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Why Linux?

Glad you asked! Linux is commonly known as a server operating system or an operating system for advanced users. Can a non-pro use it, and why should he or she do so?

While Linux did begin its life as a server operating system and an
operating system for advanced users, Linux has made significant progress in a most key area: its graphical user interface.

Linux now has a very easy to use interface for both the Windows and Mac crowd. The desktop looks, acts and feels incredibly familiar, as do applications such word processors, spreadsheets and photo editors.

Here are a few reasons to use Linux:
FUNCTIONALITY
Linux comes with many tools you normally must buy separately if you run Windows or Mac, including a full featured office suite (amazingly similar to Microsoft Office) and a complete software development kit that is comparable to Visual C++.
STABILITY
Linux is a very stable operating system. Linux systems don't crash often, and don't need to be rebooted for anything other than upgrading the operating system itself.
(ALMOST) NO VIRUSES
Linux is not prone to viruses. Because of how Linux handles data, a virus cannot overwrite system files or append itself to applications unless you are working as the "root" user. Linux has no registry or DLL files, so Windows viruses have no effect on Linux at all.
PRICE
Linux is available for download for free. You have the option of buying Linux CD sets at a very low price. But the two or three core disks, with thousands of applications and tools, are there for the taking. And these are "crippled" versions. They have the same files as the CDs in the store box.
OPEN SOURCE
Linux is completely Open Source, meaning programmers around the world have access to its "source code", which is code programmers can read and modify. While this may not affect you as an end user directly, it affects you indirectly because this means that Linux and its tools and apps are under continuous, shared development. And updates to the operating system and all the other software is a snap.
INDEPENDENCE
If the maintainers of traditional proprietary software (such as Windows or Microsoft Office) stop working on it, or choose to ignore your problems, you're on your own. Nobody can help you. DOS users remember a great program called Q&A. Once the company that developed Q&A went out of business, another company bought this marvelous app and then let it die. If someone stops maintaining a Linux software application, someone steps in and continues the work. The software is not "company owned" and controlled, and so won't become a Q&A.
SPEED of development
Due to the its open source nature, many programmers from all around the world work on Linux, causing it to develop and mature much faster than other software.
FLEXIBILITY
If you need a feature in an application (or the operating system itself), you don't need to turn to the maker of the application to get it in - any
programmer can do it for you!

Linux News and Notes

From Internet Week:

Server sales are down, but don't tell that to anyone selling Linux servers.

Especially don't tell that to Dell Computer, which enjoyed by far the fastest growth of the top vendors.

In a report released by IDC, the total number of servers shipped with the Linux operating system preinstalled hit almost 171,700 in the first quarter of 2003, up 29.5 percent from the 132,500 Linux servers sold in the first quarter of 2002.

Even more significant in a time of falling server prices, about $583 million worth of Linux-based servers were sold in the first quarter of 2003, up 35 percent from the $432 million IDC recorded a year ago.

Total server revenue for all platforms hit $10.5 billion last quarter, down 3.6 percent from the $10.9 billion spent for servers in the same quarter last year, according to IDC.

As a result, about 5.5 percent of total server revenue was spent on Linux-based servers last quarter, up from 4 percent the preceding year.

Hewlett-Packard led in both Linux server volume and revenue, with 50,500 units sold and revenue of $185 million in the first quarter. Dell came in second, selling 38,000 servers worth $124 million. They were followed by IBM, which shipped 23,700 Linux servers worth $91 million.

Of the three, Dell saw the strongest growth. The vendor's Linux server volume grew 58.7 percent year over year, while revenue grew 77.6 percent, according to IDC.

For servers overall, HP was the revenue leader in the first quarter with $2.9 billion, down more than 11 percent from the $3.3 billion worth it and Compaq Computer sold during the same period last year.

IBM was second with $2.7 billion, up about 7 percent compared with the $2.5 billion it sold last year. Sun Microsystems followed with $1.3 billion, down more than 15 percent from last year, while No. 4 Dell sold $985 million worth of servers, up more than 15 percent. Fujitsu came in fifth place, with $560 million, down 2.2 percent, according to IDC.

HP lost no time bragging about the report.

"It must be a sad day in Armonk N.Y., where IBM is headquartered," said Mark Hudson, vice president of marketing for HP's enterprise storage and servers, in an e-mail. "HP has taken the No. 1 spot in worldwide total server revenue, and we couldn't be happier. The fact that HP leads in Unix, Linux and Windows revenue makes us a triple threat. HP is looking forward to continuing this momentum."

IBM looks at the IDC report differently. An IBM spokesperson said that two things are consistent in the report: Only IBM and Dell are taking market share, and HP and Sun continue to slide, the spokesperson said.

One highlight for IBM this past quarter is that it took the No. 1 spot from HP in terms of blade server revenue after being a distant third to Compaq and Dell for some time, the spokesperson said.

HP may have taken the top spot in blade server revenue, but the vendor is still No. 1 in terms of volume, said Hugh Jenkins, vice president of marketing for industry standard servers at HP. "IBM forces customers to buy very expensive Fibre Channel switches as part of their solution," Jenkins said. "We offer them as an option."

HP took the overall revenue lead from IBM compared with the fourth quarter of 2002, said Jenkins. "Look sequentially at who is winning market share, and HP is moving up," he said. "With our strong leadership position in the Linux, Unix, and Intel space, we are focused on selling the portfolio to customers. It's a strong platform to have leadership in different segments."