linux?! windows?! unix?!

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just been reading the koran/porn topic, and the following banter about windows/linux etc. any chance the mods can start a topic on the pros and cons of different os's? im sure a few people who read worrying things about windows would like to know more about the others available and what benefits they could get from changing.



Moved to Linux Forum (J)

 

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I think you just did!

Having a foot in both camps, I use Windows, Unix and Linux, each OS has it's good points and it's bad points. As long as you understand what you are setting up and why you are setting it up that way you can use the best of both worlds.

Sadly, the IT world has become quite polarised in that people are firmly in one camp or the other, while at the same time not understanding the other OS. There is another dimension to this and that is a non-technical one - where people do not like the idea that you need to pay to use Windows while the Open Source movement is "free". But will gladly pay to use a motor car. I could never get my head round that paradigm.

Just a final comment - we patch our Unix/Linux servers just as much as our Windows servers! Both OS rely on TCP/IP and often the latest thing that hits the news as a Microsoft problem is both a Windows and Open Source problem, just the systems admin people just get on and patch the server, without shouting at the media that there is a problem.

 

Im with Sandy in that I use all three, for work and personal use, and they each have thier uses

Dont get too drawn into the constant banter between 'camps' as its often unsubstantiated crap

I use windows as a workstation, why? its stable, secure, reliable, and its mature, all my hardware works out the box, 3d support is second to none, it plays all my games, and interacts well with other users and works systems, as they all use the same thing

I use Linux for my server, its the daddy, its rock solid, stays up, stays cool, and using gentoo I can pick and choose what i want from the ground up, making it lightweight and secure

I use FreeBSD at work for similar reasons, I also used to run it on a laptop/workstation, which have now been replaced with Linux as I use that every day and am more comfortable with it

I have used solaris a fair bit too, but that has very little place on the desktop imho, its quite well suited to a rack with no monitor and keyboard though

 

you have three feet? lol! i see your point on both counts but would you buy a car where your whole street has access to your keys if they want, and can use it as easily as there own? maybe someone has some good links they know of where they can get some good info on both sides?

 

It really does depend. I think there's room in the world for all of the OSes. Problem is, Windows wants to rule the world (ok, I get kind of paranoid sometimes). Windows is currently king of the desktop and it's probably one of the areas where Linux could stand some beefing up. Found a couple of links that might add spice to the thread:

http://www.linux-tutorial.info/article-44--0-0.html

http://www.linux-tutorial.info/article-152--0-0.html

 

Moomin, your analogy is incorrect

Windows is not like the whole street having your keys
its more like the driver leaving the door unlocked and the keys in the ignition

the USER has the ability to secure thier system very well with windows, its well documented across the net

 

fair point mate. should brush up on my analogy skills! lol. but along with a lot of documentation on windows security/privacy issues are the facts that ms don't really seem to care about the basics of their os's, as long as it's compatible with nearly everything and makes a nice profit based on that. anyway, i started this thread really to provide a place for the linux/windows banter.and like yourself phoenix, put their reasons for/against the os's they use.

 

Moomin, Microsoft is a corporation, it panters to what its customers want, not the other way around
I for one would not buy an operating system that did not work with the majority of my hardware without flaw, infact I'm reluctant to buy one that doesnt work with ALL my hardware flawlessly

Windows provides this, and it's why it takes pride place among desktops all over the world, its not that its 'forgetting security because its trying to be everything' its trying to be everything because users demanded it was, and security up until the last few years was not an issue that concerned most people

Now it is, I must say they have pulled out all the stops to make windows a very reliable and secure operating system both on the desktop, and server platform, although why I need a GUI on the server still escapes me

Security only goes so far, if your box is live, facing the internet, its only a matter of time before someone gets in, whatever the system, they have open access to ANY service running on your system to breach
throw in a firewall though, and they have to either exploit the firewall THEN exploit your system, or only have access to certain services on your system to try and exploit

During my firewall testing last night after my ADSL migration (I have a Dual firewall configuration, Front End and Back End with DMZ in the middle) I disabled the front end packet filter to see if it was stopping a service working, the ammount of crap that showed up on ISA servers logs (all denied might I add) was immense! I promptly put the front firewall back on after resolving the issue

Granted very few people have the need or desire (or dare I say ability) to manage a dual firewall / nat system on a home network, and with good reason, however using a router with NAT with a built in firewall instead of the crappy USB modems and such makes a WORLD of difference, NAT itself hampers attempts to breach a network, couple that with a firewall configured well and your laughing!

 

I came across this article and thought of you, moominboy.

http://searchenterpriselinux.techta...d39_gci1123175,00.html?track=NL-301&ad=527541

 

yay! that's a great article trip, haven't read all the links yet as work is calling but it does seem to show a bit of the argument from both camps. and i have to agree about what you said earlier about being paranoid mate. i guess ive watched star wars too many times and am thinking gates-vader? lol!