Windows is a great platform for getting work done, but Linux offers many features and benefits that Windows simply does not. Linux has been around since 1991 and it continues to be popular today because of how customizable it is. Linux users have the power to choose which applications they want on their machine, as well as what other software can be installed and run on their systems. Linux also provides security benefits by giving the user more control over the system than Windows would allow.
Linux also tends to be more stable than Windows, and it can be run on a wider variety of hardware. Finally, Linux is free and open-source software, which means that users are able to freely distribute and modify the code as they see fit. If you're looking for an alternative to Windows, Linux is definitely worth considering. Here are five reasons why:
Customizatization
Linux is highly customizable, which means that users can change nearly anything they want about their system. This includes the look and feel of the desktop, the applications that are installed, and even how the system works.
And when I say you can customize anything it means that really everything in this operating system is fully customizable and you can do whatever you want to. For instance, you don't like your Desktop, no problem, you can easily switch to another visual environment or even make yours. Yeah, you got me right, you can write even your visual environments and some programs that will work with hardware and operating system directly.
Linux is also highly customizable when it comes to applications. Linux users can install their own preferred programs and choose which ones they want to run at a start-up. This makes Linux much more efficient since unnecessary software isn't always running in the background, consuming memory or other system resources that could be used elsewhere. Linux allows its user full control over what is installed and how the system works.
Security
Windows has been notorious for its security vulnerabilities, which have allowed hackers to exploit systems and steal data. Linux, on the other hand, is much more secure because it gives users more control over their system than Windows does. Linux allows users to set permissions for each application, so that only authorized
Because Linux is open-source software, users are able to see and modify the code as they please. This makes it more difficult for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities in Linux systems. In addition, Linux distributions often come with pre-installed security features that Windows does not have.
Linux is also more reliable than Windows since Linux is not an operating system that needs to be constantly updated. Linux tends to only need updates when new software or hardware drivers are installed, and these can often be taken care of by the distribution itself.
Availability
Linux systems are cheaper than Windows because Linux does not require a license fee for each computer it's on like Windows does. Linux has been around for over two decades now, which means that it has had time to mature into its own ecosystem with plenty of support from developers and users alike.
Last but certainly not least, Linux provides security benefits in addition to all the other features I've already mentioned above; such as user customization and better availability across different platforms (hardware). Linux is free, open-source software that can be modified and redistributed by anyone.
Linux users also have the benefit of being able to see the source code for everything running on their system; this makes Linux much more available than Windows systems since it allows users to view vulnerabilities in programs before they're exploited by hackers or malware.
Additionally, Linux has been around for nearly three decades, which means Linux is well-established and has had time to mature into its own ecosystem with plenty of support from developers and users alike.
Stability
Windows is known for its instability, which can often result in system crashes and other problems. Linux, on the other hand, tends to be more stable and reliable. This is because Linux is less resource-intensive than Windows, meaning that it can run on a wider variety of hardware. Linux systems are also less likely to become infected with malware and viruses. Linux is also not as frequently targeted for attacks by hackers, so Linux systems tend to be more secure than Windows ones.
Ubuntu Linux has gained a lot of popularity recently because it provides all the benefits I outlined above without any licensing fees or complicated terms and conditions. Ubuntu Linux has become very popular among computer users around the world, with over 20 million people now using this operating system on their computers at home or work. Linux distributions like Ubuntu are easy-to-use alternatives to Windows that provide better security features, increased stability, greater availability across different hardware platforms (e.g., laptops), and lower prices since they don't require expensive license fees for each installation.
Hardware Compatibility
Linux is able to run on a wider variety of hardware than Windows, making it a more versatile operating system. Linux can be installed on older machines, as well as newer ones. In addition, Linux can be run on different types of processors, including ARM-based processors found in many mobile devices. Linux can even be used on mainframes, which are very powerful computers that manage large volumes of data. Linux is also available for handheld devices like smartphones and tablets.
