I believe the answer to this question is something that many people people still don’t know, and although some people may believe they have the answer, they actually don’t. Obvious aspects such as price advantage are not the only good reasons for running Linux.

One point I should probably get across is this: Linux - even now - isn’t for everyone. To elaborate, most Linux programs have graphical front ends, and desktop environments such as Gnome and KDE have drastically helped, however you will still need to do some “geeking around” to use your operating system to it’s fullest extent.

My influence for writing this was an article on Digg, which explains ten things you should know before making the switch to Linux. I would say that number three is one of the most important.

3. You will have to learn how to use the command line.

Any Linux person will tell you that the command line is one of the most powerful and important features of the system. At the same time, this brings me back to why some computer-illiterates may want to stick to Windows. Those who could care less about PCs in general probably wouldn’t bother switching to new software requiring use of the command line. In this case, people do not like change, and I suggest they actually stay away from Linux. Many programs must still be ran directly from the terminal, so as I said, not everything has a pretty GUI. (Too bad most people tend to forget that during the days of DOS, the command line was pretty much the main and only part of the system.)

I don’t want to ramble on for too long, but why did I, myself, switch to Linux?

Because I am willing to “geek around” in order to get things to work. I am only beginning to realize the flexibility and power of Linux and Unix systems. I also realize that I won’t be able to run all of my Windows programs, and I’m fine with that. I think it’s a small price to pay in order to break the bonds of Microsoft.

Another part of the aforementioned article:

5. Yes, more hardware works with Linux than with Windows. No, not all hardware works 100% like it’s supposed to.

Right on. It took a few minutes to get my goshdanged printer working with my Ubuntu system. Fortunately, Ubuntu is a great Linux distribution with a large community and support base behind it. If it weren’t for the good people at the Ubuntu forums, then I wouldn’t have gotten my printer working.

So again, if I install Linux on Joe Schmoe’s computer down the street, he’ll be pretty pissed if he has problems getting the drivers he needs. Of course, Linux is cool because of how it can automatically detect almost all of your hardware and install drivers on it’s own. If this doesn’t work, however, then be prepared to do a little bit of research.

Lack of drivers is not a valid argument for not using Linux. For one thing, it’s the manufacturers’ faults for not supporting more operating systems. Luckily, people are kind enough to be able to reverse-engineer many drivers and make Linux versions, but companies such as HP are stupid when they’re too afraid to release the source code for some of their software. Think about what a better world it would be if they did.

So, you may notice how I’ve taken some of the potential cons of Linux and put them in a positive light. I, for one, am willing to learn new things, and therefore I’m willing to use a flexible, open-source operating system such as Linux. I believe that making the switch has been one of the smartest things I’ve ever done.