What OS should we use?

My classmates ask me: why do you use linux? windows is much easier, isn't it? So who should use Linux and who should keep on using windows?

Whatever OS you understand best and are most comfortable with. Asking someone who is a windows geek to use *nix and to lock it down isn't really good. They'd be better off locking down Windows, which they'd already understand well. Same applies vice-versa.

It really depends on the needs and interests of the individuals in question. There are many people who like the idea of a *nix system, but don't want to fidget with sources, for reasons of time management, to get installations to work correctly so they run with a windows system. Conversely, there are those that have all the time in the world but not the inclination to learn anything about the computers.
Each of the platforms has their advantages including variations in stability, security, scalability, etc. The only way to know who would get what would be to take all these things into consideration and then adapt the OS to that individual.

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Ms Mittens is also correct in her assertion that comfort has a lot to do with it. I am most comfortable in a *nix environment where as many of my peers won't touch it. It's for the better really. How much are each of these individuals willing to go through to see what the differences are and why someone would chose one over another?
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I also agree that there is no single right or best operating system. Some are better than others at some things and some are just better for particular users.

While I know that there are emulators and applications available to run Windows programs and such in Linux, I think the single biggest argument for an average user to stick with Windows is volume.

If they are novice to average users who buy their computer equipment and software mainly from Best Buy they will find about 7 aisles of Windows-based software and maybe half a shelf of Linux software. The same can be said for the Mac OS.

Again, I am not saying Windows is technically superior or that it isn't possible to make these things work in Linux or on a Mac or even that there might not be alternative solutions that are better as well. Windows software is easier for the novice to average user to find, install and use in my opinion.

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Asking someone who is a windows geek to use *nix and to lock it down isn't really good

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I also second this point. I am often asked which OS is more secure - Linux, Windows, Mac, etc. My answer is - whichever one you know how to secure. I am sure that they each have their pros and cons and some may be inately more secure than others, but if you don't know anything about the operating system you're dealing with its hard for you to secure it properly.

I've dabbled in all of the operating systems and the only comment I have to this is that convenience is what decides it.

The average consumer uses Windows because Microsoft markets their product the best. Macintosh with their OSX is becoming popular, though properitary hardware makes using this software expensive for most users.

Linux is just all around good stuff for people who know what they want to do with a computer and have the patience to do it. Linux is good if you want to learn alot, and want to become involved in the "Open Source" community.

To sum it up, money, convenience, and sheer stubborness typically decide what OS most people use.

D'elTarra

At the risk of repeating what has already been said, I agree that different operating systems are better for different purposes and for different users. *nix systems architecture are widely claimed to be more stable, secure and efficient with resources than Windows variants. But there are few people with the knowledge or time to learn the intricacies of *nix systems in comparision to the intuitive Windows user interface.

If your question was in regard to security I imagine there are two factors to consider. First the recognised security problems with the MS approach. Secondly the amount of knowledge the user has to successfully run and correctly configure (for security) a *nix distribution.

I know there are many *nix fans out there that can argue the benefits of a particular distro over a version of windows, but the unfortunate reality is that they are difficult for non technical gurus to learn. Speaking from personal experience (at different stages I have run Win95, 98, 2KPro, 2K Server, XP Pro, Mandrake 6.0, Red Hat 7.1 and at uni I used a few Unix systems) I have found Windows to be the easiest to use on many different levels. Sure there is a heap I am not happy about, but I found with Linux it was very difficult to install and configure components (sound cards, printers, some software etc). I fully acknowledge that this is due to my lack of specific knowledge needed for using Linux, but I don't think the average computer user would know either. So I guess I am saying Linux would be nice, but unless you have the know-how to configure it correctly it may not be the better option from a security perspective.

Comments?

My comment will be quick because everything has already been said about this (read the similar threads, you will find many answers I'm sure).
If you don't want to bother you with technical stuff and/or only use your computer to play, go directly to Windows. If you want to learn, do serious things in a stable system you will be able to highly configure and secure, welcome in the Linux world.
It's really a matter of choice.

