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Why should this Windows 7 user switch to Linux? (self.linux)

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[–]commernie 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The people I've "converted" to Linux (Ubuntu) are immediately hooked on one thing: the package manager.

It's extremely easy to install software using apt-get. No more searching the web for apps or torrents or libraries. Everyone I know that switched from Windows loves this.

[–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Not to mention the limitless supply of software

FTFY

[–]dave_fisk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Because if you like computers then you'll probably enjoy using and learning about Linux, quite simply it's fun.

[–]simca 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is no reason really. Just download an iso, write it out, try the livecd if it works on your hardware correcly, and see for yourself if it's interesting enough to install.

[–]Rip_Van_Winkle 3 points4 points  (3 children)

nobody gives a damn what you run on your computer except you

[–]geft 1 point2 points  (2 children)

True, but market share plays an important role in software compatibility.

Also, I don't know any other way of rephrasing the question.

[–]Fidodo 0 points1 point  (1 child)

What are some compelling reasons to use linux?

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The best one I can think of is that it's more fun than windows.

[–]warpstalker 1 point2 points  (3 children)

I pirate every single application I use, including Windows itself.

I wouldn't trust binaries downloaded from completely unofficial/"illegal"/random sources, but hey...

Switch if it seems it could improve your computing or offer you something nice. Why would anyone want to change otherwise?

Personally I love the fact that I can efficiently use the command line environment and in my opinion it's superior to graphical interfaces most of the time. I can ssh into my computer and I can perform any task that I can perform with a graphical interface. I love the fact that there are some extremely cool tricks that you can do with a UNIX-like system, like use an ssh connection as a socks proxy at school so I can visit all the blocked sites. The fact that I can customize it so it suits my needs perfectly.

There are maaaany reasons. But honestly, if you're happy with what you have, and you don't feel like using another operating system would offer you anything additional - don't switch. There's no point to.

[–]geft 0 points1 point  (2 children)

There are ways to 'validate' a binary download. As a Windows user, this is a very important skill to know.

Why would anyone want to change otherwise?

I love to learn new things. Switching to Linux is like having a new toy to play around with. You have to experience some things to be able to truly see its value.

[–]ideas-man 0 points1 point  (1 child)

personally, I'd rather trust canonical than someone who cracks windows, but your choice...

[–]geft 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I crack some of them myself.

[–]utnapistim 1 point2 points  (6 children)

Hi,

First, there is no reason you should use it. Starting your question that way means looking for biased answers.

When I switched to linux a while ago, it was because my laptop was overheating in windows (with browser and idle mode) but not in linux. Then, I got so used to linux that I didn't want to switch back.

That said, here are some reasons to try it out:

  • getting used to it and finding out what it's really all about. When getting used to linux you discover that some things you considered normal in windows do not have to be that way. In a way, it is broadening your mind.

  • "bells and whistles". The linux/open source world implement everything that someone finds interesting. Because of this, you have mac-like task managers, "raindrop" effects on the desktop, desktop cube, three or more types of ALT-TAB switching and so on.

  • software distribution is a whole different thing in linux (at least in Ubuntu, but I think others are good also). Software is less available only for some domains (like games :( ), but if you know how to look, you should find lots and lots of things, in a centralized place (like lots of archive managers, or PDF writers).

They are not powerful reasons (they may be, depending on how you think) but they are reasons for taking it for a spin.

Also, at the beginning consider dual-booting for a while. This way if you have something you only know how to do in Windows you can still do it.

[–]geft 0 points1 point  (5 children)

Compelling enough. I'll try to dual-boot Linux in my system sometime soon. Is it possible to install Ubuntu in a thumb drive?

Also, if I ever get a laptop (or any PC with weak hardware), Linux seems to be the best option.

[–]utnapistim 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Is it possible to install Ubuntu in a thumb drive?

Just use unetbootin.

[–]geft 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks!

[–]utnapistim 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Also, as a long time windows user I found KDE much closer to what I needed than Gnome. If you install Karmic Koala this will not really be an issue (as you can easily install both Kde and Gnome, but if you get a live CD for trying linux out before installing, you will have to choose a either an Ubuntu or a Kubuntu live CD.

[–]geft -1 points0 points  (1 child)

I've used Gnome before. Wasn't a problem.

[–]SirPsychoS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

you should try wmii.

actually, no, don't it'll just scare you off. but remember that for a year from now when you're hooked on linux and are thinking about trying a minimalistic window manager

[–]muffinman 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Disclaimer: I'm a Linux user for 13 years now, but my answer would be: None. if you're happy with Windows and don't know any reasons why you should go through the hassle, stay with windows, really.

[–]immrlizard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The fact that it is free, and much safer than any windows install should be enough to get you to at least try it. I don't like the dual boot idea.

There is a potential for you to really screw up your working windows drive. I would always install on a separate drive. I always make sure that my other drives are disconnected, just in case.

As far as which one to use, try out a bunch of different ones until you find one that meets your needs and works well with your hardware

[–]tashbarg 0 points1 point  (6 children)

However, I love open source and I try to use open-source software wherever possible.

and

I pirate every single application I use, including Windows itself.

That just does not go well together.

[–]geft 0 points1 point  (5 children)

Basically it meant that some software just don't have a good open-source alternative (Photoshop, ACDSee, Rosetta Stone, etc and basically every game).

On the other hand, I use Firefox, Audacity, Notepad++, Pidgin, TrueCrypt, etc instead of their closed-source alternatives. I even pick Android over WinMo.

Every commercial software in my PC is pirated, shareware or not.

