While listening to me go on about the network I want him to build, my husband blurts out, “Why Linux? Windows is easier. It's got everything we need and there's no learning curve.”
Well, that's true. But, for our purposes, Linux is a much better choice for several reasons.
First, Linux is an open source operating system. Which means it's constantly being upgraded and improved by the very people who use it.
Open source applications and no proprietary hardware or software means you don't have to use a specific motherboard, DVD writer, or program for things to run. Just get it set up, install drivers and go.
Open source applications also fit our budget nicely. With 6 kids, we can't afford to lay out big bucks for a program just to find out it doesn't meet the needs of our business or family.
Second, Linux comes in many distributions, so there is a Linux distro that meets every need, and will run on just about any computer. Which is great, because some of the systems we're using are old, slow and short on memory.
The sheer number of Linux distributions means anyone can find a Linux based operating system they're comfortable with. The Ubuntu line is great for people who want complete “load and go.” All the Ubuntu distributions are simple to install and simple to use. Older computers with less memory and slower chips will run nicely on compact Linux distributions, such as Puppy Linux and Damn Small Linux (DSL).
Finally, Linux enthusiasts tend to be programming geeks. This is evident in the huge number of programs out there for Linux. The first time I went looking for a good word processor, I found at least 20 applications that would meet my needs as a writer. And most of them were much better than the standard, high priced word processor we're all used to. I settled on OpenOffice for Linux, just because I've used OO for years on my Windows machine, but most of the other applications were just as good.
Oh, and finding and installing new programs isn't as hard as you may think it is. Ubuntu comes with a program manager that automatically installs applications you download. But learning to install manually is really not difficult.
Overall, Linux has proven to be more stable, more customizable, and just plain cooler than Windows.