May 21 2007
Is Windows Better than Linux?
Microsoft has published documents on their web site comparing Windows to Linux. You can read it on Get the Facts.
There is a never ending battle between Linux users and Windows users. Both sides claim their operating system is more stable and reliable. Each claims their OS has better security and that the cost of ownership is less. Ultimately, this is a battle between a free, open source operating system and an expensive, proprietary one.
Which is the better OS? I won’t get involved in this debate because I like both of them. My favourite Linux distribution is Fedora, but this is mainly because I’ve been using a Red Hat OS since version 6.
I do most of my computer work on Windows. This includes programming, office tasks (word processing, spreadsheet, database, etc.), graphics, and video editing. I also play more games in Windows than in Linux. The reason for this is that the Windows applications are better than their Linux counterparts.
OpenOffice is a good application, but Microsoft Office is more powerful and meets my needs better. I haven’t found graphics applications or video editing software in Linux that matches the ones available in Windows either. With respect to programming, Visual C# is preferable to using C# with Mono in Linux.
An operating system is only as good as the applications available for it. OS/2 and NEXTSTEP were revolutionary in that were better than anything else available during their time. But they failed. Neither of them never really had any successful applications created for them. OS/2 lost the battle against a vastly inferior operating system: Windows 3.0. Microsoft spent an enormous amount of time and money in marketing Windows and in the end, they had the dominant market share.
Windows still has the greatest market share in operating systems, but I think that is slowly changing. I’ve noticed that the number of Linux users on my web sites accounted for 9% of the traffic. Before it was around 2% which was the same as the number of Macintosh users. I was surprised to see the big jump in Linux but I guess the grass roots marketing campaign of open source groups is starting to have a positive effect.
Linux is still a long way from matching Windows in capability. Installing and upgrading software is very much a challenge even for experienced users. I don’t think that the average person is capable of using yum or apt-get, and the GUI versions of installers aren’t at the same level as what Windows can do.
Applications comparable to what Windows has won’t be available on Linux until commercial software developers begin creating them. Open source programs are good, but you really do need a profit motive to drive people in going the extra mile in creating outstanding software.
As Linux becomes used more, we will see more commercial applications created and then it may become a real alternative to Windows.
Jun 04, 2007 @ 04:39:15
“Linux is still a long way from matching Windows in capability”… If you think so, continue thinking so.
Almost all your arguments were (almost) true ten years ago or so! Times are changed and they are a-changing! Look around.
More, what makes windows strong is the fact that informatics and computer became for masses, and they sell a lot (it’s hard evne though possible to find a Windows-less computer), with tricks and cheats.
If I can accept the choosing –and stress CHOOSING– of Windows in business world, I can not accept the passive reality of the fact that the informatics for masses use Windows not just because they choose it or they like it or they really know why is better or think it is better…
they use it just because they find it already on their computer, and often they don’t know what a O.S. is.
Growing the selling of GNU/Linux pre-installed desktop-laptop, growing manufacterer supports for GNU/Linux and so on, a lot of people (even though not all of course) will change their mind about the ease of use or capabilities of Windows.
Just think about.
Jun 04, 2007 @ 04:42:22
… oh well and the same applies to software. I disagree Office is so far better than OpenOffice, but it could be. But be sure that when software producer can increase their business selling software (‘s support) for masses on linux too, again there will be less and less doubts about who is better than who.
And at the end…: support Free Software Foundation and the GNU ideas! That’s the way of freedom inside the computer world!
Jun 05, 2007 @ 10:35:50
I just installed Fedora 7 and I still haven’t changed my opinion on Linux. It’s a great operating system, but I’m still more productive working in Windows. The great thing about Microsoft products is that they all work together. You can create a database in Access and seamlessly use the data in Word or Excel. Doing the same thing in OpenOffice is more challenging. I’m sure it can be done but not as easily as in MS Office.
We need more commercial applications made for Linux. This will improve the quality of software for it. It’s very difficult to make free software on the same level as commercial ones. Software engineers want to make money and the business model for open source can’t sustain them. Many open source developers do this part-time while working full-time in a job that pays their bills.
Jun 18, 2007 @ 15:38:12
dictatorships always make the things work better altogether; democracies involves some “sync” problems, but hopely they can go further. And in fact we prefer democracy rather than dictatorship, even though someone (as me now) would claim a “single mind” can drive a country better, imposing his/her wishes over masses.
I know people that would buy it!
commercial applications for gnu/linux exist. nothing compared to windows, but they exist.
behind the scenes of opensource there are people that get paid; simply they get paid not for the “code” itself. It’s simply a different way we can think the business.
then they can choose to develop closed software for both windows and linux, theoretically earning twice.
what about an autocad for gnu/linux?
anyway I’ve found in opensource (gnu-like free) software a lot of pieces that I did not find as commercial for windows or what… and I found people trying to steel money selling ugly and silly programs, just because it is supposed that masses using windows can be moron enough to buy them…
I’ll keep using GNU/Linux and my old good Amiga (yes;), where I can feel all the power of the informatics… while there are no better choices of course.