.....as to why use linux?
apart from freedom it offers and FOSS,Linux is the kernel which is superior to Windows Vista or arguably Mac OS X.
Why NOT Windows?must be answered first.the more u pirate and use windows,more this monopoly makes us slaves of their ideas and "new" so called formats.
*getgnulinux.org explains this things.hope u read.
Ubuntu is good mainly for the package management.one thing in GNU/Linux is the package manager downloads and installs packages you select.unlike searching in web for each and every app.
below reply quoted from slashdot.org can help you:
Microsoft has been scanning the horizon to ensure that no one begins to kick at the blocks that prop up their monopoly. They are constantly looking for new ways to create more blocks. Some of these blocks are directx, drm, application/windows APIs, network interoperability (or the lack thereof), WGA/WGN lie, FUD, patents. Writing for OpenGL means you are writing for multiple platforms which gives a greater overall share.
Another new block is DRM. Yes they have had DRM in their product in one fashion or another for decades--copy protection on software back in the 80s, activation keys in the 90s. The WGN/WGA lie in the 00's is a psychological game meant to make the consumer less in control but to give them a feeling they are being protected. They are essentially forcing the consumer to allow Microsoft to spy on them under the guise of protecting the consumer from organized pirating--this is the fundamental lie. The average consumer is already covered because they generally purchase from the likes of Dell, Gateway, etc. Only a small percentage of sales are from systems integrators and the odds of getting one that is dishonest is even more minuscule. Today it is the essential arm-twisting/drafting of the hardware manufacturers to comply with their draconian DRM/CRM procedures.
Their APIs, not just DirectX, are also locking blocks, that block you from other platform development. Most companies don't have the time to learn multiple platform APIs in order to develop software. Apple recognized this (well NeXt computers did) when they were creating their development tools. Another block they use today are patents. Microsoft is not making a patent portfolio to protect itself, it is making it to prop up the monopoly and to attack competitors such as Linux. Software APIs for productivity applications aren't the barrier they once were. You can see that they will, over time, become less and less important as more and more programs build up for the competitor's platform. Since that form is diminishing there must be other ways for Microsoft to lock you into their platform. Gaming is a key API that they can change regularly. If they can keep changing the gaming API regularly then no entity can conceivably create a 100% compatible layer for other platforms. That's another reason why it is just silly to have game developers writing for directx instead of for OpenGL.
Networking interoperability is another key block that Microsoft uses to block migration from Windows to other platforms. If the interoperability is difficult or impossible even over the short term, large, medium, and small companies will very likely decline migration to Linux (or even OSX).
Patents and FUD seem to go hand in hand. Microsoft knows that if they say enough negative about Linux and threaten enough that migration will be slowed. If they create enough of a patent portfolio that will also slow development as competitors are constantly attempting to figure out what they can legally do and what they can't. DRM is similar in that it can't be copied and used in competitors platforms. The DMCA destroys all hope of that, at least if the user wants to stay 100% legal.
I don't know what the current installed base of Linux is and I'm sure most developers don't either. My estimate is that it is somewhere between 10 and 50 million computers.
When you use all of these together, including FUD and attempting to hide the sheer number of Linux (or any competitors true numbers) you can see how strong these blocks are. It only takes companies and individuals to start knocking more of these blocks out faster to bring down the monopoly. It isn't just having a product or even advertising your product or even giving it away for free. It is in ensuring that the right technologies are used and that enough blocks are kicked out that are supporting that monopoly.
Microsoft is scared shitless over this. They have huge monetary investments that rely on their Windows monopoly to fund them. Microsoft has no intention of getting rid of DRM. They only want to make it so that their major competitor in the arena of music is chopped down. Apple hold the market with the iPod and iTunes because of that DRM and if Microsoft can get everyone buying their products instead of Apple's knowing that they aren't locked in Microsoft can exert much greater advertising in order to overcome Apple's lead--not necessarily overnight but in much shorter order. Everyone knows DRM is a locking mechanism. You have an iPod you are stuck with it if you purchase music from Apple's store. That's a great thing for Apple. It is a highly negative thing for Microsoft. Once Microsoft takes over the digital music market then DRM will be back, in some devious way, a way they are planning for right now.
*linux.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=230391&threshold=1&commentsort=0&mode=thread&cid=18696149
and
Why do we upgrade to Vista?why do we accept EULA's?Vista contains DRM(restrictions management or a rootkit inside ur os controlled by ppl at redmond&co).
*badwindowsvista.com
*badvista.fsf.org
Microsoft is like a blockade for innovations.also there are lot of anti-trust cases against them for their monopoly to forcing their apps.
Infact in states like Kerala and few other states are completely moving to Linux.as it is got better future than microsoft's crippled os called Vista.many wants to downgrade and use XP instead is showing the reality.
UNIX and UNIX-like Operating Systems are essentially superior than DOS or windows.UNIX infact is more than 30 yrs old and that base or unix-like principles are used in alternate OS like FreeBSD or GNU/Linux.
So no virues(few worms exists),spywares,malwares lost their chance with UNIX-like OS's.AV's like Kaspersky are frustrated understanding that they cannot get AV market for UNIX-like Linux etc.
another thing is GNU/Linux is an open source community where each users help others unlike M$ paid support.
the last word stands with Open Source Software is Freedom and innovative.
Hope you understands and welcomes to use Linux or BSD's.
UNIX is a trademark holded by the opengroup.
![[xubz]](../forum_assets/18676_f6ef9d8122.jpg)
500 MHz and XP + AV! Your childhood surely must've been SLOW! You were better off with 98 than XP 
