I used to be quite an expert on Windows, I even used to hang out on the #windows-help IRC channel. So why do I use Linux uniquely nowadays?

First, I tried Linux out of curiosity. What made me interested initially is that I am a control freak: I like to know what happens with my computer. With windows there were always a billion things running in the background, and I had no clue what they were doing. With linux you always know what does what. “man programname” and you have a complete documentation. This was a real kick for me. I could read these manuals for days, literally. I hate when things “just work” – I want to know *why?*. Simple curiosity. However, this doesn’t explain why I have stuck with Linux for such a long time.

The reasons I have stuck with GNU/Linux are the following:

• No adware/spyware/viruses since all programs in all Linux distributions are installed from signed packages
• Huge amount of available documentation and a howto for everything. Got stuck? Just read up
• No vendor lock-in. Wanna change from KDE to GNOME? From KOffice to OpenOffice? No problem.
• Faster than Windows and accompanying proprietary software (Office, MSN messenger, Adobe PDF reader, etc.)
• More customisable than Windows. Proprietary applications mean that if you change your colorscheme in Windows, almost none of your applications will have that colorscheme. If you do something different than most people (e.g. keycombinations), in Linux, you can easily change the program to suit your needs.
• Installing applications is fast and easy: Tired of answering the 20 questions that all installers ask you in Windows? So am I. In Linux, just launch Synaptics, type in what you want to do, e.g. “instant messaging”, and you are presented with all applications offering that service. Double-click on any and you are done (this is not a joke, it’s really that simple) It’s safe, fast, and there are no questions asked.
• Uninstalling is fast and efficient. Uninstalling AOL messenger is not only terribly difficult, but also leaves a lot of stuff behind. AOL browser? AOL as default webpage? And this not only applies to AOL. Windows messenger will change your default webpage when installed. Uninstalling it doesn’t reverse that.
• No junk software. Are you, too, tired of all the popups that “The full version of this software offers this-and-that, buy it now!” ?
• Software upgrades are seamless. One interface for all upgrades. You don’t need 20 upgrade programs running non-stop (Java nags you non-stop? Adobe PDF Reader naggings? Windows upgrade naggings?)
• Does all that is possible, not all that vendors want to be possible. Print to PDF? No problem. Backup your DVD? No problem.
• Cheap, or even free. Tired of all the money you have to pay, and still it doesn’t work? Well, in Linux it might not work, either, but if you payed a little bit, you can call the service desk (and they are helpful), or you can ask you local linux geek (he will be all too helpful), or you can just read up on the documentation (it’s good and well-written)
• If you have found a problem in the program, there are always helpful developers to correct the problem. They listen to what you have to say, and personally thank you for your comments. Try to do that with any proprietary software: they will send you a pre-written “thank you” notice, and promptly ignore you.

Of course there are many other, less practical and more theoretical reasons for why I like linux: Free as in not locked-in, total control, possiblity of tweaking things, the availability of developer discussions through open mailinglists, the number of programs to do the same thing (i.e. choice), and many others.

To use Linux day-to-day takes a bit of courage. Your friends will be annoyed that they can’t use the ultra-cool (but ultra-useless) features of their newest MSN messenger when they talk to you. And there will be other problems. You might be forced to use Windows at work, or you might need to use a software that doesn’t run under the free windows emulator, wine (though most software does), and you will have to find a replacement. And you won’t be able to play the newest game out there (but you can play World of Warcraft, and most other big games, like Diablo, on Linux).

The advantages are huge, however. You simply won’t understand how can your friends get a malware infection every day, why their bankaccounts get overtaken once a year, and why on Earth does it take their computer 5 minutes to boot up. You will sleep tight, knowing full well that your computer is safe from all people who might do you harm, be them malicious (malware writers), or be them proprietary companies restricting the use of the music or video you just bought. And you will know that if some problem comes up, there will be tons and tons of free tools and lots and lots of developers ready and willing to help you out just for the kicks. You are not alone.