10 Reasons why Linux is Better Than MacOS or Windows

There are many reasons to like Windows, Mac OS or Linux but which OS offers more potential for the user in the long run. Here’s 10 reasons why Linux is a better OS than either Mac OS or Windows.

1. The code base is Open Source.
We already know Linux is free to use and free to obtain but more importantly there is a freedom from surveillance by companies such as Microsoft or Apple. Additionally, Well established open source applications such as Firefox, Liberoffice, VLC and many of the other apps available don’t stretch the bounds of user privacy. With the constant erosion of privacy by Windows, Mac OS and iOS and even Android, it’s refreshing to know that the Linux environmnent respects user privacy. This isn’t to say that some Linux distributions that may collect data on the user. It’s well known that Ubuntu collects at least some information in conjuction with the Amazon app that is installed. Of course the maker of Ubuntu is a for-profit company and must bring in revenue somehow. Ubuntu has bought some amazing changes to the Linux community which are freely available for any Linxu distribution to use.

2. Different Desktop environmnets to suit a varity of user needs.
Unlike Windows or Mac OS, there are different desktop environments to choose from that is easily configurable for the end user. Some of the most popular desktop environments are GNOME, LXDE, KDE, Xfce and Cinnamon. Users can also have more than one desktop environment installed and switch between them at any time. Although Windows 10 and Mac OS offer consistent user environment. It also lacks any real revolutionary changes. Users are greeted with the same interface day in and day out examples of lackluster trival changes include the flattening of the minimize, maximize and close bottons. Although there are small changes in tweaks, the core of Mac OS has essentially remained the same to this day. Some nay say that the touch bar on Mac OS is an example of recent innovation but this compete with Microsoft’s touchscreen interface.

3. Stable codebase is far better than Windows or Mac.
Although every OS has its bugs, Linux users will tell you that Linux is by far the most stable and resilient operating system available. Most Linux users are also users of Windows or Mac OS or both. With that experience they can tell you that Linux does an excellent job at supporting large established platform of hardware and receives frequent and useful updates almost daily. To be sure this can be particulary subjective and most users will defend their choice of system. This is not to say Linux isn’t without it’s problems. Some third party hardware such as video cards can be downright difficult to install and configure the driver. Once the driver is installed, however as always problems are at minimum.

4. Ability to work with Linux, UNIX, Mac or Windows file.
System unlike it competitors, Linux can easily read and write to HSF+ or NTFS formatted drives. This is major time saver when one is transferring files back and forth form a Linux system to another system. For example, Windows will not even see a Linux or Mac OS formatted drive and offer to format the drive with NTFS when it is pluged in. Mac OS at least can read the Windows formatted drive. So it’s possible to get the data from the drive.

5. Linux can be installed on any PC or Mac.
Linux is system agnostic and can easily be installed on any hardware platform. Linux can also be installed on arm based systems such as “raspberry pi” making it the most universally accepted OS on a variety of hardware. Buti it doesnt stop there, Linxu is very capable installing on a system tha already has an OS even if the drive is completely formatted. For example, if your Windows system has an NTFS partation across the entire drive, the Linux Fedora is able to shrink the partation and install. The user can then select the OS to boot from easily at startup.

6. Open source application availability.
There are plenty of applications to choose from in Linux and every category of software is covered from office apps to programming, graphics, internet, multimedia and games and can find quality open source app. Although Linux doesn’t boast as many apps as Windows or Mac OS. There are literally thousands of applications for a wide variety of needs.

7. Easy and Intutive updater.
Linux overshadows both Windows and Mac with its powerful and quick update application. Regardless of the distribution, Linux is capable of updating apps in real time while a user continues to work without the need of reboot. There are few packages that require a reboot such as the kernel. on those rare occasions that do require a reboot, users gets to choose when incidentally after the reboot. There are no additional steps and the system boots up immidately included with bug fixes and enhancements for the OS and apps are security updates. Although the update process can be automated. The choice of when and how is fully within the users control. Users are able to disable individual packages from being updated or entire repositories. It’s no surprise for Windows to take 20 to 30 to install updates then take another 20 minutes to finish updates after rebooting.

8. Genuinely fun to set up and work with.
One can create their own custom environment, write their own programs or enhancing existing program. The ability to tweak and change just about everyting in Linux is reminiscent of the 80s when PC enthuisiast would meet and trade ideas about computers or shareware programs. There never seem to be a lack of exciting new changes or programs to talk and learn about.

9. Large support group.
The enthusiasm of Linux users is apparent one has only to do a search on the internet and you quickly find a myriad of help sites and forums with users ready to offer help and support for just about any Linux based topic. Youtube is another great example of Linux support. There are thousands of videos with help on just about any Linux topic. There are Windows and Mac OS support videos as well but some issues are limited by Microsoft and Apple. Many times Linux users will write and compile a code fix for the problem while Windows or Mac user will have to wait for the company to release and update if they have do.

10. The future is transparent.
Microsoft and Apple are not like it will disappear anytime soon they do have complete control over their products. They can choose how long a product will be supported and even how long it will be available. In the open source community there is a lot of discussion about the difference in software development philosophies known as The Cathedral and the Bazaar. Eric s Raymond originally worte about this concept in an essay and later in a book published in 1999.

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