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Linux is free. That's right, you can download it, burn it to CD, give it away and install it to your hearts content, without ever having to pay for it. The words 'piracy' and 'stealing' never apply to open-source software. In fact, the open-source community encourages everyone to use their products and suggest ways to make them better.
Linux is easy to use. Linux has included desktop management tools for several years. Installing printers, setting up an email account, cutting-and-pasting images and text, and keeping your system updated can be as simple as point-and-click.
Linux is stable. What happens when you're working on an important document or spreadsheet and your computer 'locks up,' forcing a reboot? Are you less than thrilled at the thought of losing all your recent changes? Linux systems are known to run for months, even years, without crashing or needing to be rebooted. Stability and reliability can help save time and money.
Most Linux applications are compatible with other operating systems and applications. Linux comes with OpenOffice, a free office suite that's compatible with other popular office software. You can open a document, spreadsheet or presentation, make changes, save and email it to someone. They'll never know you used OpenOffice because the document will still be in its native format. Take a look at some screenshots of the OpenOffice suite of tools. Linux also comes with a free alternative to expensive image-rendering software called The Gimp. Of course, in the true open-source spirit, you can use The Gimp to open, edit and save changes to files in other formats. Here are some screenshots of The Gimp.
Linux is virtually virus, malware and spyware free. Has battling persistant viruses, malware and spyware caused you to lose productivity? Do you spend big bucks on your anti-virus or malware and spyware removal tools? Linux comes with a tight firewall and is immune to most viruses, malware and spyware. Did we mention Linux provides all these features for free?
Linux works with lots of peripherals. Best of all, the drivers are already built into the kernel, so there's no need to do the "Windows dance" (insert CD, go through installation wizard, wait, eject CD, reboot). There's also no need to keep track of the latest driver updates for each peripheral, or to run background processes that do this task. One source for updates is all you'll ever need.
Linux manages updates better. Windows® has a convenient tool called "Windows Update" that can automatically update your operating system. But what about updates to your peripheral drivers? Adobe PDF Reader? CD/DVD burning program? Anything else that's not part of your Microsoft® software? Each time you install a new driver for a peripheral, or Adobe PDF Reader, or whatever, the software probably installs an update checker. Which means that a) you have to manage all those updates separately, and b) there's another program that runs at startup and robs your computer of valuable CPU time and memory. With Linux, all your software is updated using just one tool, and you can manage it all with just one click.
This may not sound like a big deal, but a recent article by Computerworld indicates a typical Windows® home user must manage their updates at least once every 5 days. And with Adobe predicted to overtake Microsoft as a hacker's top target in 2010, remember that Windows® Update doesn't release any patches for vulnerabilities found in Adobe Reader or Flash.
Ready to switch? If you're tired of spending your hard-earned money to license expensive, proprietary software that is very susceptible to viruses, malware and spyware, Linux is ready for you. If you hate applications that crash all the time and require frequent reboots, Linux is ready for you. Let IGO show you how to increase efficiency and improve your bottom line. You don't have to be a geek anymore to use Linux. Discover how IGO is making Linux for the rest of us.
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