College Class "Vista vs. Linux"

[kibito87]

EDIT* See my third post.

[shadowkhas]

Boy, Google is hard to use these days.
http://fc57.deviantart.com/fs11/f/2007/ ... _zawir.png

[kibito87]

I must have overlooked that one. I was looking through google and found one that was perfect size but was pixelated and had a squared off background. Thank you for your help. jerk

[kibito87]

My apologies for double posting but i'd like to get AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE. lol I DO NOT want this to start an argument but I would love your guys' input. What I need is to know what Windows Vista has over Linux in general. I just need to know all the PROS you can think of for Vista compared to Linux. I could use the help if you have some input but please only post if you have some useful information. I don't need it to be too technical but a decent amount won't hurt. It's for a college project from my operating system interfaces class. I think if plenty of people help me out here, I can put together something pretty and informational. Here's a pre-emptive thank you!

Please I ask nicely that this does not turn into a flame war. I just need lots of info in a small amount of time.

[SuperCommando]

Please I ask nicely that this does not turn into a flame war.

You should know that that having a title like Vista vs. Linux is just begging for one :/

anyway, I personally prefer neither of them, you should write on your report about Windows 98, its still a very good operating system, It still runs most modern applications and games, (despite what people say) it's still secure, (http://www.msfn.org/board/Auto-Patcher- ... 80800.html) It's faster, has a MUCH smaller install size then xp OR vista OR linux, It installs on my machines generally around 270MB, and it still runs on quite a few modern machines, sure it can't utilize the newest and biggest hardcore game hardware, but for most people, it won't need too. Especially is you've pretty much stopped buying games or are more into retro ones.

But yeah, Microsoft should never have left 9x behind, luckily there's a windows 98 community that picked up the slack I just wish it ran on my
laptop.

EDIT: I forgot to mention the 982ME program that updates windows 98 system files with all the updated versions from windows ME, (very helpful, greatly increases internet speed) And the KernalEX project, which adds some XP functions to the kernal, allowing windows 98 to run most XP only programs.

[-DeToX-]

Notice where he said post only if you can contribute.. In which case you aren't contributing to the topic. No where was Windows 98 a part of the topic.. He clearly stated h e wants to know pros of Vista over Linux.

[OwnZ joO]

Also Damn Small Linux is smaller than Windows 98, it's not like there's only 1 distribution of linux. Although most programs out there are written for windows, Linux has a solid counterpart for most programs that you will need. From what I have heard the only programs that aren't really available on linux that you might need are tax programs.

[mxrider108]

One thing Windows has is games. Sure you can use wine to run them on mac/linux, but its pretty much a windows-only thing.

[neverSHOUTnever]

probably the only things that make one OS better than the other, are their looks and security.

the pros and cons are like animations and such that the operating systems do.

honesty i prefer xp over everything when it comes to speed, and reliability.

i like vista for its looks, and i like linux just as much for the looks, but even more so because of its ability to do
cool things with your windows and stuff.

[mxrider108]

i like vista for its looks, and i like linux just as much for the looks, but even more so because of its ability to do
cool things with your windows and stuff.

Personally I can't stand Aero. Waaaay too much shine on everything, plus I prefer to use my computing power on things that matter. I think OS X is the best-looking OS out there.

[kibito87]

One thing Windows has is games. Sure you can use wine to run them on mac/linux, but its pretty much a windows-only thing.

No offense to you other guys, but this is the best information I have gotten thus far. I need to know strictly about Vista and what it has to offer over linux. I personally would prefer most operating systems over vista. it's given me way to much hassle in the past but that's not the topic to discuss. I'm finding it difficult to locate information on why Vista could be better. I found a non-biased article that still took vista out of th limelight and made Linux sound better. So if you have it, let the info poor in. I will take as much as anybody can offer. Just make sure it gives VISTA the advantage over Linux. Please no more about other operating systems, I can't include other's in it.

[sneakyn8]

well vista really just has the advantage of program compatibility and a wide variety of programming languages while apps like wine and mono work great thats only usually and when they do work they sometimes require modification and vista has almost everything made for linux made for vista and that is not vice versa

[WaeV]

Backwards compatibility maybe? DirectX10? The ubiquity of the windows OS means that most people write for it first.


Um... you can get support for it? If you call a tech help desk they generally don't know how to deal with linux.

[ScottyGEE]

-Availability of applications on the platform (more games, apps targetted for the masses rather than the minority)

-Familiarity. It is not a strong point for your class because you are all computer capable, but changing to Linux for anyone else can be a bit weird (it was weird for me). Counter: There are Linux distros that take advantage of this and attempt to emulate Window's style (like WINE is the counter to my above point)

-Superfetch is pretty cool. This is kind of countered by Linux distros having the option to setup a partition to do a similar thing (rather than in RAM).

