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longship

(40,416 posts)

153. Well, I guess you have to understand the differences.

Tue Jan 29, 2013, 12:17 AM

Jan 2013

Linux is an actual operating system, a set of programs which form a kernel that bridges the gap between hardware and software. The main difference between Linux and Windows is that Linux does that task without specifying any user interface characteristics, whereas Windows puts those very characteristics into the kernel.

I know that this a difference in philosophy, but it is also why Linux is used as the base of many Internet platforms, as well as nearly all the supercomputers, and Windows is not. It is also why Windows is so susceptible to viruses when Linux is not.

When you mix user space with system space, nothing good will happen. That is something Windows has always done, and Linux (and all the Unices) have almost never done. It's what makes my Linux systems secure and what makes people's Windows systems insecure.

I have never had to run virus protection on any of my Linux boxes, which have included many Internet servers.

Windows sucks. It is full of security holes which are inherent in its flawed design and its marketing.

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Highlight:

Microsoft blames OEMs for slow Windows 8 sales, plans February "relaunch" [View all] DainBramaged Jan 2013 OP

Bill Gates' college roommate will be history by the end of the year. nt onehandle Jan 2013 #1

Amazing He's Lasted This Long n/t Yavin4 Jan 2013 #8

Good riddance. He has no vision and is a wingnut that is out of place in a mostly progressive bluestate10 Jan 2013 #74

That is, indeed, hilarious since Microsoft went out of its way to compete with its OEMs. randome Jan 2013 #2

Trying to force a TAB OS on desktop users AgingAmerican Jan 2013 #3

Yep. Exactly. EOM. Taverner Jan 2013 #5

+1 leftstreet Jan 2013 #10

Jesus, that's a scary comparison. It boggles the mind. randome Jan 2013 #21

Awesome pic. jsr Jan 2013 #63

I was under the impression you could set Windows 8 to show Arkana Jan 2013 #228

Sort of - the old Windows desktop has been gimped. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #231

I've wondered the same thing BuelahWitch Jan 2013 #12

because the two markets are going to merge Johonny Jan 2013 #14

Sure, the future. In the present, it's a Microsoft fail. randome Jan 2013 #16

You still have keyboard and mouse support wisechoice Jan 2013 #24

I'm one of those cubicle workers. I can think of NO reason to touch my screen for any purpose. randome Jan 2013 #36

Then you don't need to use it wisechoice Jan 2013 #40

LOL. I have no problem whatsoever learning something new. randome Jan 2013 #45

windows 8 is to stop ipad taking away pc market share wisechoice Jan 2013 #70

Is this how it works? randome Jan 2013 #73

you can pin your programs to task bar wisechoice Jan 2013 #85

I'm one of those who hates the clutter of icons. randome Jan 2013 #92

tell me an os without icons. wisechoice Jan 2013 #106

My point is that in previous OSs, you could organize your menus the way you wanted. randome Jan 2013 #112

When the ... sendero Jan 2013 #87

It is not about microsoft trying to control market wisechoice Jan 2013 #111

I misspoke.. sendero Jan 2013 #203

Most of the successful companies are like that wisechoice Jan 2013 #232

As if screens aren't hard enough to keep ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #43

I cringe when someone touches my screen to make a point. randome Jan 2013 #58

Touch screens aren't particularly new. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #147

I actually had something similar to what you described set up between my Nintendo DS... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #151

I'd be more willing to try a device like you describe than I would Win8. randome Jan 2013 #157

My critiques of Windows 8: backscatter712 Jan 2013 #167

About that tablet as input device... greyl Jan 2013 #184

"The vast majority of office users don't need a desktop computer" AgingAmerican Jan 2013 #17

I don't see how different devices designed for different purposes will merge... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #27

I really can't see the vast majority of businesses BuelahWitch Jan 2013 #46

If they adopt it at all IDemo Jan 2013 #117

"The vast majority of office users don't need a desktop computer" Lol, this is a joke... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #169

Windows 8 still has desktop wisechoice Jan 2013 #20

The problem is that its gimped and not the default interface... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #28

The start screen is the old start button wisechoice Jan 2013 #35

OS X uses the Dock rather than the Start Button to launch programs jmowreader Jan 2013 #47

windows has task bar wisechoice Jan 2013 #67

Then what's the point of having two different interfaces? randome Jan 2013 #30

You know, it would have been genius if they did it, but in reverse... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #37

MS wants to shove its tablet interface down users' throats Yavin4 Jan 2013 #75

"have the installer be smart enough to detect if you have a touchscreen" BuelahWitch Jan 2013 #88

