Advantages of linux 

well Sharad,
advantage of linux -----


Hi there

Linux Advantages

1. Low cost: You don’t need to spend time and money to obtain licenses since Linux and much of its software come with the GNU General Public License. You can start to work immediately without worrying that your software may stop working anytime because the free trial version expires. Additionally, there are large repositories from which you can freely download high quality software for almost any task you can think of.
2. Stability: Linux doesn’t need to be rebooted periodically to maintain performance levels. It doesn’t freeze up or slow down over time due to memory leaks and such. Continuous up-times of hundreds of days (up to a year or more) are not uncommon.
3. Performance: Linux provides persistent high performance on workstations and on networks.
4 It can handle unusually large numbers of users simultaneously, and can make old computers sufficiently responsive to be useful again.
5 Network friendliness: Linux was developed by a group of programmers over the Internet and has therefore strong support for network functionality; client and server systems can be easily set up on any computer running Linux. It can perform tasks such as network backups faster and more reliably than alternative systems.
6 Flexibility: Linux can be used for high performance server applications, desktop applications, and embedded systems. You can save disk space by only installing the components needed for a particular use. You can restrict the use of specific computers by installing for example only selected office applications instead of the whole suite.
7 Compatibility: It runs all common Unix software packages and can process all common file formats.
8 Choice: The large number of Linux distributions gives you a choice. Each distribution is developed and supported by a different organization. You can pick the one you like best; the core functionalities are the same; most software runs on most distributions.
9 Fast and easy installation: Most Linux distributions come with user-friendly installation and setup programs. Popular Linux distributions come with tools that make installation of additional software very user friendly as well.
10 Full use of hard disk: Linux continues work well even when the hard disk is almost full.
11 Multitasking: Linux is designed to do many things at the same time; e.g., a large printing job in the background won’t slow down your other work.
12 Security: Linux is one of the most secure operating systems. “Walls” and flexible file access permission systems prevent access by unwanted visitors or viruses. Linux users have to option to select and safely download software, free of charge, from online repositories containing thousands of high quality packages. No purchase transactions requiring credit card numbers or other sensitive personal information are necessary.
13 Open Source: If you develop software that requires knowledge or modification of the operating system code, Linux’s source code is at your fingertips. Most Linux applications are Open Source as well.

Answered by jaivir at 6:14 PM on May 22, 2008

hi sharad Key advantages of Linux



Linux source code is freely distributed. Tens of thousands of programmers have reviewed the source code to improve performance, eliminate bugs, and strengthen security. No other operating system has ever undergone this level of review. This Open Source design has created most of the advantages listed below.


Linux has the best technical support available. Linux is supported by commercial distributors, consultants, and by a very active community of users and developers. In 1997, the Linux community was awarded InfoWorld's Product of the Year Award for Best Technical Support over all commercial software vendors.

Linux has no vendor lock-in. The availability of source code means that every user and support provider is empowered to get to the root of technical problems quickly and effectively. This contrasts sharply with proprietary operating systems, where even top-tier support providers must rely on the OS vendor for technical information and bug fixes.

Linux runs on a wide range of hardware. Most Linux systems are based on standard PC hardware, and Linux supports a very wide range of PC devices. However, it also supports a wide range of other computer types, including Alpha, Power PC, 680x0, SPARC, and Strong Arm processors, and system sizes ranging from PDAs (such as the PalmPilot) to supercomputers constructed from clusters of systems (Beowulf clusters).

Linux is exceptionally stable. Properly configured, Linux systems will generally run until the hardware fails or the system is shut down. Continuous up-times of hundreds of days (up to a year or more) are not uncommon.

Linux has the tools and applications you need. Programs ranging from the market-dominating Apache web server to the powerful GIMP graphics editor are included in most Linux distributions. Free and commercial applications meet are available to meet most application needs.

Linux interoperates with many other types of computer systems. Linux communicates using the native networking protocols of Unix, Microsoft Windows 95/NT, IBM OS/2, Netware, and Macintosh systems and can also read and write disks and partitions from these and other operating systems.

Linux has a low total cost of ownership. Although the Linux learning curve is significant, the stability, design, and breadth of tools available for Linux result in very low ongoing operating costs.

