I’m not going to bash Windows, or tout Linux. I’m just going to tell you the single biggest difference between the two operating systems that I’ve managed to discover in all the years I’ve been using computers. And that’s a lot of years and a lot of computers.
Ok– I’m not going to keep you in suspense. The biggest difference is that Windows costs a lot of money and Linux is free.
When you purchase a computer there will be an operating system already installed and set up. About 84 percent of all computers use a variation of Windows, 8.6 percent use a Mac, and 5.1 percent use a rendition of Linux. I think the percentage for Linux is higher, but it really doesn’t matter. Most people know Windows, few know Mac, and fewer still know Linux.
If you build a computer, or want to upgrade you’ll need an operating system. You’ll pay out the nose for a Windows OS, and it will be legal for only one computer. Download Linux software, which is free, and you can install it on any number of computers till the cows come home and the sun don’t shine. You can also install Linux on a Windows computer and dual boot–use either OS.
I’m not knocking Windows. I’ve used it since it came out. I’ve built a hundred computers. I have managed computer systems, networks, and computer controlled equipment for years. Almost all were Windows computers. I have eight computers in operation in my home. Seven of them have Windows, two are dual boot with windows and linux, and one boots 7 different operating systems. Don’t ask me why–I used to be a computer geek (weird). One of my personal computers has Ubuntu 10.04–a variation of Linux. The other computer uses Windows XP Pro. Both computers are on a KVM switch and use the same monitor, keyboard, and mouse. I use the Ubuntu computer 99.9 percent of the time.
I keep Windows XP Pro because of some CAD software that I’ve been using for many years to design boats. Linux has CAD, but not the one I use. Another big reason is that Netflix will not work with Linux. Go figure. It can be done, and they will–someday. Other than that, Linux pretty much does anything Windows does.
Linux is not inherently more difficult than Windows. Any operating system has a learning curve. Once any operating system is set up you should be comfortable with it in a very short time. So–which operating system you use boils down to one thing…
Turn your computer on. If works and does what you want, then that’s all that matters. If you want to save a little money, try Linux. You can download a live disk and run Linux right off a cd. It will be a little bit slow, but it will give you an idea what it’s like.