Who should use linux?

Taken simply as an operating system, it has the advantages of rarely (if ever) crashing, real user support and protection, low memory footprint, and a (comparatively) small storage space footprint.

As a server platform, it can run Usenet news, mail, web, and (more recently) database services, while offering both local and remote administration capabilities. By contrast, some other popular server platforms are offering remote administration either as third-party offerings or simply as vaporware, to be included in the ``next release.''

As a desktop platform, it can run many, if not all, Unix programs that have been compiled for Linux. Linux handles network connections better than, say, Windows, as well as offering a much wider array of capabilities with regard to the network.

Developers tired of having a rather popular operating system crash on them if their code doesn't obey every last little (arbitrary?) rule will like having an open API (Linux comes with full kernel source) and a robust development environment that doesn't assume absolute idiocy on the part of the user. (For example: why in the world would you click on ``Start'' to stop running the operating system? What does ``File'' have to do with ``Exit?'') Since it's a UNIX environment, it's very flexible and capable; Informix recently ``ported'' their popular database server to Linux by arduously typing ``make,'' which is remarkably simple. Linux can be used for developing code to run on any number of other UNIX platforms (your Humble Author has written code on Linux to run on AIX, HP/UX, SunOS, and Solaris, for example.)

However, the installation process is still daunting for many new users, despite advances made in this area, and many mainstream packages such as office suites and games are still not very popular. In addition to this, the system documentation is still a bit spotty to say the least. However, freeware versions of many popular games and productivity suites are available, and id Software has Linux versions of Doom and Quake (as well as Quake II) on their site. Generic linux software (usually in source code form) can be found on freshmeat and sourceforge.

So a developer or an Internet Service Provider has a very strong incentive to use Linux, while a casual user who's more interested in typing letters to Aunt Minnie and playing the X-Files game may not care to learn Unix's rather cryptic command set.

All that said, it should probably be mentioned that Linux enjoys the highest rating of user satisfaction among operating systems (1998, Datapro Magazine). Some of this may be due to Linux user's strong identification and contribution to the operating system, which adds to its flexibility and strength.