Linux: ``all for one and one for all?? All changes one makes in Open Source software will benefit each and everyone, all over the world. Without exceptions or constraints.

Linux is fun!
this is taken from source http://linux.iguana.be/linux/advant ages.php

Answered by laks at 1:55 PM on May 22, 2008

Hi there

Linux Advantages

1. Low cost: You don’t need to spend time and money to obtain licenses since Linux and much of its software come with the GNU General Public License. You can start to work immediately without worrying that your software may stop working anytime because the free trial version expires. Additionally, there are large repositories from which you can freely download high quality software for almost any task you can think of.
2. Stability: Linux doesn’t need to be rebooted periodically to maintain performance levels. It doesn’t freeze up or slow down over time due to memory leaks and such. Continuous up-times of hundreds of days (up to a year or more) are not uncommon.
3. Performance: Linux provides persistent high performance on workstations and on networks.
4 It can handle unusually large numbers of users simultaneously, and can make old computers sufficiently responsive to be useful again.
5 Network friendliness: Linux was developed by a group of programmers over the Internet and has therefore strong support for network functionality; client and server systems can be easily set up on any computer running Linux. It can perform tasks such as network backups faster and more reliably than alternative systems.
6 Flexibility: Linux can be used for high performance server applications, desktop applications, and embedded systems. You can save disk space by only installing the components needed for a particular use. You can restrict the use of specific computers by installing for example only selected office applications instead of the whole suite.
7 Compatibility: It runs all common Unix software packages and can process all common file formats.
8 Choice: The large number of Linux distributions gives you a choice. Each distribution is developed and supported by a different organization. You can pick the one you like best; the core functionalities are the same; most software runs on most distributions.
9 Fast and easy installation: Most Linux distributions come with user-friendly installation and setup programs. Popular Linux distributions come with tools that make installation of additional software very user friendly as well.
10 Full use of hard disk: Linux continues work well even when the hard disk is almost full.
11 Multitasking: Linux is designed to do many things at the same time; e.g., a large printing job in the background won’t slow down your other work.
12 Security: Linux is one of the most secure operating systems. “Walls” and flexible file access permission systems prevent access by unwanted visitors or viruses. Linux users have to option to select and safely download software, free of charge, from online repositories containing thousands of high quality packages. No purchase transactions requiring credit card numbers or other sensitive personal information are necessary.
13 Open Source: If you develop software that requires knowledge or modification of the operating system code, Linux’s source code is at your fingertips. Most Linux applications are Open Source as well.

Answered by Reeta K at 12:57 PM on May 22, 2008

hello sharad Here are some of the advantages of Linux that are often cited when comparing Linux with other operating systems: (1) Low cost; (2) Stability; (3) Performance; (4) Network friendliness and security; (5) Flexibility; (6) Compatibility; (7) Choice; (8) Fast and easy installations; (9) Multitasking; (10) Open source;
for more inf check source http://linux.about.com/b/2007/11/13 /the-top-ten-advantages-of-linux.ht m

Answered by raj u at 12:40 PM on May 22, 2008

advantages of Linux

1. philosophy :---
Linux is free and you can get it for free. You do not need to pay dozens of Dollars/Euro to use it legally. If you purchase a commercial distribution such as Red Hat or SuSE, you can use it for any desired number of installations. This is a major point: Imagine the costs companies could save if they did not need to pay the Microsoft licenses.
There are millions of Linux users worldwide and most of them help each other by developing, debugging, translating and supporting Linux. All of them want to improve Linux and its programs together. In mailinglists you can contact the developers of your favourite program and ask them diretly.

2. core

You have full control of the system: You can terminate programs that have crashed but Linux itself and the other programs are not affected. You can restart only the services that you has re-configured (e.g the ip-address), without restarting the whole system. That is very important for big servers on the internet that depend on each second of online-time.
You can control the allocation of the PC's resources (CPU and RAM) by setting an appropriate priority or "nice level". In so doing, the user has the ability to control how the Operating System time-slices the available resources among several processes. For a background task that you want to run only when nothing else is happening you set the priority level to a larger number (lower priority).

