Why I cant move back to Windows

Operating Systems & Open Source Linux
1

Okay so I recently tried living inside a VM on Windows to see how my views of the OS had changed, And oh did they change, I have been using Linux for almost 6 months, and I cant go back to Windows.

First lets get somethings out, I have used Windows since I was about 5, I know my way around it, I have been on every version since 95, and the OS has been getting worse over each edition.

I have also been asked why I use Linux as a daily, some people think I am stupid for using an OS that is so "Limited" in their words, and yes its limited, via my technical knowledge, but we all know, the OS is a lot bigger than Windows, and there are limitless possibilities for change here.

Lets go through the points of why I cant go back

1 - I am not in control.

I like to be in control of everything, In Windows you cant be, you are not the true administrator, you are not the master of your system, In Linux you are, and this is a major reason for me, from editing repos to changing kernels, all these I love to do and makes the tinkerer inside me very very happy, and I am still learning so yeah I shall be busy for a long long time.

2 - Security

I value my security, a lot, I dont have anything to hide, but I hate black hats although I learn a lot from watching hackers, so having my security at the kernel level is super for me, PaX and GR should be pushed to Windows, Oh wait it cant, Windows is stupidly insecure, I could leave Linux without SE and PaX and I would still be harder to hack.

But that aside, again its down to control, I can control my firewall at a advanced level without extra programs, I can have patches built directly into the kernel and then have Clam to deal with any windows issues, adding to that Open source is generally more secure from the start, as everyone can see the code, edit it and patch any issues, I plan to one day do this on my own system, its a long time away but all about learning and giving something back to the community.

My system also has less programs from the get go, I use Manjaro XFCE on my laptop and I am currently un-decided on my desktop, may move from mageia to sabayon yet, but even Mageia has less applications and services from start compared to Windows. Which makes for a more secure system from the start.

3 - Performance

Okay this is one area where Windows can beat linux, but only at boot times, but that is soon solved, but I like to get every bit of performance out of my systems, and with the freedom of Linux I can, I can edit my kernel, edit my system, use a lighter DE, all this makes my games run faster, adding to that with open source drivers making a major push lately, it will run faster, Windows cannot offer me the same level of performance even if I strip the system, which will take me ages, With Linux I just run a net version :)

4 - Software

This is a grey area for me, A lot of stuff I do on the internet cant be used on Linux, because of stuff like Silverlight and Flash, although I do use pipelight its not perfect but I will wait, but that is a minor issue, the software on my SSD is different, Gparted v Mini Tool partition, yeah Gparted won, Darktable v Lightroom, Darktable wins and so on, I even begun to like Eclipse over VS.

the fact the software I use is free and open makes me and my system happier, I cant even run Gparted on windows.and if it breaks on Linux, there is a guide out there to help me fix it lol. this compared to MS error tools, Dont stand a chance.

 

Now these are all opinions, based on situations and experience but I do believe once you get over the first hurdle in Linux, which is learning what things do, and how to get your Windows desktop back but in a free open source way, your set for life, sure gaming is not amazing via steam, but ah well, I am happy with Humble Bundle when I do play games, but the freedom, security and performance out weigh the gaming, and the Linux communities are generally better than Windows ones, Just want to see what a Linux convention is like now ;)

 

Leave your experiences and could you go back to Windows after having a free system?

2

My arch laptop boots in under three seconds ;) (not counting Bios). Windows boot times take forever.

3

I can see a large switch to Linux in the coming years. But it wont be any more than general computer users, and a selection of heavy users. The reason down to just compatibility of software. Yes I know you can use wine to emulate windows and run nearly every piece of software you could want and not to mention there are countless alternatives but in many cases in specialized area's there is no good alternative. Mostly in business and design area's. And for that reason, the same reason why people still use Windows XP, Windows 7 will still be used. Now most likely Microsoft will backtrack when it comes to Windows 8 and we will have another good OS. and it will be fine for anyone who uses specialized software in their day to day computer use.

But until the majority has moved to Linux, Windows will still be a strong, Viable option for the average user and power user. Ill keep a Linux box for when I want to mess around in Linux, Hell I will probably move permanently to Linux on my Laptops but for my desktop workstation, Windows.

4

I've used linux as main OS since 1996. I don't care much about Windows or closed source software, it just doesn't do what I want it to do, but instead tells me to do stuff in a particular way that doesn't fit my workflow or train of thoughts. Why would I install Windows on a computer that I have bought? I don't see why I would donate computers to Microsoft, because that's exactly what I would be doing if I were to install Windows.

Windows is nothing but trouble, it's slow, it's annoying, and it's unreliable. People that use linux know this, it's not even open for debate.

Any linux system performs better than Windows, just because of the filesystems. Windows can improve what they want, and make a lot of fuzz about it, but in reality, they can fix nothing, it will always stay slow and broken, because they keep hanging on to the stupid archaic filesystems, and they have no reasonable security functionality whatsoever. They hide a lot of the shortcomings of the code behind the closed source code, but by now everyone knows that that's just a way to lie to customers with impunity. I find Windows one of the most stupid software packages money can buy a license for. A Windows 8 pro license costs 211 EUR now in Germany, for an archaic broken system that conceals a fraudulent corporate agenda, that simply doesn't work for any modern application? In my view, you have to be crazy to buy that.

5

Phantom how did you get it that fast? and I have to agree Zoltan, I would have used linux from the very start if I could have, but didnt know much about it and all i wanted to do was play games then, but ah well on it now :)

6

I use arch with a very lightweight WM. So its pretty snappy.

I only use windows because I need my games. I may save up for a non K version of my CPU, though. Even though I love my 4.8OC.

7

So no custom kernels? and what WM? I use XFCE on my laptop in Manjaro, but tempted with bare arch

8

xfce is a DE, or Desktop Environment. My WM (Window manager) is BSPWM. It's a different type of experience.

9

I ditched windows from my devices a few months ago, now i feel really bad everytime i have to use windows, i'm not sure if that is a problem or not...

10

No its not a problem dont worry :) well it is but not your problem, more of a problem with Windows, More of a sign you have finally got used to been in Linux :)

11

I feel the same way, however until Linux gaming takes off I'm stuck with this windows BS :(

12

Yeah, i have about 80 games on Steam, and only 20 of them run natively on Linux, but that's ok, a lot of them can be played via Wine :)

13

I dual-boot