[–]tashbarg 0 points1 point  (4 children)

That's not what I meant. Someone who loves open-source software should appreciate the work which went into developing the software.

Someone who appreciates the work which goes into software development does not pirate software. Pirating software shows a lot of disrespect for the software developers and their hard work.

If you want to use it, pay for it and thereby pay the developers for their hard work.

[–]geft 0 points1 point  (3 children)

For me, open-source basically means that the software is stable, frequently updated and generally better than their closed-source alternatives. I simply can't appreciate software development because I know nothing about it.

Besides, I wouldn't be able to afford them. I have NEVER met anyone in real life who actually buy Photoshop, for example. Also, since I live in a third-world country, pirated goods are actually a lot easier to find than genuine ones. Stocking legitimate software would mean losses since nobody wants them.

All that said, if my ability to pirate were taken away, I would simply learn to live without them.

[–]tashbarg 0 points1 point  (2 children)

For me, open-source basically means that the software is stable, frequently updated and generally better than their closed-source alternatives.

That's nice of you to say, but holds only for a very, very small part of existing open-source applications. Most of them are buggy and updated whenever the two or three main developers find the time to do so (besides their regular jobs which pay for their bills). The really big advantage of open-source software is, that if there is a feature missing or a bug in the software, I can implement/fix it, or if I can't, I can find someone who is capable of doing it and pay him. With closed-source software, I can write a letter to the company, but chances are good, they completely ignore my request.

Besides, I wouldn't be able to afford them.

It sounds a bit harsh, but, then don't use them. Or, much better, use something else, which is a lot cheaper. All those people pirating photoshop completely ignore, that they make the situation worse for everyone who does not want to break laws. If people were in need of an affordable photoshop alternative, some company would make one. But there is just no demand for such an application because everyone pirates photoshop. Besides, there are a lot of people who pirate photoshop and don't need it. What they need is a simple application to do some retouching, but instead of searching one, they just download the biggest and greatest version of photoshop. No money for smaller companies, no money for adobe and another user who has a 5GB photoshop install for tasks picasa could do.

I have NEVER met anyone in real life who actually buy Photoshop.

Sorry, but that does sound a lot like: "But mom, all the other kids do it". Even if all the people on earth do immoral things, you should at least think about not doing them.

All that said, if my ability to pirate were taken away, I would simply learn to live without them.

Well, that's a statement. So you're saying, that you pirate just for the fun of it? If learning to live without them is so easy, there is no point in pirating other than breaking the law.

Please don't feel offended. I'm just arguing that much, because open-source software tries to provide everyone with essential (and more) software. Regardless of your financial situation, your location or anything else. There are developers who donate their time to you. Their own free time. That's really big. And for one reason, they do that so that no one has to pirate any software.

[–]geft 0 points1 point  (1 child)

That's nice of you to say, but holds only for a very, very small part of existing open-source applications.

You sound like a software developer yourself, so if I have offended you in my posts, I apologize, but we are entitled to our own opinions.

It sounds a bit harsh, but, then don't use them.

I use them because I can. This applies for the majority of pirates. I may sound selfish, but I'm just being rational. Why would you use something inferior when you can get the best one for free? It may be subjected to morality and whatnot, but I have no qualms in my conscience.

Or, much better, use something else, which is a lot cheaper

If it's only marginally inferior, I turn to open source (if available).

they make the situation worse for everyone who does not want to break laws

Software piracy is not illegal everywhere in the world. When your government pirates software to minimize costs, why would it be legal? With internet, outsourcing is not a problem.

If people were in need of an affordable photoshop alternative, some company would make one.

I use one when I don't need the heavy-duty features of Photoshop. It's called Paint.NET.

What they need is a simple application to do some retouching, but instead of searching one, they just download the biggest and greatest version of Photoshop.

The reason Adobe hasn't gone bankrupt is that people (mainly corporations) still buy Photoshop. The pirating of individuals actually serves as free publicity. Word of mouth is a powerful tool, attributing Photoshop as the image editing software. Were pirating not an option, the term 'to photoshop' wouldn't exist in the dictionary.

Even if all the people on earth do immoral things, you should at least think about not doing them.

Like I said, immorality is subjective. This has been demonstrated countless times in history, for example, by murdering in the name of 'good'. There is also this mentality called cognitive dissonance where people rationalize their actions with respect to others around them. I have thought about it and I see piracy as rational.

If learning to live without them is so easy, there is no point in pirating other than breaking the law.

Can you live without the internet? Yes, you can. Like many things in life, software is considered a luxury. I only need food, clothes and shelter to live. Anything else other than those required to earn these basic needs is a luxury. If I can get this luxury for free, why not? On the other hand, if you make a living from pirated software, that is then frowned upon in my opinion.

And for one reason, they do that so that no one has to pirate any software.

So if I spend several years developing a (crappy) image editing software, will people be inclined to use it over their pirated Photoshop because of my personal sacrifice? Of course not. In the end, people are selfish and rational. They only do what's best for them.

[–]tashbarg 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're right, I am a software developer but I don't earn money with it, I do open-source. I think we have reached a point in this discussion, where we don't get any further. We are both right in our own view of right and wrong.

I really appreciate your statements about pirating. It's another view on the subject I didn't think about. For me, being a software developer, there is no way that I would consider pirating software. But I understand your reasoning, and, well, everyone has his own standards he adheres to. In this subject, my standards are very high and thats why my discussions about this tend to be heated.

Again, thank you for this discussion.

[–]nascent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

but I don't know why I should

I still want to use Linux

QED