about linux

I like it. It takes a couple of weeks to get used to, and I'd say it's essential to get a good book so you'll have a better idea of what you're doing (I've got Ubuntu for non-geeks).

Using the alternative operating system, which shall not be named, except as $eattle $pyware, too many things are either expensive or impossible. Users have to search the internet for suitable software, free or otherwise, download it, scan it for viruses, install it and only then find out whether it works.

$eattle $pyware has at least one back-door, called "remote assistance", and is vulnerable to viruses and other kinds of attack. It's also littered with "index.dat" files that record everything we do and can't easily be deleted (though I'm sure Linux has it's share of "history" files that perform a similar function).

Linux can do (nearly) everything from a new install, and anything else that's needed is just a couple of mouse clicks away. No need to BUY M$ Office, Photoshop, additional software to create a .pdf document or anything else. It's (nearly) all there from the start, and it's free, in both senses of the word.

I've only been using Linux (Ubuntu 10.10, 64 bit) for a couple of months, and I'm impressed, especially with the boot-up speed. My present computer takes 34 seconds. When I had XP, admittedly on a less capable machine, I had to wait ten minutes.

There are a few relatively minor issues, and I recently had a problem with an "upgrade" to 11.04 that I've now got rid of, but I won't be going back to "that other system". I'm a Linux convert, and I spread the word to anyone who will listen.

Three cheers for Linus Torvalds, who started the whole thing off.