Response to “101 reasons why Linux is better than Windows” – Part 1
This is a response (Part 1) to the web blog entitled “101 reasons why Linux is better than Windows”(http://cityblogger.com/archives/2007/01/24/101-reasons-why-linux-is-better-than-windows/)”. The author tries to discredit Windows by giving many reasons why Linux is “better”.
I will do my best to show how this is not the case. Operating systems are just tools. If you try to make one OS look “better” than another, you could possibly lead people into the wrong direction. Please note that the author has not written all 101 reasons on his blog. It appears he stopped writing it a while back. I will respond to everything he has currently written.
Direct quotes from the author are in red and my responses are in black. Please note that I mean no disrespect to the author in anything I say.
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1) It works 
Its not a vaporware and is available today.
Windows is also not vaporware and is most certainly available today as well.
2) Linux doesn’t have the virus problems: Even Microsoft’s CEO Steve Balmer couldn’t clean Windows Viruses. Still not convinced? Read more on Why Linux isn’t affected by Viruses. Its not that there aren’t any viruses for Linux but Linux is more secure and less virus prone.
While Linux is often perceived as being immune to malware, it’s not entirely true. Malware can exist on Linux, but it’s relatively rare. Similarly, a properly configured Windows computer can also be resistant to malware. The likelihood of getting malware on either platform largely depends on user behavior. By exercising common sense, users can significantly reduce the risk of malware infection, with over 97% of malware threats being avoidable.
It’s also worth noting that simply being connected to the internet does not significantly increase the risk of catching a virus, regardless of whether you’re using Windows or Linux.
3) No Spyware: Not just spyware but none of those funny applications that keep doing things in the background.
This is definitely false. Look here: https://www.fsf.org/blogs/rms/ubuntu-spyware-what-to-do
4) Linux Doesn’t need defragging: The Linux file systems work very efficiently such that it arranges data in a way that it doesn’t require defragging. to know more, read earlier post.
It’s a common misconception that a file system can be completely free of fragmentation. In reality, every file system, regardless of its type (such as NTFS, ext4, or FAT32), is susceptible to fragmentation. This occurs when files are deleted, leaving behind gaps in the file system that are later filled by other files. As a result, files can become scattered throughout the file system, forcing the computer to search through multiple locations on the drive.
5) Linux doesn’t crash without any apparent reasons. In Linux the core operating system (kernel) is separate from the GUl (X-Window) from the applications (OpenOffice.org, etc). So even if the application crashes, the core operating system is not affected. In Windows (Microsoft prefers to call this tight integration) if the Browser crashes, it can take down the entire operating system.
The Windows and Linux kernels operate independently of the primary applications and processes that run on top of them, such as explorer.exe on Windows or the X11 windowing system on Linux.
6) Linux doesn’t crash if you accidentally pulled out your USB key/pen drive. Try this a 100 times if you don’t believe me but don’t blame me if your pen drive data gets corrupt.
Who pulls in and out their USB stick 100 times anyway? Also, I doubt that will cause Windows to crash.
7) Linux doesn’t require frequent re-installation: In Windows if the OS crashes, there is no easy way to recover this. Many IT support staff don’t know what to do and all they can do is re-install Windows. Which means that users applications and preferences are lost, and needs to be installed again. I haven’t seen anyone using Linux, requiring to re-install unless there is a hard drive failure. Most things in Linux can be fixed without requiring re-installation.
Just because a Windows system crashes, it doesn’t necessarily mean that recovery is impossible. In fact, it’s often possible to recover from a crash without having to reinstall the entire operating system.
The fact that you may not have heard of Linux users reinstalling their operating system doesn’t mean it never happens. If you were to ask on a popular Linux forum, you would likely find that some users have indeed had to reinstall their Linux OS at some point.
8) You can keep your operating system from your data, its designed to actually do that very easily. The benefit of this is all the users preferences can be preserved even if the OS needs to be re-installed. This can be handled by creating a separate partition for the home directory, read more.
While it’s impossible to completely isolate an operating system from user data, both Windows and Linux offer various methods to achieve a high level of separation, effectively minimizing the OS’s access to sensitive information.
On Windows 7, you can move user profiles (their account data) to another drive (Look here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/124198-user-profiles-create-move-during-windows-7-installation.html).
9) Linux also doesn’t require rebooting when a new hardware device is added configured.
Unless you have a computer that supports hot-swapable hardware, you would have to shut down your computer to add the new hardware anyway. Configuring new devices on Windows usually do not require restarts anymore.
10) Linux doesn’t require rebooting when you change any setting or re-configure your Network.
The only times I can recall having to reboot Windows from making a network change is when either I 1) changed the work-group the computer is in and 2) When I add a static IPv6 address to a network device. Not really a big deal.
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Well this is the end of Part 1! Click here for Part 2!
Posted in Internet and Servers, Operating Systems
Difference Between Residential and Business Internet
You may not have realized it, but Internet Service Providers (ISPs) usually offer both residential and business Internet plans for customers. For the typical Internet user, residential plans should suffice. However, for business people, server enthusiasts (people who like running their own Internet servers), film makers, and people who download a lot (ie. Netflix or YouTube), a business plan would be more appealing.
I am going to give you typical benefits of both residential and business ISP plans. Please note that these are just generalities. Your ISP may differ with the way they run their business.
Residential Internet Plans – Benefits
- You usually get faster download and upload speeds for a lower price than a business plan.
- Save money with lower prices.
- With faster Internet speeds, technically more household members can be using the Internet at once before a major slowdown happens (not always true though).
Business Internet Plans – Benefits
- Should be allowed to run your own Internet server (self-hosting, when done in the right conditions, is better than paying someone else to host your websites Think: Who would value your website data more…the web-hosting company…or you?).
- Should not have any bandwidth limit per month (great for running servers and watching many online videos; don’t have to worry about going over some bandwidth limit per month and possibly getting disconnected!).
- Should get faster/better technical service when you have trouble.
- Should get free repair work done on your line (if it is not too extensive).
- Should be allowed to purchase a static IP address (a MUST if you want to host your own e-mail server or DNS server!).
- Should be allowed to run a VPN between two or more networks (you might be allowed to do one or more VPN(s) on a residential Internet plan, but I have never tried).
Summary
Basically if you want just cheap and fast, a residential Internet plan should do fine for you.
However, if you are running a business (offline or online), want to host your own server, want a static IP, and/or want a very high (or no) bandwidth limit per month, a business Internet plan should be want you want.
Posted in Internet and Servers