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What's the difference between Windows vs. Linux?

Mac vs Windows vs Linux vs Minix vs BSD vs Unix?

  • Whats you opinion on these OS's? Whats you favorite? What has the best performance? Which offers the best protection from the outside of your system? This topic is just for discussion, NOT for flaming. Personally I like them all, I usually use Windows for gaming, and use Linux for work.

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    Mac (Os X and beyond) Simply amazing. The Mach 3.5 kernel just never quits. I have yet to have a full system crash (in three years), never gotten a single pop up add, never had to do anything. Cons: Some software and many games, still not supported. Windows XP professional. VERY nice solid operating system. Took a few years of patching, but XP pro is good stuff. Especially for fragging. Windows 2000 Professional.: Most stable Windows environment around.. STILL. Vista: Too big for it's britches, but starting to come together. Windows 7. You are going to LOVE Windows 7. It works, it really does, and it has XP inside it. Minix, I have no experience with, so I can't comment. BSD and Unix (same thing.. really.) Still too goofy for the average user to configure but Unix is the OS kernel with the longest track record on that list and it has earned it. Mac OSX uses BSD and Mach to create the user experience. Linux. I believe that Linux will be the defacto OS within 5 years. The only reason it isn't already is that it is actively suppressed through OEM installation contracts. As of now it offers the most versatility, and the best protection. It also takes the most know how to get started, but distros like SimplyMepis, PCLinuxOS and Ubuntu are starting to bridge that gap. As the usefulness of computers is increasingly moved to the internet, Linux will begin to play a larger role, both in the home and in the server structures that run things like "Cloud" banks. As more users get involved with Linux, More development will occur, and importantly more COMMERCIAL development will occur. Also because of Linux's portability, things like televisions, routers, switches, and increasingly "smart" household appliances, along with PDAs and cell phones will start to appear with Linux kernels in them. At some point soon, in order for software companies to stay competitive, they will need to begin seriously porting their goods to the Linux platform. Mark my words, inside of five years we will see the ultimate capitulation. Microsoft will offer a Linux port of MS Office.

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I haven't messed with Mac OS, but I can compare some of the others. Windows of course offers probably the widest range of software available. Linux comes close though, since it can run most Windows software in Wine and practically all DOS programs in DOSBox. Windows is what most people know best, of course. Linux has been made to look similar to Windows, but it works differently on the back end (no drive letters, for instance, and installations work differently--that sort of thing). Linux can also be more challenging, especially on things like installing software from source. If you want the best available security, there's nothing better than OpenBSD. But you likely don't want to run a full-fledged BSD (or other Unix) operating system. Linux is a good contender here, as it's resistant to viruses and malware--and like Mac, not many of those are even written for it. (A Windows virus won't run on Linux, and vice versa.) I've been using Ubuntu for several months now, and I'm liking it a lot. I installed Xubuntu on an old machine, tricked it out to look as much like Windows 2000 as I could, and am happy with it. Speedwise, Ubuntu seems to run about as fast as Windows XP (not bad, to compare to a 7-year-old OS!). Xubuntu is more lightweight, and seems to run about as fast as Windows 2000. So if performance is an issue for you, you might consider Xubuntu--but be prepared to make the leap from Windows to Linux.

Stan Dalone

for a start, mac has a unix base so it isn't a truly original idea like windows but i would say for pure practicality windows is the best but it is all up to opinion really. You can probably get the best performance with windows or a mac. a mac mainly because the os is so light but it does not always have full compatibility. In terms of hardware compatibility i would say that windows is the best. hope this helps :-)

Mr.Man

Mac: video editing or surfing the web is the length of the options in this OS Windows: programs only developed for windows (that don't work on wine) and for games Linux: everything else BSD: fun to just mess around with and I think it is better for a couple things, but for the most part I prefer Mint Unix: never run a straight Unix OS Minix: never tried.

loginfliggle

There is no such thing as the 'best'. Some wisdom from an old employer of mine said the following I will share with you all: "Computers are just a tool, and experts always pick the best tool for the job" So if you need some OS for your program, then get it. It seems idiotic to me that some folks will torture their systems to get some program working when they should either get a system that runs the program properly or just find another program.

x x

WHY LINUX IS BETTER http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/ Linux is now in a position of offering a viable alternative to proprietary platforms and more than capable of offering a full desktop experience. You would be best off RUNNING LINUX LIVE so you can get the feel of things. There are two worth taking an immediate look at and both use the GNOME Desktop Environment being Linux Mint 6 and Ubuntu 9.04 and both are very easy to use. Linux Mint 6 Release notes http://www.linuxmint.com/rel_felicia.php Ubuntu 9.04 Technical overview https://wiki.ubuntu.com/JauntyJackalope/TechnicalOverview Linux Mint 6 Download http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=31 Ubuntu 9.04 Download http://releases.ubuntu.com/9.04/ Once you have got the feel of things you may wish to consider an installation The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 6 (Felicia) http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-6-felicia The Perfect Desktop - Ubuntu 9.04 (Jaunty Jackalope) http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-ubuntu-9.04 You download the ISO. image of either Linux Mint 6 or Ubuntu 9.04 then you need to create a Bootable CD from the ISO. This can easily be done using Nero Burning ROM or similar software. Linux Mint 6 and Ubuntu 9.04 can also be run straight from the LiveCD you have created without touching your Hard Drive. Ubuntu and Linux Mint also benefit from outstanding online support https://help.ubuntu.com/community http://ubuntuforums.org/ Remember you can RUN IT LIVE ! LUg.

Linux Mint 11

Mac OS X best for user experience Windows best for range of software and compatibility Linux best for price

Jolly swagman

Windows is fail. Linux ftw!

Zina

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