Linux also provides several Linux distributions that are specifically designed for use on laptops, including Linux Mint and Ubuntu Linux.
Conclusion
Many people who switch from Windows computers to Linux do so because they find Linux more reliable than Windows. Linux is also easier to use, provides better security features, works well with different types of hardware platforms (e.g., mobile devices), and licenses are free since Linux doesn't require any license fees for each computer installation like Windows does. Linux has come a long way in the past two decades or so; it's now making its way into the mainstream as a viable alternative to Windows. If you're looking for an operating system that is reliable, easy-to-use, and provides better security features than Windows, Linux may be the right choice for you!
Top comments (63)
Can you not read?It clearly states that Linux users have the freedom to choose what runs on their system.For example services, apps.You can do whatever you want.Even kill your own os if u want to.In windows you can't delete Microsoft apps, nor can you disable telemetry and other spying services Stay mad :)
Please do not repeat this kind of misinformation. Linux desktop experience do not work as YOU want. Since you're not in charge of this system, it is not going to be like you want ever
Again, its a matter of opinion. Having someone given his/her opinion on a website doesn't make it true or false.
I personally dislike windows interface, specially the win-10 version. People hated the win-8 version but Iiked it.
All of this is just what is is: a matter of opinion.
You could argue that Linux has some trouble with comercial software support like adobe, or it has some issues with new hardware which vendors are lazy enough to miss a huge market by missing a driver. Ok. Agreed
But to say that Linux has problems because it doesnt follow windows design pathway is misinformation, I'm sorry.
I was mentioning the windows interface as an example of something that could be considered an opinion not a fact. I wasn't assuming neither I wrote that you are a windows user, fanatic or anything of such.
All of those problems you are mentioning are problems related to anything that is made by a widespread community. They're not specific linux problems.
I was trying to open your head for another perspective, to you to be able to take another look and maybe understand WHY things are the way they are.
I wasn't defending linux. I use a lot of OS, a lot of plaforms in my personal and professional lives. I could care less about any of them.
But, if you're not prepared to understand why, so by all means, just ignore it. Don't be offended, it wasn't the intention here, ok?
It is not like that, Linux users have the complete authority over what softwares are being downloaded by the system too. For example, I may not like some parts of a software and want to replace it with another part doing the same work, I can do that in Linux not in windows.
Yeah, as I said you can easily do whatever you want with the software. Install, Configure, or even create an additionals yourself
The point here is that Linux doesn't force you to use specific software on your system and is very modular, so you can replace EVERYTHING. From desktop environment, window manager, web browser, file manager, to init system, compiler, even the Linux kernel itself. Don't like GNU system utilities? You can install Busybox or Plan9. Are you one of the people who don't like systemd doing everything? Slap sysvinit or openrc on your system instead. Are you a desktop user who could do with some optimizations for gaming? You would probably want to install linux-zen instead of the standard linux kernel package. Really, really dislike proprietary software? Replace everything that isn't FSF-approved and all binary blobs in your system with the free as in free speech alternatives. What makes Linux so great and popular is not just a huge selection of software, it's also giving power to the user to do anything they want.
As long as you know what you are doing 😅
Yeah, like it's just an alternative operating system and usually is running on 86x, so you can easily install free software. However, because of linux politics, you can't use such apps like Adobe Photoshop
Actually, Adobe programs use a DRM system, which doesn't work when being run in Wine. So you can't use it.
This is also the same case with Office.
However, there are Linux native replacement apps for them. The GNOME Project developed GIMP, which you can use instead of Photoshop, then the KDE Project developed Krita, which is a drawing software, and Kdenlive, which is a video editor. The Document Foundation also have LibreOffice, which you can use instead of Office.