3. user interface

In Windows there is only one standard user interface, you really get sick of soon. The new Luna style in Windows XP is not a solution since most people deactivate it due to its ugliness. Using Linux you get a great choice of styles. You may check external link:art.gnome.org [en] and external link:kdelook.org [en] or the recent shot of my desktop.
Another point is the usability: If you work with several programs on the desktop at the same time, you may want to move the windows several times. Using Windows you have to drag the window in the status-bar, using Linux you can just press a single key - mostly the "ALT-key" (depending on your window manager) then click-and-drag somewhere on the window to move it. You can also define several desktop groups making your desktop(s) more clear, e.g. one group could be programs having a similar task.

4. Linux vs Windows

Recently, more and more enterprises and public institutions move not only the servers but also the desktops to Linux: e.g. external link:Merrill Lynch [de] and external link:Unilever [de]. Microsoft has been very eager to make the town Munich not to move to Linux, so that Steve Ballmer has even interrupted his holidays. Despite price deductions that has made the MS offer cheaper than the Linux offer, external link:Munich has choosen Linux [de] because of strategic causes not to depend on Microsoft.

5.

Answered by shepherd at 9:38 AM on May 22, 2008

well;
Linux Advantages

1. Low cost: You don’t need to spend time and money to obtain licenses since Linux and much of its software come with the GNU General Public License. You can start to work immediately without worrying that your software may stop working anytime because the free trial version expires. Additionally, there are large repositories from which you can freely download high quality software for almost any task you can think of.
2. Stability: Linux doesn’t need to be rebooted periodically to maintain performance levels. It doesn’t freeze up or slow down over time due to memory leaks and such. Continuous up-times of hundreds of days (up to a year or more) are not uncommon.
3. Performance: Linux provides persistent high performance on workstations and on networks.
4 It can handle unusually large numbers of users simultaneously, and can make old computers sufficiently responsive to be useful again.
5 Network friendliness: Linux was developed by a group of programmers over the Internet and has therefore strong support for network functionality; client and server systems can be easily set up on any computer running Linux. It can perform tasks such as network backups faster and more reliably than alternative systems.
6 Flexibility: Linux can be used for high performance server applications, desktop applications, and embedded systems. You can save disk space by only installing the components needed for a particular use. You can restrict the use of specific computers by installing for example only selected office applications instead of the whole suite.
7 Compatibility: It runs all common Unix software packages and can process all common file formats.
8 Choice: The large number of Linux distributions gives you a choice. Each distribution is developed and supported by a different organization. You can pick the one you like best; the core functionalities are the same; most software runs on most distributions.
9 Fast and easy installation: Most Linux distributions come with user-friendly installation and setup programs. Popular Linux distributions come with tools that make installation of additional software very user friendly as well.
10 Full use of hard disk: Linux continues work well even when the hard disk is almost full.
11 Multitasking: Linux is designed to do many things at the same time; e.g., a large printing job in the background won’t slow down your other work.
12 Security: Linux is one of the most secure operating systems. “Walls” and flexible file access permission systems prevent access by unwanted visitors or viruses. Linux users have to option to select and safely download software, free of charge, from online repositories containing thousands of high quality packages. No purchase transactions requiring credit card numbers or other sensitive personal information are necessary.
13 Open Source: If you develop software that requires knowledge or modification of the operating system code, Linux’s source code is at your fingertips. Most Linux applications are Open Source as well.

Answered by kishore at 9:10 PM on May 21, 2008

well Sharad, There are several advantages of Linux, and of course, some disadvantages to using the Linux operating system.

1). Low cost: You don’t need to spend time and money to obtain licenses since Linux and much of its software come with the GNU General Public License. You can start to work immediately without worrying that your software may stop working anytime because the free trial version expires. Additionally, there are large repositories from which you can freely download high quality software for almost any task you can think of.

2). Stability: Linux doesn’t need to be rebooted periodically to maintain performance levels. It doesn’t freeze up or slow down over time due to memory leaks and such. Continuous up-times of hundreds of days (up to a year or more) are not uncommon.

3). Performance: Linux provides persistent high performance on workstations and on networks.# It can handle unusually large numbers of users simultaneously, and can make old computers sufficiently responsive to be useful again.

