Top 10 Reasons to Use Linux

FOSS stands for Free (libre) and Open-Source Software. Open-source software is software whose source code is available to the public. Because of this, anyone can inspect the code and look for flaws. It's also beneficial for people who want to configure the code so it works the way they want it to.

One thing that Linux is known for is its security. You don't need anti-virus software. The package management system is highly effective at preventing malware from entering your system.

Linux costs absolutely nothing. In contrast, most operating systems cost around $200. This is advantageous for obvious reasons. Why use an expensive proprietary OS when you can use a free distro with all these benefits?

Linux does not collect any of your data. The software that different distros ship with is always FOSS, which does not track you. Moreover, these applications run as well as their Microsoft and Apple counterparts.

Linux is also known for running extremely well, even on old, low-end computers, due to its lightweight nature. Many people have reported improved performance on their poorly performing computers after installing Linux.

Another advantage of Linux is the extensive customization options. I've seen people make their systems look like a Windows computer, a Mac computer, or even design their own concept for a handheld device. Some even customize it to look like nothing that has existed before. The level of customization available is astonishing.

This is another feature that Linux is known for. It supports many different programming languages and has a variety of applications for those languages. The terminal is also favored by programmers for its ease of use.

There are many Linux distros out there. For instance, there is Ubuntu, a popular distro for newbies due to its ease of use. On the opposite end of the spectrum is Arch Linux, which is known for its customizability. Then there's Linux Mint, generally regarded as a well-rounded distro. I haven't even begun to scratch the surface. I personally use Manjaro KDE.

Many operating systems force their updates on you. It's very easy to accidentally update your computer, and sometimes the updates are literally forced. I remember using Windows 10 on school computers. You weren't allowed to simply log out. You either had to stay logged in or log out *and* update. I've also had an experience with a Mac where it literally shut down in the middle of me writing an essay.

Linux, on the other hand, does not force updates on you. It's still a good idea to update it, but you can do it whenever you want, as opposed to having updates forced on you.

The thing that got me into Linux.