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Geoff332 · Nov 12, 2003, 06:12 pm

It depends what you mean by 'better', doesn't it?

From an internal technical point of view, Linux is vastly superior (it's basic architecture is streamlined and simple -- which makes it stable, efficient and secure). From an external point of view, Linux is still not as good as Windows. By this I mean it lacks the range of hardware support that you have in Windows (little things like WinModems and USB although I think USB is much better now). From a desk-top user's point of view, Windows wins, largely on the basis of familiarity and ease of use rather than actually being a superior product. From a business point of view, I'm afraid it's still no contest: Windows wins hands down. At present, I would only advise businesses to use Linux for backroom operations (various types of servers, including gateway servers; animation rendering farms and other high end processing -- of course, a lot of this is running on things like Solaris Unix and Linux doesn't have any real technical advantages there). Windows still dominates the desktops in almost all companies. The only exceptions to this rule are if you have:
1. Highly technically literate users (which is almost never the case across the board).
2. A significant internal support and development staff.

For a home user, I would always recommend Windows. If you're competent enough to make Linux work, then you'll already know enough to ignore my recommendation and make your own decision.

This could all change if people like IBM can make Linux work as a desktop environment. Linux is making major progress and improving in huge leaps -- and IBM's involvement is a huge boost for them (incidentally, IBM have been searching for a single kernal that they can use across all of their systems from PCs to their AS400 systems: Linux seems to be able to do that for them). But, unfortunately for Linux, Windows is also improving (dumping the 9x kernal for the NT kernal was a very good, and long over-due decision). Linux is already strong in the server market; I would like to see a more competitive desk-top market, but we're a long way from there now.

Nov 12, 2003, 06:12 pm	#5 (permalink) (top)
Geoff332 Igneous Magma Location: New Zealand Posts: 309	It depends what you mean by 'better', doesn't it? From an internal technical point of view, Linux is vastly superior (it's basic architecture is streamlined and simple -- which makes it stable, efficient and secure). From an external point of view, Linux is still not as good as Windows. By this I mean it lacks the range of hardware support that you have in Windows (little things like WinModems and USB although I think USB is much better now). From a desk-top user's point of view, Windows wins, largely on the basis of familiarity and ease of use rather than actually being a superior product. From a business point of view, I'm afraid it's still no contest: Windows wins hands down. At present, I would only advise businesses to use Linux for backroom operations (various types of servers, including gateway servers; animation rendering farms and other high end processing -- of course, a lot of this is running on things like Solaris Unix and Linux doesn't have any real technical advantages there). Windows still dominates the desktops in almost all companies. The only exceptions to this rule are if you have: 1. Highly technically literate users (which is almost never the case across the board). 2. A significant internal support and development staff. For a home user, I would always recommend Windows. If you're competent enough to make Linux work, then you'll already know enough to ignore my recommendation and make your own decision. This could all change if people like IBM can make Linux work as a desktop environment. Linux is making major progress and improving in huge leaps -- and IBM's involvement is a huge boost for them (incidentally, IBM have been searching for a single kernal that they can use across all of their systems from PCs to their AS400 systems: Linux seems to be able to do that for them). But, unfortunately for Linux, Windows is also improving (dumping the 9x kernal for the NT kernal was a very good, and long over-due decision). Linux is already strong in the server market; I would like to see a more competitive desk-top market, but we're a long way from there now.