27 good reasons to love Linux (part 1)

The operating system is the set of programs responsible for the management and control of basic computer operations. In order for a computer to function, it needs an operating system. There are several: Windows, Linux, Mac, etc. If you remove the operating system, the computer serves only as an ornament. The most common is Windows, and we have two options for obtaining it: buy it, or download an illegal (pirated) copy. Windows Vista retail prices range from $ 299 to $ 599, depending on the version, according to Microsoft's official list.

Maybe you think, "Oh, I didn't pay for it, they gave it to me with the computer." Are you absolutely certain? If your computer had Windows, then you paid for it, even if the dealer did not tell you so. Otherwise, you installed a pirated copy.

The price of a license for Windows is equal to an amount of between one third and the entire cost of a new computer, depending on the version of Windows and the characteristics of the computer. So, unless you obtained Windows illegally, you paid for it. How do you think Microsoft makes their profits?

Instead of paying for Windows, you can get Linux for free. This is because many people from all over the world work hard to create a clear, safe, efficient and graphically beautiful operating system. They continue to do so that everyone can freely use and enjoy it. Some are paid to do so by the companies they work for.

Linux, and particularly "Ubuntu", is a freely obtained operating system. The name "Ubuntu" has several translations, including: "humanity towards others". Because it was created to be freely available to all people, it becomes essential to have it in the language of the people using it. This is why Ubuntu is available in many languages including, Italian (my language). Because it's in one's native language, it is clearly understood and easy to use.

Some say, “But Windows is available in many languages.” Yes, but if the English version of Windows is already installed, I'll have to buy the Italian version, uninstall the English version, then install the Italian one. Obviously, I'll have to reconfigure system settings, and re-install all the applications used. Aside from the extra money needed, there's at least a day of work involved. If you also want the French or Spanish versions, just buy the version, etc. ...

With Ubuntu, excepting that you need not buy anything extra, the situation is vastly more simple: just download the packages that do the translation of any language we want. Within minutes, we will have our own Ubuntu in our native language. With one click, Ubuntu does it all. With another click we can have French, and with another click Portuguese. All of this without changing anything in our operating system, except the language. If I have a German friend who wants to use my Ubuntu, but doesn't understand Italian, just click, and a few minutes, and Ubuntu is on the same computer in German. When my friend leaves, one click and Ubuntu again becomes "my Ubuntu", just as it was before, and retaining all configurations and applications. Isn't that much easier?

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If your computer shuts down without asking, if there are strange windows corrupted, if e-mail is sent to addresses in your address book without your knowledge, or if there are other suspicious activities, your computer probably has contracted a virus or some form of malware. The main reason that happens is that you are using Windows.

Linux viruses are almost non-existent. It is not impossible to get one. However, Linux makes this very unlikely to happen. Here are some reasons. Most people use Microsoft Windows, and the attackers want to cause as much damage as possible, or take control of the computer, so they seek Windows targets. Most viruses target Windows executable programs or ActiveX controls. Linux isn't affected by them because they are not designed to run on Linux. And, the downloaded file attributes must be changed before the file can be executable.

Linux uses intelligent file control permissions. On a Windows system, almost every program installed has privileges do almost anything within the system on the computer. Windows will not prevent you from deleting files in system folders. Obviously, doing this could cause problems. But if you can delete system files, you can be sure that other programs can do this as well, whether they are already installed on the computer, or on a local network, or the internet. Linux permissions do not allow this. In fact, every time you do something that affects the system, you are prompted for an administrator password. If you are not a system administrator, you cannot make system changes. So a virus, therefore, cannot modify the system without the root user's password.

Many eyes can see things that merely a few won't. This is especially true of security holes. Linux is open source software, which means that any programmer in the world may give an insight into the program's source code. They can, therefore, help fix security leaks and bugs in the program. They can also present their findings to other developers in the community. How many Microsoft programmers do you think have the same advantage?

Why copy software illegally when you can get it for free?

Have you purchased a license for all the software you use? Can no one say anything about your program licenses? Well, if that is the case, congratulations! You surely you have spent a lot of money.

But for many, illegally copied software is a common thing. Copy Adobe Photoshop, rather than buy it, and hope you do not have nightmares. Indeed, you saved about € 1,200 by copying it. But are you so confident that you will not have problems? Not so sure? Software makers are constantly improving and developing techniques to find illegal owners. In particular, given that more people have an internet connection, software companies are implementing more online features to monitor and verify that your copy is registered each time you start the program.

If you use Linux and install free software, you never have to worry about that! Much of the software is available freely, and without limitations. You can easily find free software to replace the existing commercial software you use. Some programs may lack advanced features which are usually only used by a few. But most software will be more than satisfactory for regular users of the computer.

