Linux As A Windows Replacement?

The majority of today’s computers have some version of Windows installed on them. A copy of Windows Vista Home Basic (Upgrade) costs around $60. Businesses spend even more to put a copy of Windows geared towards business. Well, I believe Linux has had the spotlight stolen from it. It can do anything Windows can, plus more. Despite the fact that it is free, Linux comes in many different flavors and has a large user base. Also, if all you really do while on the computer is surf the web or chat with friends and family, then Linux is perfect for you as well.

I’ve had Ubuntu 8.10 installed on my Desktop and Laptop for quite some time now, and not once have I booted back into Windows (I have a dual-boot setup on both machines). It comes with Mozilla Firefox 3 and I’ve also installed Mozilla Thunderbird as my email client of choice via APT. I create all my documents and spreadsheets either through Google Docs or OpenOffice.Org. If I ever get bored, I can play a game I found in the vast sea of open source applications or watch some TV at Hulu.com.

I am also a small-time developer, and Linux once again helps me reach my fullest potential. There are plenty of alternatives to Microsoft’s Visual Studio, many of which are also open source. I happen to be using NetBeans as my IDE. If I am working on a web project, Firefox has tons of plugins that can assist me in that area as well.

To wrap it up, Linux pretty much has me covered. Sure, I’ll probably jump into Windows a few times to play Spore or some game I can’t emulate with Wine, but I’ll most likely stick with Linux from now on. I can definitely say Linux would be a perfect replacement for Windows, especially for people who don’t want to spend money when they don’t have to.