windows 7

Does the Operating System really matter?

After reading this article I started asking myself if the Operating System really does matter for most users. I finally reached the conclusion that it does. Here’s why.

For my own vote I asked myself if I would switch from Linux to Windows or Mac. After giving this some thought I decided that I would not switch.

First of all I am a firm believer in voting with my wallet. Now while I might be tempted to buy a Mac no such temptation exists with Windows. Quite simply I just do not like Microsoft as a company. Hence I have no desire to use any of their products let alone the way to expensive Windows operating system. I really, really, don’t like having to purchase the associated software that runs on Windows that I have to purchase to get the operating system to do what I want..

I like having the ability to choose which distribution of Linux and the associated open source applications that I like and downloading them via yum, zypper, Yast or what have you. I have a choice without spending a dime. Free as in freedom to choose and free as in beer. I have a choice to support the software that I use, financially or helping in some way with the project. No such choice exists with either Mac or Windows.

The article points out that most users are only concerned with web browsing, writing and generally getting their work done. From purely a corporate standpoint I agree. However I think most users today expect more out of their computers at home.

I believe multimedia is a big one. Whether it’s creating video, listening to mp3s or editing pictures most people at some point are going to do one at least one of the three.

Another point that I agree with in the article is that Windows 7 is not much more than a face lift. Users are told that it will be better than Vista and so they believe that it will. That belief alone will make it better whether or not it really is. (What administrator among us hasn’t faced this dilemma with users who thought something was “slow” and so it was slow - regardless of whether or not it was?)

The big question is this: If what they say is true that all users want to do is browse the web, write documents and generally get their work done why are they not demanding a lower cost from Microsoft or, better yet, demanding Linux from the hardware vendors or downloading and installing it themselves?

I think the operating system does matter on some level to just about everyone. Sure there are users out there that only use email, browse the web and write documents without giving any more thought to the operating system. I don’t however think that they are in the majority.

-j

And you thought the various Linux distributions were hard to understand..

I’ve talked with users who have stated that they don’t understand what Linux distribution to use, with so many of them available that it is confusing.

If that’s confusing then how in the world do you figure out what Windows version you are going to use? Windows Vista had six SKUs and it looks like Windows 7 is going to have two..or is it still six?

Sure Microsoft is pushing the Home Premium edition and a Professional edition as it’s two primary versions. The third SKU that is supposedly not going to have an impact on all of this is the Windows 7 Home Basic. Supposedly this will only be sold in emerging markets but, well it still exists as a valid SKU.

Then there is the Starter edition. The what? The Starter edition. You know for people who are just starting to use computers. It will run a whopping three applications simultaneously. That sounds suspiciously like the Windows 7 Home Basic. Why anyone would want either one of those is past me.

By my count we are up to four. Enter Microsoft’s offering of an Enterprise and Ultimate version of Windows 7. Both of these versions contain applications that should be standard with any operating system. Not so for Microsoft when they can squeeze some more money from their faithful. That brings us to six.

Now go pick one of the three mainline distributions. Any of them-Ubuntu, Fedora or OpenSuSE. No separate SKU, no licensing hassles, and not one dime comes out of your wallet to install any of them. Install only the applications that you want or better yet install everything. If you are a new user this is a great way to learn which applications that you like to use for various task. Usually two or three for any given task are included. You don’t have to buy it nor do you have to download a separate version to get a particular feature or application. Straightforward and simple.

Enjoy the freedom and lack of confusion!

-j

But what about the fast growing part of the pc market, the Netbook? I don’t believe the Netbook will have enough power to run either one of these. That brings the versions up to three.