Why Linux?

Disappointed by Windows Vista, and don’t have the dough to buy a new Mac? As the battle to take over the world’s computers heats up between the Windows and Mac operating systems, many people forget about the availability of a third, entirely free, option: Linux.

Contrary to popular opinion, you don’t need a degree in computer programming to use a Linux-based OS. Nor do you need any money, for that matter. The big draw of Linux is that it is entirely free for use, and some distributions even promise that their releases will always be free of charge.

Currently, there are three hundred different Linux versions in circulation. If you are a beginner at Linux, start off with a user friendly one, such as Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS, or Linspire. These versions have a similar point-and-click interface with Windows, such as a Start Menu and desktop icons, and are able to recognise and install drivers for most common hardware.

If you are still afraid to take the leap of faith from the (expensive) security of Microsoft into the unfamiliar regions of Linux, some versions allow you to get a taste of the software first without installing them into your computer.

If you do decide to install Linux onto your computer, but are still unsure of totally abandoning Windows, you can choose to have both operating systems installed on your computer, known as dual-booting. So when you turn on your PC, you will be given a choice of which system in which to boot in.

You have nothing to lose, but stand to gain a spanking new operating system that allows you to use thousands of useful applications at absolutely no cost. So why not give Linux a try today – if all fails, you get to brag about being able to use Linux to your friends

Click here to move on to a brief summary of the pros and cons of Linux.