Exactly 🤣🤣
These were all valid maybe in 2015? You clearly aren't comparing to modern Windows on modern technology. Linux has a hard time typically with modern hardware unless the distribution completely tailors to focus on that. I haven't had to install antivirus software in Windows in a very long time, nor have I ever been hacked nor have I ever had a hard time installing anything, or playing any games and I login using secure biometric data. Pretty sure there is absolutely nothing wrong with Windows with decent hardware. Don't get me wrong, I love Linux and have been using it for about 10 years and have dealt with WAY MORE STRUGGLES with Linux than Windows. But you may need to come up with some more compelling arguments or comparisons than that generic old info in this article.
What do you mean? Firstly, Windows is much slower; if you had no any issues with security on Windows, it doesn't mean that there's no security gaps. Also, if you can install linux almost on every computer and not only because of its Hardware Compability and optimization. On Linux you can control and do whatever you want, you don't need to download additional utilities which will track your network usage or clear your RAM, on linux you can do it without any programs and only yourself. So I wrote about this in my article and don't fully understand what's your issues
No, windows is not "much slower". That is an ignorant statement to make and subjective. It is FASTER on old ass hardware because of the nature of how it works and how much it cannot do with a lite distro. An average user that has a clue about malware isn't going to have security issues, just as Linux isn't, and that is the out of the box experience with Vanilla WIndows these days. If you tweak Linux in ways to allow you to use apps that you want that just aren't readiliy available for Linux or the distro you selected, you CAN screw your security or brick the computer; however Wnndows, it just mostly works without opening yourself up to bricking your OS. You can install software on both that open you up to security issues, that is not exclusive to Windows as you make it appear. You can control a ton if useful things in Windows, which is why i commented your article topics are generic, vague, and talking about Windows from like pre 2015. You act like Windows isn't winning the market because it sucks, and it very clearly is the better with hardware when using it for all purposes. Linux is getting good. No argument there. It is fast if you have all the right things set up and the right distro set up to work with the hardware. But your article gives no real documentation or relevant facts to support your subjectivity, and I felt commenting as such might help you to make an article that sites facts, gives reference and specificity. If you could care less for the critique, so be it.
Not completely sure where did you get the hardware compatibility data…normally Linux distros have generic drivers that work most of the time, but with video cards and integrated chips from nvidia or even in some cases intel Linux struggles to provide a proper solution(you probably end up relying on privative drivers to make your hardware work) on the other hand, on windows everything just work. Regarding security it’s true that Linux and in general Unix based OS, tend to be more secure based on his authorization and permission works. Linux it’s good if you know what you’re doing and if you have some time to play around fixing and customizing stuff, the Interface is not the best, and is not as user friendly as windows or MacOS. Windows is an awesome alternative, if you don’t have an old pc(this is where Linux shine) and you can get the shell and other nice stuff with WSL. And if you have the money, go for a Mac OS and get the best of both worlds, user friendly, Unix based OS, quite fast and reliable
I can kind of give you that. When I wanted to get decent web browsing experience on a potato, I uninstalled Win8 (it was preinstalled, yikes) and installed some light linux distribution. Yes, it was faster. But this is again totally use case dependent. I didn't get a full desktop experience from that distro, it just catered to my specific needs.
I think your regular user will have a more secure experience out of the box with Win10 than with any Linux distro that they can potentionally sudo brick. But this is the meat of the issue here: linux users tend to be more technically aware/competent than Windows users, on average. Because they would have to be to use linux effectively, what with all the hardware and software compatibility issues they will face.
I'm not clear about the point you're making with the first part. Wasn't preinstalled software a bad thing in your article? If you're serious about tracking network activity you'll most likely install some third party software like TCPView. Depending on your linux distro, you may have to do that as well. Network usage is in Windows task manager out of the box.
The second point - I've never installed a RAM cleaner on windows. Windows is smart enough managing it. I have, however, configured linux swap files - but that's more to do with hardware limitations.
Isn't that a contradiction? Especially, having insights into the source code, makes it even easier to exploit vulnerabilities.
