Windows Vs LinuxEssay Preview: Windows Vs LinuxReport this essayToday Im going to tackle one of the hottest topics in the industry, comparing Microsofts latest offerings to the offerings being released by the major Linux players for both network servers and desktop solutions. I am going to steer clear of “total cost of ownership” arguments, because Microsoft has already funded extensive research that has proven Windows is cheaper to own and operate than Linux. Im going to be looking at the issue from a pure usability perspective. Which platform saves me the most time? Which platform has the features I need? Which platform has the best third party applications and utilities?
I have used Linux in all kinds of situations. So I have to know it is only a matter of time before I start getting stuck somewhere in the middle of the curve. Linux and a simple piece of software makes one a bit more familiar with Linux. As it gets older, the Linux market goes from being very niche, open and intuitive to being something that has been popular for over 25 years. Linux is very niche, extremely intuitive, to use on almost any system. You just have to have a high degree of confidence, and trust that the Linux market will be going for you. While some say the market will crash if the majority of the Linux users are starting to use Windows, I believe that it will get a lot better as a platform. You will only see how much you trust Linux as a whole when you are starting to get used to using it on everything.As you start to use Linux on a much larger scale, you will notice a similar drop in the number of Windows users. There is a correlation between this and the percentage of Windows users. However, the larger the percentage of Windows users with a primary computer or desktop, the lower the percentage of Windows users with a Windows laptop.This is not a great answer, because Windows doesn’t see the light of Day, and the majority of Linux users do not really use other operating systems. You may not think that Linux is a completely new OS, its a pretty simple OS, that doesn’t have any fancy advanced features or features that most of those who use OSX or Linux do. While OSX has all the basic features that Linux gets right today, it does lack in features of a Linux OS. Linux comes with a lot of features, you will find that they are not just used by Linux users. If you are trying to access a file on your Windows laptop, you will have to install Windows. There is not even a built in Windows Media player, and this happens all over. On the other hand, if you are trying to play music on the Mac, you will have to install Windows Media player on Windows. In fact, MacOS will always have the option to run Windows Media player on Windows. I do not believe the majority of Linux users are going to do that. Personally, I see Linux as a more natural way for people to start using OSX and use Windows XP on their computer. It is not as intuitive as your average Windows user would expect of you. However, one of the benefits of using Windows is that you don’t have to switch to Windows XP. Also OSX doesn’t require you to install and configure your own software. There are so many things you can change on the fly. The fact that OSX isn’t really a new OS, this does not make it a
Windows versus Linux on the ServerMost of my friends and family use Windows 2000, but to power my business network I need the robust features and rock-solid stability of Windows Advanced Server 2003. Windows Advanced Server lets me establish and administer global networks consisting of thousands of clients across hundreds of domains, all with a single wizard. And since all of my buddies at work use Windows Media Player 9 to rip, mix and burn CDs that we cant share with each other or play in the car, we are extremely excited about the Windows Media Player 10 beta that comes integrated with Advanced Server 2003. Now we can rip, mix and burn right on the server! Try getting a streaming video, DVD, CD, mp3, wma, and active content player all tightly integrated into a Linux server. Not likely!
Advantage: WindowsWindows versus Linux on the Home PCFor home or general office use, I recommend current Windows 2000 users upgrade the systems in their dens and kitchens to Windows XP – Home Edition. The Windows XP desktop is far more advanced than the laughable “home Linux solutions” from vendors like Mandrake and Lycoris, despite what some open source fascists will tell you. Windows XP features the dependable DRM features home users demand (keeps you from getting sued!), while product activation and restrictive EULAs limit what people can do with their PCs to the point that someone like cousin Joe or Grandma wont want one, saving guys like you and me from having to deal with annoying family tech support calls – the kind that we dont even get paid for!
Im running XP on the monster rig I use at home–a brand new Compaq mid-tower–and the OS blazes like a Corvette. I especially like the four games it comes with – Hearts, FreeCell (so addictive!), Minesweeper, and Solitaire. Its easy to see why XP is considered the ultimate platform for gamers.
One thing many home computer users are concerned with these days is viruses and all the time they consume. Linux zealots will try to say that their platform isnt plagued by things like email viruses, but with Windows XP I dont got to worry about emailing viruses to my friends and family at all. The built-in email client Outlook Express does it automatically, in the background.
Advantage: WindowsWindows versus Linux – Applications and UtilitiesI save a lot of time thanks to Windows XP, which brings me to another area where Linux is lacking. As I am sitting here writing this column, my computer is busily defragging my hard drive, running my virus scanner, and Im being shown a list of all the latest MS security patches that are being remotely installed on my machine today. Why doesnt Linux come with any defragmenting tools or virus scanners or Active Backdoor Update like you get with Windows? These are all must-have features for me. Linux is seriously lacking in Internet utilities as well. No way would I run a Linux operating system if it means I cant connect to America Online. Also, where is Microsoft Office for Linux, Windows Media Player for Linux and Outlook Express for Linux? Nowhere to be found. If I cant type a letter, make a spreadsheet, or email anyone with Linux, why on earth would I ever put it on my desktop?
Advantage: WindowsWindows versus Linux – Preference Tracking and Calling HomeLinux is popular with the freeloading crowd that feels justified stealing all their