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As the title says, I'm wondering what it was that made you switch from your previous OS to Linux?

Or perhaps you use Linux for different purposes than Windows or OSX and continue to use both. In which case what prompted you try Linux? What do you use Linux for and what do you use Windows/OSX for? Would you ever discontinue your use of Windows/OSX or are you content using both?

For myself, it was cost that made me switch initially. I actually bought a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate in November of 2009 (right when it was released) for something like $300. After the novelty wore off (after about 2 weeks of use) I got the sinking feeling that I wasted my money. That was the moment that I decided to give Linux a serious try (I had used Linux before, but never exclusively)-- I was determined to never again pay that much money for a simple OS.

Now after having used it for almost 2 years, and being well seeped in the FOSS philosophy, I use it for entirely different reasons (the $0 cost is still a great bonus though).

(Oh, and before anyone tries to correct me, I am aware that Linux is just the kernel. Saying GNU/Linux is just awkward).

asked Oct 11 '11 at 18:55

AlanStryder's gravatar image

AlanStryder
2.0k82042


For me it was that it was different from having windows or OSX. ANd not to put Windows or ISZ down either. but when you use a particular OS Day in and day out all the time. It got to me personally and needed a change from always having a windows machine in the room. And not to put windows or OSX down either they do have their good points to be used as well. Same as linux it has some good points as well. Just done differently than the others. And can be a good learning experience to have underneath your belt as well.

answered Oct 11 '11 at 21:24

Compucore's gravatar image

Compucore
2.4k111925

Free, great community, the actual OS, the look and feel of Linux (call me crazy but I like it), OPEN SOURCE, was tired of Microsoft (This was at the time of Vista... gags), didn't want to be locked into Apple's ecosystem.

answered Oct 12 '11 at 00:11

JordanV's gravatar image

JordanV
4.1k6282124

1

That's one of the best things about Linux.. you create your own look and feel for whatever desktop environment you feel like using! The power of choice!

(Oct 14 '11 at 22:59) AlanStryder AlanStryder's gravatar image

I tried it, found it could do everything I needed at the time and it showed me how far open source applications had come since the 90s.

I don't use Linux on my main machine (AMD fusion) as it does not work without graphics lag.

However, I use puppy Linux on my laptop because of its amazing simplicity and being able to run from a flash drive. I have always loved the versatilely of Linux and while I am forced to use Windows on one machine, Linux suffices for another.

I'm also an avid fan of Linux for home server use.

For me Linux has been a rocky relationship. I've loved and hated the software in equal amounts, vowed never to use it again, yet always come back for one last try. Linux keeps me open minded about different operating system software and stops me being locked into one eco system.

Having this rounded knowledge means that I can use any computer and get work done.

answered Oct 12 '11 at 01:20

SignOff's gravatar image

SignOff
(suspended)

Puppy was really the first distro I gave a solid chance in using as a day-to-day OS. I had an old 550 MHz Celeron laptop lying around and Puppy seemed to be the distro most recommended for older hardware. I'm still using that old thing to this day believe it or not!

(Oct 14 '11 at 22:41) AlanStryder AlanStryder's gravatar image

I started using Linux via live CD's about 8 years ago. Originally, it was to utilise the live discs as Windows recovery tools- then eventually it became the OS I found to be more to my liking as an everyday system.

I use Linux Mint as my everyday OS now- though have installed and tried many others- Mint feels the most polished "out of the gate" whilst retaining the ability to tweak. I run Mint 9 on my main desktop, have 10 on a velociraptor 600GB (just to see how it'd go), & have 11 on a Toshiba laptop I recently was given as "too expensive to repair" (I disassembled, clean, replaced thermal paste & it's fine!).

As far as Microsoft goes, I do still run Windows within Mint via Virtualbox- mainly because I support friends & family still running MS.

For me, it isn't so much the money part of it with MS/Apple- but the restrictive feelings that they give off. I like the idea that within the Linux community, good ideas get implemented no matter where they come from.

answered Oct 12 '11 at 22:12

geekomatic's gravatar image

geekomatic
1.8k111336

To be completely honest I started using Linux in late 2006 because I was too broke to buy my own version of Windows XP. When the whole work situation cleared up I was already sold on Linux and it's community. I currently still run Windows (as a few of the games I run refuse to work under Linux). But most of my everyday computing is done in Ubuntu via dual boot and VirtualBox. I am also constantly trying out different versions and distributions to broaden my horizons. My use of Linux started out of it being free, but has grown into a great operating system capable of near everything I need from an OS.

answered Oct 12 '11 at 22:56

techiesmarts's gravatar image

techiesmarts
713

It was surely cause it is free, secure operating system and have also tons of free software. I currently use both, Linux Mint , BackTrack , Windows 7. I use Mint on daily base for surfing, working in some programs. And i use Windows on other (main) machine to work something for money, cause to be honest there is no good alternative for some software on Linux.

answered Oct 11 '11 at 20:45

Ivan%20Tomica's gravatar image

Ivan Tomica
1.3k273352

Removed Spam / malicious link

answered Oct 11 '11 at 21:53

hnklfsa0a's gravatar image

hnklfsa0a
(suspended)

edited Oct 11 '11 at 22:34

roguekiller23231's gravatar image

roguekiller23231
4.2k72104142

A multitude of reasons actually. Two primary oned. Xp's service pack 3 not working with my audio card, and the other being BeOS was dead.

answered Oct 12 '11 at 23:15

Drmgiver's gravatar image

Drmgiver
1.2k2522

I had a similar experience with an older printer.. I was unable to find compatible Windows drivers for it, but my LMDE box was easy-peasy! Plugged it in and printed with absolutely no effort required.

Can i ask what sound card you were using?

(Oct 14 '11 at 22:51) AlanStryder AlanStryder's gravatar image

X-fi platinum. Brand new. So you can see my anger.

(Oct 14 '11 at 23:34) Drmgiver Drmgiver's gravatar image

Yeah that's pretty brutal. But when MS decides that it doesn't want to support its older OSes the vendors really have no choice but to follow suit.

(Oct 14 '11 at 23:44) AlanStryder AlanStryder's gravatar image
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Asked: Oct 11 '11 at 18:55

Seen: 905 times

Last updated: Oct 14 '11 at 23:44