If everybody see the code, then everybody understand where's the problem and will fix it in a moment. I mean, because of the Community Power the code of special distribution constantly being improved
that's simply not true. If a bad hacker finds a vulnerability they will try to abuse it, instead of fixing it.
if, on the other hand, a security specialist finds it, they'll propose a fix, which, may take days, weeks, or even months to be implemented and released.
you can't just publish opinion based articles without taking both sides into account. how are newcomers supposed to learn something, if facts are missing?
Check it out computerworld.com/article/3252823/...
So what? Just because you took one article where they quoted one person's opinion, doesn't make it the only true fact.
Alright, man, I got you. If you don't understand that community finds the problems and the admins fixes it very fast, so you can use current linus distributions without any fears, and you can't google a little bit to figure out this part, so don't read my article
Your article popped up on my google feed, and it's not like I was actively searching for it somewhere.
So yeah, publishing on dev.to is a good place to be heard, but it's also a place where you have to be prepared for critics, positive and negative. I keep reading other peoples comments on your article(s), and your only replies are excuses.
A bad hacker will try to exploit it, but statistically speaking, you have more devs than bad hackers looking at your code. So, the chances are your code is more prone to be corrected instead of being hacked.
It doesn't mean that it won't happen. It will. But you have the statistics on your side
Just stop and think: if that, that you are saying, was the truth, why would companies use linux as their OS in their servers?
If that was the truth, nobody in the industry would use any open source software.
What we do observe is just the opposite: even huge companies not only use open source, but they publish their products as open source.
So yeah, the open source puts statistics in your favor. That's why it's not a contradiction
Because server stuff runs great on linux and arguably it has good privilege control (relative to alternatives). I think this is the customization argument though, not necessarily security argument. Stripping the OS down to run only your business logic and secure it to the max. But more hackers will target desktop users, not server stacks that have been configured by professionals to be secure. This is also why windows has been larger target for viruses - more desktop users with less technical know-how.
It's not that you can't make open source software secure, it's that open source isn't a magic wand for making it more secure. Someone has to actually make PR's, someone has to actually review them etc. Would you consider ElectronJs to be secure? I love it to death, but it has struggled quite a lot with security issues.
This article is so bland/generic. First of all linux can be hacked very easily, even the official website of linux mint was hacked by some groups of hackers and they put hacked isos in it. No it is not a fake news just search google. Then stability, it is now 2022 almost and these people are still feeding the idea that linux is more stable. Yes once upon a time linux was more stable then windows but windows is not the same anymore. About customizability, windows is updated regularly (that you hate) and more customization features are getting added. Windows 11 now supports native android apps without any third party emulator and you are saying linux is more customizable lmao. Sure linux is open source but how many can read code and edit them? I bet you can't. Forget about creating software and your fancy customization if you still need Google to do basic terminal commands. And linux is not versatile at all, it has many driver problems especially the graphics and Wi-Fi in my computer. "Linux supports wide range of hardware then Windows" is just a laughable sentence.
Everything in this world can be hacked, and there's a fact that Linux is more secure that Windows. Of course, people don't like updates, after them there can be bugs which will probably get you. Windows just can't be more customizable and secure then linux, because Linux has power of community, everybody can create their own Visual Environment or anything else, also, it's open-source so everyone can see the disadvatages and easily fix them. I personally use both of this operating systems of different devices and like some Windows features and like some Linux features, so both have some limitations. if Linux was not so powerful, then there would be no WSL for Windows
I'm sorry, but this is just a non-sequitor. Linux is powerful, but the things you say in your article are way overgeneralized, opinion-based and arbuably even flat out wrong. I'm using WSL for dev work and absolutely love it.
I am a developer and I use linux on a daily driver while working, but I always switch to the second boot partition "Windows" for alot of tasks. When am not working linux isn't something I actually enjoy. The whole customization you get in Linux is overwhelming for new comers.
