What's the difference between Microsoft and Linux?

I just want to know why everyone thinks Linux is so much better... I would perferably have two different view points on it; one of a Linux liker, and another from a Microsoft liker.What's the difference between Microsoft and Linux?
I like and use both of them.



Windows is great for gaming but is more vulnerable to viruses and spyware (not really an issue if you know how to protect a Windows system).



Linux is a lot more secure and much more customizable.
Other than Microsoft's business strategies (which I really feel are unethical) the question of difference between Windows and a Linux OS is worlds apart. I use mostly PCLinuxOS or Ubuntu on my PC's and laptops, I also use a MAC and XP on my dual core system. Any computer software is a work in progress, Windows is being moved to a higher level of security where linux is moving from security to usablility but keeping the foundation secure.



The windows kernel has more bugs in it than a flea market in a third world country.



It's a matter of what you want to do with your computer that decides the usable differences and personal preferences.What's the difference between Microsoft and Linux?
Use both so here it goes:



First of all, Linux is a Unix-like operating system. Windows isn't.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix-like

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows



Linux is community developed - Microsoft products aren't.



Linux is Open Source. Windows is proprietary.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source鈥?/a>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proprietary鈥?/a>



Linux uses ext2, ext3, ext4, xfs, jfs, ReiserFS, and btrfs for file systems.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_system鈥?/a>



Windows uses FAT, FAT32, and NTFS file systems.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_system鈥?/a>
A comparison cannot really be made as the two are really quite different. It has to be said Windows 7 is more than a worthy replacement for XP



Even I recognize Microsoft have got it right with Windows 7



LINUX



I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 7 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 9.04 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled



Linux Mint 7 Download

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=鈥?/a>



Linux Mint 7 User Guide

http://www.scribd.com/doc/15884753/Linux鈥?/a>



The Perfect Desktop - Linux Mint 7 (Gloria)

http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-de鈥?/a>



You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 7 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation



Linux Mint 7 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive



INSTALL LINUX WITHIN WINDOWS



Linux Mint has a feature called mint4win based on the Wubi installer (Ubuntu) http://wubi-installer.org/ which enables you to install Linux Mint within windows (Windows 7 run mint4win in vista compatability mode)

http://www.linuxmint.com/pictures/screen鈥?/a>



You keep Windows as it is, mint4win only adds an extra option to boot into Linux Mint. mint4win does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.



mint4win like Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.



Boot in to windows insert the LiveCD you have just created and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where mint4win comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Linux Mint (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.



Once Linux Mint is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Linux Mint.



CURRENT SESSION



Linux Mint 6 ext3 with switchable Compiz 0.7.2* and Beryl 0.2.1**

http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=鈥?/a>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compiz

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl_%28wi鈥?/a>

*Compiz 0.7.2 sourced from Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Alpha 5) repositories

**Beryl 0.2.1 sourced from Ubuntu 7.04 repositories









LUg.What's the difference between Microsoft and Linux?
linux is free and open source. Microsoft develops software for you and you can't touch it. think of it in terms of the iPhone and it's app store.



From the Linux perspective

there are millions of people that write games and programs for the iPhone and you can download them and play with them.



From the MS perspective

imagine Apple not allowing anyone to make programs for the iPhone and instead doing it all themselves.



in the MS perspective, things are actually much more difficult because you have to anticipate every single little problem that any program or anything might have. in the Linux perspective, there are groups of people focusing on each individual program so more resources are put towards make everything as good and perfect as it can be (depends on developer skill level), but its obviously much more complicated than that.





people believe Linux is better because it is often a much more stable working environment that can be built off of. in Windows, you have tons of other bullshit running in the background and unnecessary crap all over your computer that you don't want and don't need which only serves to slow everything down. then again, if something breaks, in Linux you gotta figure out how to fix it yourself. with windows, you just wait for MS to realize it then download a patch.



its completely subjective. I like Linux very much, but I prefer Windows. Probably because I have much more experience with it and I know how everything works very well...
I am a Microsoft and Linux user.



Linux: Free, able to change code to suit your needs; security updates available quicker; most commonly used type of software is free; less hardware restraints to run Linux; minimal chance of virus/maleware infection; same version of Linux can be installed as a server, router, desktop, file server, etc. with minimal configuration changes



Microsoft: more users = more readily available tech support; more commonly used so it is easier to find software for your needs; hardware designed to work with Microsoft; Microsoft is one company = all versions of Windows operate identically thus easier for standard user to change from computer to computer
You get Linux for speed



Apple for graphics



Windows for solitaire