David Risley is the founder of PCMech.com. He is the brains, the thinker, the writer, the nerd.People who are really into their computers seem to love debating which operating system is best. I’m not sure why people get so heated about this topic, but I thought I would put forth my personal view on the subject: WHO CARES?!
OK, now that that’s out there, let me elaborate. Today, Windows is by far the most popular operating system in the world for home users. According to NetApplications, about 90% of home users are using either Windows XP, Vista or 2000. Only about 5% are using Macs and less than 1% is using Linux. These are June 2007 numbers and I don’t see them changing drastically any time soon.
Windows
People like to harp on Windows. Part of it is probably than human reaction of bashing those who become popular or successful. But, let’s face it. Windows got so popular because it is a GOOD OPERATING SYSTEM. This is not to say it is without it’s faults. It certainly has it’s share of problems, as any follower of Windows security alerts will tell you. I am a recent convert to Windows Vista and I certainly have some things to complain about with that operating system.
That said, Windows is easy for the end user and that is why it is so popular. We live in a capitalistic system here, and the computer world is very capitalist. I don’t care what stories are out there about Microsoft strong-arming people into using it’s products, the truth is that we would not all be using Windows today if the market had not determined it to be that way. And that happened because Windows is easy. We’re all used to the way Windows works, and that’s saying something for an operating system.
As for the security alerts and incompatibility complaints with Windows, sure some of that can be blamed on Microsoft. However, when you have an operating system used by that many people, does anybody think it is easy to make an OS universally compatible? Windows has a big bulls eye on it because it is so popular. And it experiences driver problems because there are just SO many different computer configurations.
I promise, I am not a Microsoft apologist. But, let’s say it like it is.
Linux (namely Ubuntu)
The computer world has gotten a little more “Linux-ized” with the growing popularity of Ubuntu Linux. Ubuntu is marketed as the easy Linux distribution. And compared to some of the other distros out there, it is really easy to use. Nonetheless, I do not think Ubuntu is ready for prime-time in the home desktop market. Here’s why:
- Not all hardware works. There is a higher liklihood of getting everything working under Windows Vista than there is with Ubuntu. I have tried to install certain things to Ubuntu and just can’t get it to work. For example, setting up a dual screen computer is dead easy when using Windows. With Ubuntu, you have to delve into the configuration files of the GNOME desktop using a text editor. Does anyone expect the average home user to do this? I couldn’t get it to work with Ubuntu and I’m not exactly computer illiterate.
- Lack of Software. Yes, there is a lot of software available for Ubuntu. But, it’s all pretty different than the Windows counter-parts. And for Linux to compete with Windows, the software has to be as easy as Windows.
- Still Confusing. One of the major things still weighing Linux down is that it is not that easy to work with for normal home users. There are things you can do via the interface, but there are still many things that require you to open Terminal and “sudo” things and edit text files. That’s just not user friendly. Ubuntu is pretty easy, but there are still a lot of things you need to use the command line for. A good end-user OS should hardly ever need a command line and Linux requires it most of the time.
Ubuntu is great - for Linux. So much so that Dell just recently launched a line of desktops that are shipped with Ubuntu installed. That’s a great help for Linux becoming more of a contender in the world of normal end users. But, it still has a ways to go. I had a spare desktop running Ubuntu and I ultimately had to format and re-install Windows in order to get anything really useful done with the computer.
On the server front, Linux and related variants win hands down. Any Unix variant is far more stable than anything running Windows.
Apple and MacOS
PC Mechanic is obviously a site dedicated mainly to PC users. However, let’s give props to Apple. MacOS is a very nice operating system that rakes the coals with Windows on many fronts. It is powerful, easy to use, and let’s face it - gorgeous. That said, it still is only used by a small percent of computer users. Why?
