6. WHY...
WINDOWS vs LINUX!!!
Comparisons between the Microsoft
Windows and Linux computer operating
systems are a long-running discussion topic
within the personal computer industry.
Throughout the entire period of
the Windows 9x systems through the
introduction of Windows 7, Windows has
retained an extremely large retail sales
majority among operating systems for
personal desktop use, while Linux has
sustained its status as the most
prominent free software operating system.
After their initial clash, both operating
systems moved beyond the user base of the
personal computer market and share a
rivalry on a variety of other devices, with
offerings for the server and embedded
systems markets, and mobile
internet access.
7. Performance
Windows Linux
Process NT-based versions of Windows use a CPU scheduler Linux kernel(it is a bridge between applications and
Scheduling based on a multilevel feedback queue with 32 the actual data processing done at the hardware
priority levels defined. level) once used a scheduling algorithm favouring
interactive processes.
Memory Windows NT family (including 2000, XP, Vista, Most hard drive installations of Linux utilize a
Management/ Win7) most commonly employs a dynamically "swap partition", a partition dedicated exclusively
Disk paging allocated page file for memory management. A page for paging operations. This reduces slowdown due to
file is allocated on disk, for less frequently accessed disk fragmentation from general use. Linux also
objects in memory, leaving more RAM available to allows to adjust aggressiveness of the kernel when
actively used objects. This scheme suffers from deciding whether to swap out an application or leave
slow-downs due to disk fragmentation it on RAM. Windows does not support such features.
Default file The way default Windows' file system NTFS(New Default Linux file systems do not require
systems Technology File System) works causes files to defragmenting.
become fragmented.
8. STABILITY
Windows Linux
General Windows operating systems based on the There are several indirection levels since all applications are
stability NT kernel are technically much more stable than some separated from the graphic subsystem which itself is detached
from the Linux kernel. As a result of that and because most
older versions . Installing unsigned or beta drivers can
device drivers are integral part of the Linux kernel, it almost
lead to decreased system stability never crashes. The graphic subsystem can only fail if the
application is using it in undocumented ways. Even in that
case, it can be easily restarted without system reboot.
Downtime Reboots are usually required after major system and Reboots are usually required after system and driver
driver updates. updates.
Recovery In modern, versions of Windows, programs that crash If the GUI hangs, on most distributions,
may be forcibly ended through the task manager by CTRL+ALT+F1 (or <CTRL>+<ALT>+ either <F1>
pressing CTRL+SHIFT+ESC or CTRL+ALT+DEL to <F6> inclusive) takes the user to the full screen
terminal, where the process can be killed, and the GUI
restored.
9. Accessibility and Usability
Windows Linux
User Focus Mostly consistent. Inconsistencies appear primarily through back Interface is usually consistent among the desktop environment
ports—software ported from newer operating systems to older used, which follows its interface guidelines. High grade of
ones. For example, software ported from Vista to XP must follow customizability is provided in order to adapt to the needs of the
the Vista guidelines, those of the newer system (IE7 and Windows user. Some inconsistencies may appear when using programs
Media Player11 are examples of this) targeted for different desktop environments.
Consistency User interaction with software is usually consistent between Consistency ranges from high to poor between distributions,
between versions, releases, and editions, although Windows Vista versions, window managers/desktop environments, and programs.
versions generated many complaints about unfamiliar and unexpected Software is generally highly user-customizable, and the user may
changes. keep the customizations between versions.
Consistency All Microsoft software follows the same guidelines for GUI, Highly consistent. However, the vast amount of additional
between although not all software developed for Windows by third parties software that comes with a distribution is sourced from
applications follows these GUI guidelines.. elsewhere; it may not follow the same GUI guidelines or it may
cause inconsistencies different look and feel between programs
build.
Customizati By default, Windows only offers customization of size and color Linux offers several user interfaces to choose from. Different
-on of the graphical elements, and it is typically not possible to environments and window managers offer various levels of
change how the interface reacts to user input. customizability, ranging from colors and size to user input,
actions, and display.
Accessibility Both Windows and Linux offer accessibility options, such as high contrast displays and larger text/icon size, text to speech and
magnifiers.
10. SECURITY
Windows Linux
Malware As of 2009, well over 2 million malware programs target As of 2006, more than 800 pieces Linux malware had been
Windows. discovered.
Open vs. Claims its platform is more secure because of a comprehensive Claims its platform is more secure because all of its code is
Closed approach to security using the Security Development Lifecycle reviewed by so many people that bugs are detected (referred to
as Linus Law).
Response Critical bug fixes are released only once a month after extensive Bugs can be fixed and rolled out within a day of being reported
speed programming and testing and certain bugs have been known to (often within hours), though usually it takes a few weeks before
go unpatched for months or even year the patch is available on all distributions.
User In Windows Vista, all logged-in sessions (even for those of Users typically run as limited accounts, having created both
Accounts "administrator" users) run with standard user permissions, administrator and at least one user account during installation. In
preventing malicious programs (and inexperienced users) from most Linux distributions, there are commands that will
gaining total control of the system. Processes that require temporarily grant elevated permissions to processes that need it.
administrator privileges can be run using the User Account In practice, this can be very dangerous, as any error can lead to
Control framework. severe damage to the system.
11. Market Share
Windows Linux
Estimated Desktop 84.07% (w3counter) 1.71% (w3counter)
Usage Share 4.9% (W3Schools)
87.6%(W3Schools)
Server market share 73.9% (officially registered) 21.2% (officially registered)
20.36% (actual web servers) 74.29% (actual web servers)
Top 500supercomputer 1.0% (absolute 5) 91.0% (absolute 455), the 14 fastest
operating system supercomputers run Linux
family share