What to expect from Linux?

[Sinister_Diagram]

Nice pointers. I especially like the part about why Linux is more secure than windows. I suppose it works like some anti-virus that has a protection command (Like Comodo defense).

One thing I still haven't figured out though is why multiple distributions. I can understand version upgrades but distributions are different. I mean, we can simply add an additional software or application if need be right?

It's important to realize that Linux is never really targeted when it comes to viruses, malware, and spyware. With the recent Mac problem aside, a large majority of infections are through .exe format and this is not a format that works on Linux. Well, not without the use of an emulator. So, I think it is safe to say that Linux is more secure than Windows.. Only time will continue to tell! I suppose the main reason for so many distributions would be the freedom of choice. I don't think that it was necessarily the main idea, when Linux first hit the scene, for there to be so many variants 10 or 20 years later. However, another good reason is performance and the ability to run Linux on a computer that is not packing a lot of punch (say 512ram and 1.5ghz processor). Certain desktop environments are meant to work on low-spec computers and it so happens that distros come out with that as their main desktop environment. This allows users the ease of installing a system with XFCE or LXDE desktop readily available instead of attempting to download/install such an environment only to have it not work properly. Does that make sense? Lol. I was trying to write it as it sounded in my head

I have never really been a fan of dual booting. If I am wanting Linux, I use that as the only system. There is an alternative to dual booting and that would be to run Windows in a virtual box. However, this may require you to have a little better computer specs. It is just like having Windows on your system, for the most part, but you do not have to make the choice to boot it or Linux - you simply run it within Linux.

By the way, is your name based on the character 'Godric' from True Blood?! Haha. I just had to ask as I am a fan of the show..

[psufootball]

Nice pointers. I especially like the part about why Linux is more secure than windows. I suppose it works like some anti-virus that has a protection command (Like Comodo defense).

Yes it has that going for it, in addition to the fact that you are not going to have people taking the time to create malware for an operating system that like 7% of computer users use. Same reason that Macs can claim to be "virus-free". It's not that they are some super-secure piece of machinery, it's that virus coders don't want to take the time to make something that they can't target to the largest demographic of people.

[DaReaper]

The one reason why Linux is more secure than windows is because majority of the hackers and spywares target software's that people buy. Most malware's target Windows cause Microsoft Windows being a paid software is used in commercial as well as many IT industries. It's not that Linux isn't used, but because Hackers know that they can cause more damage to systems when the software is being bought, as people loose money and due to this the market is affected.

The other reason being that majority of the viruses are targeted towards windows systems and they barely affect Linux as it can be ported out of Linux easily.

Thus security is the first main reason why i would choose Linux. I would choose Linux for various other reasons like :

1) Linux is free and open source.
2) Since there's a large community involved in patching up bugs, things gets fixed faster.
3) Windows errors and system failures are hard to recover from, where as Linux has lesser failures.

[Godric]

Yes it has that going for it, in addition to the fact that you are not going to have people taking the time to create malware for an operating system that like 7% of computer users use. Same reason that Macs can claim to be "virus-free". It's not that they are some super-secure piece of machinery, it's that virus coders don't want to take the time to make something that they can't target to the largest demographic of people.

Does this mean when Linux gets about 20% of the market they'll also have more risks because virus coders will then be targeting Linux?

[Sinister_Diagram]

Does this mean when Linux gets about 20% of the market they'll also have more risks because virus coders will then be targeting Linux?

I suppose it could be possible, but personally I do not see it as a major threat. It would take a vast amount of time to implement a major virus threat into a Linux program, I believe. It would have to be tested to see if it could even get through the system to cause any damage. I am not a virus expert, so I am sure someone else may be able to give a further explanation regarding this. That's simply my quick thoughts on it!

[DaReaper]

Does this mean when Linux gets about 20% of the market they'll also have more risks because virus coders will then be targeting Linux?

No, i don't think such a percentage increase in Linux's market share would really induce hackers to steal data from users using viruses and other types of malwares, i can clearly see them targeting systems using Paid software's cause it's easy hit for them to get credit card numbers or other sensitive information on the go.