Member Avatar for emamothelegend

I am trying to understand why do people still use linux.

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asked a blunt question that really needs one clarification: "better" for what? As hinted, desktop polish, cost, games, enterprise support or something else? Linux is not a single product but a kernel plus many distributions aimed at very different problems — that explains a lot of the continued use even if another OS is "better" at some specific task.

Practical reasons people pick Linux: freedom and transparency (source code available), fine-grained control and customization, very low-cost licensing for servers and embedded devices, a small footprint that revives older hardware, and strong tooling for developers and automation. It’s the backbone for many servers, containers, cloud platforms and embedded systems (Android itself uses the Linux kernel), and organizations can buy commercial support if they need guaranteed SLAs.

Linux isn’t perfect for every desktop user: some commercial applications, certain proprietary drivers, or specific plug-and-play workflows are easier on Windows or macOS. That tradeoff drives choices. The right OS depends on use case: for a media studio or a nontechnical user wanting an out-of-the-box experience, a Mac or Windows PC can be "better." For operators, developers, researchers, and device builders, Linux often is.

If the goal is to judge it quickly, try a live USB or run a distro in a VM, test hardware and workflows, then decide. Quick check of the kernel in any live session:

# show running kernel
uname -r

Try a friendly desktop distro to evaluate (Ubuntu/Pop!_OS, Fedora, or a stable Debian family) and test the actual tasks that matter (software compatibility, peripherals, performance). The rest is use-case matching rather than a single universal "better."

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Member Avatar for JamesCherrill

What is the "much better technology"?
MacOS - better, but a LOT more expensive
Windows - more popular, but not necessarily better. And again you have to pay for it.

And what's wrong with Linux anyway?

Edited by JamesCherrill
Member Avatar for rproffitt

I also like Dr. Pepper and root beer but won't hold it against you if you order Pepsi.

commented: Obviously a heretic. +0
Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

Ah, yes. But what brand of Root Beer? Hires, Barq's, A&W?

Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912." I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over.

  • Emo Phillips
commented: Root beer is complicated. A&W decades ago at the drive-in tastes nothing like the canned swill today by same name. +15
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