I have a rather low-end PC that was given to me a while back.  Soon after I acquired it, I installed a second hard-drive, an old 40gig, and installed Ubuntu on it. I now had a machine that could be booted to either Windows XP or Linux.  Done that before on other machines over the years with different versions of Linux and Windows.  Not using the Windows option much recently (plus the fact it was not licensed to me), I installed another Linux distro, Mandriva 2009, to that hard drive, over-writing the Windows partition/HD, giving me the option to boot to either of the installed Linux flavors.  I really like the KDE 4 GUI.  Also, Mandriva plays nice with the Intel video chipset on the motherboard.   I have 3D acceleration without having to jump through any hoops.  The latest Ubuntu/Kubuntu made the machine puke…video chipset issues, I presume.

I know I am speaking gibberish, another language,  to most, but please bear with me.

That being said, I really like Linux because:

1. It appeals to the non-conformist in me.

2. It is absolutely free.   A free operating system that is secure and robust.

3.  It is open source and comes with many free applications…. Open Office for example, a free analog to Micro$oft Office and also available for Windows.

4.  You can download free live CDs that allow you to try the OS before installing it to your hard drive.  Great tool for file recovery if your OS tanks, too.

5. It is absolute free.  A free OS that is secure and robust.

6.  Never had a virus with Linux.

7.  A large repository of free and legal software. e-Sword I recommend for Windows or Linux.

8.  It is absolutely free.  A free OS that is secure and robust.

9.  Less hardware intensive in comparison to Windows.

10. KDE 4 comes with much eye candy, comparable with MS Vista, but with lower hardware requirements.

11.  Linux can be acquired by free download and is absolutely free.  Did I mention it was free!  Also, free does not mean substandard.

12.  Linux can read and write to FAT 32 and NTFS partitions on the Window’s machines on your home network if you have one.

13.  You do not have to be an uber-geek to use Linux.  It is easy to install and use given a wee bit of PC prowess  In fact, I have found most distributions of Linux to be quicker and easier to install than most any version of Windows.

14.  Did I mention that it is free?

15.  Again, I have never had a virus on a Linux machine.  Not to say such in not possible….

16.  To repeat ad nausea, it is free! There are so many free and legal and ethical alternatives to commercial software available for those who want to be better stewards of their financial resources.

In light of the above, back up your important stuff before you mess around with you machine

As an addendum, my cheap 250 gig external hard-drive, used to back up files, recently died, so I am now using this Linux  machine as a backup of important files.  I have gig upon gig of theology stuff, much (most) of which I have not yet read, watched, or listened to, archived on it.  I also have many jpegs of the my family archived on this machine.as well as  most of our CD collection, modest though it may be.

Here is a screen-shot from SUSE, another linux distribution, that gives you an idea of the optional visual interface possible with KDE 4…..not a ton of utility, but….

From Monergism:

Description: With the generous permission of Dr. Arturo Azurdia III, Monergism is giving away for free this life-changing 81-part lecture series on the Book of Revelation in MP3 format on 2 CDs. These will be mailed directly and we only ask that you cover the cost of shipping.

Monergism is a veritable treasure trove of resources for those interested in learning more about reformed theology.