between.