Usability

    Windows set the standard for Usability with windows 98.  That was the first operating system truly designed for the basic user.  Since then, Windows has slowly improved their interface to be more friendly towards the basic user.  The problem with that, is that they have also slowly diminished the 'friendliness' towards power users.  This is exemplified with the new release of Vista.  In an attempt to make Vista more secure and easier to use for the novice, Microsoft has really just made it all but annoying to use for a power user.

    Some of the new Linux distributions, like Mepis and Fedora, are really bordering complete desktop replacements.  They both automatically install with most software that any user would realistically need in every day usage.  And in my opinion, the installation is getting to be even easier than Windows.  Mepis even comes as a Live CD, so all you need to do is start the computer, and you're in a fully functional operating system (This is a great test for compatibility issues.)  Then, to install, all you need to do is click the install icon, and it will automatically install the OS on to the hard drives (asking you some questions if you want to change them, but the defaults work well).  You could have a working operating system inside of 15 minutes (try doing that with Windows)!!!

Dual Booting?

    Another big detraction with Vista is the way it handles booting.  With Windows XP, setting up a dual boot system was a breeze (relatively).  With the new Vista, it can be done, but be be prepared for a headache.  Since we're talking about Linux and Windows here, I should really talk about how Linux handles dual booting.  With the Grub boot loader that comes with most modern forms of Linux, setting up a dual boot system is as easy as can be.  Infact, Mepis has an automatic configuration system to automatically try to set up a dual boot for any other operating system.  

Security

    This is a hot point of debate among all computer users.  Some will tell you that the only reason Linux is so secure, is that it's not popular.  I have to disagree with this idea, for one simple fact.  Most of the internet is powered by one form or another of Linux.  That doesn't even take into account the history of Linux.  Linux was born out of Unix, a major operating system before DOS or Windows even existed.  Unix was designed from the ground up to be absolutely stable and secure.  The design of the operating system and it's permissions system are completely based around security.   Windows, on the other hand was designed with ease of use in mind.  It was only an after thought that security was considered.  Want proof?  Then why do users of Windows XP need to upgrade to a completely different version (Service Pack 2) to combat common exploits?  Why not a patch?

    This brings us to Vista, and how it deals with security.   Instead of securing the operating system with permission systems, it deals with security in a cheap cop out way (in my opinion).  If a piece of software wants to do something, Vista asks you beforehand.  While this sounds great in principal, what winds up happening is complacency.  In practice, users get tired of thinking about whether or not to allow the software to do what it wants to, and that is when security goes to the dogs.  Linux, on the other hand, will not allow one users software to effect ANYTHING outside of its domain unless someone explicitly sets the permissions to allow it.  What that means, is that if a configuration is owned by the Root user (the highest in Linux) and set with default permissions, NO other 'user' or user owned software can effect it.  At all.  Period.  As long as you don't go messing with permissions, software cannot interact unless you specifically allow it to (once).  This is security.  Not asking "should I allow this software to run?" every time you try to do something.  That is the easy way out.

 Dependability and Reliability

    With Windows, the operating system and the user space almost always reside on the same physical hard drive.  This means, that even with backups, you will be out of a computer until you can restore backups (try restoring a 50 gig backup in any small amount of time).   Linux, on the other hand, allows you to put the user space on a different hard drive than the operating system.  What this means, is that aside from some configuration differences, even if your operating system drive crashes, you could be back up and running in the time it takes to reinstall the operating system (about 15 minutes with Mepis).  Oh, and if you loose your user drive, you still have a working operating system until you restore the backups.  This is one reason I have always wondered why Linux is not more prevalent in the business world.  If a business uses central storage for the user space, any computer you logged on to would automatically have all your files, software, and settings.  The better part, is that they could keep hard drives with the operating system installed, so that in the event of a computer failing, all they would need to do is swap drives.  Talk about a cut down on IT costs.

 Conculsion

    Up until now, Windows has managed to stay ahead of Linux in the market.  Now, with the latest releases by Microsoft, and the advancements of Linux, the path is set.  Windows will be around for a while, for the foreseeable future, but it's days as the market leader are numbered.  I know that many people will disagree with me on this, but the facts are undeniable.  Linux is already cheaper, more reliable and more secure than Windows.  With compatibility and usability rapidly advancing to and beyond that of Windows, it's only a matter of time.  I predict that in the next 5 years, computers will start shipping with Linux right from the factory.  Once that day comes, Windows is dead.  Period.

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Comments (1)

agree...agree...agree...agree and agree
written by bobthebob01, May 18, 2007

how can disagree with these facts. And for those of reading about this for the first time, this is not a "scoop" (no offense to you ircmaxell!) this article just put in plain and simple words one of the really of the computer world. Security is actually not reserved to the "big guys/corporation" you can it at right at home.

great article again.

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