-Ease of use (kind of similar to familiarity). Yes, many distros are attempting to totally get around of having to have a user use terminal or install drivers to get things to work, but even in the latest Ubuntu there are certain times when you need to use it. With no tutorials that I've found except for the internet, its a change from just pressing F1 and having context sensitive help screen appear...

Code: Select all

root@purevoltage:/# sudo apt-get install mysql-server

First example I could fine. And it kind of gets around my casual point because its mySQL, but having to type that to install something can be confusing/difficult for the uneducated

-Less confusing SKU/distro amount: Vista is pretty bad here, it came out with too many versions at high costs. But even with that in mind, there are way too many distros of Linux out there. How does a user decide which one is best? I don't even know how I found out about ubuntu, but its a jungle out there.

-Installation: Who wants to go online, download an iso, burn it to disc, then reboot the computer and install it? That is usually the steps you need to take to install a linux distro. People kind of have to have an OS installed there in the first place, in which it'd most likely be Windows... They'd also have to back up everything they have too, unless they're expected to know how to shrink partitions and make new ones

Those are ones of the top of my head. They're not overly strong points, each can be countered, especially if you are a full time user of Linux

[noxiousraccoon]

Linux (Ubuntu) has no viruses to date and has an internal firewall that monitors all incoming traffic. No internet security required.
If you know UNIX C Shell, Linux is very convenient because you can use the terminal and literally do everything from there. For example, in the terminal type :

Code: Select all

 sudo apt-get install netbeans 

It will automatically download netbeans, and after the download, just type in: "netbeans" in the terminal and the program will run.
Firefox already installed.
Open Office is installed.
Repositories (Free access to an archive of programs)
Easy I/O
Up to 32 workspaces to flip through (Ctrl+Alt+Left or Right) Like this
Cube and other graphic stuff (optional): Stuff like this Or just google ubuntu cube and hit images
Linux can run on very little hardware: System requirements
If you know how to code (I don't yet) but you can actually change any program/anything (literally anything) in Linux. I believe it is all done in C Shell but I'm newer to this.
A ubuntu forum with very very helpful people. ubuntuforums.org
Installation is easy. I dual boot, so I can actually use both OS.
Networking is easier in Vista.
Both OS are good with software, however, many programs are not available at all for Linux. Was a pain in the ass to get the newest version of flash.
It's easier to search in windows.
Media is good on both platforms.

Sometimes it depends on what your doing. Personally, everything I need is available on Linux. I personally believe it is more efficient for every day use and when I learn UNIX I will be even more efficient. The ability to have 32 workspaces, which you can actually put on 32 external screens (if you have them), is good for having multiple windows. I honestly don't know much about gaming because I am not a PC gamer. A quick google search shows that World of Warcraft and Call of Duty 4 are both available and playable on Linux.

[ScottyGEE]

Linux (Ubuntu) has no viruses to date and has an internal firewall that monitors all incoming traffic. No internet security required.

This is the only area where I really disagree with you. There are always going to be exploits in code, in drivers, in applications, in everything. I really really doubt it has never had any kind of malicious attacks. A firewall is also a means of internet security.

[WaeV]

noxious, he needs vista pros, not linux pros.

Also, I wasn't aware that ubuntu had a firewall or that it monitored ports. What it DOES have is the user system, which only allows users to write within their user folders. To modify system stuff they need a root password.

Hey wait, i think i remember reading something about being able to enable that in Windows! It'd be a counter to my above argument like WINE is a counter to program availability.

[noxiousraccoon]

There is no viruses or spyware, as of yet, for Linux (Doesn't mean it won't happen). Ubuntu has a built in firewall called netfilter and it must be configured with a program Firestarter. It turns away all incoming data at it's initial start (unless you change it of course) and allows all outgoing data. Ubuntu has no outward-facing surfaces. It is very convenient to change the settings in the firewall. This thread has the UNIX commands and the details of how to configure the firewall settings. In addition, I have the program NoScript, a firefox plugin that monitors all code running in your browser. I can deactivate any code running in a website that I want.

Vista, as I noted in my previous post where I exploited Linux alot: Networking, gaming, and the availability of programs is what makes Vista better than Ubuntu. Alot of content is not available for Linux yet nor will ever. Personally, both OS's satisfy everything I need.

[OwnZ joO]

Firefox isn't platform dependent, making NoScript available for Vista also.

[noxiousraccoon]

I didn't mean to imply that was only for Linux. Sorry, I should have been more specific.