Why I use Linux

First of all, I am not a Microsoft hater, although I did think Vista was no more than a bogged down with services patched Windows XP. About a year ago I decided to Ditch Windows altogether, why? I was dual booting Windows XP for some time and I always hated rebooting the machine to go back into Windows to play a game or use some piece of software that wasn't available in Linux. It was an unhappy Mexican standoff on my PC, I preferred Linux, but always felt comfortable using Windows as I had been using it for so many years.

A number of factors made me switch, number one was disk space, I had to make a decision about which OS to delete, as disk space was at a premium at the time. To be honest I was playing with Linux with Red Hat 5.2 and I had used Mandrake, but when disk space run out I always deleted Linux, used Partition magic to increase my Windows disk space, and continued on. I tried Ubuntu and I immediately liked it. The previous problems I had encountered with Linux weren't with the operating system, but with the distributions community. A lot of the knowledgeable users were arrogant, and although I never asked a question in any forum, I read plenty of comments from these power users in reply to calls for help, and I was put off posting my own questions.

Ubuntu was different. It had the same forums, it had a support network, but the people helping were not condescending or arrogant. They were not only experts, but other users, and it was refreshing. Make no mistakes, no matter what anyone says, using Linux is a steep learning curve. From learning about folder layouts and permissions, to how to install software and maintain the system. Its not worse than windows, its different.

So why do I use Linux? I used to use Windows, but I got fed up with Virus checkers, Rootkit scare stories, Spyware removal tools and the system tray getting filled up with every program I have ever installed wanting to start with my PC. I must say I never contracted a virus with my day to day computing, however it was a drain on my computer running all these additional services and programs to keep it malware free 'just in case'. When I booted into my Ubuntu partition I could just open Firefox and go, a breath of fresh air. It brought back happy memories of when computing was fun.

So do I miss Windows? No I don't. I have a program called Wine which allows me to run a great deal of Windows games and utilities within Linux, and it works like a charm. Wine is continuously improving and adding programs that can work to its repertoire, although every program I have tried works and there is nothing I am waiting to be added. Additionally companies are releasing Linux versions or providing instructions on how to get it working with Wine.

I am never going back.