It is my opinion that the fault of this is due to Apple itself. Apple isn’t exactly a very open company. They keep everything close to their vest and actively push the concept that you have to go to Apple to do anything to your Apple machine. They haven’t worked to make Apple computers open to everybody. Instead, they have gone the approach of having a smaller user-base, but a VERY dedicated one. Most Mac users are practically in love with their Apples, to the point of probably wishing it could procreate. But, Apples are rather pricey and still remains a bit exclusive. A Mac Mini today will cost you anywhere from $600 to $1,000 and that’s just the box - no monitor, mouse or keyboard. For that price, you can get a fully equipped PC that is actually fairly respectable in terms of performance.
As long as Apple continues to market themselves this way, MacOS will never get much more popular than it is. In my opinion, the one thing that might draw some PC users over is the move to Intel processors and how that has allowed Macs to run Windows software. Today, it is much easier to have a nice Mac system running MacOS, but running Windows inside of Parallels. To me, that is a compelling setup and a reason to buy a Mac.
There are some things Macs are just better at it. Macs are great at multimedia and at graphic and video work. But, I still think Windows has it beat when it comes to normal every day business use and system accessibility to the “normal” computer user.
Having a dual system with Windows and MacOS together would give the best of both.
Can’t We All Just Get Along?
I have never understood why people like to debate which OS is best. It is as if their personal pride depends on whether the world thinks their choice of operating system is the best one out there. It just doesn’t matter that much. There are a lot of different kinds of people in this world, and not one OS is going to be able to cater to everybody.
Macs have certain things which they excel at. Windows has certain things it excels at. And Linux has it’s own market. That’s just the way it is.
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Nick said:
8/1/2007 4:31 pm
I am not an apologist either. However, saying that MS produces has 90% of market share because it makes a good OS, is not really the truth. Wheather or not MS practices are the one of a monopolist (I believed they are), they just have the market share because when you buy a PC it comes with Windows. THe same if you buy a Mac. Complaining of hardware support for Linux is naive, because it’s the only one not supported by the manufacturer.
Now, since you are interested in getting all along, let’s be fair. Take a blank PC, and try to install windows, OSX and Linux, with the stock drivers provided with the OS. Windows will not work, or badly. You can’t install OSX. You are left with Linux, that with some quirks will definitively work. Does this mean that Linux is the best?
That being said I am not one of those people that would like to have linux to take over the world. Linux is about freedom, something that you don’t get either with Macs or Windows. That includes the freedom not to use it.
Bottom line: we can all get along, but not renouncing of our identities. It depends on your own priority.
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David Risley said:
8/1/2007 4:44 pm
Good points, but still, the reason new PCs are packaged with Windows is because the market has determined Windows to be the most friendly. Linux just isn’t that user-friendly yet. Its just like Google for search. They are hands-down most popular because Google provides better search. It’s not because Google is out there strong-arming people into using Google.
I like Linux, don’t get me wrong. But, when you look at the “normal” computer user, Linux is just over their head and too difficult to work with.
When all is said and done, the OS is going to get less important as more software moves to the web. All we’ll need is a browser.
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Nick said:
8/1/2007 6:07 pm
“the market has determined Windows to be the most friendly.”
This is totally not proven. Windows is not the most friendly. It’s the standard. Macs are recognized as the most user friendly.
User friendliness has, I think, nothing to do with market share, as far as OS are concerned. Search engines are different though, because you really get to choose the one you like. You can’t say the same of the OS when you buy a PC…
As an example think at browser. IE is the leader in terms of market share. Is it better, or more friendlier? Not even close. However it enjoys its position because it’s what is installed by default. Lots of people are just happy with what they get preinstalled.
Anyway you say something that is absolutely correct and even more so in the future: the browser is what will make a difference, more than the OS. That is why Apple made Safari available to Windows users…
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steve said:
8/1/2007 10:15 pm
it’s all about politics sounds like the security game. If you go to the shop and buy flake and whiting does the next person care or pick - its not about standardisation but globalisation why do you think that windows has the market.
you mention the simply things about windows that dual monitors comes easy and not in linux just wait until the new version of windows comes out and time to format. Hope you got backups. In linux when a new version comes out you get the option to update the existing or a fresh copy. Also I now can read and write to ntfs partitions can windows read a linux partition. I don’t think so.
lack of hardware support from the previous comment the vendors don’t support it and it’s called parallels and vmware set your computer up with vista, install your drives and use that virtual machine to install the guest OS than linux had support for your hardware courtesy of windows. Still have a problem.
command lines well! back in the days of windows 3.1 it had command lines particularly when copying info from one computer to another using rcopy. Remember.
