Linux vs Win XP?

Question

Which is better of the two and why?

Answer 1

Asking a question like this is not much different than asking Mac vs. PC. What it all comes down to is Options. With Linux there is no limit to what you can do if you know how to do it. Windows can be modified if you know what you are doing, but it can only be modified so much.

If you are a gamer, you will have a hard time getting away from Windows. There are a large number of Windows games that can be played using Wine or Cedega including some very popular current games, but there are many more games that barely work or don't work at all. There are retro games that are available with Linux, such as Defendaguin (Defender), Burger Space (Burger Time), XGalaga (Galaga), Pacman, several versions of tetris and breakout, and many others.

As far as stability, Windows XP does not crash very often and neither does Linux. The real noticeable difference is that Linux only requires a restart if you upgrade the Kernel, other than that you can update and upgrade all you want without ever rebooting.

As to programs to run on your computer (I do not say PC because Linux can be run on anything that an Operating system can be run on, such as Xbox and PS2.), both Windows and Linux have thousands of software titles. I have over 18,000 available on my Debian system. Most Windows software cost around $50 with the OS costing around $200 and specialty software costing in the thousands. With Linux almost all software is without monetary cost. Even the software that does cost you money will not cost anywhere near as much as its Windows counterpart. The downside is that because it is free, it may not be as polished as you'd like. This does not mean the program is not as good as its Windows equivalent, because most Open Source software is just as capable as proprietary software and often has features you won't find in proprietary software. Also with Open Source you are always able to contact the developer directly.

There is much more I could tell you, but I think I have said enough for now. If you are interested in knowing more or you would like to try a Linux distribution feel free to e-mail me.

Answer 2

The decision is primarily upto the user themself. If u r not a gamer and u use use ur pc for internet, chatting, browsing, documents, and file sharing, then these things can be done on both Windows and Linux, but on Windows the issue arrises on security and Linux is far superior to Windows on security as there are practically no viruses. No need for antivirus software.

If u r a gamer then throw Linux out right now cause don't don't expect any game for it, and using Wine emulation software isn't good enough for most games. Linux has the advantage of being free and open source meaning u can change it to ur desire. Almost all old versions of linux r supported to this day unlike windows as u can see windows 98 and 95 users were forced to upgrade. The linux community is very helpful and release patches at once if ever a issue arises though it rarely ever does.

Linux does not need a super computer to work on as it can work at its best even on weak computers unlike our new successor Windows Vista. Linux has gained alot of popularity but even with all its improvements its no walk in the park like Windows is ans even idiot can get used to windows in a day or two.

With Linux you r going to have to learn a few kernel commands and methods of installing software and drivers which can be a little complicated. There is also the rare problem of not finding drivers for linux but that isn't that common any more as most companies now support linux completely.

If you would like a Linux tutorial then visit:
http://www.linux-tutorial.info

I can also suggest for u some distributions of Linux which r most popular these days and the best to use for previous Windows users as well:
Try Ubuntu Linux:
http://www.ubuntu.com
Try Novell Suse Linux:
http://www.novell.com/linux

Hope u enjoy using Linux.
Good Luck!

Answer 3

Linux is better because:

1. Most Linux distributions are free.
2. It is not highly targeted for viruses. Even if it were, the differences between distributions makes it difficult to spread.
3. There are usually more people willing to help you with problems (though I know of a great site for Windows problems, too).
4. Did I mention it was free?

Answer 4

Linux is for med to large businesses and even the government uses modified versions for their servers because it's extremely stable. Also graphic designers use it because it comes with free, great tools. Also very popular with gaming servers. Then there's Win XP, the small business to home entertainment OS, or in my opinion. Great for gaming and using that big hard-drive to store your favorite music and watching your favorite movies. Most of today's popular programs only work on it. There's Office, Windows media player, notepad, MSN messenger and my favourite Grand Theft Auto San Andreas. So in my opinion XP is better. Linux better for buisnesses. I use vista but I used to have XP and it was great. Bye.

Answer 5

It depends on your requirement. If u are a home user who uses comp just for games, surfing net and other odd jobs you are a Win XP guy. But if you are a computer geek and want some technical fun and networking knowledge, you must try Linux.

Answer 6

Linux is open source and XP is not. XP is developed by paid people, some builds of linux are built by like minded folk of the GNU! There are a variety of builds for Linux with XP its only one. Maybe two, but why would you want to get sevice pack 1 only? Some shitlike that

Answer 7

I like Linux (Xubuntu to be specific) because it's more stable, and more reliable. It's easy to navigate too. Windows is better with compatibility though. I've got both on my computer, as a dual boot, so I can have whichever operating system works best for what I'm doing.

Answer 8

Linux. More secure. Faster. User friendly. Bloatware is non-existent. No "blue screen of death," No ad-ware troubles, no spyware problems...

I have to use XP and Winblows when I develop for the web, but when I am doing leisurely stuff, like this... I use Ubuntu Linux http://ubuntu.com which is probably one of the easiest distrobutions out there for beginners. If you're not a beginner, than you probably know of a distro you like. Fedora, SuSE, Gentoo, etc.

My preferred 2 are Gentoo and Ubuntu.

Answer 9

Win Xp bcus it is duh