The great OS wars
Posted by: MissingNo
Date: 2009-02-15 15:28:57
Here's my stance on operating systems:
Microsoft Windows
Windows has been prone to its' fair share of bugs and exploits, but I still hold strong to the older generation based off the NT core - Windows 2000. Windows 2000 has been fairly reliable (and so is XP, based off of my modifications). As you get closer to Vista and Seven, it turned more into becoming more security-oriented (with UAC, Firewall, Defender, etc) as the normal end-user doesn't really put much thought into those important necessities.
For embedded systems, it's a bit of a hit or miss. I've used Windows Mobile devices (an HTC XV6700 PocketPC cellular phone) and depending on what software it runs can make a difference. With the right tweaks Windows Mobile does work fairly good, until I handled an AT&T and HTC FUZE smartphone - Windows Mobile 6.1 was extremely laggy and bulky on the platform.
Linux
Noting that there are thousands of distributions, Ubuntu is the one that really takes a spotlight in today's markets. Linux is beginning to become more mainstream with more and more devices beginning to run the operating system. Consumers are beginning to purchase "netbooks", otherwise known as mini-laptops. Many of these, such as variants of the Dell Mini series, Asus EEE PC series, and the HP Mini Mi, run a variant of Ubuntu Linux, Xandros, or other distributions with manufacturer-specific modifications.
Mobile devices are also beginning to use Linux and some have used it for quite some time. Some of Motorola's phones such as the RAZR2 have been running a Linux varient, and the tried and true T-Mobile G1 also has taken its' stage with Android.
Mac OS
Also to be mentioned is Macintosh OS. Mac OS and most Apple products are geared more towards not just consumers, but production and editing. Programs like Adobe's InDesign and Photoshop, and Apple's Apeture and Final Cut are used notably on the Mac platform and are the de-facto industry standard for production.
In terms of mobile devices, there isn't much to really say, as Apple has not released the code used on their own embedded Mac OS X, called "iPhone OS", used in the iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPod touch. They have also not released info on the operating system used in their Apple TV product, a variant of Mac OS 10.4 'Tiger'.
In conclusion
Every OS has its fair share of exploits and bugs and different applications.
Your OS depends on what you need.
And now… let's debate.