Linux vs. Windows

[auroroftheorder]

I was surprised that there are no threads for this yet...I think that the title pretty much explains itself, but I'll elaborate. Linux is an operating system that is part of the free software and open source movement, and Windows is also and operating systerm that is a large corporation, and has been accused of holding a monopoly over software...you can read more about Linux here. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux)

You can also post opinions about the open source movement, or other free software, like Mozilla Firefox (check the signature :p )

Personally, I use and support Linux and other open source software.

[mehnkle]

Firefox is THE best internet browser. No popups, EVER, safer, and some pretty cool themes too. I have never used the linux operating system but have on it. I've heard that unless you host websites, own a business, or other job where a computer is relied on working ALL the time, then you need Linux. Otherwise, use windows. I personally like windows because it is universal and compatible with all sofeware (for the most part.) Plus, you can really customize windows to look awesome by downloading objectdock, windowblinds new boot skins, login loaders, and cursorXP. Even though I have heard that windows is unsafe and crashes frequently, I have rarely had problems with it in the past. If you dont have firefox, get it now!!!

[loopdeedoo123]

Well, as I've had both, I can say a little about this :D

Linux is a good system. I don't do that whole open source code thing, so I guess one of the main benefits is not for me, but it was pretty good anyway. I like how you can have four desktops (really organizes things) and I like Mozilla Firefox, it's really good with all the popups and stuff. And I love the whole tabs thing. But overall, I'd have to say Windows. Although I really love the screensavers on Linux... ever seen the Bouncing Cows one? It's great... :p

[Polychrome]

Linux is okay... if running your own ISP is your thing. But I'm a gamer, so I prefer Windows. All operating systems have their niches, and frankly I find nothing wrong with that.

But question: Is this really a Linux vs. Windows thread? Or is this yet another "praise firefox and let its users pat each other on the back" thread? :rolleyes: You want the browser that will give you no popups EVER? Try Lynx! On Alpha VMS on a text-only terminal even! :rotfl: Until then, I'll use IE out of personal preference, because I've been around the internet since Lynx, and I can say for sure that I know what I like. (I actually like Safari too. Too bad I don't like Macs.)

Oh yeah, and XP service pack 2 also blocks just about every popup, so that's frankly a useless argument now. (And tabbed browsing annoys me.)

[Remmie]

Until then, I'll use IE out of personal preference, because I've been around the internet since Lynx, and I can say for sure that I know what I like.IE's good, I use it sometimes, tabs certainly don't do it for me, although I do like them. The main problem with IE is security, that's mainly why I use firefox. And that may change sometime in the future, just like Windows got more stable over the years. You never know, Microsoft just might pull it off.

Linux is by far the best OS I've seen, but I use Windows because the programs which I use most often run best in it (not only in it, mind you, but best in it). Plus, I prefer the XP interface to KDE or Gnome or any of the others Linux offers. Still, I like playing around in Linux's command line.

:)

[Polychrome]

IE's good, I use it sometimes, tabs certainly don't do it for me, although I do like them. The main problem with IE is security, that's mainly why I use firefox. And that may change sometime in the future, just like Windows got more stable over the years. You never know, Microsoft just might pull it off.

As I said, there was a heck of a lot taken care of and changed in the XP service pack 2. Now, a lot of people won't be getting that, since there's a lot of Win 2k purists out there...

Linux is by far the best OS I've seen, but I use Windows because the programs which I use most often run best in it (not only in it, mind you, but best in it).

The funny thing about Windows is it's definitely the "gamer niche" OS, but it keeps trying not to be. Always looking for new ways to grab businesses and such, but it's always the gamers that like it and/or stick with it. It's not like Microsoft can just up and say "We don't like Direct X anymore. Go away!"

Somebody just needs to sit Bill Gates in front of Star Wars Galaxies for a few hours. :evil: You think that'd drive the point home? Go for the gamers, that's where the market has always been...

Plus, I prefer the XP interface to KDE or Gnome or any of the others Linux offers. Still, I like playing around in Linux's command line.

:)

Like I said, I've been around since text terminal days. I can deal with command lines. I do it in Windows all the time. I do wish Linux was a little more automated. I should just be able to plug in a little USB drive or put in a disk without having to mount it every single freakin' time.

The best thing I've ever seen from the linux camp was Knoppix. Only problem is it's basically a really fancy terminal. (True, a terminal with TV tuner drivers and stuff, but still...) Makes a great emergency boot disk. :P

[Remmie]

As I said, there was a heck of a lot taken care of and changed in the XP service pack 2. Now, a lot of people won't be getting that, since there's a lot of Win 2k purists out there...Right, security in Windows itself should be okay so long as you keep up with the updates, but it certainly won't be perfect. In Linux, you don't have to worry about that - there aren't even any virusscan programs, cuz there aren't any viruses.

In IE, of course, security is better as of SP2, but they still haven't fixed the whole spyware problem. Simply by being as integrated with the operating system itself as Explorer is, you begin to have problems. I haven't gotten ANY spyware since I started using Firefox. Still, some folks are okay with IE because they clean up the spyware as soon as they get it by regularly running programs like Spybot and Ad-Aware, and I can understand that. Personally, I prefer not to have to do that, but hey.