Stability isn't a fact, you may experience instabilities instantly after you do a clean installation, and they hugely vary between distributions.
Yeah, surely Linux has many downsides, and I use both of them. But depending on tasks that you're doing you can deside which operating system is better for you. There's already WSL2 and you can access to your favorite Linux in Windows, however, with some limitations. So I wanted to explain the features of Linux and why probably you should switch or just try it!
This "article" is
athe perfect sample of famboyism. The truth is that most people won't touch a linux desktop environment, not even if it was free.These are repeated reasons from early 2000s. "Windows is known for its instability, which can often result in system crashes and other problems. Linux, on the other hand, tends to be more stable and reliable." In my experience Windows is much more stable than Linux, so Windows is just works for me. As for customization, I don't understand why Linux users put so much emphasis on this, it seems that they like to customize their system more than do any actual work.
The fact that Linux is more stable will work forever and this isn’t one of the coolest features. Thanks for commenting!
I agree with Mark Vassilevskiy. IMO, Linux is more suited for coders. Take the driver issue for instance. If u encounter issues with your driver, in Windows, u have to wait for the devs to publish the updated drivers. However, in Linux, u can literally fox the issue if u know how to code (hence being customizable). Linux has the capability to fully customize the os to your needs, including load balancing (for example. Again, normal users won't even need this or know about this) whilst windows is unable to without relying on hardware specific routers. There's too much to list here able the capabilities that Linux offers. IMO, windows has just way too many limitations (including the fact that u can overwrite system permissions for very specific files, which at many a time, is the cause of problems in the operation of the OS). Secondly, I have 64gb ddr4. Windows runs at 26gb on idle for me whilst Linux only runs on 8.x GB (8-9gb). I'm not saying windows is the cause of the resource hogging but the windows based applications are. Applications programmed for Windows OS usually don't have their resource management properly organized. On the other hand, I prefer Linux due to the fact that resource management for Linux based applications are way better n more efficient.
Bottom line, don't get me wrong as I run dual OS as well. IMO, if you are just an average user, stick with Windows. If you r a coder, stick with Linux (or Windows, whichever u prefer). Windows is easier to use compared to Linux. While Linux is far more complicated and complex, it also serves to be more flexible (for those who really know the depths of Linux).
At least this is what I think and know, based on my experiences. Also, if I may, i'd say only a few in the world truly know the depths of Linux and it's extensive reaches in the world of customization (of which, I admit I am not one of. But I still manage to learn something new despite being an advanced user of Linux and coding. Whereas in Windows, you're just ... that. stagnant)
Yep, in other words there’s a ton o customization and usability comparable to it has Windows. Thanks for reading!
Exactly :) average users shouldn't complain about driver issues in Linux as since they give generic drivers, u have the authority to improve on them. I feel it kind of funny that people come complaining that Linux has driver issues (since they don't know how to improve on it). If there are any, fix it yourself then. XD not saying Linux is almighty here. Nothing's perfect, but Linux definitely isn't limited (compared to windows) and especially for "custom-made" hardware's (either tailored or DIY). For people who r in R&D and create their own hardware's, Linux is definitely the way to go. Faster calculations and compilations, whereas a simple task that may take 30secs on Linux to compile may take up to hrs on Windows to compile
Ubuntu has come a long way in making it easy for a Windows user to swap over to a Linux based system. They've become autonomous in the setup, taking the option of crashing and burning their os out of it for beginners.
I like Ubuntu, and use it on a daily basis for various systems I have, but I'm always drawn back to opensuse for my everyday running of the muck distro.
Compatibility is what I'd recommend Ubuntu and Linux for.
Your old computer isn't obsolete!
Windows just slows down with your computer's age and holds it back.
When I booted my "out of date" gaming PC with Linux - what a difference to the performance!
I've since switched to Ubuntu because it's easier for beginners.
That's great to hear! Thanks for the comment
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