10 Reasons to Switch to Linux in 2012 - goodefifery

The past year was a tempestuous one in the world of desktop operating systems, it seems mediocre to say, with big changes occurring in just most all of the major contenders.

Just about notably, we saw a raft of mobile-divine features being brought onto the desktop, sometimes to a chilly reception among users.

If you'Ra wondering–or perhaps even fearing–what other changes 2012 leave impart to your desktop, this may be a good sentence to take matters into your own custody and opt a scheme that puts you in contain.

The system I'm referring to, of course, is Linux. It's probably already on your phone. Here are just a few reasons you should give the free OS a try your desktop as asymptomatic.

1. It's Various

Detractors like to refer to Linux's multifariousness as a "atomisation trouble," but in fact it's one of its sterling strengths. Users ingest unnumerable Linux distributions to prefer from, whether it's one like Mint or Ubuntu that puts usability at the forefront, or one like Fedora with numerous enterprise-focussed features and extra security department. There are even flavors centred connected specific industries and niches. There's something for everyone in the world of Linux, and it's increasingly cross-platform as fit.

2. It's Customizable

Not only can you choose the particular Linux dispersion you use, but one of the hallmarks of Linux is that it's likewise extremely customizable. Preceptor't look-alike Ubuntu's new Unity desktop or Mint's Dwarf 3? No problem–there are many others to select from, and your pick off can represent easily installed. There's no vendor lock-in here to dictate how you moldiness use your computer.

3. It's Give Source

A huge part of Linux's flexibility, of line, derives from the fact that information technology's open reference software. That agency that no other entity controls the code–any developer or user hindquarters see and alter the codification Eastern Samoa they see in condition. A world of custom tweaks and apps is before you, in other words.

4. It's Slaveless

Linux doesn't cost anything, IT's on-key, unless you choose a commercial choice with paid support. But it's also free from patents and other restrictions that determine how it can be used. Loose and open reference is a in truth good combination, because it means you'Ra in control. The free price is really just icing on the proverbial cake.

5. IT's TRUE

In that respect's a reason Linux has much a fastness in the host world–many, really, but one of the biggest is its dependability. When you're on Linux, you won't even remember all those hours of productiveness lost to crashes and downtime.

6. Information technology's Fast

Linux tends to need overmuch less in the right smart of hardware resources than other operating systems do, and there are even distributions designed with a small footprint A a particular goal. The result is that IT's more often than not really fast–even on older hardware. Will you young lady the ironware-raise salt mine? Didn't think and so.

7. It's Secure

Windows is the most targeted in operation system for viruses and other malware, thanks in the first place to the fact that it's still the ane that's most widely utilised. No operating system is perfectly fixed, of course, just in the Linux world malware is a oddity for many reasons, and there are extra-secure distributions disposable too if that's a antecedency for you.

8. It's Well-Dependent

Besides every the many paid support options for Linux users today, on that point are too uncounted ways to get help for free direct the active community of users and developers that surrounds most distributions. Ask and ye shall receive, atomic number 3 the saying goes.

9. It's Always Up

Along similar lines, the communities that run to surround Linux distributions likewise tend to keep improving them continuously, both with new features and by zapping any vulnerabilities quickly. No more ready months for patches to come your fashio.

10. It's Compatible

Non only does Linux tend to glucinium compatible with users' necessarily, but information technology tends to extend more than better interoperability than proprietary operational systems do. If you ever collaborate with people in other companies or parts of the human beings, your best bet is an operating system committed to bearing international standards rather than trademarked ones.

The Linux world has seen its possess ploughshare of upheaval over the past yr, primarily ascribable the new desktop environments that let been introduced. What people sometimes forget, however, is how easy it is to bypass those changes and simply install what you want.

No operating system is perfect, of line, but when information technology comes to giving users control of their computing environments, Linux takes the proverbial coat.