Well, I've been using Windows since version 2.0
My Linux experience has been since 2005.
...Today, I use Arch Linux more than I do Windows XP/Vista/7. (Everything I did there, I can do here.)
Yeah, Linux distros tend to include some practical tools.
It goes further...If you Activate too many times online; it'll eventually stop and tell you to phone MS. If you do that too many times, they tell you to buy a new copy!
If you look carefully, you'd be amazed of all the licensing conditions MS uses to segment different levels of markets.
You have the:
* Retail one. (Typically boxed on store shelves or online download.)
* OEM one for consumers who've bought pre-built systems from local PC shops.
* Royalty OEM. (For Dell, Toshiba, etc...That does NOT need Activation.)
* Technet Subscriptions: This is for IT professionals...Evaluate MS solutions for support/deployment/self-learning roles, etc. They allow you to "evaluate" the software at home. You cannot use it in a business or for development purposes.
* MSDN Subscriptions: This is for Developers. ie: Design, develop, and testing of your hardware/software.
* MSDN Academic Alliance: This is for where your faculty pays a subscription so you may access software for "teaching purposes".
* Dream Spark: This is to give students (high school and university) free development tools. BUT
"you must use them in pursuit of increasing your education, skills, and knowledge in either science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or design."
* Client Access Licenses: This is for when you use Windows Server versions. Depending how many client systems you want accessing certain server services. The more people in your network served by a Windows Server box, the more you need to pay!
Of course, one is also restricted in how many different machines you can install with a single Windows install CD/DVD. (As well as how many "instances" of Windows you can use in a virtualization scenario.)
On Linux?
Install on as many systems as you want...For whatever purpose you want. It doesn't matter if its physical or virtual.
This is especially important as businesses need to keep track of all the MS licenses being used. IF there is an "inconsistency" (ie: The number of licenses you've purchased does NOT match the number of systems you have); Expect the Business Software Alliance (BSA) to come after you...BSA is the software equivalent of the RIAA/MPAA. (They "protect the rights" of their corporate clients.)
I had a friend who lost his entire business because of one dishonest IT guy. (Like the RIAA/MPAA; the BSA sets out to "make an example" of someone in order to spread fear into others.)
I helped him rebuilt his company back with Linux (CentOS) and other open source solutions...The money he saved from software licensing costs, and security subscriptions like AV; are now being used to employ two on-site, experienced CentOS/RedHat people. We established a proper computing policy for his business, and let his employees know what they can and cannot use computers for...These last few months have been really profitable for him, as the downtime is greatly lowered.
Customization and
Modularity go hand in hand.
Typically with Windows, you cannot install a base OS and build a system to meet your needs exactly without some third-party tweaking tool. You have to tolerate all sorts of stuff being installed that you didn't ask for!
Only Windows Server 2008 has a base install option called "Server Core". (This is Microsoft's attempt to emulate Linux in the server market...But its not in other versions of Windows available to the consumer.)
Linux is like clay in this area. Shape it to whatever you need it for. It doesn't matter if its a small portable device; to a high performance computing cluster used to simulate nuclear explosions, blackhole research, render another award winning Pixar film (via RenderMan on Linux), or even simulate the Global Climate!
Agreed. Linux is straightforward in this category.
I personally find Linux far superior in this regard. They have free tools for whatever you need. From data recovery to forensic and "security research" (hacking) work.
The best part about asking questions in a forum with experienced Linux users is that you get a straight and clear solution or answer to your problem.
As well, one cannot deny that Linux encourages one's development of computing and problem solving skills. You learn a lot in Linux about what is good practice and what is not. (eg: In Windows world, its perfectly acceptable to use Administrator privileges as its convenient. In Linux world, using root on a full time basis is looked down upon.)
In Windows, troubleshooting is an exercise of frustration. (With time wasted on messing around driver versions and registry hacks.)
In Linux, troubleshooting is just an exercise. Encounter the problem; find a solution/workaround; apply it...Back to using the computer.
6 - No-Nonsense OS Updates
This is where Linux really whips Windows. On the maintenance front.
As long as you install everything via the package manager; you can keep the system updated with a single command. (Or a few mouse clicks via the GUI approach).
You cannot do that with Windows. Windows/Office Updates only covers certain things that Microsoft provide and support for. They do nothing with third-party extensions or applications you've installed onto your system.
Its up to you to make sure they're up to date. Sure, you can download and install a program that tracks all the versions of software on your system. But it runs in the background, causing notable performance hit on your system.