Its not even that hard, the installer has to install drivers for that touchscreen anyways... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #105

I think this is a marketing decision wisechoice Jan 2013 #103

Yes, it is well suited to touch screens, not everyone has those, nor is it practical in every... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #108

Microsoft still supports windows 7 wisechoice Jan 2013 #120

They will continue to support it , with backend support and updates for a decade... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #122

To support running os in different devices. wisechoice Jan 2013 #38

Your argument would be valid if they did as I suggested in post 37. Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #48

Except without tweaks, they forced users to accept metro by default. No business wants to force still_one Jan 2013 #134

shit OS, shit company datasuspect Jan 2013 #4

Funny that you say that AgingAmerican Jan 2013 #18

You're Making Me Laugh dballance Jan 2013 #29

Best description ever. jsr Jan 2013 #65

But it's not the fact that no one wants to run a cell phone OS on their desktop! Initech Jan 2013 #6

MS may be done Yavin4 Jan 2013 #7

They need to break themselves up. randome Jan 2013 #9

Windows 8 made me switch to Apple recently Lesmoderesstupides Jan 2013 #11

Apple is almost as bad with their antiquated interface AgingAmerican Jan 2013 #19

What's so Antiquated About Apple's Interface? I Kind of Like That it... dballance Jan 2013 #31

Architecturally the OSX interface is very old. Xithras Jan 2013 #84

Where is this trend, or meme of "convergence" coming from? Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #145

Under the hood of OSX is essentially a derivative of BSD Unix. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #182

yep and about 95% of the internet is running on linux servers Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #205

Apple's interface takes too many clicks to do anything AgingAmerican Jan 2013 #216

I'm not fascinated by touch screen technology. lpbk2713 Jan 2013 #13

I would love to use touchscreen but not at that hardware expense. LiberalFighter Jan 2013 #15

On a tablet, yes, on a desktop, only if you like neckstrain. n/t Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #33

Tablets are okay for office work ... dawg Jan 2013 #22

There may be a CEO job opening up soon in Redmond. You should apply! randome Jan 2013 #23

I think the problem is that most tablets have arm processors, and Windows RT isn't binary... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #39

*shrugs* I like it. knitter4democracy Jan 2013 #25

Pretty easy to use, unless you don't have a touchscreen... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #32

That was part of why I got one. knitter4democracy Jan 2013 #96

I'll use Win 8 as soon as quinnox Jan 2013 #26

LOL davidpdx Jan 2013 #127

I wonder how much the topic of this thread has to do with this thread: hedgehog Jan 2013 #34

Microsoft is the WORST at abusing the H1B system DainBramaged Jan 2013 #42

I had an old Vista 32 bit computer that I could never get SP2 installed. I upgraded to Windows 8. denverbill Jan 2013 #41

My sister told me today ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #44

She's just not use to it yet. To her crazyjoe Jan 2013 #104

It depends on if her laptop has a touchscreen, if it doesn't, its going to suck to interact with it. Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #110

I don't think so. ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #175

Buy Windows 7 and install it on her new computer. nt Nay Jan 2013 #217

She doesn't want to spend the money ohheckyeah Jan 2013 #222

What's an OEM Matariki Jan 2013 #49

Good point. randome Jan 2013 #50

Thanks! Matariki Jan 2013 #68

While we're at it, kentauros Jan 2013 #115

Tablet OS. randome Jan 2013 #116

Thanks :) kentauros Jan 2013 #119

Yeah, I can imagine how difficult that would be. randome Jan 2013 #121

Or this: kentauros Jan 2013 #130

Easy. They'll just do away with context menus. Problem solved! randome Jan 2013 #136

Probably get rid of keyboard shortcuts after that, after all its not like you need it with... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #137

I wonder how many would start bootlegging Win7 kentauros Jan 2013 #142

Well technically people have been bootlegging Win7 since it was released... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #143

Suuuuuuure you don't. kentauros Jan 2013 #189

I paid for my version of Windows 7, over a hundred dollars(Professional edition)... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #201

I'll probably buy a copy of Win7 soon, kentauros Jan 2013 #214

NOOOOOO! kentauros Jan 2013 #139

Original Equipment Manufacturer DainBramaged Jan 2013 #54

Thank you! Jane Austin Jan 2013 #99

OEMs? nt Deep13 Jan 2013 #51

Awww...Windows SparklePony is tanking in the marketplace? Lizzie Poppet Jan 2013 #52

