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Chances are you're a Windows user. Windows holds over 90% of the desktop market share, after all.

But it's also incredibly likely that you're interested in being a GNU/Linux user, since you're trying to explore your options by reading this article. And good for you! It's important to know the choices available to you.

If you have no clue what GNU/Linux is, just check out the Wikipedia article, which covers its history and nature very well. I'll put it succinctly here: Linux is a kernel that was developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991, released under a free software license. Since it is free software, anyone can use it, copy it, modify it, and spread it without fear of legal consequences. 'Linux' commonly refers to operating systems that use the Linux kernel. 'GNU/Linux' refers to an operating system that not only uses the Linux kernel but also contains

GNU software and does not contain any proprietary, non-free software.

Since most users do not concern themselves with GNU ideals, I will not actually write about choosing between Windows and GNU/Linux. To compare the two is like comparing apples and rocking chairs (actually, IKEA ones... ever try to build a system from scratch?). Instead, I will write about choosing between Windows and operating systems running the Linux kernel. That way, the comparison is more relevant.

So, let's think. What do you want to do with your computer? And how willing are you to try to tackle technical issues? And how computer-savvy are you?

These are the most important questions when choosing between what you're familiar with (Windows) and what you're not (Linux).

But first, let's dispel some myths: Linux is not only for nerds. Many netbooks used to run a variant of Linux before Microsoft started issuing new licenses for Windows XP which could run on those small computers. Furthermore, there are many flavors of Linux, and some are aimed at beginners and Windows users who might find a new system intimidating.

So, what are you going to do with your computer? Certain users might, because of their activities, not want to use Linux.

If you're going to play video games, chances are you're not going to choose Linux. Microsoft invented something called DirectX which is a graphics standard that most video games use. DirectX is proprietary, and therefore it would be illegal for any Linux operating system to use it. While there is something called Wine that will let you try to emulate a Windows environment to help integrate Windows programs into Linux, it can't run most games. DirectX emulation is incredibly slow. However it is important to note that there are many free games for Linux that are a lot of fun to play, and any Windows game that runs with the OpenGL graphics standard, like World of Warcraft, can be emulated fairly easily. (When I talk about video games, I mean high end games. If you like old DOS games, for instance, there are emulators for those that run well in Linux.)

If you're going to program in Visual Basic, .NET, or in C#, don't use Linux. The tools for these languages on Windows are simply better, and you won't be able to test your software in a Linux environment. (Note: Mono can let you program in C#)

However, if you weren't going to play video games or program in a Microsoft standard, then you'll probably find that Linux will meet your needs adequately. Linux has web browsers, office suites, programming tools, multimedia software, and all other kinds of software that most people use. Furthermore, Linux has powerful tools for system administration and other advanced activites (for the real geeks). Programming in Linux is a much more enabling experience, and networking in Linux is actually very easy once you get used to the way it works. Linux also tends to stay fast over time, unlike Windows, because the ext3 filesystem fragments less than NTFS.

And of course, let's not forget - Linux is more secure than Windows. It was built with security more in mind, since it is very easy to manipulate file permissions to prevent anyone with sinister intentions from breaking in. Data encryption in Linux is also very powerful, since many crypto fans worked hard to provide a system that would be impenetrable. And, because Linux is less popular at the moment, it isn't the target of as many viruses to boot.

Still, there are factors that could prevent you from using Linux. For starters, the whole task of switching is quite daunting - it takes a while to get used to the new environment, and you will have to learn how to install the software you want and configure your computer to do all the same things it used to. For most users, this won't be a big deal, but if you, for instance, used to share a printer across a network, you'll have to learn how to do that in Linux. IF YOU GET EASILY FRUSTRATED BY A COMPUTER you will not want to choose Linux. Windows was built so that 90% of its users could get what they wanted done, no questions asked. It's not a very transparent system. However, Linux was built so that 100% of its users could get what they wanted done, if they were willing to read some documentation and experiment.

You may also not want to use Linux because Application X won't work on it, and you need that application for something. Sure, you might be able to find a replacement... or you might not. In some rare instances, you can't find an alternative for a piece of software you use on Windows.

So, why don't we just lay out all the reasons to use Windows, and all the reasons to use Linux?

Windows:

1) It's probably more familiar to you.

2) It runs most software that you're accustomed to.

3) Most video games will only run on Windows.

4) Programming in Visual Basic, .NET, and C# is simply easier in Windows.

5) You can get professional support with your system, and places like Geek Squad will always be able to offer repair services.

Linux:

1) It's free of charge (except with certain distributions, like SuSE).

2) It's free (think GNU) software (usually).

3) It can do almost anything Windows can, and then it can do some things Windows just can't.

4) It's faster (for the most part) and more secure.

5) You can get community support with your system, which has its own benefits (it's usually more intellectually enriching).

6) There are multiple flavors, and you'll probably find one that suits your needs perfectly.

7) Linux is usually better suited to localization, so if you can't understand English, you'll probably like Linux (but then you won't know what I'm saying...).

8) If you're comfortable around a command prompt you will find Linux to be much better than Windows.

Hopefully, you will choose the operating system that pleases you most. I myself have used both operating systems and I find each to be delightful, in their own ways. If you're really bent on getting the best fit, and you spend lots of time experimenting, you'll probably get a lot out of it.

Chances are you know where to get a copy of Windows, but if you'd like to get a copy of Linux, you can check out the various distributions through this link. Find the one that best suits your needs, and then head to their website to download a copy.

Learn more about this author, Andrew Garrett.
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