Hi folks!
Wanted to ask how many of you are already using the Linux operating system.
I myself am into Debian, which is the oldest, largest and most professional distribution. You can choose among over 18.000 free programs there, among them specialized scientific programs, games, professional sound processing, programming tools, server software, and so on. Of course it also comes with a desktop with the most needed applications, like office suite, videoplayer, image editor, a tool to download and install software, and so on. It's easy to get it running, on nearly each and every computer, even for beginners. Check this:

http://www.us.debian.org/

The best thing about Linux of course is that it's free. You'd pay thousands of dollars for all the software if you'd purchase it. And it comes with an absolutely wonderful philosophy of social cooperation you'll find in the GNU public license treaty.

The next best thing is that it's transparent. You can find out how your computer works and how the software is organized. Also it's highly configurable, and if you're a programmer you can change almost anything imaginable.

Quite a few things you can't, and never will can, say about Windoze.

I kinda like Ubuntu nowadays.. feels like windows. hahah

Yes, I have been using Linux since 2005. GOD guided me to it
=========================================================

Hello -

I am new to Linux, but with decades of Windows experience - I programmed Windows software before the 3.1/MS Dos release (that most folks think of as the original Windows) even came out. I bought a new PC several months ago that came pre installed with Vista. Hated it and set up a dual boot with Ubuntu almost immediately.

After a month or so, I rarely booted Windows anymore. There is just a lot less crap in my way when I need to get work done on Ubuntu than on Vista, and I love Synaptic for locating tested, functional software when I need an application that isn't included in the basic distro.

I think Microsoft is actually driving many experienced users towards Linux by pushing such a bloated and inconvenient operating system. The same thing happened with Windows ME with the low end users, because of repeated crashes and swiss cheese style security holes. With Vista it's just lousy performance and UI quirks, but there is still a measurable jump in Linux newbies on the net.

Art Deco

I run a production server for my conspiracy research and have had LOTS of hack attempts daily. I run Fedora Core 6.

If your interested google anomalicresearch

Ubuntu 8.04 is going on the new computer once i order and receive the new computer. I will put the hard drive from the current computer in the new computer, but hope to never have to boot from it (windows xp). there may be reasons i have to, if i want to use certain programs are no way going to be able to be emulated, therefore no choice. so the old hard drive placed in the new computer can be a second boot.