Windows 95/98

Linux

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Continual upgrade costs ù name the price!

J

All Linux programs are available as Open Source, which means all upgrades and new code is free. Distributions on CD cost little.

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Inevitable reboots are needed when adding, upgrading or removing software, changing drivers, changing IP addresses, and recovering from errors.

J

You don't have to reboot Linux often as it rarely crashes or hangs. Speed and reliability are key Linux characteristics.

Linux native file systems allows for easy problem recovery (say due to power failure). If your screen is not responding, you often can bring up another virtual terminal to deal with the problem.

The kernel (the core of the OS) dynamically loads and unloads drivers as needed, to maximise the resources available for applications. Adding, upgrading, or removing applications requires no rebooting. It's possible to go six months or more without a single reboot!

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General Protection Faults ù usually caused by blatant resource-hogging.

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The Linux kernel manages all resources independently of application demands, providing only those resources deemed necessary at any particular time and in a manner invisible to the user. This improves user response and job completion times.

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While copying large quantities of data over the Internet, Win 95/98 can "bomb out" before the transfer has been completed. Restarting connections is a pain.

J

Linux was designed for very reliable connectivity with Internet and local networking services. Dropouts (if there are any) are usually related to modems rather than the OS. Any dropout can be automatically fixed without user intervention. (Redialling has to be set up.) This is why many ISPs use Linux in their commercial operations, preferring it to NT.

L

To get the best performance from the latest software, it's usually necessary to upgrade your hardware too.

J

Linux excels in reliably utilising all available resources. You can configure the kernel and recompile it so that you get the maximum throughput.

New applications and system tools are often released to maximise performance. But you don't have to upgrade any part of the system unless you have a specific need to do so.

L

Every time a new version of Windows comes out many users have to upgrade their operating systems and applications because they can't get technical support for older versions.

J

Linux applications don't need upgrading as often, but when necessary, upgrading is simply a matter of downloading free patches and applying them.

Applications support is a commercial matter. Most companies try to restrict their costs by supporting only recent releases.

Applications under Linux are much more stable compared to Win95/98 releases, and most ù if not all ù applications run independent of the OS.

Under Linux, OS patches and libraries are often available to provide backward compatibility.

Linux patches are in source code, so you can see what was solved, and how. If you wanted to you can even add your own functionality to any resource.

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Users are often totally dependent on expensive documentation. Bookshops must love software manufacturers!

J

All Linux software is available as source code, which is the ultimate reference. What's more, easy-to-read documents in various forms (ASCII text, HTML, PostScript) are readily available as part of most Linux distributions.

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Win95/98 is not multiuser-capable.

J

Linux allows you to use both "virtual terminals" (in character mode) or "virtual screens" (in X Windows mode). You and others can do many things concurrently; external users can hook up with serial or ethernet connections. Linux keeps track of individual user profiles, access permissions and workgroup control.

Linux can look like a Microsoft server to Win 95/98 users under Samba, a fully functional SMB client providing file, printer and connectivity services.

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Windows offers a consistent graphical user interface (GUI) across all applications. That has its advantages, but the opportunities for modification and customisation are limited.

J

Linux is a form of Unix. Infinite configuration is the name of the game. Freedom of choice is key to enjoying any GUI. Linux has desktops in various styles that will be familiar to users who are used to Win95/98, Apple, NeXT, Sun and numerous other environments. GUIs such as GNOME and KDE go a long way to address cross-application consistency issues, if this is your requirement.

J

Some proprietary applications (eg Lotus Notes) will run on Windows but not on Linux.

J

A range of replacements are available for Windows applications ù some Open Source, others vendor ports. Office products from Star, Corel and Applixware are just some of the names to look for.

Linux has a module called iBCS (Intel Binary Code Support) that allows third party proprietary applications to run on Linux. In addition, there are Linux emulators for Windows and DOS, which allow a good range of applications to operate (Corel in particular is supporting this push).

The market is changing and more vendors are providing and distributing Linux ports. Lately, database providers such as Oracle, Informix and Sybase have made Linux ports available. Lotus has indicated it is starting to develop client ports.