Comparing functions and features of operating systems

 Running a business with a computer can be beneficial  Choose wisely  Which hardware? Which software?  Each decision will affect the next

 Here are the possible uses for your computer: 1. Accounts 2. Contacts 3. Portfolio 4. Till

Windows Vista Linux/GNU

 Developed by Microsoft  Closed source and non free  89.62% of the client system market share  Different operating systems designed for different purposes: 1. XP / Vista – Personal Computer 2. Server – Serving data & Active Directory

 Community Project  Open source and free  Released as a kernel for the GNU project  Less than 1% of the client system market share  Just a kernel 1. Gentoo – Vanilla OS 2. Red Hat Enterprise – Commercial LAMP server 3. Ubuntu – Workstation oriented

Licenses  Windows is commercial  LINUX is community

 Windows costs at first but have consumer rights  Linux devs have no duty to you  Windows is easier to  Linux requires a greater understanding support.  Affects Total Cost of Ownership Linux is far better in terms of TCO

 Windows has a majority of market share = more drivers  Linux = less drivers Windows works better ‘out of the box ‘and has better hardware support

 Linux and Windows run different software.  Programs define operating system choice.  What programs do you need to run?  What OS are they designed for? Windows is the leader with software

 Windows ships with little software.  Basic operating system  Small programs with limited functionality.  Commercial software developed  More likely to find specialist software that fits needs.  Better quality  Costs money  Developer has a duty to customer

1. Accounts = Sage or Excel / Access 2. Contacts = MS Outlook 3. Portfolio = PowerPoint + Adobe Photoshop 4. Till = Actinic

 Installs with additional software.  Free and open source alternative for commercial apps  Inferior Quality  No legal rights  Smaller range  Free community support  Reduce costs

1. Accounts = GNU cash 2. Contacts = Thunderbird 3. Portfolio = Gimp + Magic point 4. Till = Vigilant

Windows –  GUI improves usability  Generally more accessible  GUI integrated  Troubleshooters Linux-  Ubuntu usable by the computer literate  GUI just frontend for configuration files.  Difficult to fix for a less experienced user  Linux just ‘man files’ Windows is easier requiring less training

Windows -  Windows easier to be exploited  Popular OS  Targeted by viruses Linux –  Linux more secure  Only beneficial if networked. Linux wins this one

Linux –  CLI OS  More stable  Efficient  Can be run without a GUI Windows –  GUI OS  Requires more resources  Requires more powerful hardware. Linux is less power hungry and more stable

 I recommend running MS Windows on your computer because: 1. Usability 2. Compatibility 3. Software