A Brave New World!

Now that you have found your way around GNU/Linux, here is a brief presentation of the features which are excellent reasons to migrate to GNU/Linux.

A Multi-User Environment

GNU/Linux, like MacOS X, is based on UNIX. This basically implies a shift in the structure of your environment, from a single workstation to a multi-user architecture and implies very thorough user management. Each file, service and application is exclusively allocated to a user or a group of users, according to its nature. For example, every user has their own “personal” directory, inaccessible (even invisible) to other users, containing personal data and personal configuration files.

GNU/Linux also offers advanced server functionality, such as the ability to host mail or web page servers.

Multiple Tasking

GNU/Linux has always been a very strong operating system for multi-tasking (running many applications concurrently). Although other OSes have made great progress, GNU/Linux remains a leader in that domain.

Multiple Desktops

With GNU/Linux, KDE and GNOME give you as many desktops as necessary to work with, instead of just a single desktop. Users who like to have numerous applications running at the same time will greatly appreciate this feature since it makes for a much cleaner working environment.

Full Desktop Customization

Regarding aesthetics, GNU/Linux truly rocks! Not only can you choose between KDE or GNOME and many other window management programs, but you can also highly customize their appearances with “themes”. Themes go beyond just the initial look and feel: actually, everything you see can be modified, from the background image to the behavior of applications when they are closed, which is truly unique.

See www.themes.org for available designs.

Thousands of Free Applications

By far, the GNU/Linux community is a most generous one. Given a specific problem, you will most likely find a script or an application to answer your needs, for free! Also, Mandrake Linux includes hundreds of applications not documented in this book, so do not be shy, and try them out. You will most probably be surprised by the extent of the possibilities GNU/Linux offers.

No More Reboots!

Windows and older MacOS (although this has largely been addressed in MacOS X) users know the level of frustration generated by crashing systems. Even though GNU/Linux is not perfect, its stability is one of its strongest points. Sometimes, applications crash, but rarely do they take the operating system with it.

We hope this rapid tour will help you truly appreciate GNU/Linux's strengths. Do not be afraid to explore further!