Compare and Contrast, Operating Systems

“I’ve got a virus on my Windows operating system!”

“What is Linux?”
“I’ve heard about Mac, but I haven’t really bothered to use it. Windows is cheaper.”

My plan today is to compare and contrast the different pluses and minuses to these operating systems. Hopefully with as little bias as possible. My experience will come primarily from a Windows operating system, but I have used all three of these, and I believe I can explain what makes each operating system worth your consideration.

Windows History:

I will start with the ever popular Windows. I will use this as the basis of my compare and contrast. The primary reasons for this is the fact that most everyone has used a Windows computer. Ideally you will be able to relate to the ups and downs of this operating system.

Microsoft’s first operating system was MS-DOS. This operating system was troublesome, however it had the positives of being fit into a compact computer. It was developed into Windows 1.0 in 1985. Windows took the operating system world by surprise. Bill Gates came from some garage and literally conquered the wold of operating systems. MS-DOS made way for a revolution that would change American history.

Reader’s Tip: An operating system is the software interface. It’s completely separate from your physical computer, and should not be considered the same. If someone says they have a Windows computer, that simply means their computer is running a Windows operating system. Operating systems are installed directly from the factory, and can be changed if the consumer so desires.

Sixteen years and several upgrades of Windows later wields the most common and widely used version of Windows…XP.

Sources For History: myself and http://www.microsoft.com/windows/winhistorydesktop.mspx

Random Fact: XP stands for experience, and was properly named.

Windows, Contrast:

There is an extremely large number of average consumers, and companies using Windows XP. The reasons for this being the fact that Windows computers are fairly affordable, and pliable. Pliable, meaning you can get them to do anything with the proper amount of money and knowledge.

Another positive for Windows, is the fact that if you have enough patience and endurance, you can find virtually anything for free.

A positive in itself is the fact that Windows XP is so highly recognized, you can go anywhere and expect a Windows XP to be present.

Negatives In-A-Nutshell:

It has the ability to go wrong for no reason, and has virus problems to the moon.

Linux History:

“Linux was developed by Linus Torvalds who wanted to improve MINIX which is another operating system based off of UNIX. He decided that he wanted to share his [operating system] free [also] known as copyleft. It was not long before it was able to support its self and he named it Linux. His friend came up with a logo for it which was a penguin named Tux. After a while, several people wanted to help out and make this operating system so better to the point where it could complete [compete] with [Windows] and Mac. Linux will always be free and open source and Linus Torvalds will always make sure that happens.”
I apologize for quoting, but I would not have been able to say that any better if I had tried. I say this with all honesty. I also apologize for the brackets, the author had some problems with his thesis, I informed him of his errors, and corrected them for my paper.

Sources For History: myself and http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2809458/what_is_linux_and_the_history_behind.html

Readers Tip: Because there are so many variations of Unix, and Linux, I will refer to them all as if they were one operating system. Also, because Linux and Unix are very similar, I will refer to them both as Linux. The key difference is simply the fact that Unix cost money, and Linux does not.

Linux, Contrast:

Simply the fact that it is not the monopoly known as Windows has many people jumping out of their chairs. To add to this Linus Torvalds is not at all controlling. Unlike Windows, Linux does not charge huge sums of money, nor does it worry about copyright issues.

Because Linux is far differently than Windows, it has less virus problems.

Linux is free. If you can find a computer that already has it, then you cut off about one hundred dollars. If you want to switch from Windows to Linux, then it’s fairly painless.

Linux is widely known for its use in web operating systems, as it’s free, and serves the purpose.

Negatives In-A-Nutshell:

Applications are quite different then Windows, so running and installing them can be quite the chore. The compatibility between Windows and Linux is close to none.

Macintosh History:

Apple was the first to mass develop a GUI (Graphic User Interface) operating system. Apple soon after came out with their personal operating system,Macintosh. Macintosh has been known sense it’s beginning for being high powered, and user friendly. Macintosh was birthed in 1984, and has lived on ever sense. Apple has battled Microsoft sense Microsoft first showed its face. Apple has always been in some sense better, but has always been more expensive.

Sources For History: Me, myself, and I….and maybe some Wikipedia

Macintosh Positives:

Macintosh has little to no virus problems. This is because Macintosh governs over its operating system vary carefully, insuring that all is well.

Macintosh computers are very high powered, and most of the time can do better than computers with default Windows.

If one goes all Macintosh, your devices will work very well together. I personally have been amazed at their ability to interact with other every day electronics.

Negatives In-A-Nutshell:

Macintosh is expensive and somewhat restricting.

To summarize this paper my summary would be this:
To the average consumer, go with Mac.

To the computer extreme, go with Windows.

To the companies and Windows hater, go with Linux.

If you don’t like being controlled, Mac is not for you.

If you don’t like constant maintenance, Windows is not for you.

If you don’t like



~ by samuelspp on April 6, 2010.