Im a massive fan of linux and rather than say its better I will explain what made me move to linux and why I continue to use it.

I personally got fed up with Windows because it appears with every version to use up more and more of my computing power, I got fed up with having to run anti-virus, anti-trojan, anti-spyware, pop-up killers, and then having to clean my system and patch it all the time.
For me windows was like a car with square wheels, it kinda went along but was not right.
When Microsoft introduced product activation and support for DRM I felt the system started to effect me even more as my use was being restricted.

The Linux box I am typing on now is a laptop and is capable of doing everything I require, it has a wireless internet connection, I can create documents compatible with Microsoft Office, I can edit photo's and pictures, ripp and burn DVD's, I can surf the net, send email and chat to people who use MSN messenger, I can edit movies.

The biggest thing for me is that all this software only created an install of 2.5gb which would never happen with Windows.
I like the fact that if I reinstall I do not loose my data.
I like the fact that my hard disk does not need defraging
I like the fact I only have to worry about 40 known viruses only 3 of which can cause damage

the system is super stable, its faster than Windows and 64bit computing is a reality not a dream.

Now linux is not for everyone, you have to spend time making it do what you want... if it was a car it would be a bodyshell you have to make it do what you want which takes time.
My last linux install took me 2 days to install everything I wanted... im on that now, however ive never touched it since,no firewall, not antivirus, no spyware -- it still feels like I installed it today...I can do what I want with DRM protected media because my system does not see these restrictions.
I have no licences to worry about, nothing to pay

I love the fact that I have an application that looks for software for me..... I choose what I want and it downloads it from the net and installs it free


it suits me... on top of this its features are better than XP and Vista look at the videos in this thread and tell me its not impressive especially the search

https://passionford.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=249327

Now the bad bit... your windows programs will not run fine, its not windows however you can do it all in Linux you can have it all...but its different... its not Microsoft Office you use its Open Office, its not Explorer you use its Firefox... its not MSN messenger you use its Gaim...

you have to be willing to adapt and learn

http://www.ubuntu.com <---- that's the Linux I use


if you list what you need to do I will list a Linux application that can do that task