Why Do People Switch To Linux?

tadelste writes "During the last month, Lxer.com conducted a survey of readers who use Linux. They asked readers why they switched to Linux and received a plethora of answers. Surprisingly, anti-Microsoft sentiment had less to do with the choice than one might imagine. Linux stands on its own merits. Anti-Microsoft sentiment comes from Microsoft's paranoia, which results in quotes like the one that had Bill Gates saying he'd put Linux in the Computer museum like he has other competitors." A respondent quote from the article: "It took me about a year to switch from W2K to Linux. The timing in the development of all of the Desktop elements has obviously been critical. If I'd tried any sooner, the whole thing would never have come together. Improved hardware support and equivalent apps have been a big part of the successful transition, and, I owe thanks to many in the Linux community for making that happen at an astounding rate and giving me my functional Desktop OS." Why do you think folks switch?

Simple answer...

[Anonymous Coward]

They're not smart enough to download a copy of XP from Usenet.

I kid, I kid!

this is easy

[BushCheney08]

I switched for the games. I can play tetravex for hours (and I do).

I don't get it

[Anonymous Coward]

So why do you need linux to read a comic book about a little French guy who likes to beat up Romans?

That makes absolutely no sense, whatsoever.

two important respects

[styxlord]

Though it has many omissions and contains much that is apocryphal, or at least wildly inaccurate, it scores over the older, more pedestrian work in two important respects. First, it is slightly cheaper; and secondly it has a huge friendly penguin as its mascot.

Overheard at lxer.com HQ...

[chiller2]

Jefe> We have had many answers for the switch to Linux!
El Guapo> How many answers?
Jefe> Many answers, many!
El Guapo> Jefe, would you say we have a plethora of answers?
Jefe> Yes, El Guapo. You have a plethora.
El Guapo> Jefe, what is a plethora?

Re:simple reasons...

[sedyn]

I picked it for the same reason I chose to study computer science: money, women, power.

But then again, I've never been good at making decisions.

Re:Linux failure

[Anonymous Coward]

"Mostly hard drives..."

Are these like partly soft drives?

Re:Simple answer...

[SoCalChris]

Was this the page you were looking for?

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/xp [formetopoopon.com]

Re:I always wondered

[commodoresloat]

I like trying new distros for fun.

You need to get out more.

I switched to Linux because...

[Tracy Reed]

...it gets chicks!

Re:Why I switched..

[MarkCollette]

Pfff. I, on the other hand, have no morals, and so have pirated my copy of Debian GNU/Linux, just to stick it to the man!

(Maybe there should be an option to mod a post: -1 Retarded Joke)

Re:Reasons for my switch

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't Google for "FreeCiv".

Re:Double standards?

[isorox]

Internet Explorer is a good reason to stick with Windows even though similar applications exist for Linux?

There's nothing anywhere near the standard of IE for Linux. Thankfully.

Re:I Switched and Switched Back

[antikristian]

Qualifying the reason I switched back is harder. I had an interview with Microsoft in 2001

MSguy:We just have one final question; Have you ever tried Linux?
Dink:Yes, in fact I use it allmost exclusively!
MSguy2: *caugh*loser*caugh*
MSguy: Sorry, we can not employ people who are potentially violating SCO IP
Dink:Oh my, I had no idea, I'll change!! Can I not just quit using linux?
MSguy2:Yeah, like we have a six month quarrantine or something
Dink:I'll download a Windows copy today, I swear!!!