savge17, on May 13 2008, 03:13 AM, said:
Ive never really looked into other operating systems, and for that reason I don't think I ever will unless they prove that they are more useful than using an apple or windows based system.
Ubuntu, and most other Linux distributions, can do everything a Windows PC or Apple Mac can. The difference is that you get all that functionality, and more, for free. Updates, for life, are also free. Linux also boots much faster than a Windows or Apple Mac system, uses less memory to do equivalent tasks, and is much more secure that either a Mac or Windows system. Does that make Linux more useful?
savge17, on May 13 2008, 03:13 AM, said:
Don't get me wrong, I've taken a glimpse and read up about what these systems have to offer, but its just that I don't think they offer the same amount of features and security that windows and apple does.
Windows, on its own, has very few useful features. You have to buy an image editing application, an office suite, email software, games, audio software, video editing software... Everything. On a Mac there are a few more little features in the OS, but you still have to pay for most of the same stuff. Yes, they may bundle it, but by no means does that mean it is free. On Linux, all that functionality is built in, pre-installed or freely available to install with one click of the mouse! Surely that beats Mac/Windows?
As for security, Linux is inherently more secure than Windows. Random applications on Windows have so much access it is laughable, and the current system in Vista goes way too far with annoying you for absolutely zero added security. Apple Mac is built on UNIX, so has similar security to Linux - they are pretty much as secure as each other.
savge17, on May 13 2008, 03:13 AM, said:
Unless you pay money for an operating system IMO its not really worth you're time. Unless that is you really think that an free operating system is what you are looking for, I'm just advising that they aren't as reliable.
And this is what is wrong with most peoples' perceptions. For some reason people believe that if you pay for something it must instantly be better. Price does not correlate to quality. Windows Vista costs £320.08. I have four computers in my house, so that is a total cost of £1280.32 just to get Vista on them all! I would be paying £1280.32 for a slow, insecure, unreliable, feature-lacking, locked-down operating system when I can use Linux and get a better operating system and save myself that £1280.32. Mac OS X Leopard is £85 each, or £129 for five licences. That is still £129 you never need to pay!
As for reliability, how often does Windows crash?!?!? A large number of servers around the world run Linux because it is more stable, more secure and more powerful.