Why Linux Might Be the Best Operating System You’ve Never Tried


        When most people think of operating systems, Windows and mac OS usually come to mind. But there's a third option quietly powering everything from smartphones and servers to smart TVs and supercomputers: Linux.

        If you’ve ever wondered what Linux is all about, why techies swear by it, or whether it’s worth trying yourself. - This article is for you. 

Linux


So, What Is Linux?

        At its core, Linux is an open-source operating system, which means its source code is freely available to anyone who wants to use, modify, or distribute it. Linux is an Operating System based on the Linux Kernel and a family of open-source, Unix-like operating systems. It was created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, a Finnish software engineer who wanted a free alternative to Unix.

    Unlike Windows or macOS, Linux isn't controlled by any single company. Instead, it's built and maintained by a global community of developers. And that’s part of its charm.

     Linux is mostly used in Servers and Supercomputers due to its robustness, security, flexibility, and customization options.

        It teamed with GNU tools and utilities to form full operating systems known as distributions (like Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, RHEL), widely used across servers, desktops, embedded systems, and supercomputers.WIRED+9Hivelocity Hosting+9Open Innovation Projects+9. The strength of Linux lies in its modularity, enabling users and developers to customize every layer to fit their needs.

Why Do People Love Linux?

Here are a few reasons why Linux has such a passionate following:

1. It's Free

Yep, completely free. You don’t have to pay a dime to download, install, or use Linux. Many popular distributions (or "distros") like Ubuntu, Fedora, and Linux Mint are available to download right now without any cost or subscription.

2. Open Source = Full Control

Since Linux is open-source, you can tweak it however you like. Want to change the desktop layout, remove bloatware, or dig into the code itself? Go for it. This level of freedom is a dream for developers and curious users alike.

3. Security and Privacy

Linux is known for being highly secure. While no system is immune to threats, Linux’s permission-based structure, smaller attack surface, and active community make it less prone to viruses and malware. Plus, since it's not built by a data-hungry corporation, it tends to respect your privacy a lot more.

4. Performance on Older Hardware

Got an old laptop collecting dust? Linux can breathe new life into it. Lightweight distros like Lubuntu or Puppy Linux can run smoothly even on computers that are over a decade old.

5. Customizability

Want a Mac-style interface? You can have that. Prefer a Windows-like layout? No problem. Want something completely different? There’s a desktop environment for that, too. Linux lets you customize every inch of your system—appearance, behavior, keyboard shortcuts, you name it.

What’s the Catch?

To be fair, Linux isn’t perfect for everyone. There’s a bit of a learning curve, especially if you’re used to Windows or macOS. Some proprietary software (like Adobe Photoshop or Microsoft Office) doesn’t run natively on Linux, though there are open-source alternatives like GIMP and LibreOffice, and you can use tools like Wine or virtual machines for compatibility.

Gaming support has also improved dramatically in recent years, thanks to Steam’s Proton, but it's not quite as seamless as on Windows—yet.

Who Should Try Linux?

  • Tinkerers and DIYers who love to customize and learn
  • Developers and coders, especially those working with servers or open-source tools
  • Privacy advocates who prefer control over their data
  • Anyone with old hardware looking to make it useful again

Even if you're not ready to ditch your current OS, you can try Linux without making any permanent changes. Live USBs let you boot Linux straight from a USB stick and explore it risk-free.

Here’s a handy list of basic Linux commands with simple descriptions—perfect for beginners and especially useful for bloggers or developers just getting started with Linux.

Basic Linux Commands and Their Descriptions

🔹 1. pwd – Print Working Directory

  • Description: Displays the current directory you are in.

  • Example:

bash

$ pwd  
/home/username/Documents

🔹 2. ls – List Directory Contents

  • Description: Shows files and folders in the current directory.

  • Options:

  1. ls -l : Long listing format (includes permissions, owner, etc.)
  2. ls -a : Shows hidden files

  • Example:

shell

$ ls -la

🔹 3. cd – Change Directory

  • Description: Moves between directories.

  • Examples:

  1. cd /home/user/Documents – Go to a specific folder
  2. cd .. – Move one level up
  3. cd ~ – Go to the home directory

🔹 4. mkdir – Make Directory

  • Description: Creates a new folder.

  • Example:

shell

$ mkdir new_folder

🔹 5. rmdir – Remove Directory

  • Description: Deletes an empty directory.

  • Example:

shell

$ rmdir old_folder

🔹 6. touch – Create a New File

  • Description: Creates an empty file quickly.

  • Example:

shell

$ touch myfile.txt

🔹 7. cp – Remove Directory

  • Description: Copies files or folders from one location to another.

  • Example:

shell

$ cp file.txt /home/user/backup/

🔹 8. mv – Move or Rename Files

  • Description: Moves a file or renames it.

  • Examples:

  1. Move: mv file.txt /home/user/newfolder/
  2. Rename: mv oldname.txt newname.txt

🔹 9. rm – Remove Files or Directories

  • Description: Deletes files or folders.

  • Examples:

  1. Delete file: rm file.txt
  2. Delete folder recursively: rm -r foldername

🔹 10. cat – Concatenate and Display File Content

  • Description: Displays the content of a file.

  • Example:

shell

$ cat notes.txt

🔹 11. nano / vim – Text Editors

  • Description: Used to edit files from the terminal.

  • Examples:

  1. nano filename.txt – Opens a beginner-friendly editor
  2. vim filename.txt – Opens a powerful editor (steeper learning curve)

🔹 12. clear – Clear Terminal

  • Description: Clears the screen of the terminal window.

  • Example:

arduino

$ clear

🔹 13. man – Manual Pages

  • Description: Opens the manual (help) for any command.
  • Example:
shell

$ man ls

🔹 14. chmod – Change File Permissions

  • Description: Modifies read/write/execute permissions of files or directories.

  • Example:

shell

$ chmod +x script.sh

🔹 15. chown – Change File Owner

  • Description: Changes the ownership of a file or folder.

  • Example:

shell

$ sudo chown user:group file.txt

🔹 16. df – Disk Space Usage

  • Description: Shows how much disk space is used and available.

  • Example:

shell

$ df -h

🔹 17. top – View Running Processes

  • Description: Displays system processes, memory, and CPU usage in real time.

  • Example:

ruby

$ top

🔹 18. ps – List Processes

  • Description: Shows currently running processes.

  • Example:

ruby

$ ps aux

🔹 19. kill – Terminate a Process

  • Description: Ends a process using its process ID (PID).

  • Example:

shell

$ kill 1234

🔹 20. sudo – Run as Superuser

  • Description: Grants temporary admin (root) privileges to run commands.

  • Example:

ruby

$ sudo apt update

Final Thoughts

Linux isn’t just an operating system—it’s a philosophy. It’s about community, freedom, and control. It might not be for everyone, but if you’re even a little bit curious, give it a shot. You might just fall in love with computing all over again.

Have you tried Linux before? Planning to make the switch? Let me know in the comments!




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