Your whole argument is pointing at windows being the best operating system even if you don’t mean it - if you don’t like the other operating systems don’t use them.
Oh I hope you don’t have multi-core cpu because windows only supports one. Sorry
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Roberts said:
8/2/2007 6:29 am
Ubuntu probably isn’t the best distribution for new users despite what some may say. There are linux distros out there that do not require knowledge of the command line in most cases and provide flash and various other things pre-installed. However, they lack the resources required to equal ubuntus advertising and business efforts and are unlikely to see OEM deals for a number of other reasons as well.
You’re right about hardware and software support in a sense. More hardware can run decently under linux then you might think, but finding which distro works best with what can feel pretty random at times and there is a distinct lack of the professional grade software that’s needed in some industries.
Mostly the biggest problem with linux is the amount of choices you’re required to make as apposed to those that are simply available to you. You have over two hundred distributions to pick from and a pool of ten or so real choices for any one person to sift through isn’t that uncommon.
While I’m not sure linux is quite ready for the “mass market” at this point in time, I don’t see how windows is being “chosen” by that market for any quality of it’s own. Once it gained enough market share it could stay at top simply by relying on other partys to focus on the most profitable platform and how microsoft gained that kind of dominance in the first place involves a lot more than the quality of their product however good or bad that may be.
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aureliano said:
8/2/2007 8:06 am
“A good end-user OS should hardly ever need a command line and Linux requires it most of the time”
Now, before writing all this FUD, have you ever actually used any modern linux distribution? I don’t think so.
You use the command line only when you realize it’s much faster and more powerful. If you don’t like it, you can do all you need to do via GUI. I see you’re a windows guy, so let’s put it this way: you have to use the command line with the same frequency you have to use the infamous regedit. Tell me which is simpler.
And, please, can everybody try to see anything apart from Ubuntu? We have hundreds of distros, many of which are better than ubuntu.
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David Risley said:
8/2/2007 9:02 am
aureliano, yes I have. And I found myself having to use the command line all the time to do anything that was “outside the box”.
I also think the “hundreds of distros” thing is a bit of a barrier to market entry. You got to keep in mind that the typical desktop user isn’t a geek. They don’t need that many choices. Hell, it’s been argued that MS screwed up by offering a few version of Vista. Well, they don’t hold a candle to Linux when it comes to the confusion of multiple versions.
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Maurece said:
8/2/2007 9:59 am
Can we get along? The short answer is “NO”. In order to get along we need to find common ground or base. And while you have fanboiz and trolls on both sides of the fence, there won’t be getting along. So, here is my load of crap:
Windows: if can keep viruses and spy-ware off, it is the one that actually “just works”. It does not do everything better or more efficient than others, but it is the one that does it. Gazzilion programs works on it (open and close source). You can count to go to your local electronics store, pick up a gadget and a windows driver is provided with it. You can count that all your ISP’s will provide services for it. Many are happy with it, if only they keep the damn viruses off it.
Linux: it does many of the things better and more efficient and logical than Windows. It even does some things Windows cannot do. Provides the greatest choice of environments and programs out there and all for free. User friendliness is not an issue. Even if some things require CLI, so what. As long as you can read and understand documentation it should not be an issue. But:
Dell offers Ubuntu, but you cannot get Wireless broadband on it (can get it on the same Windows models). You’re catching the drift here
All packages are not created equal. I am a distro hopper for about 2 years. I found that same packages do not work same way in different distros. This makes it difficult to settle in.
And then, this codecs crap to deal with too
Over all, I found myself splitting time between both.
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Gabriel Unger said:
8/4/2007 3:33 am
“This is totally not proven. Windows is not the most friendly. It’s the standard. Macs are recognized as the most user friendly.”
