Nowadays, many people's impression of Linux is still stuck on a black screen and complex commands. However, the current desktop Linux has undergone great changes.
The graphical interface is highly mature
Today's mainstream Linux distributions are like Ubuntu and Fedora, all equipped with well-designed desktop environments. These interfaces are as intuitive as Windows and macOS, with start menus, taskbars, system settings, and file managers. Users can complete the entire process from turning on the machine to daily operations, such as surfing the Internet and processing documents, without having to touch the command line at all. This has completely changed the image of Linux in the past that it was only for developers.
Many commonly used software, for example, LibreOffice office suite and Firefox browser, all provide excellent graphical versions. Installing the software is as easy as mobile app stores. Just search in the software center and click to install. Such an innovation in experience makes it easy for ordinary home users and students to use it for learning and entertainment.
Servers and the core of supercomputing
In the field of public Internet, Linux is the only leader. More than 90% of the world's cloud servers and many website backends run the Linux system because of its stability, efficiency, and cost controllability. What is even more worth mentioning is that on the top 500 supercomputers in the world, the usage rate of Linux has remained at 100% for many years.
Cutting-edge scientific research such as climate simulation and gene sequencing will use a number of top supercomputers. They choose Linux. The fundamental reason is that its open source features can be deeply customized and optimized to meet extreme performance requirements. This fact shows that Linux has top strength in terms of stability and performance, and its technical foundation is much deeper (much deeper) than ordinary consumer-level systems.
Free software and open source ecosystem
"GNU/Linux" is a more accurate name for Linux, because its core tools are derived from many GNU projects. The composition of this state reflects the concept of the free software movement, that is, users have the freedom to use, research, modify and distribute software. It is this open and collaborative model that attracts developers from around the world to work together to build an ecosystem.
A high degree of transparency and security are the results of open source. Anyone can review the code, making it difficult to hide malicious backdoors. At the same time, developers continue to contribute based on common ideas, thereby building a decentralized but vibrant global community. This is something that no single commercial company can achieve.
Advantages of continuous updates and package management
Unlike commercial systems, which release major versions on a fixed cycle, many Linux distributions adopt a rolling update model, such as Arch Linux. Users can obtain the latest versions of software and security patches almost every day, thus keeping the system at the forefront.
This experience is possible thanks to efficient package management systems. APT, DNF, and Pacman are like powerful application stores that can automatically handle software installation, software upgrades, and dependencies. Users do not have to look for installation packages everywhere, and they also save the trouble caused by manual updates, making system maintenance extremely easy.
Powerful customization and documentation support
Linux is extremely customizable. Users can choose different desktop environments according to their preferences, ranging from retro style to minimalist style. For advanced users, you can even deeply customize the kernel module to create a system that meets your own needs.
Such a high degree of freedom is inseparable from detailed community support. Documents such as Arch Wiki are recognized as knowledge bases in the Linux field. The level of detail in their content far exceeds the official manuals of most commercial systems. From basic configuration to complex server setup, you can find reliable solutions to almost any problem in it.
Privacy Security and Renewal of Old Hardware
Linux has natural advantages in terms of privacy and security. Mainstream distributions can turn on full disk encryption during installation to protect personal data. For the ultimate anonymity requirement, the Tails system can be booted directly from a USB flash drive. All network traffic will be forced to pass through the Tor anonymous network, and no traces will be left after shutting down.
It is also the "savior" of old computers. Lightweight distributions such as Lubuntu and Xubuntu have extremely low hardware requirements and can enable old computers more than ten years ago to smoothly run novel software and security features. This not only saves costs, but also reduces electronic waste. It is a practical and environmentally friendly choice.
After reading this article, which aspect of Linux has changed you the most, or which feature of it are you most eager to try? You are welcome to share your views in the comment area. If you find it useful, please give it a like and support.
