Linux Computers

How Can Linux Benefit You
Where to start? Stability, security, no more malicious spyware installing itself on your computer and wreaking havoc. There are so many reasons it’s hard to decide. Most importantly, Linux provides you with the freedom to use the software you like, the way you like to use it. You are not locked into any formats that are controlled by companies. You choose. Linux also has legendary stability. No more blue screens of death when you boot up. Linux is also easy to use. The learning curve is short and worth while. Once you move, you’ll never look back.
And then there is cost. Ubuntu Linux is free and all the software we install is free.

Advantages of Linux:
Cost – The most obvious advantage of using Linux is the fact that it is free to obtain, while Microsoft products are available for a hefty and sometimes recurring fee. Microsoft licenses typically are only allowed to be installed on a single computer, whereas a Linux distribution can be installed on any number of computers, without paying a single dime.
Security – In line with the costs, the security aspect of Linux is much stronger than that of Windows. Why should you have to spend extra money for virus protection software? The Linux operating system has been around since the early nineties and has managed to stay secure in the realm of widespread viruses, spyware and adware for all these years. Sure, the argument of the Linux desktop not being as widely used is a factor as to why there are no viruses. My rebuttle is that the Linux operating system is open source and if there were a widespread Linux virus released today, there would be hundreds of patches released tomorrow, either by ordinary people that use the operating system or by the distribution maintainers. We wouldn’t need to wait for a patch from a single company like we do with Windows.
Choice (Freedom) – The power of choice is a great Linux advantage. With Linux, you have the power to control just about every aspect of the operating system. Two major features you have control of are your desktops look and feel by way of numerous Window Managers, and the kernel. In Windows, your either stuck using the boring default desktop theme, or risking corruption or failure by installing a third-party shell.
Software - There are so many software choices when it comes to doing any specific task. You could search for a text editor on Freshmeat and yield hundreds, if not thousands of results. Regular users and programmers contribute applications all the time. Sometimes its a simple modification or feature enhancement of a already existing piece of software, sometimes its a brand new application. In addition, software on Linux tends to be packed with more features and greater usability than software on Windows. Best of all, the vast majority of Linux software is free and open source. Not only are you getting the software for no charge, but you have the option to modify the source code and add more features if you understand the programming language. What more could you ask for?
Hardware - Linux is perfect for those old computers with barely any processing power or memory you have sitting in your garage or basement collecting dust. Install Linux and use it as a firewall, a file server, or a backup server. There are endless possibilities. Old 386 or 486 computers with barely any RAM run Linux without any issue. Good luck running Windows on these machines and actually finding a use for them.

Support
Have you ever called Microsoft when you have a Windows problem? It’s more likely you called the teenager down the street. When you have a problem with the software on your machine you can give us a call. Onsite work to fill the knowledge base with definitive how to’s, troubleshooting, and answers to your questions. You may even add your own article! –Open Source is an effort to work as a community for the betterment of everyone. Welcome to the community–
