People usually think: "If it so easy to run Windows, Why should I use Linux". Honestly writing, they are pretty much right about it too. There are lots and lots of features which Linux will always have a hard time providing to its users.
But when it comes to reliability and solidity, Everyone knows that Linux is the one-stop solution, let it be servers running the internet or for storage of our cloud data. Even, Microsoft uses Linux to run Azure (Yeah, It does!!😱).
Its open source nature also plays a vital part on its awesomeness🌟. Think, if all the greatest mind in this whole world participate to create a product, Will anything else could compete to that? The answer is straight away NO. That's what Linux is...
No specific hardware requirement or anything. Just download it and use and customize it however you please.
Anyways, I am going to list down 13 points which leave you mesmerized, making you eager to switch your Operating System right now!!
1. Free and Open Source 😋
Linux does not cost you a penny (other than your data charges during its installation ✨).
Talking about Windows, it will roughly cost you from around $140 to $200 at best buy. While for MacOS, You have to exclusively buy a iMac or Macbook which are not cheap (I must add).
In Linux, after the download, it is ALL YOURS. No more hidden charges, add-on packs or anything. Interestingly, with its open source nature, you can view the source code 😱, giving you the freedom to add, remove or modify whatever features you want (according to your technical skills 🤓).
Many Companies and Programmers create their versions of Linux to get the best benefits for their work.
2. Easy to Use 🥮
"Is this guys gone mad!!" - you must be thinking, but NO!!
Trust me, It is very easy to use and comprehend. Its just that, people tend to get swayed by the distros currently trending, which are generally hard to use.
Operating Systems like Arch, Gentoo are such distros which are not only hard to use but also hard to install. Start with less complicated distros like Ubuntu, Solus etc. They provide easy GUI (Graphical User Interfaces) for installation and Software management. Moreover, use Window Managers/ Desktop Environment like Gnome 40 or Budgie, they provide great GUIs for your Linux which makes your overall experience very easy and efficient🥳.
Moreover, after sometime on Linux, you will start to admire CLI(Command Line Interface). Why? 'cause it just makes your work very fast. Type one command and its done🤩. Isn't it cool🔥?
3. Multiplicity 👏
Have you ever heard of the term Distro-Hopping⁉️? It is actually a activity or hobby of enthusiastic Linux users where they frequently switch between different distros. Can you Imagine? There are so many distros, that it has become a sport to switch between🤩. Never getting bored again!!
There is no end to the versions and variety of Linux. There is a particular Linux for every possible task, specializing in providing configuration, packages and customization to ease your work of setting up again and again🤩.
Let it be Programming, Hacking , DevOps or if you have a low-end desktop, Linux have got you covered. You can even make one for your own and publish it for anyone from your field to use. Isn't it amazing?🔥.
4. Cyber Security 🕵️♂️
There is no way in heaven 🌌, that you can start your journey to become a cyber security expert/hacker without knowing 'L' of "Linux". The security and transparency of Linux provides just makes it ideal for the hacking purposes😯.
A good hacker knows their operating system perfectly, and even more importantly, the operating system they will be attacking. Linux allows the user to see and manipulate all of its components, thus the reason for its popularity🔥 among the cyber security experts.
Linux Distros like Kali, Parrot etc. provide great deal of pre-configured software system and scripts needed to practice or perform a hack.
5. Cloud and Web Servers ☁️
The majority of Web Servers and Cloud platforms out there are running on Linux💡. With its reliability, organizations can deliver apps, content, and services to their customers at a low cost but at the same time provide performance, stability, security and it is scalable🙀. And don't forget what I previously mentioned, Even Microsoft uses it for its Azure cloud infrastructure.
Around 96.3% of the world’s top million servers run on Linux (cloud providers, web hosting, etc.).
Read this:
In addition, Linux shell offers interface that let you make decisions, execute commands repeatedly, create new utilities and tools, and automate server administration tasks💡. Basically, giving you absolute command over your server🔥.
6. DevOps
The DevOps workflow. Source: Pease, 2017.
*To understand the role of Linux in DevOps, we first have to understand what is Devops!🤔
What is DevOps?
The DevOps methodology is an approach that unifies software development with IT operations. The plan emphasizes fast software delivery through automation, integration, close collaboration, and open communication.
Now, that we know, lets talk about how Linux and DevOps go hand in hand🤝.
Scalability ✔️
Scalability is the key🔑 to DevOps Flow-cycle, Thanks to Linux, you can store and compute any number of processes, and also can run it on anything and anywhere 🔥.
Software Delivery Pipelines ✔️
All the software delivery pipelines are deployed on Linux servers. Thus, It becomes very easy to run tests on your system before deploying it to the servers🔥.