Over time, I find Windows like a woman I once dated...Constantly needs attention for no reason. (And yes, MS Patch Tuesday is coming next week!)
7 - Easy Installation of Common Applications
Can't comment here, I don't use the Ubuntu Software Centre. I'm more inclined with the Synaptic Package Manager or apt-get.
Agree with you. Despite chanting about "Interoperability"; Microsoft is only "interoperating" in a limited fashion or in certain areas. There's no big push for it as a whole; because some folks in Microsoft want to keep an edge over the competition. (Well, until an Anti-Trust lawsuit is thrown in their faces!)
The clearest example is their OOXML documentation spec.
Despite pushing this through ISO via questionable means; they still have not implement the full spec in ANY of their products!
There's two versions of the spec:
(1) "Transitional"; which is partly in Office 2007, and will be in Office 2010.
and
(2) "Strict"; which is in NONE of their products! (An MS rep says that they will implement it in Office 2010's successor.)
What's the point of having a standard that no one implements?...And that's the point! Having an "open standard" for electronic documents allows Microsoft to satisfy a "tick box" for those Govt departments who have mandated the use of open electronic formats.
In the real world, NOTHING has changed. You still need MS Office to view documents with 100% fidelity.
I gave up on MS Office and switched to OpenOffice on all Windows and Linux systems I'm responsible for.
While most people fear it; I find its the least nonsensical approach to interacting with a computer. Its Yes or No. Its direct and clear...And unlike PowerShell, it isn't attached to a whole bloody framework! (.Net)
10 - Performance & Stability
I notice this area under two specific scenarios:
(a) Engineering apps where they eat RAM for breakfast. (Like using Ansys's FEA to analyze the stresses of a gun. Or using CFD to simulate flow over an aircraft design.)
Under a Windows machine? The mouse becomes unresponsive and looks like the system has crashed/locked-up.
Under a Linux machine? Its still responsive! I can move the mouse, etc.
(b) Networking.
Under Windows? Windows only allows the use of one gateway at a time. Which means it offers load balancing among multiple network cards (wired/wireless)...Why not offer true network bonding as we see more and more dual LAN capable mobos?
Under Linux? I can set it such that I use wireless for browsing, while P2P or online gaming on the wired network...Both running at their full speeds.
Now, my own additional points...
11 - Software Piracy...A non-issue for Linux.
Software piracy doesn't exist in Linux because the whole point is to share! (legally)...The sharing of useful apps.
In the Windows world? Software piracy is rampant as hell!
It only takes a few minutes to find forums and websites dedicated to circumventing Microsoft's Activation and Genuine Advantage implementations that will last forever! (Not to mention CD-keys, serials, keygens, etc to work around third-party applications.)
Then we have commercial games...
We're up to the point of draconian anti-piracy measures: where you are literally tethered to a game server; just to play the single-player campaign! (See Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight)...Are you kidding me?! How is this tolerable?!
Granted, commercial games on Linux are quite limited. And some open source ones aren't up to the same quality (what do you expect from volunteer coders without a multi-million dollar budget?); But at least there's no DRM being installed on my system!
I actually like playing games like: LinCity-NG, Freeciv, Nexuiz, Warzone 2100, UFO: Alien Invasion, FlightGear, Unknown Horizons, Vega Strike, etc.
12 - More value as time goes on.
It doesn't take a genius to see that with time; Linux will offer more for nothing...As a business, how do you compete with someone who doesn't follow the traditional software business model? ie: You put a price on a copy of software. They put theirs at zero! How long do you think marketing can spin things as the Linux side matures?
There's only so much consumers will tolerate if they hear about alternatives that are free, potentially unlimited (unlimited installs, etc.); and meets their needs...All it takes is a video on Youtube to show them how to do things.
...And MS's marketing dept will have its hands full in spending lots of money on trying to encourage people to stay. (They have a multi-billion dollar, world wide marketing budget! And they aren't afraid to spend it!)
13 - Natural competition and diversity.
By sharing code, we have lots of interpretations of what something should be; based on purpose.
Backtrack is an excellent distro for hacking/testing security.
Linux Mint, Ubuntu, etc have desktops covered.
Gentoo/Arch Linux has enthusiasts.
While RedHat, CentOS, Debian, etc occupy the server/workstation/supercomputing area.
Another resultant of sharing code is the natural competition it breeds. As everyone is starting from the same playing field; we compete on the merits on the different ways we can approach the same problem. Its up to the people to decide what sucks and what is awesome. (Which benefits the users!)
