Avoid the hype

Today you have real choice in computer operating systems.  This wasn't always true, back in the days when Linux was just for nerds, but today you can really get a good computer with a good operating system for not a lot of money.  Microsoft has even stepped up to the plate, offering their latest creation as shareware - try it for a year, and then buy it before it disappears. New players and bankrolled development have given us cheap and free operating systems that will do almost everything you want your computer to do. With Ubuntu, Mint and other flavors of Linux, competing head to head with Microsoft and Apple, it's hard to resist.

So, how do you distinguish the hype and the tripe from the real pros and cons of each operating system?

The commercials

Many people have misconceptions about operating systems and what advice to take or leave.  The biggest mistake they make is listening to hype.

Watching the Mac commercials with the denegration of PC is fun and entertaining.  And although the commercials do point out some of the short-falls of the Windows operating system, keep in mind that they are primarily designed to get you to buy a Mac.  But are there not reasons why you should not buy a Mac?

Window commercials about "Why I am a PC" are somewhat informative, in that they highlight one of the primary reasons for having a Windows computer over a Mac - that reason being price.  Nevertheless there are reasons why you should not buy a Windows machine.  Of course both Mac and Windows are proprietary, and Linux is open source, so you won't see a lot of Linux commercials.  Because commercials cost money and that increases the cost of the software or hardware.

The fanboys

There are also cheerleaders for the three main operating systems - Linux, Mac and Windows - I call those cheerleaders "fanboys".  Fanboys really only distort the valid disadvantages of competing operating systems.  Linux fanboys are fond of pointing out that when a virus enters the wild, Windows machines are usually vulnerable. This fact is true for most Windows machines, but there are ways to keep your computer safe no matter what operating system you use.  It is true that Linux has the longest uptime without reboot of all

Reality check

• All operating systems have their strengths
• All operating systems have their disadvantages
• The best operating system is the best operating system for you

Apple Macintosh

Should you buy an Apple Macintosh?  If you can afford it, maybe.  Their base models start at around $1000.  Your $1,000 + tax price tag get's you very little in terms of hardware or software.

The advantage of having a Mac is that they have their own software, specifically developed for their hardware.  What this means is that it will just work. It also means that there will be less issues regarding configuration than with say Linux.

Macs also are less vulnerable to computer virus attacks.  This is partly because the system is built on a BSD (Unix) kernal, which is more secure and less familiar to the population at large and because there are significantly fewer Macs than Windows machines.  So, if you have deep pockets and want a machine that, out of the box, will "just work" without the fear of computer virus attacks, Macintosh might be your best choice.

There are also certain industries that have traditionally been Mac only. The media has traditionally been a Mac dominated industry.  Printers, graphic designers, newspapers, advertising creators, publishers, photographers, video editors and movie makers, have traditionally been Mac people.  If you are in one of these industries, you might consider spending a few thousand dollars for a high end Mac.

The cons

The disadvantage of having a Mac is the availablility of software and accessability to cutting edge technology.  Everything is a trade-off.  Getting a computer that requires little configuration and "just works" means sacrificing the latest and greatest.  So, your computer will work great, but you may not be able to get a version of that cool software you have heard so much about that will run on your computer.

Windows

I never thought that I would say this, but Windows 7 is probably one of the best operating systems - ever.  Windows 7 had it's most successful release and rollout of an operating system ever, this last fall.

Because Windows has been the standard, it is packaged with a lot of different vendor systems.  The operating system if newly  installed on a clean system - not an upgrade - is faster and leaner than both XP and Vista. Windows 7 gives you a wide choice of proprietary and open source software to run on your operating system.  Support for hardware is also very good, which is a switch from what we experienced with the initial rollout of Vista.  If you want a computer that is not too expensive, does it all, but requires a little configuration and attention to keep it safe on the Internet, this could be your operating system.

The cons

Windows is still windows.  This means that viruses are made to target your computer.  If you want to use this kind of computer you definitely need to understand how to take steps to protect your computer from the myriad of computer viruses that are manufactured every day to target Windows' systems.  Also, the user interface and the kernal still have the signature glitches that require you to reboot your computer every couple days or so - depending on your usage.

Linux(Ubuntu)

Thanks to increased bankrolled support by big corporations and people with deep pockets, Linux has come a long way.  Novell, Oracle, Canonical and Red Hat have teamed up with the open source community to produce a truly amazing operating system for home users and business.  So, if you have little or no money and you want an stable and safe operating system with a sleek interface for your desktop computer, Linux might be your OS.

If you don't need to use specific proprietary software, but you would like to build your own router, telephone system, home or business file system, web server or entertainment center without spending a lot of money you should really give Linux a look.  Linux has a completely different file system than Windows, so most viruses have no effect on a Linux system.  Linux uptimes without the need to reboot are the longest, with some servers running for years without a hickup.  The open source community has written software that will do virtually everything that software on a Windows system will do without having to reboot or shell out hundreds of dollars.

You don't need an anti-virus package.  That's right, the Linux file system is so alien to almost all viruses that they have no effect on your system.  You can surf the Internet like Superman, without fear of villans or monsters.

Ubuntu also has a variety of desktop managers, and virtual desktops that you can activate and install.  Various effects alow you to rotate the various desktops like a cube.  Oh, right, Windows and Mac don't give you multiple desktops.  Well, Windows does, but you have to log in as a different user to get to the desktop.  With Linux it's just a matter of clicking on a box down in the lower right corner and your desktop is there.  You can also use a desktop manager like Compiz Fusion to make your computing really exciting with all sorts of effects.

Because the support for Linux is world-wide and expansive, getting help when you have problems is just a click away.  There are thousands of forums where beginners and experts can meet online to solve any configuration problems you may experience.

The cons

Because Linux is so different than Windows, you might experience a bit of a learning curve in finding your way around or getting problems solved.  Also there are systems, hardware components and software that are Windows specific, that will not be compatible with Linux.  For example, there is not a plugin that will allow you to play Netflix movies on Linux - yet.  Setting up media support can also be a little bit involved.  Learning words like codec, driver and wrapper can be part of your configuration experience, in addition to learning how to install these alien files.  Certain industry software will not run on a Linux system.

Patience.  It's not just vaunted virtue, but a necessary one if you want to use Linux.  Because Linux users comprise only 4 percent of the online computing community, you might find that your friends are next to useless in helping you out with your computer problems involving Linux.   Phone support is available, but you have to pay extra for it - unless you have a friend that is a Linux guru.