Advantages of Linux?

[Shrykull]

I haven't got my new computer to install Linux on yet, I figure I'll probably FDISK the drive to have an 100GB partition for XP and a 20GB partition that I'll put Linux on. Mostly I'm going to start using it out of curiousity, since I hear a lot about it and I want to know another operating system, but what are the advantages it has over Winblows? One major disadvantage is it can't use any software not speficially designed for it. (Well, I mean windows only software) So what is it YOU like about Linux (any version, if you want to mention them all that's fine with me! I'd like to hear about them) And could anyone reccommend any reading material that would help me get started with it? I'd prefer some kind of book that's a walk through, you've just installed and are at the Linux equivalent of the windows desktop, and it takes you step by step through the basics, etc.

[TrailerParkJawa]

One day I was at Frys and picked up a copy of Linux for Dummies.
It came with a T-Shirt and Red Hat 6.0. For me it was a pretty good
intro to installing Linux for the first time.

[David]

Linux looks weird after you've used Windows for a long time. My cousin has it in his computer.

[EmperorChrostas the Cruel]

Go to the Wong clan family home page, and look up ten things I hate about windows.

[Mr Bean]

1. More Secure
2. Twinking gets you much
3. Its free
4. Butttons!
5. 20 diffrent verisons out there to choose from


Disavantages
1. Support groups are realy flame the newbie Forums
2. You must know how to use it before installing it(Basic commands at least and how to work in root)
3. Linux users have an uppity I'm better than you attidue so acutal finding somone who will teach you how to use it is hard
4. Because of the above you gotta buy a For Dummies or a How to if you want to use Linux effectily

[Wicked Pilot]

Top Ten reasons Linux is superior:

10. It's not Winblows
9. It's not Winblows
8. It's not Winblows
7. It's not Winblows
6. It's not Winblows
5. It's not Winblows
4. It's not Winblows
3. It's not Winblows
2. It's not Winblows
1. It's not Winblows

[Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi]

It doesn't need to have advantages, it just doesn't have the disadvantages of Winblows.

[His Divine Shadow]

I have Linux, but I don't use it, because I don't know why I would want to use it for.

I mean got a pretty stable system already with XP and Í've used windows pretty long and gotten pretty knowledgable on it so I don't want to swtich, all my apps and games work on windows and it's generally easier to use, and prettier, heh, because I got my own private theme created for it.

There's just too much I would have to change and learn for no real reason whatsoever.
Maybe sometime...

[Crazy_Vasey]

Unless you have a compelling reason and a lot of time on your hands tisck with windows, win2K is pretty damn good.

[Graeme Dice]

The most compelling reason not to use Linux is if you are trying to put it on an older computer, or one with non-standard hardware. My Dad and I spent two days trying to get Samba to work properly on a refurbished 486DX2-66 and eventually gave up and installed WinNT 4.0 as a file server in about four hours.

[RayCav of ASVS]

I hate Micro$ucks Winblows, but I also hate BigMac BS (if not even more so). Personally I would really love to get Linux with the Winblows/BS emulator so I can play ANY PC GAME ON THE PLANET! MWHAHAHAHAHA!

On another note, there is ONE thing that Mike Wong is wrong about. According to www.gamespot.com, PC games have always been at least as popular as console games, and are still rising in popularity. Then again, Wong isn't exactly an expert on PC games, but then again he isn't an "expert" on most things and he's still far more reliable than most of the world's so-called "experts" As a matter of fact this is probably the ONLY thing Wong is Wrong about:D