4). Network friendliness: Linux was developed by a group of programmers over the Internet and has therefore strong support for network functionality; client and server systems can be easily set up on any computer running Linux. It can perform tasks such as network backups faster and more reliably than alternative systems.

5). Flexibility: Linux can be used for high performance server applications, desktop applications, and embedded systems. You can save disk space by only installing the components needed for a particular use. You can restrict the use of specific computers by installing for example only selected office applications instead of the whole suite.

6). Compatibility: It runs all common Unix software packages and can process all common file formats.

7). Choice: The large number of Linux distributions gives you a choice. Each distribution is developed and supported by a different organization. You can pick the one you like best; the core functionalities are the same; most software runs on most distributions.

8). Fast and easy installation: Most Linux distributions come with user-friendly installation and setup programs. Popular Linux distributions come with tools that make installation of additional software very user friendly as well.

9). Full use of hard disk: Linux continues work well even when the hard disk is almost full.

10). Multitasking: Linux is designed to do many things at the same time; e.g., a large printing job in the background won’t slow down your other work.

11). Security: Linux is one of the most secure operating systems. “Walls” and flexible file access permission systems prevent access by unwanted visitors or viruses. Linux users have to option to select and safely download software, free of charge, from online repositories containing thousands of high quality packages. No purchase transactions requiring credit card numbers or other sensitive personal information are necessary.

12) . Open Source: If you develop software that requires knowledge or modification of the operating system code, Linux’s source code is at your fingertips. Most Linux applications are Open Source as well.

For more information , please do visit source site:
http://linux.about.com/ cs/linux101/a/linux_2.htm

H ope it will help you out.

Answered by Uttam at 9:06 PM on May 21, 2008

There are so many advantage of using Linux operating system ,some of them listed below :

1. Linux source code is freely distributed. Tens of thousands of programmers have reviewed the source code to improve performance, eliminate bugs, and strengthen security. No other operating system has ever undergone this level of review. This Open Source design has created most of the advantages listed below.

2. Linux has the best technical support available. Linux is supported by commercial distributors, consultants, and by a very active community of users and developers. In 1997, the Linux community was awarded InfoWorld's Product of the Year Award for Best Technical Support over all commercial software vendors.

3. Linux has no vendor lock-in. The availability of source code means that every user and support provider is empowered to get to the root of technical problems quickly and effectively. This contrasts sharply with proprietary operating systems, where even top-tier support providers must rely on the OS vendor for technical information and bug fixes.

4. Linux runs on a wide range of hardware. Most Linux systems are based on standard PC hardware, and Linux supports a very wide range of PC devices. However, it also supports a wide range of other computer types, including Alpha, Power PC, 680x0, SPARC, and Strong Arm processors, and system sizes ranging from PDAs (such as the PalmPilot) to supercomputers constructed from clusters of systems (Beowulf clusters).

5. Linux is exceptionally stable. Properly configured, Linux systems will generally run until the hardware fails or the system is shut down. Continuous up-times of hundreds of days (up to a year or more) are not uncommon.

6. Linux has the tools and applications you need. Programs ranging from the market-dominating Apache web server to the powerful GIMP graphics editor are included in most Linux distributions. Free and commercial applications meet are available to meet most application needs.

7. Linux interoperates with many other types of computer systems. Linux communicates using the native networking protocols of Unix, Microsoft Windows 95/NT, IBM OS/2, Netware, and Macintosh systems and can also read and write disks and partitions from these and other operating systems.

8. Linux has a low total cost of ownership. Although the Linux learning curve is significant, the stability, design, and breadth of tools available for Linux result in very low ongoing operating costs.

9. Linux: ``all for one and one for all�� All changes one makes in Open Source software will benefit each and everyone, all over the world. Without exceptions or constraints.

10. Linux is fun!

Answered by Ashish Yadav at 8:10 PM on May 21, 2008

The Advantage of linux are given below-
1.Linux is Network-friendly
Linux supports most of the major protocols, and quite a few of the minor ones. Support for Internet, Novell, Windows, and Appletalk networking have been part of the Linux kernel for some time now. With support for Simple Network Management Protocol and other services (such as Domain Name Service), Linux is also well suited to serving large networks.

