My laptop's battery lasts 4hs on Linux (Ubuntu) and about 3hs on Windows (Vista). There are so many reasons to recommend Linux, I would have to bore you to death with a list thousands of KBytes long (plain text), I would start by explaining that Linux makes a much better use of your computer's resources, battery life span is an example, the battery is obviously the same yet Windows sucks out all the power in less time than Linux. I admit that Linux can be a little bit tricky to install and configure but once sorted it will never fail you, no crashes, no blue-death screens, no annoying update pop-ups, and a very long etc. Distributions such as Ubuntu have greatly improved the user interface and simplified install and upgrade processes to a point that have become very close to friendly, this includes the option of having a dual boot -that is, both Windows and Linux, which means you can have both systems on the same computer and choose which one you want to use seconds after turning the computer on.

But there is more. Linux is so far the biggest Open Source project, the result of years of collaboration of an international community of developers. And it is free, Linux is a non-commercial software that you can download for free any time. To me Linux -just as Wikipedia, Firefox and OpenOffice to name a few, is a statement, an example of what can be achieved when enough people share the same interests and intentions, everyone pushing on the same direction. And then an obvious question arises: why so many people suffer Windows at a daily basis? One would expect a much larger number of people using Linux at least as a dual boot option. For many years I've been advocating for the use of Linux, talking about it, introducing it to as many people as I could and virtually always the first reaction I perceive is a sort of fear for the unknown, the frustration is so huge as the need to rely on computers on almost all aspects of our lives, people rather stay with the bad and known than trying something new and exciting. Windows OS is almost a metaphor of Capitalism which greatest achievement is making us believe that it is the only option available. Windows is perceived as so NOT and option that computers come with it installed (OS price already included to the total amount) and in most cases you actually have to pay an extra fee to get it removed (crazy? a little I'd say). Ok, I'm not forgetting the apple, however Mac products are not an option unless you're middle class in a rich (a.k.a. "developed", a.k.a. "First World") country.

Does the above sound at all exciting to you? Don't you feel at least a little bit tempted of freeing yourself from the tyranny of Microsoft? Then try the links below and enjoy!

Open Source (Wikipedia)
Linux (Wikipedia)
Ubuntu (Wikipedia)
Ubuntu (official site)
Open Office (free alternative to Microsoft Office)