LINUX VS WINDOWS Linux Vs Windows Comparison between

LINUX VS WINDOWS

Linux Vs Windows Comparison between platforms and applications CONTENTS: Introduction to Open Source and Proprietary platforms and applications. Server side, Client side uses and their interaction. Comparison on Linux and Windows based on different factors. Analysis of Investment Incentives and their role on both platforms. Conclusion

Open Source and Proprietary OPEN SOURCE Software Distributed Under GNU GPL(General Public License) Run the program for any general purpose Study, modify and/or improve the program to suit personal needs. Access source codes are needed prior to such action. Redistribute copies of program to the public at no cost. PROPRIETARY Proprietary implies that both platform and the software providers decides cost. Both platform developer and application developer keep cost independent of each other Redistribution not allowed and it is against the policies.

Client and Server side CLIENT SIDE Growth at client side is much less for Linux when compared to that of windows. One of the reasons that contribute to this is level of applications available, problems of drivers. These factors will get eliminated in course of time. Ø Switching costs from the dominant Windows operating system make it difficult for the Linux market-share to grow fast. Much depends on the relative availability of applications for Windows vs. Linux and the switching costs from the Windows ecosystem to the Linux ecosystem. Ø

Client and Server side SERVER SIDE The migration from Windows environments to Linux is more costly than the migration from Unix to Linux, since Linux is a Unixlike operating system. Therefore a significant switching cost is protecting Windows. Both Windows and Linux are currently gaining market share at the expense of proprietary Unix systems (including the Sun versions of Unix), which tend to be closed and expensive running on expensive hardware. Ø The Linux ecosystem is developing fast in terms of number, variety and quality of applications and availability of support and other complementary services. However, it is expected that firms that offer competing proprietary solutions will respond in a variety of ways, including the reduction of prices and higher investment in their products. Ø

VERSIONS Linux has different versions, depending on which vendor develops and runs it. Linux vendors include: Linspire, Red Hat, Su. SE, Ubuntu, Mandriva, Knoppix, Slackware, Caldera, Debian Windows has different versions. It started with Win 3. x, Win 9 x, Win ME, Win NT, Win 2000, Win XP. It is a proprietary software produced by Microsoft.

COST Linux Windows Cost Linux is cheap or free to run. It can be downloaded from various Linux vendors. Linux may run off a server so numerous computers may have access to the program. Windows is expensive to run. The price to purchase a full version of Windows XP Professional is Rs 5400/-. Only one copy of Windows may be used on a computer. Activation with Microsoft is needed. Windows is a proprietary closed source software. Codes are not released to the public. Linux is an open source software. Source codes are freely distributed to the public, of which programmers had reviewed to improve performance, eliminate bugs and strengthen security.

OS STABILTY Windows Linux STABILITY q. General stability : Windows variants based on the NT kernel (Windows NT, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista) are considered stable. Earlier versions (95, 98 SE, ME) were not. q. Device driver stability : Device drivers are provided by Microsoft or written by the hardware manufacturer. Microsoft also runs a Certification program. q. Recovery Some programs that crash may be closed through the task manager by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del or through the command line in professional versions of Windows. Reboots are sometimes required. q. Inherited the stability of UNIX; acknowledged to be stable q. Are often reverse engineered to work for Linux. Some vendors (such as ATI, n. Vidia and others) now contribute to open -source drivers or provide closed-source drivers. Specifically designed server lines exist. q. All processes except for init may be terminated from the command line. In KDE applications can be closed using Ctrl+Alt+Esc or by KSystem. Guard by pressing Ctrl+Esc. Sys. RQ allows lowlevel system manipulation and crash recovery if configured. Reboots are seldom required.

AL SUPPORT Linux Windows Technical Support As source codes are easily accessible, solving technical problems are effective and efficient. Linux users rely on installation guides, or Linux forums to receive advice and suggestions from other users on technical problems. Very few businesses have trained staff to solve Linux bugs. Proprietary software requires technicians to rely on Microsoft for technical information to fix bugs and problems. Numerous businesses have on site technicians that are Microsoft Certified Professionals. TECHN

GUI STANDARD NEED FOR STANDARDISATION A well standardized GUI for every application found in this platform makes it more user friendly Interface. Linux is a kernel, an operating system—not a complete operating environment in the sense that Windows is a complete operating environment. The tradeoff is one of choice. q. Windows has a single interface (true, there are variations between versions, but those are largely transparent to users). q. In contrast, Linux has no built-in GUI interface. Users are free to choose among many commercially available or free GUI X-Window interfaces, such as Gnome, KDE, and Motif, each of which provides a different look and feel. q

INVESTMENT INCENTIVES PROPRIETARY q. When a platform (like Windows) is proprietary, only the vendor can/will invest in its innovation. No one else will derive financial benefit (or reputational benefit) from doing so. So, the product is as good (or bad) as the proprietary vendor makes it. OPEN SOURCE q. With an open source platform, the users of the system may have strong reputational incentives to develop it, potentially leading to much higher levels of involvement and innovation than any one company can generate. But, as the authors suggest, this finding is ambiguous, because the platform may not offer the reputational benefits.

FURTHER MORE DIFFERENTIATION FACTORS Much more factors can be taken care of which can help more in distinguishing them. They can be: Hard Disk Partitions Networking Clustering Viruses and Spyware Users and Passwords File Systems Hidden Files Swap Files Running from CD File Hierarchy Hardware the OS Runs On Getting the Operating System Application Software Installation Shutting Down Obtaining Application Software Restrictions Scripting Multiple Users

Conclusion The directions taken , may it be proprietary or open source can help us build a better understanding of the concepts of what “The Requirement” is all about. q There is a large psychological effect on the common users in the way they want things to happen using the operating system. q Cost and the ease of use will remain as big time factors. q

References • http: //www. gnu. org/copyleft/gpl. html • http: //www. linux. org/ • http: //www. linuxtoday. com/ • http: //www. microsoft. com • Linux vs. Windows http: //www. michaelhorowitz. com/Linux. vs. Windows. html • http: //en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Comparison_of_Windows_and_Linux • A comparison of application and platform innovation incentives for open source and proprietary software platforms-Nicholas Economides and Evangelos Katsamakas

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