TechSource: Why Linux is Good for Business

Posted: 14 Sep 2012 08:13 PM PDT

If you are a Linux lover, you know how good Linux is as a desktop operating system. Not only it is devoid of pesky viruses, the freedom it provides to the user is what makes it better than Windows and Mac OS. With the advent of Ubuntu and other mainstream Linux distributions like Linux Mint, the once-geeky OS is slowly becoming a household name. With every new release Ubuntu is getting closer and closer to fixing that elusive bug no. 1, that is achieving the big task of beating Microsoft at its own game. Of course, things are not as rosy as a Linux user would've wanted them to be. However, Linux is growing slowly and steadily enough to dismiss it as a failed desktop endeavor.

However, Linux's biggest draw is its ability to work on bigger platforms like web servers and supercomputers. It is in the server market that Linux has managed to topple Windows' dominance and it continues to do so day by day. So, what does this surging new operating system mean to you as a business owner? Well, Linux is probably the most economical choice as well as the safest option when it comes to adopting as the primary OS for your business. Here are a bunch of cool reasons why you might want to take the penguinian path:

Downloading and using Linux is free

If you're starting a new business, Windows or Mac only adds to your costs. Imagine using a Windows system, well, you might actually be using one so I might not need to tell you much about its exorbitant costs. However, it's not uncommon to spend a lot of money just keeping a bunch of Windows systems running. Firstly, you have to pay for the installer, then the anti-viruses, and then the upgrades. And yeah, all the proprietary software that you load on it costs more money. Well, that might not be a bad investment if your company is IT-based and relies solely on Windows and Windows-based software for business. However, if you're running a small business that's not related to software development, you might be wasting your money on something you could get for free.

Installing Linux, using it, and even distributing it is free. Your business will benefit from the money you'll save in that department. As for support, some Linux distributions offer affordable premium assistance for all your computing worries.

You're free from viruses

Oh, I know how people hating formatting their computers. --Even more so, if they're using Windows. If your computer is infected by viruses and malwares, you know how bloated it becomes after a while. You try to work on a simple document and even minimizing the window seems like an arduous task. Fortunately, on Linux, you won't have to go through these issues. Linux is almost completely immune to viruses, malwares and other threats that Windows users are used to. So, no matter what happens, your business can safely connect to the net without shelling out a lot of money for expensive anti-virus suites.

Linux is faster, and more efficient

Time management is of prime importance in a business. Right from the boot-up time to the shutdown time, Linux is miles ahead of Windows when it comes to speed. Applications open quickly and close just as fast when closed, thus saving you and your company's valuable time.

Constantly getting the latest and greatest software

Every six months, a new version of Ubuntu (arguably the most popular Linux distro) is released. And well, for many it might sound like just an update, for those who use it regularly, it's much more like a Christmas gift. Every release brings tons of new features to the table, making the operating system even more secure, stable, and feature-filled. Also, there are a lot of aesthetic changes too, which are good enough to make a Windows user go green with envy. Apart from that, you get regular security and bug fixes thus making sure that your computer is running smoothly and safely all year round. So, as a business owner, you won't have to worry about outdated software lying around on your computer, everything is delivered to you for free.

Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.