Isn’t being a market standard part of being user friendly? The fact that you’re probably going to be using the same, familiar Windows GUI and commands (Windows + D, anyone?) at the library, at home, at school, and at your friends’ house is all a part of being user friendly. MacOS users can tell all of us how amazing the GUI is or how easy it is to do stuff, but a new user (of 90% of computer users, apparently) is still going to have to learn it over again.
I for one have not found a reason to use Linux regularly. I play the latest games, I do a lot of 3D animation and modeling, and I have homework to do and music to listen to and videos to watch. Give me a good reason why I should switch to and learn about Blender, OpenOffice.org, and the myriad of entertainment options for Linux.
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Nick said:
8/4/2007 3:12 pm
Gabriel,
do not confuse usability with diffusion. There are lots of products that are considered the standard but they are horrible in terms of usability. I am not trying to defend LInux, in fact it has still a long way to go in terms of usability. Just because you perform specific task with ease in Windows does not mean that those task can be accomplished in much easier ways with another OS. Examples? The idiotic way windows handles USB jumpdrives. The primitive sensitivity to focus when moving from a window to another.
So not because you are confortable with the OS means that there cannot be any better. There are lots of other reasons (see above) for a product to succeed in the market even if it’s not the best. Again a very good example is Internet explorer vs Netscape. You seriously think IE was easier and safer to use than Netscape?
As far as application go, tell me now how “easy” is to use the totally new, completely different GUI of Office 2007 compared to Office 2003. OpenOffice is easier to use than MSO 2007… Or you are saying that because it’s MS we just need to adapt, while is somehting else they need to adapt?
Finally, nobody is asking you to give up what you are using. That was the purpose of the original article, and I fully agree. People drive Fords, Chevys, Toyotas, etc. If you are happy with Windows it would be just crazy to change. However, not because it works with you that means it works for everybody. Moreover, not because it’s widely used that means that it’s the best and easier OS to use.
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Gabriel Unger said:
8/5/2007 2:58 am
I’m disappointed…I never expected any replies to my comment to be nothing but profiling. Now I have to take the time and explain myself.
I used Mozilla until Firefox came out, and Netscape before that when I had dial-up. I still use Office 2003 and have no intention of moving to 2007 or silly OpenOffice.org (you forgot the .org) any time soon. Too bad for you, this article is about operating systems, so stop talking about applications.
You saw me as a nothing-but-Microsoft user, and that is totally not the case. You threw a bunch of programs at me that you expect that I use. You were wrong in doing so.
You also decided that the reason I appeared “pro-Windows” was that I’m comfortable with Windows and only Windows.
We are talking about Windows. Not Internet Explorer, not Office. This article as about operating systems, and we are in the comments section. When it comes to using an operating system, I say that part of the user-friendliness stems from the fact that millions of users can identify with many of the same functions in Windows over many different versions. The Start menu, the placement of icons, the use of the taskbar, etc. Microsoft kept these the way they were, only changing the visual appearance. I was able to navigate Vista right away after installing it. You can’t argue with that. MacOS is the very same way; it too benefits from the fact that it is also a market standard (albeit one with a smaller actual user base) and hasn’t greatly changed in its interface and such. With Linux, on the other hand, you have scores of distributions with a handful of window managers to choose from and tons and tons of layouts. It’s a mess - you can’t go to some random Linux user’s home and expect to be able to sit down and navigate the computer.
“There are lots of products that are considered the standard but they are horrible in terms of usability”
A very bold statement. Do you consider Microsoft Windows an example of described product?
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Nick said:
8/5/2007 4:44 am
“There are lots of products that are considered the standard but they are horrible in terms of usability”
“A very bold statement. Do you consider Microsoft Windows an example of described product?”
That was precisely my point, which may very well be different from yours. I just don’t accept the idea that diffusion means better products. Free to disagree.
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Gabriel Unger said:
8/5/2007 8:38 am
When did I say that “diffusion means better products”? When did I even hint towards me believing that? Why don’t you use the words that I chose in forming my own conclusion, rather than choosing new ones with new definitions.