Somebody just needs to sit Bill Gates in front of Star Wars Galaxies for a few hours. You think that'd drive the point home? Go for the gamers, that's where the market has always been...Heh, true dat. But I wasn't specifically talking about games, although I certainly include them in what I was saying. Programs like Photoshop - sure, Linux has The Gimp, but I've never really liked it all that much. So I mostly use Windows. Still, I do prefer the development environment Linux offers.

Like I said, I've been around since text terminal days. I can deal with command lines. I do it in Windows all the time. I do wish Linux was a little more automated. I should just be able to plug in a little USB drive or put in a disk without having to mount it every single freakin' time.When I use Linux, I'm usually working on the command line, but I've found lynx gets really, really old eventually - makes you long for a graphical browser like Mozilla. But Mozilla only runs in X, and all the interfaces I've seen for X need some work.

;)

The best thing I've ever seen from the linux camp was Knoppix. Only problem is it's basically a really fancy terminal. (True, a terminal with TV tuner drivers and stuff, but still...) Makes a great emergency boot disk. :PHmmm... I don't think I've ever used Knoppix, I'll have to try it next time I need a boot disk... ;D

Another thing to consider, of course, is size. Firefox is WAY smaller than IE, and WAY faster than IE because of it. Linux can run on a few megabytes, so long as you're willing to forego on all the extra programs, and it's noticably faster than Windows.

:)

[auroroftheorder]

Or is this yet another "praise firefox and let its users pat each other on the back" thread?

Hhahahahaha...very funny. This is not one of 'those' threads. I just merely brought up Firefox because I think that it had relevance to what the thread was about; Linux is free software, as well as Firefox. I also brought it up because I wan't to spread Firefox (if you haven't already noticed my signature) I strongly dislike Microsoft and the monopoly it has, and the only way to get better software, is to promote competition to force Microsoft to improve, or to promote and use new providers altogether. Also, about other browsers, they simply do not compare...the best thing about Firefox is not that is blocks pop-ups...it is that it does not download ANY adware or spyware, both of which Windows Internet Explorer does (no matter what type of anti-spyware/internet security program you run.)

I also agree that Windows XP is better for games. However, besides some games, you can run almost all other programs using a Windows Emulator...also, the only reason that Windows works better with games, is because it is still the mainstream operating system...With the competition that Linux poses, more games and software might be written to work with Linux too...

[dumbleedore]

Dad was going to install Linux but never got around to it...

Notice how the cool non-microsoft products have cute logos? Linux has the penguin and Firefox the Red Panda :p

[Persephone_106]

Actually the only reason IE is so easily infected with spyware and virius' and trojans is because it is the most widely used as is the windows OS. But don't worry with all the people changing to firefox and other OS' the hackers are catching up.


I must admit for all the people who boast about Firefox it makes me want to sit at my computer and start destroying their systems out of spite :D

(Studies computer science, be afraid)

[Remmie]

Actually the only reason IE is so easily infected with spyware and virius' and trojans is because it is the most widely used as is the windows OS. But don't worry with all the people changing to firefox and other OS' the hackers are catching up.The security-by-obscurity argument gets thrown around a lot.

Open source software is usually more secure than the closed equivelents, especially those coming from Microsoft. ;D Take ActiveX - the cause of a significant number of IE's holes, and totally unsupported in Firefox. The problem is that it has WAY to much power over the operating system, and offers malicios programs with, in essense, a direct line to Windows.

No program is perfectly secure, period. Thinking any program is, is fooling yourself. But when an application like IE allows ActiveX and other technologies like it to be used with it, that application has severely limited its own security. If you use Firefox, you're not stepping into a world of inpenetratable security, but you can expect WAY less damage, than you can when you use Internet Explorer.

Not perfect, but perfect-er. ;p

[chupachup07]

Windows, always Windows...

[auroroftheorder]

I must admit for all the people who boast about Firefox it makes me want to sit at my computer and start destroying their systems out of spite

I don't think 'boast' is the right word...the only reason I brought it up in my original thread post was to spread Firefox...I (and many others) believe that Windows has a monopoly over software, and their products are getting worse and worse. Therefore, I want to spread Firefox so (a) people don't have to deal with spyware and adware anymore (a nice recommendation) (b) because if more people use Firefox, than Internet Explorer, due to competition, will have to improve.

I will add that that your studying of computer science doesn't scare me in the least bit, because if you're defending Windows, you can't be competent :p

[Persephone_106]

Oh don't worry I wasn't defending Windows, in fact I despise it as its "user friendly" interface is too complicated for most people . And don't even get me started on XP its like a frankenstien of software ideas stolen from other developers. I was just pointing out that because Windows is the most widely used it makes more sense for those who want to gain access to your computer to use that fact against it. But as more and more people go on to different programs (such as firefox). So if you don't want Spyware or the like it would probably be best if you don't tell everyone about it. :P

[auroroftheorder]

I see your point, but my hate for Microsoft is too great not to tell people about Firefox :)

[Persephone_106]

The things is with Windows, you have to defend your computer all on your own as there re so many threats out there noone else will do it for you and the problem is not many people know how to correctly defend their computer for their area. Most people thinks its just a case of getting Norton or adaware but in certain areas there are different threats. So thats a problem too. :upset:

[auroroftheorder]

Yeah, I agree. Some people aren't even aware that there are such things as adware or spyware, and therefore do not protect themselves against it. I read a great article about this, but I forget what the URL to it is :(