Most of my day is spent in front of the computer. Thus a perfectly functioning machine is of vital importance to me. I do not want to worry about viruses and spyware. I do not want to have to defrag my harddisk every now and then or reboot everytime I install a new application. I do not want to worry about some malicious software or hacker gaining control of my computer. Since I multitask all the time, I do not want to be limited to a single workspace. In short, I want a computer that is secure and gives me what I need.
Thankfully there is an operating system that gives me the security and ease-of-use that I need. My laptop currently runs Ubuntu 9.10, a wildly popular Linux distribution. I’ve been using Linux (Red Hat, Mandriva, OpenSuse, PCLinuxOS and other distros) since 2004 and I can say that this free operating system helps me enjoy a stress-free life. And it’s because:
1. Linux makes me forget about viruses.
2. Linux allows me to update my system and all my applications with a single click.
3. Linux allows me to give copies of the OS for free
4. If I need to install an application I do not have to scour the web for it. In my Ubuntu-powered machine, all I have to do is run the Ubuntu Software Center
5. Linux allows me to use multiple workspaces. Great for multitasking
6. Linux comes pre-loaded with an office suite, media player, graphics programs, and many other essential applications
7. When I need help, the Linux online community will never forsake me
If you want to know more how Linux can make your life easier and why is it better than Windows or Mac, please go to this site.
Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/denniswong/3867706307/
Stress free.. You make me Smile.
Thanksss.. and Bless you
In the Shell, the life is most delicious
an alternative solution to my ‘windows system error
What about having to compile programms when they are not in the repo? And they won’t compile, but you need the programm fast. But you still write to the developer and he scratches his head and says – I dunno, it SHOULD compile. But it doesn’t.
And often instead of working with the system, I have to force every program to work properly, going to forums, reading, doing weird command line tricks to get at least some basic functionality, like getting DSL, like fixing screen brightness, like trying to turn off the touchpad, preferably not through a set of commands in the terminal and without writing boot scripts.
Windows has lots of problems, possibly more, but I do not remember when I could not connect to the Internet in Windows or when a laptop would have 10% brightness after clean install. Somehow, Microsoft manages to solve these issues.
I like GNU/Linux a lot. But there is no need to idealize it – it has its own negative sides.
@lverona: YMMV — Your mileage may vary. Fr Stephen has his GNU/Linux installed on a Mac, if I’m not mistaken, and is therefore more predictable than installation on an x86 PC. No 10% screen brightness for him, or problems connecting with a DSL provider.
As to software not in the repo, I have to say 1) those are pretty rare, and 2) it also probably depends on the distro. The most popular software should be in the most popular distros.
As an aside, I’m so relieved that commenters’ posts are coming in Times Roman or some other serif font. Just can’t figure out why so many people are enamored with Arial.
Sorry, I meant to say Fr Stephen’s Ubuntu is more predictable because it’s installed on a Mac. My previous post makes it appear that it’s Fr Stephen who’s predictable
Use Linux for years and never had to compile anything, this is fud,
recently done a re-install on windows xp for my brother in law , guess what couldn’t connect to the internet , no drivers for ethernet card, had to trawl the internet to find them after finding out what motherboard he had , Installed Ubuntu 9.10 as a dual boot guess what , straight on the internet no problem
I like windows XP but dont paint a picture thats not true.
@Iverona – thanks for your comment. I am not idealizing Ubuntu, I am only sharing my experience. I have not experienced the problems you’ve identified. Based on my personal experience, Ubuntu 9.10 detected all the hardware of my white MacBook. I was able to surf the internet during AND after a clean install, I could use two-finger scrolling on my touchpad and I did not have to fix the screen brightness of the LCD. The only hardware that it did not detect was the iSight, but I do not use it anyway so it is not a bother. However, I’m sure a fix is detailed in some online forum already.
You can also try bayanihan linux from http://bayanihan.gov.ph/
although you can also download other pinoy distros usually university/college based.
@pugrit – thanks for the tip.