Not long ago, my professor in Information Systems was rambling on about how Windows is the absolute worst horrible OS and Linux is by far greater. Now I would agree with him if you’re someone who a) has/had a bad relationship with Microsoft or b) hates spending money on software, but I have to disagree with him on making Windows the lowest of the lows because it simply is not true. So listening to him about how Windows doesn’t work is what motivated me to do publish this post based off of my own experiences and a little bit of research.

Opinions aside, lets examine some facts about Windows versus Linux. After All, there must be something that made the huge Redmond company capture more than 90% of the computer market in the world.

Linux

Advantages

• Open Source – This is the fundamental difference between Linux and Microsoft. The advantages of this are too numerous to even start listing. It is however, the backbone to the majority of the rest of the advantages of Linux listed below.
• Stability – I think everyone agrees with this one. In my experience with Linux and Windows, once Linux is started, it runs. Not to say that Windows doesn’t, but in hosting environments, I find that I would prefer Linux.
• Cost – Linux is free. The distros, as well as the majority of 3rd party software can be acquired legally at no cost.
• Support – Linux is supported by the online community of tech savvy users ready to help you out.
• Power Management – Depending on what you run and what you do on your machine or server, this may not always be the case, but in general, Linux requires less energy to operate.

Disadvantages

• Expertise – The argument that “you can find anything for Linux online” is great, but that is only for the 10-15% of users that are tech-savvy and know how to get their way around the Internet. You’d be surprised how many people don’t know what a forum is. This is not to say that Linux is harder than Windows, it’s simply a different system that people need to take the time to learn.
• GUI – This case has been made against Linux many times and I’m glad to mention that the Open Source community is improving its GUI, in fact, some distributions have very well improved their GUI that I would even prefer it over Windows, but the fact remains is it just lacks something that makes it as appealing as a Windows GUI.
• 3rd Party Software – Simply said, not every software developer supports Linux. One prime example that would appeal to most of our readers is the Adobe Creative Suite. Many other large applications are also not supported under Linux by the developers. These days however, Linux users try their best to remove that barrier by installing virtualization software imitating the Windows platform. However, no matter what virtualization software you run, if the application is not designed for Linux, it will never work to its full potential.
• Program Installation/Uninstallation – Windows boasts its crafty standardized application install process and it has every right to do so. Although some distributions of Linux are taking steps to make the installation process easier, in comparison to Windows, it still has a long way to go in order to satisfy the typical consumer.

Windows

Advantages

• GUI – Ever since this was added in Windows X.XX, its not a wonder why Microsoft’s market share began to dominate the market. The Windows GUI has set a standard for every other OS and revolutionized the computer world.
• Software Installation – Although this may be argued against some Linux distro’s, it is fairly simple to install your software. Pop in the cd, hit run setup, go through a couple of steps and you’re done. Linux on the other hand, requires a bit more knowledge about it’s installation system and isn’t always as user friendly as I sometimes want it to be.
• Multimedia – Windows has always pushed for making its products a family pack where consumers can create videos, organize pictures, listen to music, and of course get professional with all of these items. It took Steve Jobs over at Apple to come along and finally create some competition with Microsoft. And bear in mind, Jobs had some prior experience working with Gates. Linux these days is getting closer to ‘the ultimate experience’ but in regards to gaming and certain multimedia software, you’re better off running a Windows emulator.
• Market Share – Windows at one point or another controls at least 85% of the OS market and therefore software developers, hardware designers all focus on putting their piece of work where the big guys are for a simple reason. Money. This is the reason why Linux will always win the argument that it’s cheaper – simply because no software developer wants to develop where they won’t make a lot of money.
• Support – You’d be surprised how many people don’t know what a forum is. Quite frankly, if you’re a Linux user and had a problem, you’d probably get an answer to your problem much quicker than any Microsoft support representative would be able to solve one. However, most people assume that if they’ve got a problem, the only methods of fixing it is calling 1-800-MICROSOFT or calling Geek Squad. With Linux, there are not many phone numbers out there that may be able to solve your problem.
• Installation Size – While most consider it a disadvantage, I consider it an advantage. The Windows installation is about 3-4GB and if it were not for that, we’d still be stuck with 30GB hard drives. Now we have 500GB, 1TB+ hard drives, so why all the fuss? Unless you’re a complete nerd, you have no reason to argue that ‘Linux can fit on a thumb drive and Windows can’t’..

Disadvantages

• The Domino Effect – Whether you agree or disagree, one, two, or three problems with your PC will cause the logon screen to load 40 seconds instead of the 5-8 from a clean install. I’ve installed Windows at least a dozen of times and after several years I simply need to wipe everything clean and reinstall Windows. Compatibility issues, driver errors, viruses, all slow down Windows to the point it becomes frustrating and unbearable.
• Viruses – This one is a ‘duh’. Spammers obviously want to target the larger audience and therefore Windows is the fall guy. As Linux and Apple gain more appreciation, so will the number of exploits they will receive.
• Licensing – The whole WGA, Genuine Advantage, DRM, etc are more of a hassle than a safety measure. Microsoft and Windows software developers have plagued users with registrations, monthly license checks, and other validatioin techniques that are supposed to prove that you didn’t grab the software from a torrent. The bad news is I haven’t seen any piece of software that had not been successfully cracked. Why does Microsoft need to spend all of that hassle with WGA instead of just placing a shiny sticker with fancy numbering on the dvd and call it good?
• Goals – While most companies tend to follow the road of being the best and the greatest, Microsoft seems to have dropped out of being the best and simply being the greatest. In late news, the giant has focused more on simply trying to beat its competitors. This kind of thinking ultimately leads to failure and has been costing Microsoft more and more in the last several years. The company should seriously learn from Apple. Although I’m not a Mac fan, I do appreciate the massive comeback they’ve made, not by saying everyone else sucks, but by developing products that are somewhat truly latest and greatest.
• Google ‘why Windows sucks’

In conclusion, my professor does have a point. There is other software and other Operating Systems besides Windows in this world that work just as well or even better than Windows. Having worked with both Linux and Windows, I will say this. Linux is by far much better than Windows for the workplace. It’s reliability, performance, and support are everything I would want from an OS. Especially with web hosting, I don’t even understand how webmasters can even stand Windows Server 2003.

That being said, I would never not yet trade in my Windows desktop for its music, video, and gaming capabilities. And that’s all that matters to Americans, right?

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