Linux Vrs Windows

[The Devil]

Reasons Linux is superior to Windows:

1. Standards. When you save something on Linux, you know it's going to be accessible 5 years down the road. When you open up a browser, you know it follows real standards rather than making it's own. You also know that there are no proprietary protocols (MS removed a step from normal TCP/IP communications).
2. No EOL! You never have to worry about some greedy monopolist corporation EOL'ing your product, forcing you into their upgrade cycle against your will. Ever tried running a DOS program in Windows XP? My point is proven. You'll always be able to run Linux programs on Linux.
3. Stability. I've crashed Linux once, and it was done on purpose... and it took a considerable amount of effort, too.
4. Security. I don't recall the last time I had a virus, a trojan, or spyware on my Linux box. I don't recall being hacked. In fact, all of these are foreign terms to me, and I laugh when I read on sites that there's a critical Windows flaw being exploited, or a virus floating around.
5. Control. I have control over my computer, not some company, and not some asshole who exploits holes in my browser to install spyware and adware.
6. It looks a whole lot better. Windows is years behind. I don't recall Windows having SVG icons, and I don't recall it having antialiased fonts that don't make you feel like you're visually impaired.
7. It's free in both ways (freedom and price).
8. It comes with a compiler. Why should I have to wait for some asshole to release a binary, when I can just pull the same asshole's code from CVS and compile it myself? I love CVS.
9. Speed. I can choke Windows up to the point that the mouse is unresponsive (and this is on my high-end computer) rather easily. I can use up 100% of my resources on Linux and still use the mouse, and never worry about my music skipping.
10. Internet is faster. I don't have any benchmarks to prove it, but internet is a lot faster... even faster yet on FreeBSD though. It's noticably faster.

There is absolutely no excuse for people to not migrate to Linux. If my mom can use it, anyone can.

More points:

11. Windows doesn't come with a PDF viewer.
12. Windows doesn't come with a dictionary.
13. Windows doesn't come with a Hex editor.
14. Windows doesn't come with a tetris clone.
15. Windows doesn't come with a worthwhile image manipulation tool.
16. You can't optimize your kernel in Windows.

I suggest everyone use Slackware. http://www.slackware.com

[Nexa]

</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (The Devil)

There is absolutely no excuse for people to not migrate to Linux. If my mom can use it, anyone can.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
well it's their tough luck if they don't use it - I personally don't really care if their computers get screwed up by Microsoft (their own fault).

[Scribbler1]

I'm aware of Linux and have a CD with Lindows on it (but have never used) and have heard a lot of aspects of it are superior to Windows, but I am completely ignorant where it comes to Linux.

I do have a question about compatability. Since one of the things Microsoft like to tout is that you can make a disk and pop it into almost any other machine in the world and it will work just the same. Like a Burger King Whopper tasting the same in Picadilly Circus as it does in Times Square.
So my question is, while I hear Linux has programs almost the same as Windows, like Office, etc., can a file written on one type work equally well on the other?

[Nexa]

</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (Scribbler1,)

So my question is, while I hear Linux has programs almost the same as Windows, like Office, etc., can a file written on one type work equally well on the other?<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
do you mean for example if .doc works in Linux the same as in Windows?

[rcne]

There are supposedly ways, presently evaluating suse and winerack(windows emulation) for compatibility with office 97 and 2000.
Hope it works, haven't had time to set up the test bed yet.

[beelers]

Are there no other Macintosh users here?! I'm running OS X on an older laptop. It allows me to all modern Mac apps within the limits of my hardware. On top of that, I can run many of the *nix apps out there under the XDarwin environment. A progressive and modern GUI with tried and true FreeBSD guts underneath.

Windows is so 1984, which is when the Mac revolutionized the industry and Bill Gates "discovered" his OS...and still follows the Apple lead to this day.

On a side note, Linux of any flavor rocks. I've had several distros dual-booting on my Mac clone, a Power Computing PowerCenter Pro 210.

[node]

</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (fedfem,)
Linux is better but Windows is prettier.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>

agreed!

Windows is like so many crashes..I think that's the only thing..

[andy]

Linux is far better, espspecially since it is improving all the time and more people look for reliability rather than "just getting the new windows".

But as most high profile programs are developed for windows, i guess they win. But that is nothing that WINE cant fix

[Highwayman]

Debian is the easiest version of Linux, I think. Only stable kernel used, and aptgetinstall gets you all the goodies you want, installed and going.

Just like Windoes ;-)

[Lev]

Sadly the vast majority of Linux users are socially inept. (NOT ALL, I KNOW), and this figure is not so high with Windows.

When you are watching a film on someones Linux computer and the sound isn't working that night, you'll hear the word Alsa a thousand times, and most likely the person WILL not be able to function correctly (or even reply to your sentences, MUCH less leave the house and go down the pub), until it is fixed.

What? I thought you said you wanted a rant

[haoqide]

QUOTE]Linux is better but Windows is prettier.[/quote]

I wholeheartedly DISagree with you there. You can do SO MUCH with a Linux GUI that you just can't do with the Windows GUI. For example, go to themes.org and browse some of the themes and things for *nix-based GUIs, and you'll be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

Also, for those saying that Linux is too difficult for the average person to use, I'd agree with you there, when it comes to most distros; however, check out http://www.lindows.comand http://www.lycoris.com for some extremely easy-to-use options from the world of Linux.

