Linux Versus Windows NT Essay -- essays research papers

Comparing any network operating system is really like comparing an apple to an orange. To judge between the underlying functionality of each operating system geared towards different networking environments is too broad of a subject to come to a reasonable conclusion. However, one could argue about the advantages and disadvantages pertaining to the Unix based Linux operating system and the infamous Windows NT operating system. I can compare and contrast these two operating systems, but I can’t take a strong stand because it all depends on a number of situations including the different networking environments, the applications that are readily available, and most important what the user wants. The goal is to find out which of these two operating systems is the lesser of two evils by examining their features. I have decided not to discuss cost because it goes without saying: Linux wins the price to performance ratio. What is more important to discuss is the initial hardware and software fees, and maintenance and reliability which often go hand in hand. According to Sunworld, the estimated minimal required hardware costs that would go with a Linux machine is $200. In an NT machine, the minimal hardware cost rose up to $1300. This is because NT requires at least a 486 Pentium with 16MB of RAM. Linux can run fine on a 386 computer with only 8MB of RAM. What do the majority of users need a computer for? Mainly word processing and the use of a database program. An NT user doesn’t have to go with Microsoft Office, but a lot of people do, costing a couple hundred dollars. Linux can run an Office Suite program that is very similar to Office for at least half the cost. Even a free version of WordPerfect 8 is available for Linux. A Linux system comes with a range of development tools (C/C++ Compiler, Perl, Tcl/Tk, Python, CORBA, Ada, Pascal, Lisp, REXX, Java, etc., as well as many text editors and integrated development environments), all of which are free. In order to create software under Linux, there is no expensive package to buy. Many NT users complain about system crashes or the dreaded “blue screen of death.'; NT systems face a lot of down times, which creates a problem for mission critical situations. It is very frustrating to be working on something for a couple of hours and see it vanish or crash. Unix based systems have experie... ...n that path. NT, however, does not provide the source code; therefore, limiting the user to only Microsoft’s networking and programming solutions. The creator of Linux, Linus Torvalds, developed this operating system using past versions of Unix strengths, and avoiding the weaknesses and flaws that have been created for more than 30 years. Linus also got help from would be programmers from all over, many being hackers, to create this sophisticated operating system. Having a wide variety of help and feedback supports the integration of a system that can satisfy most users. NT, on the other hand, is developed by their own team, not taking much consideration to what consumers really want to see. Although this report isn’t very cohesive to intervene between each subject, I think it provides grounds to see clearly how well Linux presents itself over NT. Although Linux is still in its primitive stages, the mark it has put in this world is quite remarkable. These early version of Linux provides a stepping stone for later versions to come, and possibly dominate the market when executives and upper level managers alike come to see that Linux is a great industry solution.