Linux had its beginnings in the efforts of a Finnish student named Linus Torvalds. It was then taken up and developed by thousands of people across the world. It is difficult to use as compared to Windows. Why, then, is it so popular?

I guess by now you must have heard of the latest phenomenon - Linux. One of my friends was just complaining to me the other day," Windows crashed again. The entire day's work is lost. Why can't Windows be stable?" This popularly heard refrain has been the bane of many people's lives. Why use MS- Windows when you have a much better alternative - Linux. Why is Linux better, you may ask? Why should I use it when it is so difficult to use? Isn't it meant only for computer gurus?  

Linux had its beginnings in the efforts of a Finnish student named Linus Torvalds. It was then taken up and developed by thousands of people across the world. It is difficult to use as compared to Windows. Why, then, is it so popular? The first reason that comes to your mind is that Linux is free. But is this the real reason? NO. You get so many free pamphlets everyday. Do you take and read them all? No. Obviously cost does not have as much to do with its popularity as you thought. 

First, Linux has no single owner. It is the combination of a large no of programmers worldwide. Each person who creates anything in Linux is given due acknowledgement by the Linux community. Second, all software and its code are subject to peer review. This means that anything you make will be subject to scrutiny by professionals worldwide. This results in quality software and code. Third, the amount of documentation available is mind-boggling. Any part of Linux is so well documented that you need no extra help. Fourth, It is highly customizable. Put whatever you want and discard the rest. No wastage of space and effort. Linux can run on anything. When I say anything, it means just that. Give it a 486 with 8 MB RAM and it will happily use it. Just put a Pentium as a server and you can even use a 386 for a client. Cool nah!! 

The mailing lists and help groups for Linux are so many that you need not worry if ever you get stuck. People there are ever willing to help you After all this, you still aren't convinced? You still think it to be too difficult? Too boring for you? Well wait for the next few articles where I teach you how to weave magic with that wonder of wonders - Linux.