I do think Linux is less accessible only because Microsoft has such a huge monopoly in the computer market. I agree that Linux is more stable as a whole, and it's got TONS of great apps for it, but unfortunately Bill and company run the world, so people are forced to program applications for their crap.

Oh well...maybe some day...

[Samildanach]

There is no real comparison for these systems. They were both built for different purposes and are now beginning to converge. Whether one is better for you still depends on what your goals are for an operating system.

[haoqide]

I personally would like to see more Active Directory-type apps built to run on top of Linux/BSD. That would be wonderful, especially if it had the backing of a company like IBM or HP. It would certainly begin giving Microsoft more of a run for its money in the business sector, I think...

[ruiner]

Lunix is a cheap and second rate operating system compared to windows. Microsoft are bigger because they are better. Lunix will never be better than windows because the ideology behind it doesn't understand businesses and what businesses need. In fact the whole free software business is based on communist ideals which have no place in a capitalistic democracy

As for stability that is rubbish. You think a free OS is going to be more secure than a commercial OS built over 10 years by professionals? You thought perhaps that the only reason there aren't many lunix viruses is because virus writers tend to hate windows* + there are more windows boxes out there to infect

The government should push forward a bill to force all programmers to require licenses before they make programs, otherwise there is always going to be this dangerous criminal based underground in the programming world

[Samildanach]

Oh rubbish, Linux is definitely more stable and probably always will be. Even Microsoft use Linux so what does that tell you.
Yes funny as it seems a free OS can be better than one built by professionals because all the people who are doing work on it for free are enthusiasts and have a passion for what they are doing.
would you rather have your car built in a factory or handmade?
I know which I would rather have.

[ruiner]

</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by
Oh rubbish, Linux is definitely more stable and probably always will be.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
Is this just your opinion?

</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by
Even Microsoft use Linux so what does that tell you.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
and the majority of linux users also use windows. What does that tell you?

</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by
Yes funny as it seems a free OS can be better than one built by professionals because all the people who are doing work on it for free are enthusiasts and have a passion for what they are doing.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
So do terrorists

</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by
would you rather have your car built in a factory or handmade?<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'>
Would you rather fly in a 747 banged together by half a dozen "enthusiasts" or would you prefer to fly in one made and tested by a commerical company, who are liable for what they make?

Linex is the better OS, but so what. If you're running a small businees you need Windows and Windows applications since they are the most prevelant. I might add that Windows, and workable applications, offers more than enough stuff to do what 99.9% of computer users need.

[lessthan]

linux is more reliabe and stable for server and coding but windows is more standardized for games and the people who are not good with computers and stuff that is dont with them its like pcs vs macs they both have good qualities but overall it depends on what the person is using it for

[localr00t]

Ruiner sounds like those "PROFESSIONALS" who work for microsoft.

I am fourteen, I've been using *nix for quite a while. I've also used Windows for a while too...maybe even longer than Linux and *bsd. Unix is getting WAY easier to use, i remember starting out with difficult distros, in fact, i've never even installed/downloaded a MandrakeLinux Iso image. But ive heard that it's brainless. you dont need script-fu to use Linux now-adays.

This ruiner idiot blabs off about Linux being communist and all of this other superfluous bullcrap that has little relevance to the question, "Which is better, Linux or Windows." it doesnt ask which breaks more rules, it doesnt ask which OS takes a pollitical side...
How dare Ruiner attck *nix in the name of politics. this is about the OS, as an OS, not as a pollitical point of view...

My problems with windows both outnumer and outdo my problems on Linux...Windows is such a headache...i have to download this, install that, download this, register for that, then wait till my 15 day trial ends for ALL Of it...
But on linux, i need to download that. untar this...buildit, vwala...it works forever in a stable environment. i didnt need to pay any money, register for anything. nothing...
for something that just, works...

Windows isnt made by professionals, windows is made by idiots who took a high paying job because they are greedy...
greedy i say!

And another thing that bothers me...people attacking *nix because it isnt a company....
Wow..

GREED!
GREEDY JERKS!
Why charge because you wrote a program!
WHY WHY WHY?!
IT's a bunch of high level code that converts itself into ones and zeros...why charge someone for that?


LONG LIVE FREE CODE!

Do you know why microsoft is so insecure?
because losers who took a highpaying job at microsoft are arrogant morons who dont share code...
that's right.
open source is more secure. why?

EXAMPLE::
okay, so you write a program. but you arent the pest programmer out there. so someone else comes along with some serious script-fu and realizes than you have a nice program...but there are some small problems...SO he/she fixes them and sends the original programmer the fix. boom. you have a secure program. that is free, functional and useful.

not some bloated piece of crapola that costs $300...

Ruiner sounds like he's never even used linux. Never, he just listens to his stupid biased microsoft memos that say, "Oh linux is communist dont use it," "Oh linux breaks some laws so dont use it, or we'll sue you," and a bunch of other CRAP!
WINDOWS IS CRAP!
I'VE USED THEM BOTH, LINUX IS BETTER THAN WINDOWS, at all angles.

Linux >>>>>>>>>>>>>Windows