Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Dispel the Myth's of Linux
From kebes at the Ubuntu Forums
I agree with what others have said about just sitting back and letting the OS speak for itself. Wait awhile and you can compare notes with these people about viruses, security, system crashes, etc. Linux has its own quirks and bugs, but frankly they are nothing compared to the frustration that can frequently occur when Windows does not do what you want. I use Linux because no matter what, I am in control of the computer and can get it to do what I need it to do.
So, having said that, it's inevitable that you'll get into these types of conversations, so here's some information to about Linux that you can use:
-- "Linux isn't a reliable or trustworthy Operating System!"
Well, first off, it is a powerful and professional system. It is secure, robust, and stable. That it is amenable to high-performance tasks is shown by its wide deployment in professional settings.
For example:
1. According to top500.org, in 2006, 376 of the top 500 super-computers were using Linux. Yes, 75% of super-computers run Linux.
For instance, the world's most powerful computer is IBM Blue Gene, and it uses Linux for its I/O nodes.
2. Apparently NASA uses lots of Linux. At the JPL, lots of desktops run Linux.
3. The US Military also implements Linux for many of its systems .
4. Professional 3D graphics for special effects in movies, or even feature-length CGI movies, are usually made using Linux workstations and rendered on Linux clusters.
5. Google's gigantic, powerful, and distributed search engine runs using over 60,000 Linux machines (more info here, here, and on Google's Research page).
6. Linux accounts for a significant fraction of the webservers running around the world.
7. The FAA keeps planes in the air using linux.
These are but a few examples. Many companies also deploy Linux to a significant extent (IBM, for instance). Linux has "uptime" (time before failure/crash/etc.) measured in years, and is very well-suited to high-end, demanding applications.
-- "Linux isn't secure or safe!"
Not true. There is much debate about "OS Security". In the real world, however, it's worth noting that there are only a handful of viruses for Linux (and they are all 'theoretical') whereas there are thousands of active viruses for Windows. Linux is built upon a very solid core, and is very secure. A default Linux install is generally agreed to be more secure than a default Windows install. With Linux, you will likely never catch a virus, never be annoyed by adware or malware, and will probably never see the operating system crash.
-- "Linux is too complicated. Linux is only for computer gurus!"
Actually it's just different. Once you get used to the few differences, you will be just as productive (if not more so) as you were before.
Once upon a time, Linux was perhaps "too complicated" for the "average person." However this has long since changed. Modern Linux systems have a pretty GUI, lots of built-in tools, and can do everything that competing operating systems (Windows, Mac) can do. The easiest way to see this is to try it!
The thing to understand about Linux is that it is layered. The core is customizable and "computer gurus" delight in modifying these sub-systems. However if you want a computer that "just works" you can largely ignore these details and just use the higher-level systems. (The difference with Windows is not that these lower-levels don't exist, but that it's nearly impossible to get at them!)
-- "When Linux breaks, you won't know how to fix it!"
Not true. Just head over to ubuntuforums and a solution will likely appear within the hour. Generally the difference between Windows and Linux is that with Windows, it either works or it doesn't. In Linux, if something doesn't work, there is probably a way to fix it... it's just a matter of how much effort will be required. But importantly, at least you are empowered to fix it (or to get someone to fix it for you) if you really want it to work.
-- "There's no software for Linux!"
Actually there is tons of software for Linux. The problem is that Windows software doesn't run on Linux. But in fact there is a huge repository of free, open-source software available for Linux (see http://sourceforge.net/ for instance). For nearly every Windows program you're used to, there is a Linux analogue that will do the trick. Often times (but not always) it is even better than the Windows program, because it was designed by users and for users (rather than made in order to sell).
And if you really want to run Windows software in Linux, there are things you can try, such as using the Wine compatibility layer (http://www.winehq.com/) or running Windows inside a virtual machine (VMWare, QEMU, etc.).
-- "Installing programs in Linux is impossible."
Actually it's just different. It takes some getting used to, but once you understand how to do it, it becomes faster and easier to install programs in Linux! Instead of searching everywhere for software you want, and then installing it with a few clicks, Linux has a built-in "package management" system that lets you just pick what you want off a list, click, and it's installed. All the software in the list has been checked by experts, so it won't have any viruses, adware, malware, etc. Much faster and easier!
-- "Linux doesn't support any hardware!"
Actually Linux has the best "out of the box" hardware support. Almost any hardware configuration will be recognized and supported. Yes, there are times when some device will not work with Linux (as there are with Windows, Macs, etc.). Yes, it's true that hardware vendors typically go to great efforts to make their devices work with Windows, and forget entirely about Linux compatibility. Despite this, a large percentage of devices do work with Linux. As long as you do a bit of research before buying new hardware, you can be confident it will work.
-- "If Linux is just like Windows, then why bother?"
-You can obtain it at no monetary cost. You can give a copy to a friend. You can reinstall it as many times as you want, on as many machines as you want. You will never be hassled with registration screens or piracy checks. The operating system will treat you with respect, as the owner of the machine.
-The system and software are constantly updated and improved. All these updates and security patches are automatically available to you, at no charge and with no hassle.
-You are essentially immune to all viruses, adware, malware, etc.
-You have the freedom to tinker, modify, and change any part of the system you like.
-Once you get used to Linux, you may very well be more productive. The system is designed with productivity and usefullness in mind (as opposed to trying to lock you in to buying more software).
-You have access to a helpful and technical community of volunteers!
-You will be supporting a competitive free market for software, and helping 'the little guy' and intangibly contributing back to a community of people that want to make software free.
Really, there are so many good reasons *to* use Linux that perhaps the best response to "Why are you using Linux?" is simply "Why aren't you using it?"
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