Why do I like Linux operating systems?

Summary:
I like Linux operating systems because they are interesting, constantly challenging, and I'm always in complete control.

1 Reasons to use a Linux system

2 Reasons to stay away from Linux systems

3 Which operating system is better?

1 Reasons to use a Linux system

Linux systems are always interesting because they're heavily developed and I get new, better software almost on a weekly basis. You may say, "What's the use in that? Why get new versions if the old ones work fine?" Well, not all software works fine all the time. There may be bugs or security flaws (we're living in the Internet age) and if that is the case, most of the time they get fixed as soon as they're discovered. So you can add great software maintenance to the list of reasons for me to like Linux.

They're challenging because they make me think. In order to get cool things done right you have to read and find out new things. You have to use your head. When you get something to work it feels great, you feel smarter, more confident, you lose weight, grow taller and generally feel damn good about yourself.

I'm in control because that's the way these things are built, open source and all. They come with enough documentation and facilities to let you do anything you want. If I'm really hard to please, I have to entire source code for the OS and for the applications at my fingertips; I can write myself all the tweaks I need towards utter perfection.

Finally, you can get most of them completely for free. But see the next section to see what it may mean.

2 Reasons to stay away from Linux systems

Some Linux systems are not user-friendly, not yet at least, although efforts are being made in that direction. As a simple user you can find Linux very gratifying, but if trouble appears it can take a skilled person to fix it. You can tough it out, go ask a online Linux User Group, mention that you're a newbie and get help. Or you can call a skilled friend or the local systems administrator if you've got one. Another option is to purchase a commercial Linux distribution along with the appropriate technical support services.

You can also run into a shortage of commercial applications or drivers under Linux. Some software makers don't bother developing for any operating system other than Windows. Some software companies don't get along with the open-source rules and offer no software or binary only releases which fail to function well in all situations. Enthusiast developers always try to offer alternatives to commercial software, and some times they succeed; while they'll get the job done, they may lack all the functionality of their more mature Windows-counterparts, not look or work like them, or have compatibility issues with them.

3 Which operating system is better?

There are ongoing disputes about which operating system is better and about various other related issues popping here and there all over the user communities on the Internet. Please don't get caught in them.

First, in order to be able to say "this OS is better" and not look like a fool you would have to be an above average user or even developer, with years long experience and extensive knowledge of intimate stuff pertaining to the OS in question. Most people whom you see taking sides are no such thing.

Second, you're missing part of the question: not just "which OS is better", but better for what? Once you figure out what you want (and most people have a clear picture of what they want from a computer in given circumstances) then the choice of OS narrows down. There's no use in taking part in holy wars over general issues.

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