10 good reasons why you should install Gnu/linux

10 good reasons why you should install Gnu/linux, In the end, you can decide for yourself whether they're reason enough to migrate from other operating systems.

 1: Viruses/malware

This reason is always at the top of my list. Sometimes we don't focus on the things about the virus/malware while installing unknown software or inserting flash drive in USB, you can't know where they're getting those applications or attachments from. You can make sure those machines have antivirus and anti-spyware, but why even take the chance? When you are using the Gnu/Linux operating system, this concern becomes moot.

 

2: Security

This can be summed up easily. If you don't give any one the root password, they can't run with root privileges. Of course, you hit a little snag when using a distribution like Ubuntu. For any sudo-based operating system, you will need to edit the /etc/sudoers file to give user privileges they need.

 

3: Cost effectiveness

Let's say you have a younger user who is getting a hand-me-down machine that needs an OS reinstall. If you don't have that copy of Windows around, you're stuck purchasing a new copy. This can also be applied to any number of applications you might have to pay for. Avoid these costs altogether by handing that child the same machine running Gnu/Linux. You won't have pay for the OS license or any application that child might need or want. On top of that, they'll have the Add/Remove Software tool ,where they can hunt around and find just about anything they would need... all on their own! You can also run a modern distribution on much less hardware than you will need for Vista or Windows 7.

 

4: Age-specific tools

Did you know there are distributions/software groups designed specifically for young adults and children? There is Sugar, geared for K-6, Edubuntu, for ages 3-18, LinuxKidX, for ages 2-15, Foresight Kids, for ages 3-12, and many others. These age-specific tools are well suited for the group they target with graphics and language tuned for the age range. And some of the distributions geared specifically for younger kids lock the operating system down tightly so that only certain tasks can be run.

 

5: Netbooks / Low-end configuration devices

The Gnu/Linux operating system can run on low configuration devices and netbooks. You can install either a full-blown OS or a netbook-specific OS, along with whatever software you need on the netbook, making it an excellent choice for you. Gnu/Linux runs with no lag on low configuration or old Pc's. Puppy Linux can run on 333MHz CPU and 64MB Disk Spac. However having 256MB RAM and a 512MB swap file is more realistic.

 

6: Agile learners

If you put a Linux-based machine in front of a young user, you won't hear complaints like, "Why can't it run Quicken!" or "I need my custom payroll app to run on this!" Most of the people will master the Linux operating system quickly (and adroitly), with a minimal learning curve. Young minds adapt so well, you won't have any trouble adjusting to any differences. You could probably sit with a Gentoo box running CDE or AfterStep and in less time it took you to know what Linux means.

 

7: Staying in step

I know this one will bring out the ire in many readers. I'm not saying any operating system is used more than any other. But Linux is used worldwide. Many countries as a whole have adopted Linux. The future of Linux is very bright — and it seems to be getting brighter. So why not give you a head start on what could possibly be the future of the PC? This also applies for those fledgling IT pros out there. If Windows is so user friendly, you spending most of their time on Linux should have no problem grasping Windows. Gnu/Linux passes 1600 Games which competes with windows in gaming. In fact, I would argue that it will enhance the your ability to fully grasp the operating system and how the PC really works.

 

8: Learning opportunities

Open source emboldens education. It practically screams, "Open me up and learn!" What better way to help youngsters learn than by giving them the ability to do just that? With really curious people, the desire to learn is extraordinary — so why lock them down with closed source software? When a people is exposed to open source software and an open source operating system, the educational opportunities are limitless.

 

9: A lesson in community

Teaching you the value of open source software helps them understand community. Although you aren't likely to open up the source code of the applications they're using, in today's constantly evolving, community-driven world, they need every advantage they can get as they grow up. Having a sound understanding of open source will help them to understand, at an early stage, what it means to really work with and for a team. Using Linux indirectly teaches you the benefit of volunteering — something many of us need to learn more about. 

10: Content filtering

Linux has numerous ways to handle content filtering for you. From the manual editing of the /etc/hosts file, you can filter content in Linux far more granularly than you can in Windows — and just as easily. Add to this the ability to lock down what you can and can't do (without having to add third-party software), and Linux quickly becomes a safe computing environment for you.

 

Your take

Would you trust your security with Linux? Do you think Linux could help — or hinder — your learning on a PC? Which operating system do you think is the best choice for you? Linux? Windows? OS X? Join the discussion and share your thoughts.