Jump to content

Uses of linux


jammesz

Recommended Posts

Your question is a little vague. I meen, Linux is an operating system, so there is plenty you can do with it.

 

I have several desktop machines, a few servers and a dedicated firewall / router all running Linux. Ive also built POS (point of sales) systems running minimal systems.

 

What exactly is it you ant to do? Chances are, if it can be done with another OS it can be in Linux.

 

Linux is very customizable, so is in no way limited to just developing software or running servers. You could build media centres, mythTV boxes, dedicated storage servers the list goes on and on.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Use it as a day-to-day operating system. The GNU operating system (the proper name for the operating system that is most often called Linux) is quite usable, functional, and everything else you ask from an operating system. While it's not as easy to set up and maintain as Windows or Mac OS in most cases and the learning curve is steeper than normal, it's far more secure, you're not restricted to a particular combination of settings, and the number of software programs available for GNU is immense.

 

The GNU operating system is also free, usually in two forms of the word. GNU is always free in the sense that you are free to do whatever you want with it. You can modify the entirety of the program (something you can't do with Windows or Mac OS), you can freely distribute the programs either in the form of their source code or pre-built binary, and the entire world is open to making changes to the operating system. If you want something changed in a program, you can download the source code for the program, make the changes, and re-build it. At that point, you can either just keep the changes to yourself, or you can push them upstream - that is, submit your new code to the maintainers of the program, and see if they'll accept it.

 

GNU is usually also free in the sense that you don't have to pay for it. You can buy some distributions from a store, but you're usually buying documentation, support, or some other service. There isn't much market in selling the actual code, since there is nothing legally preventing your customers from making copies of the CD and distributing it freely.

 

If you're interested in trying GNU as an everyday OS, you might look into Ubuntu for ease of installation, easy dual-boot functionality with existing windows installations, and general ease of use.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know about all the features of linux but what i meant to say is what can linux do that windows cant besides being used for servers, developing/editing programs, and being stable and more secure?

Im trying to find out whether you can do more with it.

Ive got the latest fedora linux and installed it on its own machine and its just sitting there doing nothing so im getting ideas off you guys :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ive got the latest fedora linux and installed it on its own machine and its just sitting there doing nothing so im getting ideas off you guys

 

Just use it. When you need it to do something specific, read up on it, and make it happen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

just as it's been mentioned here, you can totally customize Linux which you can't do in Windows because you don't have access to the Windows source code whereas in Linux, you can even alter the OS by recompiling the kernel.

 

in linux, you can add your own Desktop environment (GNOME, KDE, XFCE, Orchestra, etc) but you can't do this in Windows...not easily anyway.

 

total control, even upto the point where you can dictate the way your hardware interacts with your software...although this is not a good thing all the time, i learnt that :/

 

you know what, there are too many things to mention. this might turn out better if you asked us if task X can be done in linux, chances are, it can be done in Linux :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
This thread is more than a year old. Please don't revive it unless you have something important to add.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.