Why I use GNU/Linux.

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I insist on using the correct term to describe the software.

I have been asked, numerous times, why exactly do I like to use GNU/Linux. I'll use this webpage to describe what appeals to me about GNU/Linux. I'll describe the reasons at a personal level, I won't give you a reason like "Linux is very portable" and I've only used Linux on X86 based systems (I've used PowerPC aswell, just not with Linux). Know what I mean?

1. Free and Open Source Software
   "Free" as in Free Speech; The ability to view, not nessasarry edit, the source code to the kernel and other applications; Learn and figure out 'why, how and where this happens' within the kernel; Free to modify the Source Code.
   
   
2. Flexibility and control
   My choice of installed packages/applications (I make my own decisions concerning what I want to use as my Window Manager, Media Player, Web Browser, E-mail Client etc etc); Free control on how to make these chosen applications perform, function and visually appear (Gentoo USE flags, source code modification aka "Hacks").
   
   
3. Stable and reliable (has the UNIX influence)
   Stable releases; Unstable application(s) leave the Operating System in a perfectly working state; Measure system uptime with the utility 'uptime'.
   
   
4. Software availability
   Millions of available software packages/applications; Deploy software via 'Online Software Repositories/Mirrors' aswell as conventional CD-ROM methods; Many forms of packages (binary/pre-built based, source based).
   
   
5. Hardware and Software emulation
   Ability to run Win32 applications (non-natively) and even non-native games; Virtualize other Operating Systems (VMware, Virtual Box, DOS box etc); User-mode Linux.
   
   
6. Networking with Security
   Excellent security out-the-box; Patchsets and constant available updates; Developers around the globe quickly find and fix security vulnerabilities (Open Source wonder); Countless security related tools (aid you in best-practice coding, map out security threats with Open Source vulnerability scanning tools etc); GNU/Linux has the server influence.
   
   
7. Excellent learning tool
   You have the Source Code; Figure out the inner workings of the software with the source code; Build-break, Rebuild-fix learning scenario; "Free" access to all the development tools; Large open source communities.
   
   
8. No harsh licensing
   GNU General Public License (GPL) insures this; As previously mentioned, Free to use, modify and redistribute; Free download.
   
   
9. Light on system resources
   Load/unload kernel modules as needed/not needed; The X Windows System is not a necessity; Build the system specifically for *your* slower hardware.
   
   
10. Large support for hardware
    A lot of hardware vendors take a liking to GNU/Linux; Open Source drivers
    
    
11. Package Management Systems
    Easy to use Package Management Systems look after the installed software on your system; Some do dependency tracking, automated integrity verification, PGP signatures etc; Binary and Source based package management systems (depends on the GNU/Linux Distribution chosen).
    
    
12. Development (POSIX enviroment)
    Simple process to ready the GNU/Linux system for development work; GNU/Linux is fully POSIX compliant

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