TEJ2O1: Software

OPERATING SYSTEM COMPARISON

COMPARE

AND

CONTRAST 2 OPERATING SYSTEMS, LINUX UBUNTU DISTRIBUTION

VS.

WINDOWS

Historically, Windows has tended to dominate in the desktop and personal computer markets (about
90% of the desktop market share), and Linux has achieved between 50-80% markets share of the
web server, render farm, and supercomputer markets. They differ in philosophy, cost, ease of use,
versatility, and stability, with each seeking to improve in their perceived weak areas. [from
Wikipedia]

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Read an article comparing Windows to Linux, for example
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000575.htm (you may choose a different article if
you prefer).
2. Fill in the comparison chart and choose ten points from this article to summarize.
3. Test-Drive Linux. The easiest way to try Linux on your Windows Desktop is inside your
web browser. Go to http://www.ubuntu.com/tour/en/ and within a minute, youll have a
trial version of Ubuntu Linux running on your desktop inside a Java applet (although you
will not be able to access all of the applications).
4. Answer the following questions:
1. What is Linux? What is a Linux distribution?
2. What distribution of Linux are you currently running?
3. Can you access the internet?
4. What word processor is included with your distribution?
5. What internet browser(s) is included with your distribution?
6. Name 3 other applications included with the distribution and their purpose.

5. Use your Linux based computer to try 3 daily tasks (Word Processing, email, Facebook,
Youtube, play an MP3, play an online game, etc.) and add you observations to your chart
(i.e. similarities and differences between Windows and Linux appearance,
programs/applications, ease of use)

TEJ2O1: Software

Windows

8
9

Linux Ubuntu

Linux can be freely distributed, downloaded

For desktop or home use, Windows can be
freely, distributed through magazines,
expensive. A single copy can cost around $50 Books etc. There are priced versions for
to $ 450 depending on the version of Windows Linux also, but they are normally cheaper
than Windows.
Linux can be installed on a wide variety of
computer hardware, ranging from mobile
On PC's desktops, laptops, servers and some
phones, tablet computers and video game
phones.
consoles, to mainframes and
supercomputers.
Ubuntu, Fedora, Red Hat, Debian,
Windows 10, 8, 8.1, 7, Vista, XP
Archlinux, Android etc.
Because of the large amount of Microsoft
Linux has a large variety of available
Windows users, there is a much larger
software programs, utilities, and games.
selection of available programs, utilities, and However, Windows has a much larger
games for Windows.
selection of available software.
Many of the available software programs,
utilities, and games available on Linux are
freeware or open source. Even such complex
programs such as Gimp, OpenOffice,
StarOffice, and wine are available for free or
at a low cost.
Because of the amount of Microsoft Windows Although hardware manufacturers have
users and the broader driver support,
made great advancements in supporting
Windows has a much larger support for
Linux it still will not support most hardware
hardware devices and almost all hardware
devices. However, for the hardware devices
manufacturers will support their products in that have driver support they usually work
Microsoft Windows.
in all versions of Linux.
Linux has had about 60-100 viruses listed
There have been more than 60,000 viruses in till date. None of them actively is spreading
Windows. Anti-Virus cost about $20 to $400 nowadays.
Although Windows does have software
programs, utilities, and games for free, the
majority of the programs will cost anywhere
between $20 - $200+ US dollars per copy.

Microsoft Windows is closed source and the

majority of Windows programs are not open
source.
Although Ubuntu for Linux have improved
dramatically in ease of use, Windows is still
much easier to use for most computer users
because of the familiarity of Windows and
because it's more likely they are using a

Many of the Linux variants and many Linux

programs are open source and enable users
to customize or modify the code however
they want to.
Microsoft has made several advancements
and changes that have made it a much
easier to use operating system, and although
arguably it may not be the easiest operating
system, it is still Easier than Linux.

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Windows computer at home, in school, or at
the office.
10
3 Daily Tasks
1

Almost all games are compatible with

Windows. Some CPU intensive and graphics
intensive games are exclusive to Windows
PC's.
Windows uses Microsoft Office, which cost
money and is a closed source

Very few games available natively. Some

games can be played through Wine, but
often not all features are available.
Linux uses LibreOffice which is free, easy to
use, and is open source.

1. What is Linux? What is a Linux distribution?

It is a computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open-source
software development and distribution. Linux Distribution is an operating system made as a collection
of software based around the Linux kernel and often around a package management system.
2. What distribution of Linux are you currently running?
The distribution I am running is the Ubuntu for Linux.
3. Can you access the internet?
Yes I can access the internet.
4. What word processor is included with your distribution?
Programs such as the LibreOffice and OpenOffice will be included.
5. What internet browser(s) is included with your distribution?
Google Chrome, Firefox, Opera, Konqueror, and Epiphany.
6. Name 3 other applications included with the distribution and their purpose.
First is the Ubuntu Software center, where you can buy apps and games for the Linux system, second
is the PiTiVi Video Editor which is a free Open source video editor for the Linux, and Brasero which is a
free Linux disc burner software.