But...it's...it's so colorful. randome Jan 2013 #158

Here on DU, I must be one of the 10 people that like Windows 8. BlueJazz Jan 2013 #53

There's only 3 DainBramaged Jan 2013 #55

You must not use it for much, then. randome Jan 2013 #56

I use it all the time but it took me awhile to learn the shortcuts. I DO use 7 for my.... BlueJazz Jan 2013 #59

Whatever gets the job done is cool. randome Jan 2013 #64

Haha Matariki Jan 2013 #72

Do you use it on your PC or a tablet? Matariki Jan 2013 #71

Just hit the Windows key (which brings up the start screen) and start typing high density Jan 2013 #97

What's different between that and how Windows 7 works, hit the windows key and start typing... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #100

I like it MichaelHarris Jan 2013 #79

I built a new computer a few weeks ago and installed Windows 8 high density Jan 2013 #89

I do to. But mostly gates haters here. No logic behind it. Logical Jan 2013 #162

Question, what advantages would I have upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 8? Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #165

or people who don't want to waste money on something they don't need. nt Incitatus Jan 2013 #198

Any news as to if they will extend the $15 upgrade offer then? MattBaggins Jan 2013 #57

Buy something useful with the $15 DainBramaged Jan 2013 #61

It's incredibly useful MattBaggins Jan 2013 #66

Why do you have to "fix" it? DainBramaged Jan 2013 #69

You have to fix it MattBaggins Jan 2013 #81

Sounds like Windows 8 is Windows 7 SP2(or is it 3?), but with a stupid IU tacked onto it... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #114

VERY difficult to organize the Start Menu. randome Jan 2013 #86

There is a GREAT new app that returns the start menu DainBramaged Jan 2013 #90

Sounds like a good one! randome Jan 2013 #94

Skip metro ui MattBaggins Jan 2013 #152

Gawd, the Win8 Start screen is an angry fruit salad! backscatter712 Jan 2013 #183

I think I'll stick with 7 for the time being derby378 Jan 2013 #60

Microsoft should blame Microsoft for that piece of trash jsr Jan 2013 #62

Meanwhile Acer and Samsung can't keep Chromebooks in stock! FarCenter Jan 2013 #76

Wonder if MichaelHarris Jan 2013 #77

Sold over 60 million licenses in three months krawhitham Jan 2013 #78

Figures may be inflated DainBramaged Jan 2013 #80

Yeah most of those are probably volume licenses MattBaggins Jan 2013 #83

If PC sales dropped 11% last quarter, that means a LOT of licenses aren't sold DainBramaged Jan 2013 #91

As it should MattBaggins Jan 2013 #109

Windows, a virus trap. longship Jan 2013 #82

Virus writers target market share, and Windows has that many times over Linux high density Jan 2013 #101

And Linux has a built-in defense. longship Jan 2013 #113

Virus can be written for ANY OS hobbit709 Jan 2013 #123

True, but it takes a lot more effort to mess up Linux system files... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #125

Not all the virus writers are script kiddies. hobbit709 Jan 2013 #126

True, but Windows doesn't have that stark line between system and user that *nix systems... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #129

Addict? I use what works. longship Jan 2013 #141

I fix computers for a living so I'm quite well versed in the foibles of Windoze. hobbit709 Jan 2013 #204

made the switch 2 years ago and not looking back flobee1 Jan 2013 #215

Get over what? high density Jan 2013 #132

Well, I guess you have to understand the differences. longship Jan 2013 #153

not true wisechoice Jan 2013 #144

Of course they are going to be more attacked, but the article also mentioned... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #155

Huh? longship Jan 2013 #160

same argument for windows. wisechoice Jan 2013 #179

Windows users are targetted because Windows is insecure. longship Jan 2013 #181

each is good in its own ways wisechoice Jan 2013 #193

That's why Windows has virus software protection software (big money there) and Linux doesn't. longship Jan 2013 #197

guess i should have kept scrolling before mouthing off. Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #207

Don't forget all those Android Phones MattBaggins Jan 2013 #156

And Apple's OS is based on Unix, too. longship Jan 2013 #190

One of the things I love about Linux... backscatter712 Jan 2013 #186

Yup! That's what totally open technology gives you. longship Jan 2013 #187

windows can run on smart phones and super computers wisechoice Jan 2013 #195

Why then do so many supercomputers run variants of Linux? longship Jan 2013 #199

Why do so many desktops run windows wisechoice Jan 2013 #221

Actually Windows doesn't scale that well... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #202

yep and the next ubuntu will run on both mobile and conventional. Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #208

true market share is a factor but not as big as all that. Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #206

