Which OS is Best for You?
Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.; do you know what these are? Most people know what Windows is because it is the most popular OS (Operating System) in the world today. However, Windows isn’t the only choice. Each OS has its strengths and its weaknesses and choosing the right one for you all depends on your needs.
This is the first post in a series that goes through the three main OS’s available to the general user and I will cover their strengths and weaknesses so you can make an informed decision on your next computer purchase.
So, lets cover the biggest and most well known OS in the world today, Windows:
Microsoft Windows
Ah, Windows. One of the greatest Operating Systems out there. Windows was started and founded by one man - Bill Gates. In the mid to late 70s, Bill developed MS DOS and started Microsoft. MS DOS was aggressively pitched to major PC companies and quickly became the most popular OS.
Soon, an extension was made for MS DOS that would give it a graphical user interface (GUI) and it was named Microsoft Windows. Windows is Microsoft’s most popular software, but most people know Microsoft for their Office suite.
Windows was developed to provide the most usability possible. From the beginning, each user had full administration capabilities and privileges. This allows the user to have a sense of being almost all-powerful while on their computers.
Unfortunately, Windows greatest feature has become its greatest hangup. Because each user had full administrative capabilities, any virus that infected the computer did also.
Starting with Windows XP, the idea of a limited user was suggested for everyday use on the computer and having an administrative account for installing programs, updating the OS, and system management. However, people have gotten used to the idea of being able to change everything on their computer and having no boundaries and resist limiting themselves. Because of this, viruses are still a major problem for Microsoft Windows.
With Windows Vista, Microsoft is trying to fix some of the mistakes they made in the early versions of Windows and the policies allowed. Windows Vista has a system of verification requests that prompt the user to take more precaution to prevent vulnerabilities. Microsoft is also trying to make system management easier by offering an all-in-one product in Windows Live One Care that has a firewall, antivirus, spyware blocker, phishing blocker, performance tune-ups, and backup & restore features.
Because Windows is the most prominent OS in the world, you are very unlikely to be told a certain service or webpage does not support Windows. In fact, Microsoft Windows compatibility is a huge component to standards in the software and internet industries.
I bet by now I sound like everyone should choose Windows because it is the absolute cream of the crop. However, it is time to get dirty and tell you the stuff Windows would prefer their customers would either never know or overlook completely.
Windows has always been an OS in development…even when it is being sold in stores. No other OS has as many system updates, critical or not, as Windows does. You can take this two ways; Windows is always being patched and made safer for its users each time a problem is found and fixed or Windows has so many holes that new ones are found all the time. You pick your outlook.
Either way, by the end of its life cycle each version of Windows ends up being extremely robust and battle hardened. Unfortunately, that is when the next version comes out and you start the patching all over again.
Yes, I like that new things are being developed by Microsoft and I think Vista will be a great OS, but only after a year or so of Microsoft beta-testers customers have helped patch it to oblivion. Until then, you will hear me suggest that people wanting to just do everyday stuff without the bells and whistles just install Windows XP and wait until Vista is more robust.
Basic Rundown - If you are used to Windows and you don’t feel a need to change, don’t! Its just that simple. If you are buying a new computer and you don’t want to worry about telling Microsoft about every little thing that goes wrong, go to the locally owned computer store where the neighborhood techie puts it together and installs everything for you and ask him to put XP Pro on it.
This is for two reasons. For one thing, he will know your system inside and out and will be able to fix it quicker and cheaper than the “professionals” at the chain stores. Plus, they are able to show you the cheap or free software you can use instead of the expensive stuff that the chain stores try to push on you. The second reason is you won’t have to pay for Windows Vista and then XP.
Besides, if you know they guy who takes care of your computer issues, he is more likely to do a good job for you without overcharging. Especially if you know where he lives. Ideally, you are learning how to do quite a bit of your own system management.
Windows Vista would be a good suggestion for the people who have a pretty good handle on how Windows works and is willing to go through the Windows Gambit. If you like checking out the newest thing with all the bells and whistles you can think of, get Windows Ultimate. It is sure to provide you will hours of frustration entertainment and lots of eye candy.
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3 Users Responded In This Post
didn’t bill gates purchase the early microsoft programming from someone and then properly distributed it? i thought for sure that it was kind of a stolen fame.
He coded DOS and then they acquired 86-DOS. The two were combined to form MS DOS. So it was half and half…sorta. The jury is out as to how much of MS DOS’s code is from DOS and how much from 86-DOS. Your guess is as good as mine.
Well I thought old Bill had it all together but after he montized he threw it right out the window,last I heard he join the drug pushers guess once greed its hold of you they turn crazy! Smiles thanks Microsoft!
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