Linux Versus Windows
Linux and Windows are all the hype now-a-days for geeks all around the world. Should I use Linux or keep my Windows system. After reading this you will be able to make that decision. These two operating systems, Linux and Windows, both have their ups and downs. Let's begin with what is an operating system.
operating system (ŏp'ə-râ'tĭng) -Software designed to handle basic elements of computer operation, such as sending instructions to hardware devices like disk drives and computer screens, and allocating system resources such as memory to different software applications being run. Given uniformly designed operating systems that run on many different computers, developers of software do not need to concern themselves with these problems, and are provided with a standard platform for new programs.1
that definition has some pretty big words in it. To sum it up, an operating system is a computers brain and heart. If I'm not mistaken you probably already know what Linux and Windows are. Just in case they are operating systems they come in different packages.
Linux (lĭn'ŭks) -A trademark for an open-source version of the UNIX operating system.2
Windows (wĭn'dôz) -A trademark for any of a series of GUIs or GUI-based computer operating systems.3
Okay now that you are filled in on what an operating system is and the difference between Linux and Windows it's time to get started.
Linux
Well to say the least Linux has to be one of my favorite operating systems to use. I am currently running Ubuntu 7.04 and it is awesome. When I first installed Ubuntu my wireless networking card wouldn't work with Linux so I had to do some manual configuration and then viola it worked. Not being compatible with much hardware is a slight problem with Linux but I believe Dell is making some new systems that come with Ubuntu Feisty pre-installed. I am still a newbie to Linux but it really isn't that hard to pick up. If you are a programmer Linux would be your best bet. Linux isn't designed for games so gamers use Windows. You can develop any software you want to run on your Linux system, something that is harder to do in Windows.
The graphical interface that Ubuntu gives to Linux is pretty amazing. You can pick and choose your own theme, change any icons and create just about anything you want. Which brings me to my next point, although Linux has all open source software it lacks in photo-editing software. Gimp isn't the best option to develop good wallpapers, create advertisements, or well just do anything. Gimp is a supped-up version of MSpaint. I won't get into all the different software for Linux but just so you know the number is endless.
Overall Rating: 8 out of 10
Windows
Windows is the best to use (besides Mac) for photo-editing, video-editing, gaming, and well just about anything except for programming. When I'm not using Linux I am on my Windows system. I am currently running Windows XP Professional and it does everything that I need it to. The perks with Windows are that almost all of the hardware on the market today was designed to be compatible with Windows unlike Linux. My wireless networking card works perfectly fine; in fact that is how I am writing this article. Windows is the best system to develop games for simply because every video card is supported and almost everyone owns a Windows system.
Windows systems are easier to navigate and way much easier to install programs on than Linux systems. You also get to choose your own theme and design just about whatever you want to make Windows look like. Linux has Gimp and Windows (and Mac) has Adobe Photoshop (the best photo-editing software out there). I won't get into all the different software for Windows; unlike Linux the number is not endless.
Overall Rating: 9 out of 10
You probably can't decide which system to use since they both have their ups and downs. The truth is, you can install both systems on your computer. Just make sure you install your favorite (Ubuntu 7.04) Linux distribution first then Windows, but that is a different article in itself. Cheers.
1 operating system. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Science Dictionary. Retrieved May 10, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/operating system
2 Linux. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved May 10, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/linux
3 Windows. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved May 10, 2007, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Windows
Published by Ryn Garcia
I am Ryn Garcia. I currently work from home as a customer service professional for Alpine Access. I love my wife dearly and wish to continue to grow in my relationship with her. There really isn't much el... View profile
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7 Comments
Post a CommentFamLinUser and Linux Fax, you guys sound like Linux fanboys. How am I giving misinformation if this is my personal opinion and review?
Windows 7 is awesome and this article was written back in '07. I have since used more Linux and probably would write it differently today. Please don't make ridiculous comments. I use Debian 5 and PC-BSD now and love Linux. I also use Windows 7 64bit and it is awesome. I love both Windows and Linux. If Adobe made Photoshop for Linux I'd probably switch over completely.
I have no problems observing, writing, and editing. I was giving my opinion on the two operating systems as a whole and a quick review.
TexMex is scary, he simply either doesn't know what he is talking about or purposely misinforms. Associated Contents should vet their contributors or state they are shills.
Unfortunate, I thought Associated Content could be trusted. For better Linux info/experience, download, burn and run a live CD of any Linux distro: Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, SuSE, AntiX, etc. If it doesn't run better than than Windows 7 without installing, your computer isn't energized.
TexMex apparently has problems observing, writing and editing.
I'd like to second the comment that you should not be writing articles until you are more informed. Bad information is worse than no information. I have an old system and am using a more recent version of Ubuntu. I find whereas Windows wants me to install drivers, etc. Things just plain work with Ubuntu. Stick with something you know about to write about.
I'd rather have a system I can work on and not be constantly spied on by microsoft. I also like to be able to legally download every piece of software I need without paying a penny. I'd rather have a system that does not come with pre-installed spyware and adware. I trust Linux more to be secure because it has always been light-years ahead of microsoft in that regard.
I was disappointed (like Ian) at Vista's new innovation -- that it erases your hard drive completely if you want to reinstall. This is a serious problem in my opinion, and a good reason not to use Vista.
Your article may be correct if you only take surface variables into account (I did find the GIMP somewhat harder to use initially) but there are some deeper issues with windows that make me vastly prefer Linux.
oops i mean the guy below me ian comings sorry
the guy above this comment is right u no listen to him!!!
You should not be writing this article because you must be smoking the reefer based on the comments you have made. Linux is not a programming only OS. GIMP is not a souped-up MSPaint, and you have to install alot of windows Hack software to modify the splash screen and other stuff in windows which you can change without doing anything in Linux except for going to control panel and selecting it. Wifi also tends to work on most distros and most hardware works by default. You DO NOT install Linux before Windows as Windows will format your harddrive erasing your linux partition. you install windows then shrink the NTFS partition from within the Linux installer and use the freed space.
Linux is second to Mac in Video and Photo and Audio and second to Windows in Gaming. Linux is top in Servers and networking as well as security. Do your research and gain considerable experience with Linux before spouting off. I almost never use windows now. not even for gaming as most games i play have b