Erm...so what DOES Linux do that Windows doesn't?

[7smurfs]

I hear a lot of Linux fans say that Linux lets them do things that Windows doesn't, which adds to their productivity. Now, in my research of Linux and my own use, I have yet to come across something that I can't do in Windows, or wouldn't NEED to do.

So, what are these things that Linux can do that everyone talks about?

NOTE: This is not a flame Linux/Flame Windows thread. Please do not do that.

[cboard_member]

I hear a lot of Linux fans say that Linux lets them do things that Windows doesn't, which adds to their productivity. Now, in my research of Linux and my own use, I have yet to come across something that I can't do in Windows, or wouldn't NEED to do.

So, what are these things that Linux can do that everyone talks about?

NOTE: This is not a flame Linux/Flame Windows thread. Please do not do that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_vs._Linux

Oh and: http://ubergeek.tv/article.php?pid=54 is quite amusing.

I think it's mainly down to preference. All I need to be productive under Linux is vim and GCC - I find GCC to be a lot more straight-forward to use than any compiler set on Win32 (except the GCC port of course) for example it'll happily link in .o (.obj to the Windows user) and .s/.asm files without any complaints or need to search for and download SP's or other 'addons'.

[7smurfs]

I didn't ask why Linux was better than Windows, I asked what it could do that Windows couldn't

[cboard_member]

And the link I gave you was more of an insight into each OS' strengths and weaknesses... Sorry I thought it might be of some help.

[Boomba]

It can NOT crash as often...hows that?...useful for servers

My main and favourite part about linux..is that every bug/annoyance/problem in linux seems fixable...because of its "open sourceness" ..you can pretty much figure it out by yourself or find how to fix the code on google

hope that helps w/ your research.

Boomba,

[cboard_member]

Aye I've never had a Linux box crash on me (Except when installing Gentoo once) so that's probably how it's earned it's reputation as a server OS.

*edit*

Also, I like it how if one application crashes it doesn't lock the rest of the system up ala Windows.

[Perspective]

BASH Shell, and complete control of configurations are the main points for me.

[CrazyNorman]

1. It lets you modify the kernel.
2. It allows you to install all drivers (even NVidia and such) without rebooting.
3. It allows you to pull all of your software from a central repository without worries about spyware, using just a search (if your using a decent distro that is).
4. It allows you to choose from XFS,JFS,ReiserFS,Ext3, and more file systems, depending on your need (each have advantages, some work faster with lots of small files than your normal file system would, some work better with large files, etc.,etc.)
5. It allows you to use non-fragmenting file systems (ReiserFS,Ext3 of the top of my head), no more defragging.
6. It allows you to achieve better security by running as a normal user (it is possible to run as a normal user under Windows, but most software will not work as a normal user, while almost all software works as a normal user under Linux).
7. It allows you to combine all of your partitions into one "filesystem" (Bad description, but imagine having each partition be a directory instead of a drive letter. The possibilities are endless. Instead of needing to back up "My Documents" each time you reinstalled Windows, you could have Windows on one partition, and My Documents on another, but it would act as if they were both on the "C:\" drive. And, if you had one directory with lots of small files, and one with a few big, put them each on file systems which deal best with that situation, and it will work flawlessly).
8. You can create your own distribution, or even create a LiveCD with just the software you need on it.

There are probably more, but I'm short on time.

[Boomba]

Oh i forgot one...You can make your desktop more sexy than any windows theme without using any additional thrid party software...there are already so many good themes on the net...the look is so much more cutomizable...you dont even have to submit to the norm of having a start button, having icons on your desktop...etc

[Jaqui]

it gives you a choice for gui
most distros come with 8 gui options during install
it gives you control over what's happening at any time, including install
it doesn't get a new virus / exploit an hour.
no spyware for linux.

I have yet to find anything but system admin tools that won't run as regular user in linux.

and, you don't have to spend a fortune getting the tools you need for ANY business.
( office suites, accounting packages etc )


and, if you feel that it's worth it, you can build your system to be completely lsb compliant, and only have the additional tools needed for development over and above the base standard, making it more likely that your app will work on all distros.*

*my own reason for building lfs systems

[xxxrugby]

Erm...so what DOES Linux do that Windows doesn't?
It doesent install all called Win Drivers.!

[xxxrugby]

Erm...so what DOES Linux do that Windows doesn't?
It doesent install all called Win Modem Drivers (hmmm that how I see there is a lot).!

[xxxrugby]

Erm...so what DOES Linux do that Windows doesn't?
Or better what DOES Windows do that Linux doesen't?
It install all called Win Modem Drivers (hmmm that how I see there is a lot) and all oether Modem Drivers.!
It have support on CD for almost all printers and so on.! On Linux doesent have support for few years old hardware any more (like SoundCard this new feature System-conf-soundcard not so good) they remove.
And so on.!

I agree that Linux is for Servers but for Home user (not good and easy like Win)???

Until Linux made DirectX support hardly some bigger Home user grow.

Great thing is how I read is that on new Debian and Gentto in installation will be integrated MONO support for dotNET.

So what can Linux do. It can be Cheeper for Home Users.

But hmmm for Company that want RedHat or SuSe that hmmm How many is Licence 300$ or more.


Erm...so what DOES Linux do that Windows doesn't?
I think that for this is best answer.
Open Source.!!!

[dwks]

There are less viruses for Linux . . . .

[Pyroteh]

open source and everything is free.... plus I've been playing around with linux for a while now and its NEVER crashed once.... I love it.... .haha

EDIT: ohh and the bash shell KICKS ASS...