KC

as it stands, i don't know Linux that well, but i've waded around in it. right now at my college we're doing a module on it, so i expect after i really understand what i'm doing in it, i'll use Linux more often.

personally, i like Linux over Windows because it just seems to be a lot more fun. besides, it looks better, anyway :fish:

Every OS is good for some reason and bad for another,there are two sides of a single coin, if u r using computers just for fun or little bit of work and u do not care about what this machine is and why,u can go for any OS,onthe other hand if u want to know its internal u go for tech. things where u will find something more complex rules like DEADLOCKS,SEQURITY,PERFORMANCE,RELIABLITY,and so many but remeber mouse if 8 times slower than keyboard and depends on yr use.

hackers and profetionals love black screen and white text, typing-typing and more fast typing,it provides flexiability.

Like everyone says- there is no one os for everyone.

For gamers, windows is the only choice. xp or 2000 are the only stable versions of windows- so its one of those two.

For people who like to tinker and antiestablishment types, free bsd and the like are the best.

For the ignorant/illiterate,osx is best (kidding)

Yes windows is easier to use but it’s the ease of use that hides how things really work. For those who want to know how things work linux gets down to basics. You have the opportunity to do it manually. you see how and why it happens and get to take control of it.

all i cansay is: linux is my playground, windows is my workplace(ok slackspace but whatever)

i think in the profesionnal industry, a lot of companies are using mac OS.
it's more stabile i think.

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Originally posted here by mypojam
i think in the profesionnal industry, a lot of companies are using mac OS.
it's more stabile i think.

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I had to chuckle at this. Only in the graphics/desktop publishing industry is Mac supreme. I think Windows still remains as the main desktop with a large portion of the server market with *nix a large portion of the Internet Server market.

The question was, however, for security which OS should we use. And I still say it gets back to what one is most comfortable with.

If you are a gamer, there are a lot of new games coming out for linux, and old ones being ported... alot of new graphics cards being supported.. many changes.. but.. there is still a lot more support for windows than linux in that area.

It is definetly true that you should use what you are more comfortable in.. but if something pushing you to try linux... then you got all the drive you need to start learning. The Linux/Windows who's better thing is... has been around for a while.. who says you have to make a choice? You can dual boot.. or install linux on an older piece of hardware to start out with.. your windows machine will make an excellent 'reference book' as much (most) of the documentation you need is on the internet concerning learning about GNU/linux, or *BSD flavours.

So no one's making you choose.. you have the choice. Linux has it's perks, and it's really, really interesting to see how your OS works, to be able to play inside of it... and it does everything windows does... even drive your tv card, hehe... Everything short of run some of the latest games out of the box the way windoze does.

Take what everyone has said here, and an afternoon with a spare junker computer preferably, or a try a dual boot after you've done some reading on the install process, and try and get mandrake up and running... then decide if you want to 'get into' linux flavours a bit more!

Ryan

i agree with everyone here .. find out how it works on your OS is important, Windows is easier and i used it for long time.
no OS could works perfectly , human made it and human not perfect. Now it depends on you which one you wanna run on your computer. Take the advantage of OS will u run and find the troble shoot for make u learn how to build your own security .
I try to change my OS few days ago and failed, becoz i didnt know much how to use it, so the most important is find out what will u use, and how to understand it well.

I think those who really want a stable,secure operating system should use linux. If you want to play games there really is no other choice than windows. I've been using linux for around 6 months and it is really not that hard once you read your manual. :p

Please let me throw one additional observation/recommendation into the mix here:

It helps to be familiar with several different platforms if you plan to work in a consulting capacity and/or move around from job to job. I'm not saying that you need to be an expert in Microsoft, *NIX, Mac, AS400, NetWare, VMS, etc. But I am suggesting that if you have the opportunity to get familiar with several different platforms, it will probably benefit you in the long run.

From a security perspective it helps to at least understand the architecture and environment enough to be able to understand what some of the vulnerabilities might be. Also to be able to confirm a configuration or software revision-level.

Since Linux and BSD are open-source and don't necessarily need a super high-power PC to run on, it might not be a bad idea to grab one of them and get them installed and working on a beater-system so you can learn a bit. One additional recommendation might be to avoid all the handy little GUI applications and applets that are available for doing system configuration. While these are increasingly stable and prevalent in Linux implementations, I have rarely run across them on a corporate Solaris or HP-UX system. (In other words learn how to configure your network settings, start/stop services, navigate the file system, etc. from the command line)

I find it helps to have a specific task in mind when trying to learn. Some things you might set out to try with a Linux or BSD box would include: install Apache and deploy a test website, install nMap or Nessus and get familiar with them, configure the system as a firewall. These are all cool little projects and by the time you're done you'll know more than you did when you started.

