Quote: WHICH IS THE BEST OPERATING SYSTEM? Introduction
For weeks now, I have been enjoying Windows 10, Chrome, and Linux every day. And while I still have lot to learn, I can discuss which one is the best. Online “tests” of these operating systems show varied results, with accusations of “Foul!” from fans of the losers. But I like all three systems. However, someone has to come in last, so:
1) I will go through various categories, giving 1 point to the winner, 0 points to #2, and -1 to the loser. In case of a tie, the tied OS's will each get a 0.
2) To be fair, I will only use a limited criteria. You can easily fake the results by dividing one OS you like into several groups (with your favorite OS winning every time), while uniting an OS you don’t like into one group.
3) My criteria assume that the user is familiar with Windows, and therefor knows how to operate a computer.
And of course, courteous disagreements are welcome.
Sorry, Folks. I posted yesterday, but it didn't take.
WHICH IS THE BEST OPERATING SYSTEM? Part 1 GAMES
This one isn’t debatable—Windows has the best games. Not only does it excel in high-tech games, but it has far more mid-level and simple games than the other two systems combined.
I find that while both Chrome and Linux have some excellent games, Chrome has more. Plus, many Linux games require installing an “engine” before you can play.
Score: Windows 1; Chrome 0; Linux -1
WHICH IS THE BEST OPERATING SYSTEM?
Part 2 THE INTERNET
It is widely-believed that a Chromebook’s strongest point is that it goes onto the Internet faster, cheaper, safer, and easier that Windows. Critics point out that Windows gives you a wide choice of browsers, but Chrome is better regardless of what browser Windows uses. When we have Mexican kids come over to use our laptops, they usually choose the Chromebook first, because it gets them to Facebook and YouTube better than Windows does. Chrome gets 1 point.
With Linux and Windows 10 on the same machine, I see no difference in speed. So? Linux is safer from malware, so it comes in #2, getting 0 points. Windows does go well on the Internet, but its vulnerability to malware gives it a -1.
Total score?
Chrome 1
Windows 0
Linux -1
(09-08-2016, 02:32 PM)Vincent Massi Wrote: [ -> ]WHICH IS THE BEST OPERATING SYSTEM?
Part 2 THE INTERNET
It is widely-believed that a Chromebook’s strongest point is that it goes onto the Internet faster, cheaper, safer, and easier that Windows. Critics point out that Windows gives you a wide choice of browsers, but Chrome is better regardless of what browser Windows uses. When we have Mexican kids come over to use our laptops, they usually choose the Chromebook first, because it gets them to Facebook and YouTube better than Windows does. Chrome gets 1 point.
With Linux and Windows 10 on the same machine, I see no difference in speed. So? Linux is safer from malware, so it comes in #2, getting 0 points. Windows does go well on the Internet, but its vulnerability to malware gives it a -1.
Total score?
Chrome 1
Windows 0
Linux -1
This realty to how you use your devices and not to the OS. Chrome, Windows and Linux are basically equally fast to the Internet. Malware in Windows 10 is almost non existent at this point with the improvements to Windows Defender.
Personally, I say Linux gets the edge here.
Part 3 LEARNING CURVE
I admit that I had done my research first, but when I got my first Chromebook, I got started with no problems. Everything else was easy to figure out, although I did learn some fancy tricks by asking online. 1 point for Chrome.
I was dismayed at the learning curve of Linux, but it was still easier than Windows 10 (and I am an experienced Windows user who writes on Windows forums). But I was able to find online help easily, and I have benefited from downloading a free, well-written book. 0 points for Linux
I can run Windows 10 very well. But there are so many problems that on their forums, most of their solutions don’t work. And in my early days, starting with Windows 3.11, I had a much harder time than I do with Linux. Windows gets a -1.
Total score:
Chrome 2
Linux -1
Windows -1
Part 4 BIBLE STUDY
Hey, this is a Christian site, right?
Windows leads the pack, and it isn’t even close. Free programs such as e-Sword are far superior to anything offered by the competition. Even using bookmarks to use online Bible programs are not as good as the free downloads that Windows has. Windows gets 1 point.
Linux is better than Chrome, but I still reject it in favor of Windows. Linux gets a “0.”
I installed the best Chrome Bible program I could find, but it is so unimpressive that I never use it. -1 here, Brethren.
