For many PC users, the idea of switching away from Windows and onto Linux can be a nerve-wracking one. After all, Linux holds only a minority share of the desktop market, and not all of us know people who are already using it. The idea of making the switch can often feel like taking a blind leap into the unknown. But in recent years, Linux has caught up with Windows for most purposes; in many areas, it has actually overtaken it. And therefore, whether you're completely new to Linux or have dabbled with it once or twice already, I want you to consider running it on your next laptop or desktop—or alongside your existing operating system. Here are some of the reasons for why you should switch from Windows to Linux.
It's free and open
Unlike Microsoft which demands you to upgrade to its latest versions of OS for hundreds of bucks, Linux distributions are completely free to use, tweak and even upgrade! It's also open source which allows you to build a custom-made OS and share with your family and friends. Ain't it cool enough?
Superior security
Windows is notorious for viruses and other malware it tends to pick up. And therefore you have to invest in keeping your system clean and out of infections by means of some premium anti-viruses. Linux, on the other hand, is renowned for its superior security—so much so that security experts recommend it for sensitive applications like online banking, for instance. The reason for being extra-secure lies on the fact that it is an open source entity, which is under the continuous care of engineers, amateurs and computer enthusiasts. Because it's open-source, it's really hard for anyone to target all Linux PCs at once. Unlike Windows, every Linux flavour has a different set of configurations. Most of the users usually compile and make binaries from the source which can be modified in almost indefinite ways. On the other hand, Windows hasn't brought any noticeable change in its core technology, thus making it prone to malware and viruses.
Modest requirements
Windows is often known for the way it forces users to keep upgrading their hardware so as to keep up with the software requirements. Running Windows on minimal configuration will sure be a painful experience as it becomes extremely slow and almost unusable. Whereas Linux is quite the opposite. In fact, it's long been embraced for its ability to run flawlessly even on older or low resource computers. A typical Linux distribution memory requirements may vary from 32MB to 1GB, which is hell lot lesser than that of the Windows 10! Wouldn't it be nice to keep your existing hardware a little longer and put that money towards something else instead?
Flavours for every taste
When it comes to looks, Linux distros rule over Windows. Be it Unity, Cinnamon, Gnome 3, KDE or even low-end desktop environment like Xfce or Lxde, they are much more good looking than Windows desktop. And not only that you're free to choose the Linux flavour, but also the desktop environment. You can experience both Gnome 3 and KDE on the same distribution and customize them to even more astonishing looks as per your requirements.
Community support
Probably the best thing about Linux is its community. You'll never feel alone in the Linux World. Apart from thousands of Linux how-to-do blogs, just drop by any kind of problem you're facing with your system, someone will always try to help out. This is one of the most iconic features of Linux which beats other OS platforms including Windows.
Perfect choice for Developers and Programmers
Last but not the least, Linux distributions are known for providing a perfect development and programming environment for the user. Need to write programs in C, C++, CSS, Java, JavaScript, HTML, PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, or Vala? Linux supports all of them, and the list goes on. You don't even have to install them on your machine. They're shipped prepackaged with your distribution.
Most of the applications/libraries are designed natively for Linux because of its vast variety of flavours. Just open GitHub, and every other project is supported by Linux distros. All you need is just clone the git package, compile it on your system, and there you go! And when it comes to development, there's something about Linux which is really hard to put in words. The day you get used to Linux, you'll find out that switching to it was one of the best decisions of your life. It's just amazing!
I hope you would've found this article useful and worth reading. If you're new to Linux world, please let me know when you're switching to Linux. Believe me or not, you won't regret it, ever! If you use Linux for programming, what are some other reasons why people should consider it? What’s your favourite programming feature or tool on Linux? Let me know them in the comments.
Happy Programming!
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