It has been 31 years since the release of Linux and the operating system has made tremendous progress since then. If you are a Mac or Windows, there’s every chance that you might have already interacted with Linux without even knowing. This is due to the fact that Linux is now used in a lot of modern technologies. Devices like tablets, smartphones and even smart TVs work on Android, which is actually based on the Linux kernel. Even modern websites are not left out as they are majorly hosted on Apache or Nginx, which are Linux servers. Maybe you’re surprised by some of these, but that’s how far Linux OS has come.
If you still need more convincing on why you should consider Linux, continue reading.
1. Security
When compared to other operating systems, Linux has proven to be a remarkably secure and reliable system. Since the operating system’s code is constantly reviewed, it has very few security flaws. Its source code can be accessed by anyone, meaning you won’t have to worry about installing antivirus software for viruses and malware. With its open-source nature, bugs in the OS are rapidly fixed, unlike in other operating systems.
2. Cost
The Linux OS has always been free for everyone. It was created with the Unix operating system in mind, but it was also made free. On the other hand, the Windows OS costs money. Even though Mac OS X is free when accompanied by Apple hardware, it’s not really ideal to spend that much money when you’re not interested in the extras. One of the main advantages of Linux is that it can do virtually all Unix could do – but for free. This is why it became very popular for web servers in no time.
3. Open source
The meaning of this is that Linux’s source code can be accessed – under GPL license – by the general public. Anybody can download Linux’s source code, modify it for themselves and even release that version to the public. This might not really interest you as a programmer, but it is something incredible. Due to Linux being open-source, there are different Linux versions with custom features. This wouldn’t have been possible if the source code were closed.
4. Runs on every hardware
When a new version of Windows is released, some hardware that has been functional for years becomes obsolete just like that. As for Mac OS X, it only runs on Apple hardware. These problems don’t affect Linux. It doesn’t matter if you have a Lenovo computer or something else, Linux will work.
Linux’s OS is lightweight and uses the system’s resources very efficiently. As for Windows, its OS package includes the drivers of all supported hardware. This is the major reason why it deprecates some hardware from time to time. Linux, however, allows users to select just the drivers they actually need.
5. Easy installation
When Linux was still in its early days, its installation process wasn’t easy. Users had to be familiar with the command line, but this didn’t stop them from running into hardware problems. Fortunately, this doesn’t happen anymore. Ubuntu Linux was among the first distributions that targeted average computer users by making the installation process simpler and quicker. These days, most Linux versions come with an installation wizard that makes the process seamless. The Linux OS can even be downloaded on the internet.
