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Which operating system for PC would you recommend? Please tell whether Windows or Linux (and specify version/distro) or any other OS?
2014-05-11 01:46:30
Sunil,A relative question. Will depend on the level of your IT skill, the nature of work you will do. I must say that over the couple of years I have observed your learning curve on IT, it has been very impressive from a novice user to a power user. Congratulations!!! Also I see that you have a curiosity to learn new IT skills everyday. Now taking for granted that you will be using the PC on a more regular stuff like Internet and office productivity stuff, why don't you give Linux a shot this time. Should be a very interesting learning again for you. If you decide on Linux, I shall highly recommend Ubuntu Linux. Do check the system requirements first. Download from http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop
2014-06-11 17:19:42
@Bruce Epper : I agree that irrespective of low or high specs , it is how each OS is compatible , is what would make any OS run , even if the specs are low and workstation is old
2014-05-10 23:37:37
"Linux may be off-putting for some people"It is off-putting only to those that are used to another O/S (Windows, OS/X). Casual computer users who don’t have a clue what browser they’re using and just want to use email and maybe do some shopping will be equally at home on or equally perplexed by a Windows PC or a Linux PC. A new O/S is off-putting when we switch to it not because it is hard to learn but because the old habits are hard to un-learn. Long time Linux users have as much trouble learning Windows as long time Windows users have learning Linux.The popular misconception, fostered mainly by Windows fanatics, is that computer illiterate beginners will find using Windows easy because it comes pre-installed while Linux must be laboriously installed. PCs do come with Linux pre-installed (ex. System 76) The learning curve of any pre-installed O/S is about the same for someone who is computer illiterate. After all, none of us were born with the knowledge of any particular O/S.
2014-05-10 19:36:24
It really depends on your needs.Windows is far and away the most common desktop OS, and it's accessible to pretty much any type of user. From casual computer users who don't have a clue what browser they're using and just want to use email and maybe do some shopping, Windows is just fine. On the other hand, it's also used by programmers and businesses, so it has a variety of user types.Linux, on the other hand, is completely free. There are so many versions of Linux that nobody could name them all, but the great thing about that is there's different versions for different things. Ubuntu and Mint are some of the best for beginners, and since they're widely used there's lots of help for them online. However, Linux may be off-putting for some people. If they're not used to it, basic things like installing a new program may seem difficult.Gaming is another consideration. Windows is by far your best option if you're looking to game, though Steam seems to be getting Linux versions for a lot more games recently. There's no way you can say which desktop OS is "the best." If you have Windows and are happy with it, that's great. If you prefer Linux because it's free or because you have an older system that needs a resource-light Linux distro, that's great too. As far as versions of Windows, I still love Windows 7. Vista is a pain and wouldn't be readily available nowadays anyway; and 8/8.1 I'm still not keen on. You can easily make 8 more like 7 with some free tools, though.I haven't mentioned Mac OS X here since I assume it wasn't one you were considering.
2014-05-13 11:56:05
Thanks. Please tell , are common and huge library of web apps as available for Windows 8 , are also available for Linux ( Ubuntu ) platform. For example , are apps like Facebook , Google maps , News are available for Linux too? And , what about antiviruses like Avast and Chrome Browser for Linux , available?