Why switch to Linux as an operating system?

Today the differences between desktop operating systems are less and less, to the point that practically any online service is compatible with Windows, macOS and Linux and the main software firms create applications for the three main platforms, with few exceptions. The same goes for hardware and we’re gonna see why we should switch to linux

Reasons for switch to Linux

▸It’s free

Although the latest Windows operating system update is free for a year (half a year at this point), it will become a service for which we will have to pay in time, since they say there will be no more versions of Windows, if not we will pay for support and ‘legality’ for a period of time.

Well, with Linux we will not have to worry about this, since we will not have to pay to obtain the system or to update it. And if we want to forget about the different distribution versions that we have, we can choose to use one of the rolling-releases that exist, with which we will have a system from which the components will be updated, without having to change the OS. This is one of the main reasons why Linux has had a great growth and the biggest reason why they switch to Linux

▸Compatible software and hardware

I said at the beginning of this article that today most applications and online services have a compatible version for any operating system. Nowadays it is easier to create a multiplatform application, so Linux has a software catalog that has little or nothing to envy to Windows or macOS.

Free and open source applications stand out in the catalog, but commercial projects are also emerging, and the list includes games, increasingly present on Linux. Surely there is some software not available in Linux, but it is more than likely that we will find an alternative or, failing that, that we can run it through Wine or using virtual machines like VirtualBox.

In terms of hardware, the Linux community has come a long way in creating drivers to use any device or component in Linux. We can find some exceptions, but most devices have a compatible driver by default.

▸Versatility

Configuring a system to our liking and needs is something that we only find in Linux. Something as simple as being able to choose one desktop environment or another or the way the menu is displayed, is only possible in the system represented by the penguin.

And that is something minimal, of course we can choose which packages or base programs we want to keep and which to remove. This in Windows is totally unthinkable, for example, if we do not want the notepad or notepad, we will only limit ourselves to ignoring it, while in Linux we will have only what we need or want. Any pre-installed program can be removed or replaced by the one we consider. Thanks to this, we can have a Linux system dedicated in all its resources to running games, graphic design, audio editing, etc.

▸Easy to use

One of the barriers that for years has prevented many from using Linux is its complexity. Or at least it was when most tasks had to be done from the command line.

Currently, Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Mint, Manjaro, Debian or OpenSUSE offer an interface similar to Windows and with all the tools and applications necessary to start enjoying it from day one.

If you need new software, most distros have their own app store or app management tool. Everything is designed so that anyone can handle it without problems.

It is clear that there are complex versions of Linux, but they are focused on a very specific audience. Home distros more than meet the requirements of amateur or newcomer users.

▸Safer

If we ask any user what the next steps to follow after installing Windows are, we will surely find “install an antivirus” on the list. Something that we will practically never hear from an average Linux user (there are those who even install an antivirus with Linux, there has to be everything;)), since 90% of the viruses, Trojans and other existing threats are oriented to Windows Systems and MacOS, given the popularity of these systems, the infection rate is higher.

And if we doubt any application, like most of the existing ones for Linux, they are Open Source or Open Source, just take a look at its code. In case we do not control the programming, don’t worry, there is a great support community that at the slightest suspicion will reveal any “oddity” it finds.

▸Is everywhere

Linux is present in the infrastructure of large companies such as Amazon, Facebook or IBM. At the user level, many devices use this operating system, either in one of its versions or through Android, which, saving the distance, still retains much of its Linux origin. On the other hand, the main world supercomputers use Linux as their operating system, since it allows them to work in all kinds of environments and situations.

The large internet companies have seen a great opportunity in Linux for years, and although it is not so widespread at the home user level, it has never been so easy to take the step. To get an idea, you just have to see the list of companies that support Linux through The Linux Foundation. One of the most recent, Microsoft itself.

▸Linux community

Without a doubt, the best thing about moving to Linux is that in addition to the support that the developer of our distribution can offer us, we will have technical support made up of different users of Linux platforms from almost all parts of the globe, pooling their knowledge and experiences.

The Linux community forums are countless and are the second best option to look for information after the manual of the software in question. Participating in them even if it is only with our experience using an application may serve as a reference to another user who has our same system and that application is throwing him some kind of problem.

Linux offers us many things and advantages and at the same time continues to evolve, these are some of the many advantages that we can find of the reasons for switch to Linux

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