The most thorough, was Dale Strickland-Clark of Out-Think Ltd. He wrote a listing of why he loves Linux:

• Reliable – doesn’t slow down or break a month after being installed.
• Sensible security structure. It doesn’t get in the way of work.
• Work quickly with files. Konqueror and Dolphin are excellent file managers. Explorer is a mess.
• Full access to entire systems. Windows has bits even administrators are shut out of without a lot of work.
• Full function system without a GUI if you don’t need one for lightweight applications and servers.
• Community support that doesn’t try to rip you off.
• Multiple desktops let you split work functions logically.
• Full function, secure remote control with or without GUI.
• Excellent tools for diagnosing Internet/network issues standard on most distributions.
• Powerful batch languages with transparent (exe-like) invocation.
• Highly extendible and configurable user environment. Power users are empowered.
• Dead Linux systems can usually be recovered without a re-install.
• Use Linux on a memory stick to boot broken Windows machines to recover data.

Major Hayden a self-described “Linux guy” highlighted his top reasons:

• Makes old hardware usable
• Free
• Makes it so you can turn anything into a server
• No mouse required
• The people who use it and develop it genuinely care about the user experience.

One of our regular site contributors, Ron McCarty shared that his big reason is that Linux is a “solid operating system with a reliable TCP/IP stack, good server software, and it just runs!” What’s not to like?

Demonstrating the versatility of Linux, Jesse Casman, who is a bit of an international Linux and open source ambassador, shared that Linux is the best mp3 player for his car.

“Riocar was a British company that made a pull out Linux computer for your dashboard, you could connect it to your PC, load with mp3s, and rock and roll,” said Casman. “It still works — Really cool.”

Open source technologies like Linux wouldn’t be so successful if it weren’t for the developer love. One developer, Piotrek Tomiak, Eclipse Technologist said, “Linux is designed for programmers: it’s highly-customizable, fast, and has an outstanding console.”

Finally, neatly summing up his reasons for Linux adoration was Todd Williams of Genuitec: “It boots quickly, operates efficiently, and runs perpetually.”

What’s your favorite feature of Linux, why do you love it?