Why did you start using Linux?

[dewinang]

I've switched from Windows to Linux many times. I've returned to Windows because of certain programs (like Adobe). The last time I switched to Linux was because Windows was so slow.
I currently use Linux for web development. The main reason is that it's actually faster than Windows, even on powerful PCs.

 

[theLegionWithin]

mainly because "f-word, we ball" and seeing I can't install the program I need is another reason that I should try out linux

the one thing holding me from trying linux out is beacuse I just think It seems like I have to typey-type to do something and not this point-and-do it, like old windows ms-dos or stuff

largely depends on distro and user preference (ie: a DE or running "headless" aka no attached I/O) - I do a bit of both gui and terminal

 

[The Duck]

I started with Debian Wheezy and after a bit of confusion I was able to navigate Linux and found it worked as well as Windows XP.

Although I continued to use Windows OSs I learned what I needed about Linux to keep it up and running securely and maintain it.

I finally made the migration completely to Linux when I could no longer get Windows OSs for free.

I have no complaints with Windows OSs never did and still don't.

Unlike many Linux user's on most Linux forums I don't complain about Windows OS and what Microsoft does or is doing.

When a user claims to have left Windows and completely moved over to Linux then there is no need or any reasons to be concerned about Windows or Microsoft.

The only reasons any Linux user would be concerned about Windows or Microsoft is they are a Windows OS IT tech or they are a Windows OS user and afraid to admit it.

 

[SEAPOPSICLE]

largely depends on distro

I know, But social media is NOT doing Linux justice, even the guys supporting it/linux content creators

BC that's what they do when demoing linux, they always seen to be using terminal or some sort unlike the linux tutorial guys so I have a pretty unrealistic/very generalized expectation

 

[garyn]

For a long time I dabbled in a few Linux distros and about 8 years ago went full time onto Mint ditching MS.

Adopting Linux was for privacy and security reasons and I felt I didn't have to continue upgrading my hardware to support regular versions of bloated MS operating systems.

 

[Huxoslos]

For a long time I dabbled in a few Linux distros and about 8 years ago went full time onto Mint ditching MS.

Adopting Linux was for privacy and security reasons and I felt I didn't have to continue upgrading my hardware to support regular versions of bloated MS operating systems.

Exactly the same reason.

Microslop pushing ai slop down everyone's throat would also be a quite big reason as it involves privacy and security.

 

[JasKinasis]

I'm thinking about an online conversation I am having.... I'm scratching my head, because I know why I started using Linux. Privacy and Security were my main two reasons. And thought that was the main reasons why most people start using Linux.

I first heard of Linux back when I was in College in the early 90's. One of the computer lab technicians had a bunch of floppies and was trying to install Linux onto a 286 or 386 pc. Seemed like a PITA, but a couple of days later, when we actually got to use Linux, with all of the Unix tools - it seemed a LOT more useful than cmd on windows. But Windows had a full desktop experience. And at the time, Linux was still terminal based. I left college in 1994, shortly before people started incorporating the Xfree86 version of X11. After College, I loosely followed the development of Linux and the early Linux distros. I flirted with them a few times, on an old PC.

But I didn't actually switch to Linux full time until Windows XP Service pack 2 crippled my home-built PC. Suddenly it ran at a snails pace and was pretty much unusable. Performing a fresh install and re-applying the service pack resulted in the same problems. So I installed Fedora. Suddenly my PC ran like it was brand new. Everything was responsive and the overall experience was a lot better than on Windows XP.

However, I quckly ran into a bunch of problems when trying to install additional programs that I needed. At the time, Fedoras package management software had a ton of problems with dependency resolution. I can't remember which programs I was trying to install, but I found that I could install one of the programs I needed, but I couldn't install another program because some of their dependencies conflicted with each other. So I decided to install Debian, because I heard it was better at dealing with complex chains of dependencies. Which, it was. So I stuck with Debian for many years.

I've used Arch, Gentoo and a few other obscure Linux distros over the years. I've even done a full LFS and BLFS install. But most of my time has been spent using Debian and Debian derived distros. I'm currently using Ubuntu Studio on my machines, purely because they are set up for audio production straight out of the box. But once things are less hectic with my bands, I might go back to a leaner Debian install with only the programs and services that I actually use/need. I only installed Ubu Stu because I borked my Debian 11, trying to upgrade it to 13 and I needed my laptop up and running quickly again to start working on some pre-production demos. So Ubu-Stu was the logical choice.

So, yeah. The moment I switched exclusively to Linux was when my old PC was crippled by a Windows XP service pack. Since then, replacing Windows is the first thing I do with any of my personal PCs.

 

[maximo101]

I first used linux (ubuntu) maybe 15 years ago at uni since it was what the astrophysics lab was running. They were running fortran and other very old code for iraf to compile images etc. I installed it as dual boot at home and used it for a while, but eventually after a fresh format and install of win i stopped using it. Over the years windows has been sufficient as i stopped gaming on pc and mostly gamed on consoles.
A couple of years ago when my NAS running WHS2011 died, i switched to UnRaid OS (running on ubuntu) and have been liking using it as i learn more about linux again. Since doing more with AI, writing scripts etc I decided its time to switch my main desktop PC back to linux (still dual boot but this time i hope to phase out the windows boot).
I plan to start with Kubuntu LTS for now, and see where it takes me!

 

[Brian Alex]

When XP was reaching it's end I installed Mint-9 as a dual-boot (still have that but it's not very useful). Was a pleasant experiment but I ended up getting one of the last Windows 7 desktops on a huge sale. I was still using it (Win-10) until 10 hit it's end last year and I watched some Rob Braxton Youtube videos and realized I didn't want W-11 spy platform. So here I am with Mint 22.3 and Ubuntu 24.4 on a dual booted ssd. This hardware is still perfectly fine for my needs and Linux is too except for the 40-50 hours it has taken to get it right (so far).

 

[LinuxUserSince2013]

For a long time I dabbled in a few Linux distros and about 8 years ago went full time onto Mint ditching MS.

Adopting Linux was for privacy and security reasons and I felt I didn't have to continue upgrading my hardware to support regular versions of bloated MS operating systems.

Funny story. Back around late 2014, I was experimenting with LXLE and the Matthew Moore (Tech Café) respin of Manjaro. I had to take my computer into a computer service shop for something I was going to buy for Linux. I booted into the live LXLE CD or DVD. The guy at the desk, whispered to me "This is a Windows shop, why is Windows so bloated?" Man it is true that the structure of some of these Linux OSes SEEM to be a lot more efficent.

 

[Terminal Velocity]

Once upon a time I was playing with some Keyloggers on Windows out of curiosity, I never installed them on anyone, I'm not that kind of person, but I got to realize how nasty little programs they are.

Later on Win10 I heard that MS has installed on me a Keylogger without my knowledge, that created the pressure on me to leave this OS and in 2019 I did it for good.

I was surprised how few people was furious about it perhaps because most people don't realize what nasty little programs keyloggers are. Privacy and security as concepts go out of the window with one of those in your computer.

Since then things become even worst in Windows so Yeah

 

[Wolfpek]

I am just a rookie but with Windows I can do a lot, but like the most I refused to transfer my good working Windows10Se PC to Windows11 and was also very annoyed by the monopoly that Microsoft had and used to force user to buy their stuff, I thought Linux was very hard only typing rules and commands to get it to work, but after some research I found quickly thats not the case at all, and I am so happy I did a full Format for my Windows10 Pc and with a big smile having so much fun with Linux, I like the freedom and love the Linux-Community.