2.Linux is Multi-user
Linux is an implementation of the UNIX design philosophy, which means that it is a multi-user system from the word "go."More importantly, the system is designed to multi-task. Whether one user is running several programs or several users are running one program, Linux is capable of managing the traffic.

3.Linux is Open
n important aspect of open software is the ability to write kernel extensions and drivers as needed.Another huge advantage of an open system is a large number of software authors and beta testers. This makes the software testing and refinement process faster and better. Because there is not a lot of commercial software for Linux (though that is an increasing market), most software written for Linux is written because the authors want to do it. Since there are no corporate deadlines, there need be no compromise of quality. Also, I think many programmers relish the idea of showing off some artistry, since others will actually see and appreciate their code.

4.Linux is "Free"
Linux is "Free" in two senses. In one sense, the Linux consumer is free to modify the system and do anything he or she wishes with it. In another sense, acquiring Linux does not necessarily require any cash outlay at all.

There are two very popular methods for acquiring and distributing Linux: FTP and CD-ROM. Most of the major Linux distributions (Red Hat, Debian, Slackware, Caldera) are available for free download from several popular sites. Though time consuming, it does not cost anything beyond connection charges.

5.Linux is Reliable
Linux is one of the more stable operating systems available today. This is due in large part to the fact that Linux was written by programmers who were writing for other programmers and not for the corporate system. The only people who made the decisions on what went into the system were programmers. Also, the deadline pressure is not as strong when one is developing as a hobby.

6.Linux is Backwards-Compatible
Linux has superb support for older hardware. In fact, it is often easier to find hardware support for 486-era hardware than the latest gizmos to hit the market. This is because the driver authors need time to write and test the drivers, and some vendors are not exactly forthcoming with the information required to write a driver.

Answered by Nagendra at 7:35 PM on May 21, 2008

Well Sharad , some major advantages of Linux are :

1) Linux source code is freely distributed. Tens of thousands of programmers have reviewed the source code to improve performance, eliminate bugs, and strengthen security. No other operating system has ever undergone this level of review. This Open Source design has created most of the advantages listed below.

2) Linux has the best technical support available. Linux is supported by commercial distributors, consultants, and by a very active community of users and developers. In 1997, the Linux community was awarded InfoWorld's Product of the Year Award for Best Technical Support over all commercial software vendors.

3) Linux has no vendor lock-in. The availability of source code means that every user and support provider is empowered to get to the root of technical problems quickly and effectively. This contrasts sharply with proprietary operating systems, where even top-tier support providers must rely on the OS vendor for technical information and bug fixes.

4) Linux runs on a wide range of hardware. Most Linux systems are based on standard PC hardware, and Linux supports a very wide range of PC devices. However, it also supports a wide range of other computer types, including Alpha, Power PC, 680x0, SPARC, and Strong Arm processors, and system sizes ranging from PDAs (such as the PalmPilot) to supercomputers constructed from clusters of systems (Beowulf clusters).

5) Linux is exceptionally stable. Properly configured, Linux systems will generally run until the hardware fails or the system is shut down. Continuous up-times of hundreds of days (up to a year or more) are not uncommon.

6) Linux has the tools and applications you need. Programs ranging from the market-dominating Apache web server to the powerful GIMP graphics editor are included in most Linux distributions. Free and commercial applications meet are available to meet most application needs.

7) Linux interoperates with many other types of computer systems. Linux communicates using the native networking protocols of Unix, Microsoft Windows 95/NT, IBM OS/2, Netware, and Macintosh systems and can also read and write disks and partitions from these and other operating systems.

8) Linux has a low total cost of ownership. Although the Linux learning curve is significant, the stability, design, and breadth of tools available for Linux result in very low ongoing operating costs.

9) Linux: ``all for one and one for all All changes one makes in Open Source software will benefit each and everyone, all over the world. Without exceptions or constraints.

For more details , Please visit the source site :

http://linux.iguana.be/linux/a dvantages.php

Answered by Alok Gupta at 5:51 PM on May 21, 2008