I think I need more information from you before I can honestly answer the OS question. What type of kit do you have? If its an older system windows probably isn't the answer, If its a lot of proprietary stuff (on board every thing, win modems and what not) *nix is the answer.

What do you want to do with the system, is it for games and word processing, are you paranoid about security (in which case I would recommend OS/2 Warp...sure there isn't a lot of software support, but no one knows how to hack it :) ), ECT.


When you have figured out what you want from the system, and what the system specs will be, I can suggest operating systems that will fill those needs.

Be wary of taking advice from system evangelists, every OS has its strengths and flaws, and ignoring them will only set you up to be unhappy with your computer.

You should use whatever suits your needs!

If you are a gamer I recomend that you hold on to Windows, but if you are a developer type you should use *nix because it's much more stable and reliable.

I personally use Windows ME and Linux. That's because I sometimes want to play games and my Linux doesn't support my modem(it's not Linux, I have a shitty modem) and Linux is where I play with development and programming.

That is my recomendation.

Use both.....you'll find it much easier to switch between (or even get a proggie like VMWare to run one OS within the other) to suit your needs. I use both for very different tasks and I've never had a problem with either the install, partitioning, or dual booting. Might as well give it a shot and if you don't dig one or the other, dump it. Have phun.

I use windows becaues that is what my school has...I need to be running what they have so that I dont have to worrie about compadibility but if I could I would use linux...I just built a new copmuter and when I get all the bugs out of it (I cant get it to boot up) I will be running linux on that, but in the mean time the since most people use windows and my school does most importantly I am going to use that...

Space Ghost

I agree with some of you. As some of you said, i think that you have not to follow others' choices but choose the best and the most comfortable OS for you and your needs.

I feel that Linux and Windows XP Pro have the same properties. As for security nothing beats a good hardware firewall. If you run either OS without a good firewall , and upset the wrong person your goin to get hacked. No OS is hacker proof. Also even with a good firewall you can still get DoSed. As for stability they are equal, my desktop hasn't been turned off in 5 months and it's running the same as it did when I turned it on. Either way all OS's are free if you know the right people, so make your choice simply by what you want to do on your box.

I have used Windows for a long time but just a few years ago i started using linux. I like linux a lot and i am starting to use it more and more and for new purposes all the time but i still use windows a lot too. I also have a cosin who is helping me learn about linux and teaching me new stuff about it that helps all the time so i guess it all depends on how much u know about the os or how much you want to learn about it. I guess just pick one and try to use it all the time and learn as much as you can about it.

For sure Linux isn't the right OS for a PC Gamer!!!

I wanna try out Nix...but I keep getting lost...and my second machine just gave out so I can't be botherd right now...but I'm getting to it....I guess I'm a bit of a Windows Geek, but I want to be an Omni-geek

- Noia

it all depends based on your requirements, of either your business, professional work and like that.
for example, I want to use autocad or some other software, ingeneral we get that in windows and even though if we like linux, we cannot stop using the autocad, its no bad having bothe operating systems, and use the particular and appropriate ones for the particular job

Yes ... Windows is easier ... Windows 2000 Adv Server is good
SuSE Linux 8.1 is Great and Free BSD is stable .
And now it depends on you guys .. which one will you use ?

;)

I suggest installing Linux. From my experience, Linux is every bit as easy to use as Windows (provided you are using X). On slow boxes, I don't use a Windowing System, and still find it very convenient. If you are using you computer as a server, I would also suggest Linux, because of its zippiness. If you are all for games though, I WOULD STILL SUGGEST LINUX, because it has a HUGE collection of retro games....Of course...for LAN parties and such...where everyone is using there Windows boxes...install Windows....

...I have to say I'm a bit surprised no one even mentioned OpenBSD (http://openbsd.org). OpenBSD is a free UNIX (like FreeBSD and NetBSD) designed to be secure, and semi-portable. Depending on the circumstances, OpenBSD can be quite excellent.

-C