7 Reasons Why You Should Use Linux
===================================

In a world where insecurity is constantly on the increase and the internet
is becoming stronger, readily available and best means of communication,
very few operating systems meet the demands of protecting user data and carving
out cost in the process. Linux Operating System fits that description in no small measure.
We have witnessed the rapid and robust growth of Linux from a server OS to a user-
friendly one. Nowadays installing Linux takes less than 30mins for a rookie in
ICT (most versions). Bearing all this in mind, nobody wants to spend big on a computer
and get nothing out of it. Issues live constant formatting, repair, upgrades and attacks
top the list of things people are wary of when ever they go online or think of a computer.
Here are 7 good reasons why anyone should use Linux.

1. Linux is Basically Free
Most Linux OS are free to download from the internet. Usually, one can download these OS
from the website(s) of their respective communities. Ubuntu, Fedora, LinuxMint, Arch, Debian
OpenSuse are popular free Linux versions available on the internet. Red Hat is a subscription
based Linux OS & the best as they provide Enterprise support and even technical support
both from a community standpoint and an enterprise frame-work.

2. It is stable
Linux is by far one of the most stable operating systems you can think of out there today. The
kernel was built with almost any machine in mind (proprietary driver issues persist) but it is
stable on most Intel, ARM, and AMD PCs. The OS is also known to run for days, months or even more
without need for restart (Cannot try this with Windows). It barely crashes and does not use up more
RAM than it should (offers tools to control running apps).

3. Very Secure
Now, the thing i like the most about Linux is the fact that it gives you a ghost mode identity if you
really know what or how to use it online. Most experts are of the impression only hackers use Linux but
that is so not true. Linux is secure and does not suffer from trojan attacks or viruses as much as Windows
machines. Most malicious programs where built specifically for Windows users so it barely works on Linux.
Trojans for Linux exist these days but its harder to penetrate your security plus there are lots of open
source security tools to ware of attack i.e Wireshark for Network filtering. Most Linux authentication these
days make use of Key generation technique which is authenticated by the user and his machine, making it very
difficult for an attacker to gain access.

4. A Large Community of Users
Linux posses one of the largest community of users (second to Windows) and most often if you run into trouble
with your OS, an answer awaits you online once you throw a search. Besides that, every distribution has a community
of its own who are always willing to help or receive feedback from users. You are never alone on any issue when using
Linux. Thousands of Forums, Blogs, Community websites are available online plus videos, books and more. Another thing
to consider, Linux is two major variants, rpm based and debians. Red Hat, Fedora, CentOS, OpenSuse are examples
of rpm based Linux OS. You can build your own packages in rpms or installers. Debian, Ubuntu, LinuMint are popular
debian based OS out there.

5. Software Availability
It is true that some proprietary software are not available on Linux but the vast amount of applications available on
Linux makes up for it. There is a Linux version for everythin (except for DirectX). Good graphic games are making it over
to Linux on a daily basis, Wordpress, Joomla, Droopal, Inkscape (Vector Graphics), Gimp (As good as photoshop), LibreOffice
(as good as Microsoft Office), lots of pdf readers, Ardour (for sound recordings or mixings), Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera
all have native Linux version. Empathy or Pidgin are quality chat clients that connects you to Gtalk, Yahoo, MSN Messenger
or more. You can even run native Windows applications using WINE (not encouraging - there are alternative apps as good).

6. Fast and Reliable
Linux was built for all class of people. It is used by most web hosting companies to provides fast, easy to Server applications.
Webservers, File Servers, Database Servers, Server Side Languages, Stand alone apps and a whole lot are easy to deploy and very
reliable on Linux as it never crashes or lose performance. The Linux Kernel support older PCs architectures as much as it supports
newer Hardware so you spend less upgrading bare-metal or PC/Machines. You can run a newer version of Linux on a much older PC/Machine
and it will perform incredibly well unlike Macs or Windows that constantly require you to get newer hardware for optimum performance.
Maintenance on Linux is cheap and easier. The Linux file system ext2, ext3, ext4 (the current one), supports as much as 64TB far exceeding
that of Windows or Macs.

7. Configurable & Fun
Now this is one thing most people do not understand about Linux. Yes, for newbies its quite a hack using Linux but once you get used to
the nutty-gritty of things you will appreciate a whole lot about Linux. You can do so much with the Linux kernel, the OS and even get it
to do what you need. For instance, Linux can function as a Mail server, Desktop OS, Database Server, Network filter, Security or Networking,
Gaming (Yes! Lots of games available now) and Development purpose. The best place for one to develop his/her ICT Skill is with the Linux
community. The Bash shell is often the default command line tool used and it gives one more flexibility and control when learnt. There are
no limits to what one can do on Linux as it keep evolving everyday. Different Desktop environment, Distributions, Applications and Innovation.

By Emeka Bethel
For http://gtbensmag.com

Ama get Linux now. Been considering it.

42n8dzydoo:
Ama get Linux now. Been considering it.

Happy Easter. you wont regret it. Hit me up on which version of Linux suites your needs. Hit me up on dlux45@msn.com i cant access the mail u sent on Nairaland