If you are using the later UIs like Gnome#, or Unity, you may experience a decrees in battery life. Also, the kernel in use could have extra functions that could drain it too.

Stick with Gnome@, XFCE or LXDE if you like user-friendly UI.

Have a look at this site:

How to Maximize the Battery Life on Your Linux Laptop

Another benefit to using "open" cloud standards is to keep service vendors competitive. The goal is to deliver optimal results to consumers. Vendors will need the ability to adapt to users needs and using opensource is becoming the primary way of doing that because it is not a "what you see is what you get" philosophy.

Can you send a link to the article that you can't edit?

Welcome @whonew

Glad you decided to dabble into linux. You have embarked on a whole new adventure. Enjoy. Remember, we are here to help.

I agree with mfillpot.

Start here http://www.diffen.com/difference/Linux_vs_Windows

I find apt is very easy to use. rpm comes second. I prefer Debian based systems. Mainly Ubuntu. For servers, use Debian. It can be used with or without GUI. And will run your most basic tasks and advanced ones.