Why We Use Linux?... To Be Different.

    Saturday, An Amazing Mind posted a blog about the real reason we use Linux. He suggests that regardless of what people say, or what the "norm" is, the reason that Linux users use that perfect OS is because it is "fun". Yes, this is definitely one of the many reasons… it is a lot of fun to use. But I do not think that is the only reason. Let me explain.

    Linux is largely unknown. For centuries, one of the constants in human nature is the exploration of the unknown. I firmly believe that no one person can know everything about the Linux OS. This is because Linux is constantly changing. Like in a previous post that I had, currently, ndiswrapper is set to not be compatible with the newest version of the kernel. Slackware 12.0, which was release last year, is fully compatible with the ndiswrapper application by default. That will change with Slackware 13.0 (or 14.0 if they are superstitious) if it uses the newest version of the kernel. This means people like me, are going to have to figure out a new way to get their wireless card working if they want to upgrade to the newest version of Slackware.

    This makes the world of Linux unknown again in regards to wireless networking to people in my situation. It opens the door for new challenges and new obstacles to overcome. In contrast, Windows is largely the same from version to version (all versions since Windows 95 have been based on the same layout). Because Microsoft does everything for you, if something doesn't work, Microsoft fixes it, releases an update, and you install it. Now whatever wasn't working before, is working now. This presents no challenge, nothing interesting, just... "Oh look… my sound doesn't work anymore. Microsoft released an update. Downloaded it, installed it, and now my sound is working again… yayyyyyy….". Windows turns your average computer user, and even techie geeks into robots.

    Linux is so much more than just having fun. It's about expressing your personality, challenging your mind, and educating yourself on how exactly computers do certain functions. Linux is almost like snow… no two systems are exactly the same. Windows is all about making everyone follow a mandatory standard that some rich 40-year old in an Armani suit, who knows nothing about how computers work, decides is the "best" standard. Windows strips people of their individuality and their creativity. Of course it also strips them of their security and their rights to manage their own computer. Linux just frees people to be themselves and work against the grain to come up with new and daring ideas without taking control out of their hands. Linux is just… freedom.

    Besides, windows are stupid pieces of glass that only allow you to look at your world. Penguins allow to you experience and interact with your world.