linux over windows

8/13/2019 Linux Over Windows

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Comings 1

Ian Comings

Mrs. ArnettEnglish Comp II

November 6, 2008

Linux Over Windows

Disappointed with Windows but can't afford a Mac? Then try Linux, the free and open-source

Operating System. Long termed the "OS for geeks", Linux-based systems are now getting a new lease

of life after user-friendly versions hit the market. There are currently more than 300 different Linux

versions and one of the most popular is Ubuntu, which has over 8 million users worldwide since it's

release in 2004. With the emergence of more user-friendly versions like PCLinuxOS, the number of

users is expected to rise dramatically and large computer manufacturers are taking heed - Dell and

Lenovo now offer laptops pre-installed with Linux rather than Windows. Linux runs on Sparc (Sun),

Alpha (Compaq), Mips, ARM, x86 (Intel), PowerPC, 680x0 (Motorola), RS6000 (IBM), and so on...

Contrary to popular beliefs, you do not need to be an expert in computer programming to use a

Linux-based operating system. User-friendly versions like PCLinuxOS and Ubuntu have a similar

point-and-click interface with Windows and are able to recognize and install drivers for most common

hardware. Linux is good for students. Other non open-source operating systems do not allow learning

how a system works. They do not allow someone neither to try new developments or experiment a

potentially genius idea. Linux is open-source which means that the user has access to the code of the


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operating system.

For those who want quality over price they can choose Linux and know they are getting quality

because it is multi-vendor meaning that by choosing Linux the consumer may choose to depend on a set

of more than 50 Linux distributors in the world plus the open-source community. This is definitely safer

than depending on a unique vendor. It is also saner as prices (if any) are driven by the market not by

monopoly. This means that the distributors are fighting to give the consumer the best service, the best

documentation, the easiest installation, the quickest updates, the best security updates, the smartest

trainings, the most appropriate assistance, and the most efficient help-desk in order to keep the

consumer as a customer.

It is, admittedly, not for everyone. I know both experts and regular users alike who have switched

to it, as well as experts and regular users who have tried it and stayed with other things (whether

Windows, Mac or another flavor of UNIX). But Linux is unquestionably drawing in more people than it did a decade ago, or even five years ago. (Yegulalp) One of the key differences between Linux is

Windows is what comes with your base system. If the user installs Windows on their computer, they are

left with a system that cant do much. Sure theres Notepad, but not much else. Well quickly admit that

once theyve used any of the myriad of text editors available on Linux, theyll see what a kludge

Notepad is.(Stout)

Ubuntu is a term from Africa meaning Humanity to others, or, I am what I am because of who we

all are and it will most likely become the one Linux distro that will have many people switching over.


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Its Open Source software, and just like Firefox, has a really nice and helpful community helping out on

the development of the project.

There are three operating systems people tend to use. The ever so popular Windows XP and/or

Vista, the competition Mac OS X, and the renegade Linux. Windows has been around forever, its

the best OS for dumber people, plus it already comes installed when you purchase a new comp, not to

mention the amount of software thats available. Macs, on the other hand, tend to go for users who are

already tired of Windows, and seek a more advanced OS. Mac OS X, like it or not Window Users, is

much better than XP! Actually it was voted by PC Magazine has one of the best products for 2006.

The downside to these two OS is the amount of viruses targeted at these users. Its a huge annoyance

trying to get rid of malicious software while trying to get some work done. AND, these OS come with

their own applications that they WANT you to use right out of the box. Leaving the advanced user

having to download and install the better software thats out there, which is usually Open Source

Software.

Linux manages memory properly thanks to state of the art implementation of the research results

coming from Unix, universities and other research centers, Linux properly manages memory. For

example, if a buggy program crashes there is no need to reboot the computer. If a software ends, it

does not leak memory which would lead to low on resources error messages. If a malicious code is

executed, it does not spread. Also, two users sharing the same computer at the same time can not

corrupt the other user's software memory.


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The Linux community is a cool reason to get involved. User's find that the people involved in Linux

are a lot more interesting and dynamic then theyll find over in the Windows crowd. The Windows folk

tend to be entrenched. They dont like change. They dont like new ideas. They have trouble dealing

with choice, variety, and innovation. They tend to bury their heads in the sand whenever something new

comes around. They like Microsofts monopoly because then they dont have to think and thinking

makes them uncomfortable. Opportunities for Linux in the mobile Internet device arena are huge and

could redefine the platform's role in the consumer market.

Linux is not under the control of the NSA (National Security Agency) and Microsoft recognized that

two sets of secret keys were shipped with Windows in order to allow either Microsoft and NSA to

enter any windows running computer in the world. Do we allow a foreign security agency to control our

bank accounts, official mail, email, and justice records? No, not at all. Linux is open-source. Anybody

can check if there is such a back-door in it. NSA is working on a certificated secure version of the

Linux kernel for USA use, because they know Windows is not secure.

Linux is a long-term platform. Linux has no marketing reasons to become incompatible from releases

to releases. Far from that. When users develop on Linux, they know that they are using long-term

available tools, languages and so on. This is so that the software will last and not require porting to a

new operating system flavor.

In closing I want to reiterate that while Windows allows the user to install most software easily, the

Operating system vulnerabilities and cost far outweigh its afford ability. Until Microsoft Windows can


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run on virtually any platform, be virtually free from viruses, cost less than 100 dollars on average, and

provide superb customer support both directly and community based, Linux will always have its foot

further in the room than Microsoft. With Windows Vista ranging in cost from an average of 100 dollars

to $350, Linux blows it out of the water with the average cost ranging from free to 80 dollars.

Works Cited

Yegulalp, Serdar, and Mitch Wagner. "Linux Vs. Mac: Which Is The Better Windows

Alternative?" NetDulaney, Emmett. Linux All-in-One Desk Reference. New york: For

Dummies, 2008.

work Computing. 3 Aug. 2007. 4 Nov. 2008

.

Stout, Daniel. "Why choose Linux over Windows?" 11 Feb. 2006. Manufactured

Environments. 4 Nov. 2008

.

Krawetz, Neal. Hacking Ubuntu. New York: Wiley, 2007. 1+.

Negus, Christopher. Linux Bible : Boot up to Ubuntu, Fedora, KNOPPIX, Debian,

openSUSE, and 11 Other Distributions. 2005th ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated,2005. 3-28.

Grant, Rickford. Linux for Non-Geeks : A Hands-On, Project-Based, Take-It-Slow

Guidebook. New York: No Starch P, Incorporated, 2004. 1+.


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Millard, Elizabeth. "Open source 101: what's all the fuss about? Here's everything you need to

know.(OPEN-SOURCE COMPUTING)." Computer User 1 Feb. 2005.

Dulaney, Emmett. Linux All-in-One Desk Reference. New York: For Dummies, 2008.

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