If you’re a Linux enthusiast like me, you’ve probably tried to convert a few people over to Linux from another operating system. Even though you succeed many times, there are always a few ‘geniuses’ out there who need some real persuading to switch over to Linux.
So here are some quick and simple things about Linux you can point out to your potential convert.
1. Linux helps you get rid of viruses, worms, and other computer infections.
Although it is possible to get infected even with Linux (malware is mainly written for Windows), its system architecture, based on a server-client relationship makes it difficult for a virus to do any damage. See this post.
2. Linux is fast and will stay fast
Vista is a huge resource hog. XP isn’t too humble either. If you use Windows for a longer time and install lots of different programs, your computer becomes bloated with trash data, consequently becoming slower. With Linux, even a major distro won’t demand more than 256 RAM to run passably with all the bling and a maximum of 2 GB of space. And it won’t get slower.
3. Linux is easier to use than Windows. Using the Terminal is not necessary in most cases.
What could be easier than opening a package manager, selecting the software you want, and letting Linux download it for you? I hate it when people complain about how Linux’ hardware support bites. They probably aren’t aware of the fact that Linux supports more devices than Vista. I should know, I had my share of problems with three different versions of Windows with lots of pieces of hardware. Ndiswrapper-gui is fool-proof and you know it! You can’t expect a new user will know how to solve every issue.
4. Linux is free as in free beer AND as in free speech. Cost does NOT define the value of Free Software!
All of the major Linux distributions are free of cost. Yes, that’s zero dollars. Ain’t it great to have a whole operating system and not be afraid you’ll get fined? You can choose from a multitude of great open source apps which come under the GPL license, too. No need to worry about the
5. Your porn collection is safe with Linux
Don’t laugh. I’m not a big fan of porn, but it has a big market share on the Internet. On Linux, (which is trojan, virus etc. free), every user gets a password, and you can see the source code so you know that FBI isn’t checking you out, like on Windows.
6. Thousands of Windows-only applications (even Photoshop CS3) and games work with Linux through WINE just as fast. You can also find good alternative open source software.
The Linux experience may be a bit different for a user who needs some Windows-only software, because there is no good equivalent for it on Linux. There’s always WINE though. It’s a compatibility layer which can install Windows programs on your Linux Box, even games like Call of Duty, Unreal Tournament, Half-Life 2…
Search open source alternatives
Search the Wine application DB
7. Linux looks better than Windows Vista or Mac OS X
It’s a simple as this: Linux has got Compiz Fusion and a very nice default theme, normally. You can imitate ANY effect other operating system boast with. If a Mac user still thinks his Mac OS X or Vista look better, don’t worry. You can make Linux look exactly like it in under 15 minutes.
8. Linux is fun
People always tell me this. And why? Linux users have the power to expand their system for free, they are free to modify the system exactly to their needs. You learn something new this way every day with Linux and if you do things right it can reward you with the desired results.
9. You can help improve Linux
There are lots of jokes made about ‘teh 1337 powerz of communityz’!!! Sadly, they exist mostly because they don’t know any good arguments against community. In open source, you can actually speak to the actual developers, help translate, develop and improve the software you are using right now while not helping others make wads of cash.
10. Linux makes you give your computer a name
It’s possible on every OS, basically, but Linux demands you do it! Sheer coolness.
Additional links:
Don’t click anywhere!
Credits for the idea go to Tolga Kaprol and her comment on this post
I just made the pic 
P.S. I am not hoping for this one to become famous. It’s just a filler post while I’m away.
If you view this image by Dave Boyle with FireFox 3, Internet Explorer or Opera 9.26, you will se a static PNG file. But if you use the Opera beta, or a beta of the new FireFox 3, you will be able to see an actual PNG animation.
The animated APNG format is supported in many mainstream browsers (except IE of course), though it seems that it will not see wider usage, because of the MNG format, which is supposed to be more popular (based on PNG). The Mozilla Foundation decided to support APNG because of its simple structure.
MNG is also supported in the mainstream browsers, like Konqueror and Netscape. It has been removed from FireFox some time ago, but according to Wikipedia, developers will slowly start to replace GIFs with this format.
The PNG Group decided in April last year not to use APNG generally. They also talk about other alternatives, like ANG, aNIM/mPNG, PNG in GIF and RGBA in GIF.
Format war? Hope not. That would mean more work for the developers. As a hobbyist programmer, I don’t like that idea. But just like PNGs are slowly replacing other still image formats, we could use an alternative to the 256-color bucket of fail which is GIF.
Wow! I never expected a little image I made early in the morning just to make a filler post would get to the front page of Digg, and Mixx!
This post is to reply to all the comments which where made in favor of the popularity of Windows. I don’t believe Windows is more vulnerable to viruses simply because it’s more popular and that’s why people write viruses for them.
I know anti-viruses are programs like ClamAV, rather than Linux itself - I just though claiming Ubuntu to be an “antivirus” would be a good joke (because I saw a similar “serious” article about it in PCWorld - my wish was to emphasize that with Linux, you are restriction-free, glitch-free, and virus-free (except in extremely rare cases).
No. Linux is open source, you have more eyes looking at the source, developing the system, creating different patches. Yesterday I listened to an episode of the TLLTS podcast and they said that most of the holes get patched in 24 to 48 hours. So that’s a big difference. And Linux does have a solid market share in the server world.
Get GNU/Linux.
UPDATE: Because this post became pretty popular at StumbleUpon, I also posted it to Digg… so if you like it, Digg away!