Total score:
Chrome 1
Windows 0
Linux -1
Part 5 CROSS-PLATFORM COMPATIBILITY
Don’t laugh. As hard drives get bigger and computers get more powerful, virtual machines and partitioning are becoming steadily more common. A growing minority of users have more than one operating system.
And Linux is the undisputed champ! Most Linux users are using a Windows computer, and Linux works fine on them. And although I haven’t tried it, Linux works well on Chromebooks. Installing Linux on a Windows or Chrome machine rarely causes problems.
But install Windows on a Linux machine, and you’ll have to go through a complicated process to re-enable Linux. Putting Windows on a Chromebook is a complicated process, and for a little more money you could have bought a budget Windows laptop.
However, sometimes an older version of Windows can be safely and legally installed on a Windows machine. I have a 32-bit version of Windows XP legally installed on my 64-bit computer, and it runs well.
Chrome cannot be installed on another computer. There is a freeware version of Chrome called chromium that I’m not evaluating here.
Linux gets 1 point, Windows gets a 0, and Chrome gets a -1.
Total Score:
Chrome 0
Linux 0
Windows 0
Part 6 PRICE
Pesos don’t grow on cacti, and cost has to be considered.
Linux has a very attractive price:free. It is sometimes better to pay a small price to have someone install Linux for you, but it is still cheaper than Windows.
But someone cries “Foul!” You still have to pay for a computer before you can install Linux. But if you pay for a Linux computer, you must purchase EVERY version of Windows that you add to it. If you pay for a Windows computer, though, you can install several different versions of Linux for free. And while most newer versions of Windows can only be installed on one computer, a thumb drive with Linux can be used on as many different computers as you want.
My desktop has legal copies of XP, 8, and 10 ( in addition to Linux). Only XP can be legally transferred to my next computer, and I am legally required to delete it from my current computer first.
Chrome is free, but you have to buy a Chromebook. It cannot be transferred to another computer. On the other hand, Chromebooks are cheaper than Windows machines.
Linux gets a 1; Chrome gets a 0; and Windows gets a -1.
Total scores:
Linux 1
Chrome 0
Windows -1
(09-12-2016, 04:58 PM)Vincent Massi Wrote: [ -> ]Part 6 PRICE
Pesos don’t grow on cacti, and cost has to be considered.
Linux has a very attractive price:free. It is sometimes better to pay a small price to have someone install Linux for you, but it is still cheaper than Windows.
But someone cries “Foul!” You still have to pay for a computer before you can install Linux. But if you pay for a Linux computer, you must purchase EVERY version of Windows that you add to it. If you pay for a Windows computer, though, you can install several different versions of Linux for free. And while most newer versions of Windows can only be installed on one computer, a thumb drive with Linux can be used on as many different computers as you want.
My desktop has legal copies of XP, 8, and 10 ( in addition to Linux). Only XP can be legally transferred to my next computer, and I am legally required to delete it from my current computer first.
Chrome is free, but you have to buy a Chromebook. It cannot be transferred to another computer. On the other hand, Chromebooks are cheaper than Windows machines.
Linux gets a 1; Chrome gets a 0; and Windows gets a -1.
Total scores:
Linux 1
Chrome 0
Windows -1
A Raspberry Pi is a good start for some to play around with Linux. The browser is a little flaky. Well sometimes... very flaky.
Still cheap to try. The makers are now offering a complete kit for $130. Just add monitor. If all you do is web browsing and email. Might be all you need. Some people are recompiling Chrome browser to run on Raspbian. Little hard to get running. Some are even running Andriod on them.
Just a thought.
Part 7 DOING SERIOUS WORK
The newest version of Linux comes with Libre Office installed. It opens quickly and runs well. And once I figured out how to use Linux’s “Workspace Switcher,” I could easily switch between four desktops, leaving internet on one, and Libre Office on another, making it easier to type up my research.
The same Libre Office opens slowly on Windows 10. (Both operating systems are on the same machine). It does work well. And although I have never done it, Windows is the leader in high-priced and unnecessary word processors.
Chrome opens Googledocs quickly and it works well. It automatically stores my documents in the cloud. But its smaller screen, while still adequate, is not as good as Linux on a large screen.
Linux gets a 1, Chrome gets a 0, and Windows gets a -1.
And so my contest ends with this final score:
Linux 2
Chrome 0
Windows -2