Linux has many, many advantages as an operating system over competing systems such as Microsoft Windows. Below is a short list:

1. Free - Linux source code is freely distributed (gratis) and freely modifiable (libre). Tens of thousands of programmers have reviewed the source code to improve performance, eliminate bugs, and strengthen security. No other operating system has ever undergone this level of review. This open source design has created most of the advantages listed below. This also means that customers or users can locate past versions of software. Anyone who has an old Netware network knows how hard it can be to find the old installation disks should something go wrong, and one certainly can't get them from the vendor anymore. In the Linux/open-source world, each and every version of a package is available for download, forever.
2. Best Technical Support - Linux has the best technical support available. Linux is supported by commercial distributors, consultants, and by a very active community of users and developers. In 1997, the Linux community was awarded InfoWorld's Product of the Year Award for Best Technical Support over all commercial software vendors. Farious Net Solutions provides around-the-clock support for Linux with highly-trained, expert technicians.
3. No Vendor Lock-In - The availability of source code means that every user and support provider is empowered to get to the root of technical problems quickly and effectively. This contrasts sharply with proprietary operating systems, where even top-tier support providers must rely on the OS vendor for technical information and bug fixes. It also means that your data is your data - you will not find that you cannot access your data because of upgrades to the system have prevented you from doing so, as customers sometimes find in the commercial OS world.
4. Runs On A Wide Range Of Hardware - While most Linux systems are based on standard PC hardware, Linux supports a very wide range of computational devices, including Alpha, Power PC, 680x0, SPARC, and Strong Arm processors, and system sizes ranging from PDAs (such as the PalmPilot) to supercomputers constructed from clusters of systems (Beowulf clusters).
5. Exceptionally Stable - Properly configured, Linux systems will generally run until the hardware fails or the system is shut down. Continuous up-times of hundreds of days (up to a year or more) are not uncommon. FNS has found that the only limits to the uptimes of our Linux systems are hardware failures and the power company.
6. Tools and Applications - Programs ranging from the market-dominating Apache web server to the powerful GIMP graphics editor are included in most Linux distributions. Free and commercial applications meet are available to meet most application needs, especially in the server arena, where the Linux star shines most brightly.
7. Interoperability - Linux interoperates with many other types of computer systems. Linux communicates using the native networking protocols of UNIX, Microsoft Windows 95/NT, IBM OS/2, Netware, and Macintosh systems and can also read and write disks and partitions from these and other operating systems. FNS has used this ability to tie vintage computing networks such as ARCnet or Coax-based Ethernet to newer 100base–T or 1000base–T networks.
8. Low Total Cost of Ownership - Although the Linux learning curve can be significant to the uninitiated, the stability, design, and breadth of tools available for Linux result in very low ongoing operating costs.
9. "One For All and All For One" - All changes one makes in open source software (especially open-source software released under the GNU license, like Linux) will benefit each and everyone, all over the world, without exceptions or constraints.
10. Security - Linux is one of the most secure operating systems, largely immune to harmful viruses that can cause expensive and distracting system interruptions. A Linux system has internal 'walls' built up so that unwanted visitors and viruses do not have broad access to the entire system. All files and directories have read, write, and execute privileges for the owner, the owner's workgroup, and all others. The Linux community aggressively maintains these 'walls' and all other aspects of Linux security.
11. Network friendliness - People today are becoming more and more enamored with the Internet and what it can do for them. Because a team of programmers developed Linux over the Internet, its networking features were given a high priority. Linux is capable of acting as client and/or server to any of the popular operating systems in use today, and is quite capable of being used to run Internet service providers. Many Internet service providers and telephone companies base their technical infrastructure on Linux. Strong enough to support Internet backbone, it is well tested for home and office use.
12. Speed - Linux servers typically can handle several times as many users as other proprietary ones using the same hardware. Linux can take advantage of the latest processors and even use several of them at the same time for incredible speed. Furthermore, Linux supports true multi-tasking, which is the ability to run more than one program at the same time. It is therefore much more natural for the system to be doing many things at the same time without the 'flaking out' that one finds with the Microsoft operating systems.
13. Efficiency - Unlike other environments where industry players create "planned obsolescence", Linux is very efficient and can have high performance on older hardware. The benefit is that users do not have to continually repurchase hardware as often, which results in large cost savings. In fact, the first Linux server that FNS installs in its customers' location is usually an old workstation which is no longer useful for any other purpose.