Here is a list of some commercial programs and their free equivalents.

When installing most Linux distributions, many other programs are installed at the same time.

When installing the Windows operating system, very few programs are also installed. Imagine you have just installed your new copy of Windows and you are ready to unleash the potential of your computer. A friend sends you an email with a PDF file attached. You do not have a program to read it. You need to go online, find a website from which to download Adobe Reader, or another PDF viewer, then install the program. Attached to another email your friend sends, you find a DOC file. You don't have a Windows program to read that file. Now you must buy a copy of Microsoft Office (€ 500), or simply download OpenOffice (free). But you still need to find a website to download it from, then install the program. (I hope you have a broadband connection). Next, your friend sends you an image, but it has poor contrast, bad lighting, and needs to be cropped. So you decide to buy Photoshop. That will cost about 1,200 euros. Or, you can download GIMP, a program that lets you do most everything that Photoshop can, but it's free. Again, you must search the internet for a website to download it from, then install it, etc. I could keep going on like this, but I think you have the idea. When Windows is first installed, it is far from being ready to use for everyday tasks, and installing it is just the beginning of the journey.

Once you have finished installing Ubuntu Linux or Mandriva or Fedora, or others, you will find that many programs are already installed and ready to use. Your computer will have already have:

- Everything you need to write, edit or create spreadsheets, make presentations, draw, solve equations (OpenOffice).
   
- A web browser (such as Firefox) and an email client (such as Thunderbird or Evolution)

- An image editor (GIMP, a Photoshop replacement)

- An instant messaging program

- A video player

- A music player and organizer

- A PDF viewer

- Everything you need to extract archives (ZIP, etc.)

- And so much more

You can start working immediately. For normal use of the computer have all the programs you need.

Get a great music player

Linux has many music players, including Amarok, Rythmbox and Banshee. And some of them are exceptional. For example AmaroK (see screenshot): organizes and plays your favorite music, learns what pieces you like best, and automatically finds their title and metadata on the Internet. If that's not enough, the program will download the CD cover art and author information!

Use MSN, AIM, ICQ, Jabber, with a single program

You can have several accounts on instant messaging services like MSN, Yahoo, ICQ, Jabber, AIM, etc.. With Windows or Mac OS X, you will probably need a program to connect to each of these: MSN Messenger for MSN, ICQ for ICQ, etc.

With Pidgin, (for Gnome or Windows), or Kopete (for KDE), which are instant messaging programs for Linux, you can connect to all these services with a single program. You can also view all your contacts from different accounts, using only a single program.

Need new software? Do not bother searching the web. Linux gets it for you.

If you want to check out some new software for Windows, you'll need:

1. search the internet for a program that meets your needs;

2. find a website that allows you to download the program;

3. pay handsomely (up to thousands of dollars);

4. actually download the software;

5. install;

6. often restart the computer.

So much time and so much work involved, just to try a new program.

With Linux, everything is easier. Linux already has a list of a huge number of programs. If you need some new program, simply open the package manager and search for what you need.

Click on one and get a description of the program. The popularity is also indicated by the number of stars shown. If you want to install a program, all you have to do is tick the box left of the name, then click "Apply”, then “OK”. Linux will download the program, install it and create a menu entry. Linux does everything, you just choose what you want. If you want to uninstall a program, simply remove the tick, click “Apply” and then “OK”. Installing Windows programs is not as simple as that.

Ultimately, Linux has at least three major advantages. No more browsing in search of the site to download the software. No more having to manually download and install. More time trying all the software you want without registrations, temporary permits for trial versions, and no limitations, constraints or restrictions of commercial software.

Play hundreds of games for free

Hundreds of games are released under free licenses free of charge. There is something for everyone: 2D, 3D, puzzle, strategy games, online multiplayer games, and more! If you are an expert in games, you may be interested in Quake 3 for Linux.

Check this link for a great list of free games.

Windows has a very convenient tool called "Windows Update", which allows you to update your system. Nevertheless, this tool is very limited. But, what about your non-Microsoft software? Your document readers, compressors, CD burning programs, Non-Microsoft web browsers and email clients, etc ... etc ...., Etc. ...?

The answer is that you need to update them all, one by one. This takes a long time, since every program has its own update system.

Linux has a centralized system updater called the update manager. It takes care of everything that is installed on your system. So, if you want a full update for all that is installed, simply press the "Verify" button. If updates are found, simply click "Install Updates". System and application programs can be updated at the same time, with the same operation. I do not think there could be a simpler and more complete way to update.