Linux and its Drawbacks

Linux is an operating system just like Windows, MacOS and Unix. It is a free Unix-type operating system, which is based on the Linux Kernel, which is the source code of Linux. Linux is differentiated from other operating systems because this is a freeware OS, and is practically available to almost anyone. This is why; anyone can use, modify and redistribute it freely under the terms of GNU GPL.

It was developed in 1991 by Linus Torvalds; a student at University of Helsinki, Finland. Other parts of the system including utilities and libraries were developed under GNU operating system. It has gained much recognition as IBM and HP along with some other computing giants have embraced it. Also, the mainstream huge retailer of USA Wal-Mart began selling Linux back in 2002.

Everything in this world has benefits and discrepancies; because not a single thing is perfect. No manufacturer can provide a 100% guarantee; neither is anything an utter perfection. Therefore, Linux has its benefits and drawbacks.

Benefits of Linux:

As often thought, Linux is neither difficult to handle nor is complicated to understand. People are afraid of using it for thee reasons, and the irony is that they haven’t ever used the system. How can one know about a thing without using it?

In fact, Linux is a standard operating system that can run almost any software at all that other systems run. Also, it is an economical operating system that makes easy for programming one’s own software. The applications it offers are usually free or very low cost, including web browsers, email programs, spreadsheets, graphics programs, word processing programs, file managers etc.

It is not needy of best hardware; a 256 MB of RAM and at least 4GB space in hard drive is enough. Stability is another plus point as it does not need constant rebooting for better performance. Fast speed and multitasking make it above the ordinary level.

Drawbacks of Linux:

There are many objections that are raised by users against Linux, few of them will be discussed; those due to which people quit Linux.

• It is said that Linux doesn’t run certain programs which other OS do. This causes difficulty for those who switch to Linux from windows, and they immediately switch back to the previous operating system. This is true, but there are many swap-in replacements for such programs; like OpenOffice.org instead of Microsoft Office, Evolution instead of Outlook, Scriber in place of Microsoft Publisher, etc. But certain specialized industrial tools do not have their replacements such as Adobe Photoshop or Dreamweaver. Answer to this objection is simple; Linux is making improvements and enhancements for ordinary individual user and not for the industrial professionals. Still such specialized tools have not been made available on Linux, thus those experts must stick to the good old Windows.
• Then there are those who complain that they installed Linux but something just went wrong and hardware problem just blocked the way to use it. So they decide to quit Linux. Tell me, if it only happened with Linux? As far as I remember, it happen a lot of tomes when we install Windows. Let us then deduce that it isn’t Linux-error; it is just the way a machine is. Either you should be genius enough to take care of the problem yourself, or get your PC to a doctor i.e. a tech savvy.
• Now, you will meet some who complain about having t type certain commands. Is it such a horrible thing to do? Ask them if they have nightmares about keyboard? These commands are not to be typed again and again; it is mostly a one-time act. You will have to type in commands for DVD playback on Ubuntu after downloading the software. Never again will you be asked to do the same.
• A friend light meet you and tell you that he did something but the result was something else while he was using Linux, and such things do not happen with Windows. Tell him to understand one point; Linux isn’t a Windows replica. It is different operating system with different features. And if he is this fond of Windows, he can very well use it. Who urged him to make friends with the penguin?
• In the end, let us talk about those who put it bluntly. “I don’t like Linux.” What is unacceptable is that they will never tell you that the uniqueness of the system made them run away from it, all they will say is that Linux is just not as useful as Windows and OS X. If you ask them to give weighty evidence, they will just not bother to reply. What solution can be given for such community?

So, try Linux and read the online info about this system. Nothing is impossibly difficult to understand and use; those who develop such operating systems are also normal humans. Stop fearing the penguin, and try it. I am sure its not going to hurt you!

Source: pcworld

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Tags: Applications, graphics programs, ibm, linus torvalds, linux, linux kernel, macos, web browsers, windows