Just curious…what in terms of “usability” can be used to form this conclusion that Microsoft Windows (every version, apparently) as “horrible”? I know we shouldn’t care that much…just look at the article title…but you’ve just made a pretty sweeping statement that I for one didn’t expect. Or is it only about jump drives?
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Nick said:
8/5/2007 3:14 pm
You won. Windows is the best product ever. My complains are minor. Maybe I sould really think to go back to windows.
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cuiq said:
10/14/2007 7:57 pm
Wow what a debate. Nevertheless here is my take on the subject.
Ease of use or easy to use is a relative term.
I don’t care how easy a developer makes a peace software to use if the person sitting in front of it is clueless.
Here’s what I mean. I happen to build, repair, and teach computer use to a number of people.
Linux and Windows are both easy and hard to teach to those new to computers. But once learned a person can take off doing whatever it is they need to do (although I find that people think if you are good at any aspect of computers that you should know how to run/work any peace of software they download or buy. I get calls like this all the time, mainly because people are too lazy to rtfm). Anyway, for those that I have installed linux for are usually people who want updated software but can’t afford new hardware or Windows OS prices. This allows the hardware they have to last a little longer (or a lot longer).
One last thing on hardware. I have some hardware that still does not work with XP because hardware companies did not want to update their drivers, but instead wanted you to buy new hardware. But this same hardware works in linux because of the community of developers who had the same hardware and needed it to work.
But when it comes to hardware it’s not about OS. It’s about the willingness of the hardware companies to make their drivers available.
As for me I still use windows for some games although Cedega is allowing me to install many games on linux and they run quite well.
I like windows and I like mac but I prefer Linux.
Peace V :my friends:
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steve said:
10/16/2007 5:18 am
Look if you don’t like it don’t use it. I have been doing some reading lately the issue is not weather linux will take over windows or which one is better then the other. It’s weather these big names in the computer industry are willing enough to listen to the comsumer. Ideas have been flowing and now there is demand for the virtual desktops or the internet OS! which is not really an OS anyway. Most people that do use linux are usually developers of some sort if you want more than what your getting then move to building your OS and save yourself the argument
P.S why can’t we all just get along
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cuiq said:
10/17/2007 11:39 pm
Steve,
I assure you I am no programmer (just a control freak). I agree, however, that it’s all about choice. Windows, Linux, Mac, BSD, Minix, Syllable, ReactOS, BeOS, etc…use whatever makes you happy.
I will say this. If any person should have anything negative to say about an OS or any software (for that matter), should at least spend a month or two using it thoroughly before commenting on how terrible it is.
Peace V :my friends:
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Shaun said:
10/18/2007 9:11 pm
I use Kubuntu at work (I am a web developer) and have been for the past 12 months. The transition was pretty smooth and the workflow itself is a lot more seamless using SSH / FTP + Konqueror + Kate than I ever managed to make it using [Insert Text Editor - I tried many] and [Insert HTML Editor - I tried many] on Windows. The closest to a nice workflow on Windows was by using Eclipse but it ended up being monolithic and sluggish in the end.
Obviously this is a very specific niche, but it helps to illustrate a point that ‘OMG OS WARZ’ are absolutely pointless because merits of an OS come down to the specific needs of the user, and the user’s preference / previous experience (and unfortunately preconceived bias).
I primarily use Ubuntu at home, but I still dual-boot to XP for some panoramic / HDR photography software I use, and games.
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Steve said:
11/12/2007 1:39 am
V your a control freak that’s a shame considering you can’t control manufacturers. And if you agree then this argument is pointless if you believe that someone should try before they buy then that’s the hole point. Unfortunately it’s manufactures that control what we get and don’t get. The way I see it is that Software vendors should release a ballot so the people can decide how a operating system should be in order to have consumer input. The question is how to get the maker to listen the consumer interest?
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steve said:
1/3/2008 2:04 am
So the debut ends here is there no one out there to make more comments or is it that i’m right thats scary.
peace
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