*There are many more example but I am going to omit them as those points are pretty much repetitive of what I said before in this article.
7. Customizable 👨🔧
With the necessary Imagination and Technical skills🤓, you can customize your Linux OS to its fullest capabilities both in a visual and configuration-wise manner😮.
Following are some ways you can customize your Linux:
- Twitching with its Desktop Utilities like File Manager, Window Manager etc.✔️
- Installing new Desktop Themes.✔️
- Configuring Better Shells for your CLI like fish.✔️
- Installing new Icons and Fonts.✔️
- Exploring new Package Managers.✔️
- Writing Scripts to automate your work.✔️
There are also several tools which helps you customize you system for you. Like, you can use System Monitoring Tools like Conky to monitor all your hardware and tasks from your desktop.
8. Awesome Community Support 🤝
Due to its reliability and awesomeness, Linux, over the years, has accumulated popularity🔥 among a vast amount of people. The passion and curiosity led them to create many communities, forums, subreddits etc.💡 which are really welcoming and helpful to new comers. You can ask any questions there⁉️, Like having trouble to install anything or issue setting up your new Window Manager, the community will respond to it very fast.
Moreover, There are not few in numbers either, there is at least one dedicated community for every Linux OS out there🤩.
Can you believe? You are getting super awesome support system without even spending a penny.
*Once familiar with Linux, you can also contribute in these communities by resolving other user's queries posted over at the forums.
9. Independence 💁♂️
Linux is a Open Source software with no proprietor of any sort💡, which gives you the freedom to own your OS, using it however you want with no questions asked🔥.
Thus, you will be having root access from the start💡! It just gives you more privacy🔐 as nobody is there to keep check what you are doing with your PC.
You can exclusively create Users and set what permissions you want to give it to them.
10. Secure 👮
Linux's Superior User Privilege Model and Built-in Kernel Defense System just makes it less vulnerable to any viruses or malware, than any proprietor OS like Windows and Mac💡.
If you want to run any command or file which can change system configuration, you have to be logged in as root💡. Malicious programs and viruses require root privileges to make any change or damage to the Linux system, which they don't get, rendering them invalid🤭.
Linux also saves your precious money which you would have spent on the purchase of expensive anti-virus software to keep your system virus-free.
Moreover, due to it being open source, all the source code gets reviewed and any vulnerabilities if found gets patched immediately💡.
11. Hardware Compatibility ⚙️
*Linux can run on just about anything!! From a super small raspberry pi to a huge super computer.
Thanks to Linux's customization flexibility🌟, it can easily condensed down into small OS package which can cater the need of Low-End Systems. In fact, Linux Community is very famous for its miracles in the revival of outdated yet working hardware systems✨.
If you just started college and possibly don't have the budget to buy a high-end laptop. You can consider buying a Low-End one and installing Linux to get the same user experience at a lesser price.
Conclusively, If you do not have a High-End PC configuration, and you still want a wonderful experience. Linux will be the best choice🔥.
12. Less Bloatware 🤏
The real pain😢 I faced as a Windows user was having lots of application and programs that you do not require at that time or would never require it (bloat), but they are still there, eating all you hard disk space and processing power. It just became really annoying😒!
I mean:
- Why would I want to play Candy Crush Saga in my PC?
- Why do anybody want to watch advertisement in their own PC (Start Menu Ads)?
More so, removing them just becomes a tedious task😩, as there are so many you have to uninstall or disable each and every one of them manually.
On the contrary, Linux comes with just the adequate and necessary applications and programs required🔥. Moreover, you can also get your required version (with only required applications and programs) of setup too, which means, if you are a hacker, you can install distros like Kali, which provide exactly the right applications and programs for you✨.
13. Software Packages and Updates 🧑💻
Linux is packed with hundreds of packages from a variety of repositories✨. You can install them from Software Center (which comes with nearly every distro) or use package managers. Just type sudo pacman -S _SOFTWARE_NAME_ and you are good to go!
Note: Package manager will also vary from distro to distro! Like, pacman for arch, eopkg for solus etc.
As opposed to other proprietary operating systems that force you to install updates (sometimes full of bugs), Linux gives you full control over how to install and update software🔥. Interestingly, Linux uses something called "Live Kernel" which lets us install any update without need of reboot the system 😱.(Again, Except the Exceptions).
What do you think??
Let me know down in the comment,
- What do you think about Linux as a personalized OS?✔️
- Which OS do you use? Why?✔️
DISCLAIMER: Its not like that I hate Windows or any other OS, its just that I have slight preference for Linux over any other OS.