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Why Do People Switch To Linux?

tadelste writes "During the last month, Lxer.com conducted a survey of readers who use Linux. They asked readers why they switched to Linux and received a plethora of answers. Surprisingly, anti-Microsoft sentiment had less to do with the choice than one might imagine. Linux stands on its own merits. Anti-Microsoft sentiment comes from Microsoft's paranoia, which results in quotes like the one that had Bill Gates saying he'd put Linux in the Computer museum like he has other competitors." A respondent quote from the article: "It took me about a year to switch from W2K to Linux. The timing in the development of all of the Desktop elements has obviously been critical. If I'd tried any sooner, the whole thing would never have come together. Improved hardware support and equivalent apps have been a big part of the successful transition, and, I owe thanks to many in the Linux community for making that happen at an astounding rate and giving me my functional Desktop OS." Why do you think folks switch?

14 of 746 comments (clear)

  1. Simple answer... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    They're not smart enough to download a copy of XP from Usenet.

    I kid, I kid!

    1. Re:Simple answer... by SoCalChris · · Score: 2, Funny

      Was this the page you were looking for?

      http://www.microsoft.com/windows/xp

  2. this is easy by BushCheney08 · · Score: 5, Funny

    I switched for the games. I can play tetravex for hours (and I do).

    --
    Be a real patriot: Question authority. Think for yourself. Formulate your own conclusions.
  3. I don't get it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    So why do you need linux to read a comic book about a little French guy who likes to beat up Romans?

    That makes absolutely no sense, whatsoever.

  4. two important respects by styxlord · · Score: 4, Funny

    Though it has many omissions and contains much that is apocryphal, or at least wildly inaccurate, it scores over the older, more pedestrian work in two important respects. First, it is slightly cheaper; and secondly it has a huge friendly penguin as its mascot.

  5. Overheard at lxer.com HQ... by chiller2 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Jefe> We have had many answers for the switch to Linux!
    El Guapo> How many answers?
    Jefe> Many answers, many!
    El Guapo> Jefe, would you say we have a plethora of answers?
    Jefe> Yes, El Guapo. You have a plethora.
    El Guapo> Jefe, what is a plethora?

    --
    --- Commission free trading & free stock up to $500 - use http://share.robinhood.com/kelvinp6 :)
  6. Re:simple reasons... by sedyn · · Score: 4, Funny

    I picked it for the same reason I chose to study computer science: money, women, power.

    But then again, I've never been good at making decisions.

    --
    Am I open minded towards open source, or closed minded towards closed source?
  7. Re:Linux failure by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Mostly hard drives..."

    Are these like partly soft drives?

  8. Re:I always wondered by commodoresloat · · Score: 2, Funny
    I like trying new distros for fun.

    You need to get out more.

  9. I switched to Linux because... by Tracy+Reed · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...it gets chicks!

  10. Re:Why I switched.. by MarkCollette · · Score: 2, Funny

    Pfff. I, on the other hand, have no morals, and so have pirated my copy of Debian GNU/Linux, just to stick it to the man!

    (Maybe there should be an option to mod a post: -1 Retarded Joke)

  11. Re:Reasons for my switch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Don't Google for "FreeCiv".

  12. Re:Double standards? by isorox · · Score: 3, Funny

    Internet Explorer is a good reason to stick with Windows even though similar applications exist for Linux?

    There's nothing anywhere near the standard of IE for Linux. Thankfully.

  13. Re:I Switched and Switched Back by antikristian · · Score: 2, Funny
    Qualifying the reason I switched back is harder. I had an interview with Microsoft in 2001
    MSguy:We just have one final question; Have you ever tried Linux?
    Dink:Yes, in fact I use it allmost exclusively!
    MSguy2: *caugh*loser*caugh*
    MSguy: Sorry, we can not employ people who are potentially violating SCO IP
    Dink:Oh my, I had no idea, I'll change!! Can I not just quit using linux?
    MSguy2:Yeah, like we have a six month quarrantine or something
    Dink:I'll download a Windows copy today, I swear!!!
    --
    A computer is a tool, but I am not. I use Linux