| 1.Easy program installsBecause much of the software | | | | times that you switch between programs and |
| for Linux is open source and free, it can be | | | | windows during the day. Even if you only save half a |
| distributed by pretty much anyone. This has allowed | | | | second each time you look for a new window, that |
| for the development of central storage locations for | | | | can quickly add up to a lot of time saved and |
| Linux software. With these central locations have | | | | frustration avoided. It has gotten to the point where |
| come programs that can quickly retrieve software | | | | I try to avoid dealing with computers that don't have |
| from them.Things have gotten to the point now that | | | | this feature, any moderately complex task is just |
| through a very simple program one can download | | | | annoying without multiple desktops.Some people try |
| and install a multitude of programs with a single click | | | | to compensate for a lack of multiple desktops by |
| of the mouse and an administrative password. This | | | | just buying bigger displays or several displays. This is |
| also works in reverse and makes it very easy to | | | | a rich mans work around. Yet, it is impressively easy |
| uninstall unneeded programs.In my view, this is the | | | | to setup six workspaces in Linux, and impressively |
| killer feature of Linux distributions like | | | | annoying to setup six displays in any operating |
| Ubuntu.2.Automatic updatesSure, updates to the | | | | system.I know that OS X is in the process of coming |
| operating system is a common feature for almost all | | | | out with something similar in a little less than a year. |
| operating systems. This is not a unique feature of | | | | This is certainly a step in the right direction for them. |
| Linux. However, with Linux and it's freely distributed | | | | However, you won't be able to see your workspaces |
| software all the open source software on your | | | | without a zooming expose-like step that, despite its |
| computer can be updated very very easily. When a | | | | original sexiness, can become annoying really fast and |
| new version of your word processor, music player, | | | | negate the time saving benefit of the |
| e-mail client, or web browser is available one little | | | | workspaces.4.StabilityGranted this is something OS X |
| program can update them all with a single click.This | | | | does quite well also. However, in my experience Linux |
| allows security holes to be sealed that much faster | | | | is even a little bit more stable than OS X (and WAY |
| and, as far as the Linux community is concerned, | | | | more stable than Microsoft Windows). This seems to |
| would probably seriously impede the spread of a | | | | be largely due to the openness of much of the code |
| virus (which is not really an issue at the moment | | | | used in Linux. Because the code is so accessible it has |
| because almost no one is trying to write viruses for | | | | allowed an amazing amount of people to proof-read |
| the Linux desktop user).3.Multiple DesktopsInstead of | | | | it and spot those annoying little bugs that lead to |
| sorting through a bunch of windows piled on top of | | | | crashes.5.SecurityThere are firewall and anti-virus |
| each other like a playing cards you can have them | | | | programs for the Linux system that are freely |
| neatly sorted into groups or "desktops". Switching | | | | available and installable with a single click. These are |
| between these "desktops" is much faster than | | | | truly industrial strength programs, and the ones that |
| reshuffling the stack of programs to find the one | | | | are used on many many of the computers that |
| you are looking for. Sadly the term "desktop" seems | | | | house websites. Yet, for the most part these |
| to be a little misleading here, because your actual | | | | programs are not needed by a desktop user. The |
| desktop stays the same. This is probably better | | | | system was designed with security in mind. For |
| described as "multiple work spaces".In almost all of | | | | example a malicious program can't do anything to |
| versions of Linux a small area of the screen shows | | | | almost all of the important system files on your |
| mini versions of your workspaces. This allows you to | | | | computer without your system password. By simply |
| tell where all your windows are with a glance to the | | | | refusing to supply that password to suspect |
| corner of the screen. This mini version of your | | | | programs a great many problems are avoided. This |
| workspaces come complete with little logos or even | | | | permission based system can also prevent one from |
| detailed images letting you know which programs are | | | | messing up their own computer by mistake (and |
| which. You can even move your windows by clicking | | | | prevent guests from changing your system settings |
| and dragging their mini counterpart to another | | | | when you are not looking).Thad Guy is a writer from |
| desktop.This may seem like a small feature, even | | | | northern New Mexico. Thad also publishes stories and |
| something rather gimmicky. However, it makes using | | | | pictures on his website, or . |
| the computer a lot easier. Think about how many | | | | |