Variant Day: [Tech] Linux v/s Windows

Friday, March 10, 2006

[Tech] Linux v/s Windows

On one of the discussion forums I saw this question: Can Linux beat Windows? Here is my take on the raging OS war:

This is a very open-ended question and the discussion can be turned either way - all depends on the perspective of a person. I've been a Windows user since the days of Win3.1 and Linux since Redhat 6. I had the opportunity to see both the sides of each of the OSes. I'd like to answer the Windows v/s Linux question from multiple perspectives.

Developer:
Linux leads - because of its open nature. Lots of documentation is available. Most important of all, it is taught as a formal course in Engineering colleges.

Professional Developer:
Windows. Look at the wide array of professional development suites - VC++, VB, .NET Platform (C#, VB.NET, VC++.NET, ASP.NET). These suites are fast, efficient and developer friendly. I think even Java/J2EE development happens mostly on Windows (okay, Java runs on Linux too, but u know...)

Consumer Usability:
This one should go to the Mac, but since that's not a contender, the next choice obviously is Windows. Windows is so simple to use. Just point and click. Even a relative newbie can jumpstart in no time. And the usability model is highly streamlined. Unlike Linux, where many operations (!) require using the terminal to operate with. And XFree86 sucks. It is a huge memory hog (did i hear someone say Linux and 4MB, please come again) and painfully slow. Linux is best operated from the init3 mode. And Linux users have such airs - they get their kicks by looking down on Windows users (ok, some of them). I've seen many improvements in RH10, but even then Windows is a clear leader here.

Reliability:
Linux has a clear lead. Linux powered servers can run for years without a second of downtime. Windows is popular for its three finger vulcan salute :)

Maintenance:
Windows - so easy to keep up to date. RH10 had some similar features but I'm mot sure if its really simple to keep updated. And installing any software is such a pain on Linux. Even when using rpms (did u say build from source?). Try and install, then it'll point to some obscure .o file. And then go hunting for some rpm which has that one and install (unless this one too is dependent on something else!).

Applications' Base:
Windows is the king. So many apps - office tools, productivity tools, professional tools, games and other thousands of cool tools. Many commercial Linux apps have been developed but most are still academic. This is the most important reason that Windows reigns.

Overall Verdict: There is no overall verdict. Each of the perspectives have their own winners. And it wouldn't be fair to compare dissimilar facets of the operating system. Windows leads on many counts but Linux too leads on some. The next fight would be on Vista grounds. We'll have to wait and see how Linux takes on this new avatar.

posted by Div @ 11:05 AM

2 Comments:

At 11:22 AM PST, Redz said…

well
i also started blog to check which
is big windows/linux
but now i got that both r of masters
in their fields
see my blog@
www.windolinux.blogspot.com
At 9:46 PM PST, Div said…

This is Nita's comment: (is anyone else having trouble postint too?)

well written- clarity and the way you have set things straight is real good. and the tone - so casual .
so i guess the choice depends on priority or your needs. but of course , what appeals to people generally is - easy to use, easy to maintain, where you dont have to be a geek to operate, so i guess thats where MS takes a lead. but then again, reliability is what linux has been holdin onto pretty well.