I spent time with Windows 8 last week and think Bill asjr Jan 2013 #93

Give it time, it will catch on. crazyjoe Jan 2013 #95

Really, do you want to reach across a cubicle desk to click on things rather than using a mouse? Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #102

i don't understand your complaint. wisechoice Jan 2013 #148

But the interface(Metro) isn't designed with the mouse in mind... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #150

exact same situation as os x. wisechoice Jan 2013 #176

One minor difference, the search you keep touting is only for metro apps, which are either full... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #177

i never mentioned search. wisechoice Jan 2013 #180

Good, now click on settings, does it list all of them that are available, or do you have to... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #185

search "control panel" and you will get control panel icon wisechoice Jan 2013 #194

So more effort than is required in Windows 7, and this is a step forward? n/t Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #200

not necessarily. press windows key and start typing control panel. wisechoice Jan 2013 #218

Please. Two mouse clicks compared to one keyboard press and an unknown number of characters to type? randome Jan 2013 #220

and that worked so well for gnome3 and unity didn't it? Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #209

Mac doesn't have a start button either, BTW crazyjoe Jan 2013 #98

How about it sucks? tabasco Jan 2013 #107

in the last few years.. like less than five.. Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #210

I'll only buy Windows 8 after Service Pack 1 restores the start menu and desktop as default. Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #118

Actually if someone wanted to do a few tweaks they could have the interface setup so it looked like still_one Jan 2013 #131

I try to avoid third parties, who's support may fall apart, to create vital parts... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #133

It is built on top of windows 7 and most of the tweaks you can do, but it is not straight forward still_one Jan 2013 #138

Also, I don't feel like spending money on what is, without the metro interface, is simply... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #135

That is true, which is why they are not charging as much as they usually do for the upgrade still_one Jan 2013 #140

All I have to say to Micro$haft is this hobbit709 Jan 2013 #124

Bullshit. They should have given users the option of metro verses desktop with the start button. still_one Jan 2013 #128

What about the flip side. The poor tablet users MattBaggins Jan 2013 #159

Note: That would only be accessible on Windows 8 x86 tablets, Arm tablets(i.e. the majority)... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #161

Thank you for that correction MattBaggins Jan 2013 #164

Yeah, it is stupid, I mean, yes different architectures remove binary compatibility... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #166

i think it seems that way only because they probably had 2 dev teams and Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #211

Not True. Windows RT has desktop mode wisechoice Jan 2013 #219

But can it run programs that would run in Windows 8 in desktop mode? n/t Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #226

Can apps running on linux super computers run on my desktop linux wisechoice Jan 2013 #227

Businesses are not going to put up with metro. still_one Jan 2013 #170

Microsoft's biggest error was grafting Metro together with classic Windows. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #188

Touchscreen is great for tablets, but who would want it for a desktop? Bjorn Against Jan 2013 #146

This is what I don't get, a lot of people are talking about this convergence... Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #149

They have been asleep for 5 years at least MattBaggins Jan 2013 #168

The biggest problem for Microsoft is that there is no such thing as one interface to rule them all. Humanist_Activist Jan 2013 #171

I can't even do that MattBaggins Jan 2013 #173

if windows 8 really was an lcars u.i. i'd be on board. Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #212

Yeah, I'm with you. People don't use tablets or smartphones in the same way as desktops. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #192

That's the Gorilla Arm. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #154

We used a form of that of "exercise" (punishment) in basic training MattBaggins Jan 2013 #172

its a shaolin exercise too. feel the burn! Phillip McCleod Jan 2013 #213

This was such a poorly thought out exercise it amazes me they thought it would work DainBramaged Jan 2013 #225

Your hate of Microsoft is almost silly! You make me laugh! n-t Logical Jan 2013 #163

There's plenty to hate with Windows 8. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #191

I spend half my life telling my kids NOT to touch the screen of our desktop PC Nye Bevan Jan 2013 #174

I really, really dislike Windows 8 Smilo Jan 2013 #178

No, Thanks. XP is still working fine for me. Incitatus Jan 2013 #196

Long-time Windows user and tech-support rep here. Bake Jan 2013 #223

I'm neither wed nor in righteous opposition to any OS. LanternWaste Jan 2013 #224

Crazy as this sounds.... Old and In the Way Jan 2013 #229

I'm with you 100% - they created the Angry Fruit Salad. backscatter712 Jan 2013 #230