How to Compare Windows and Linux
Monday, January 2nd, 2012When it comes to operating systems like Linux and Windows, every computer user has an opinion. Even though the average PC consumer might only know Windows based system, those who are more technologically minded will at least feel familiar with Linux. We’ll take a look at the good and the bad stuff about both of these operating systems in this article.
Linux is a very good OS and is very easy to use if you are a techie. However, this does not mean that the average person can jump right in. The creators of the software, Linux, designed it for people that interact with software, not people that play with Windows. This is not to say that Windows users do not like technology. It is just that they can use the technology in a far different and much more simpler way. Different editions of Linux exist on the web, and new versions come out quite regularly. Unlike Windows, Linux cannot be installed by hitting a few keys on the keyboard. If Linux is the operating system that you need, you will not know about until you read up on it a little more. It might take a while, but if you do your research and practice, Linux might be the OS for you. The main advantage of Linux is that it is open source software and that means that it is free for you to use. Windows, however, costs quite a lot. Buying the newest version of Windows 7, to use one example, could run you almost a hundred dollars. Even though most modern PCs will come with the most recent version of Windows installed on it, you can be sure that you are still paying for it. With Linux, though, all you have to do is download it and put it to use. If something is open source, it also gives you the ability to copy it and distribute it without having to worry about running awry of copyright issues. That truth, though, might not be so obvious to the people who are buying a new computer that comes with it’s operating system already installed. Yet if you want to use Linux, you could purchase a lower cost computer without Windows and then download Linux for free and save money.
A primary benefit of Linux is that you are able to both install it and run it on old computers. This makes it very unusual as far as operating systems go. It is a well known fact that computers become obsolete after just a few years and this is definitely true for any computer that runs on Windows or Macintosh systems. For example, if you want to install Windows 7 on a computer that is five years old, it’s memory requirements will overload the system. Linux operating systems like Ubuntu Feisty Fawn, on the other hand, only require 64 MB RAM and 300mHz processors, and that is really tiny by standards now. This means that you can dig out an older computer or find one to buy for relatively cheaply, download a Linux system and have your whole system up and running without any big problems. There are many factors to consider when choosing an operating system. Choosing between Windows and Linux is dependent upon whether you want the compatibility that Windows offers for all of the popular programs that are out there or the flexibility that Linux gives you. These are just some of the reasons that Linux and Windows are great choices for your computer.
For more information consult Mark Glatman