Do You Really Need Linux?

When it first came out, Linux was billed as the operating system for enthusiasts. People who were accustomed to Windows found it very difficult to use Linux. The early Linux was based on command line configuration and compilation. This made early Linux difficult to find acceptance among the general users; only the enthusiastic few took it up as sort of an adventure. But, times have changed. Today, Linux Ubuntu has almost the same look and feel like Windows. Still, the programs need to be installed in a specific manner, but user-friendliness is greatly improved. Installation is pretty easy as well and all necessary data is made available in just one CD.

Advantages of Linux

Can Linux be more helpful than Windows? Here we look at some benefits of Linux:-

1. Linux does not suffer from viruses. Viruses are mostly created for the Windows platform and they simply refuse to work on Linux.

2. The second advantage is the speed. Linux is very fast and it does not require a lot of memory to work optimally. Some Linux versions will happily work on the old 486 processors.

3. Linux is quite spread out today—it is found in devices such as satellite receivers, cable receivers, mobile phones and such. This indicates that Linux is good because to be accepted in all these devices, it has to be good. The DreamBox satellite receiver is a good example where Linux is used. Also, there are many Linux enthusiasts who are busy developing software applications especially for this platform.

4. There are indeed many software applications for Linux currently. Software is also available to run virtual Windows operating systems in Linux. These software system is called VirtualBox.

5. All movies that can play on Windows can also play on Linux. All music files can also be played. Also, with regards to online movies and games, the compatibility is the same whether you are using Windows or Linux. Online media works in the same way on both operating systems.

Disadvantages of Linux

But, there are some low points as well.

1. It is certain that all programs meant for Windows won’t work on Linux.

2. There could be some difficult times, such as when you are using Linux and your friends are using Windows. You want to share some files with them but then you find that they can only be used on a Windows operating system. In that case, there is only one solution left, i.e. to use virtual Windows in Linux or Vine. By the way, not all programs run on Linux and Vine properly.

3. There is still a problem with Open Office and Microsoft Office compatibility. Some documents are opened, but not correctly.

4. Linux has fewer games dedicated for it than other operating systems.

So, What’s the Verdict?

Despite its shortcomings, Linux has found wide acceptance today. It is used in servers and supercomputers. Special Linux kernel versions can run on ARM and the Intel 8086 and 80286 microprocessors. It also runs on Macintosh with both Power PC and Intel processors.

Linux enthusiasts have also managed to install Linux on iPods.

Here are some programs that run on Linux…

For Office:-

• Open Office
• Evolution Mail and Calendar
• Free Mind, a mind mapping tool
  

Sound and video:-

• Audacity
• Kino
• VLC Media Player
• Avidemux
• DeVeDe for DVD authoring

Graphics:-

• F Spot, a photo manager tool
• Gimp, an image editing software application
• Open Office Drawing.
  

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