Mobile phones might be the most common way of getting online today, but the digital and internet era started for most people with the humble desktop computer. And over the past 20 years, a long list of operating systems (OS) have been used to run the most popular desktop computers.

Sjoerd Tilmans has created an animated chart showing the rise and fall in market share of popular desktop operating systems over the period of May 2003 to June 2022, using data from W3Schools and GS Stat Counter. The story of the desktop OS market is a story of Microsoft’s explosive growth and market dominance.

Microsoft would supply IBM with an operating system for its computers, MS-DOS, and receive a royalty for every computer sold. Those royalties boosted Microsoft’s coffers.

The late 1990s and early 2000s saw different versions of Windows capture the market: Microsoft doubled down on their next releases from the end of the 2000s to 2020, with some misses (Windows Vista) and some hits (Windows 10).

The most recent version of Windows released, Windows 11, had updated graphics styling, widget integration, and introduced Microsoft’s latest internet browser Microsoft Edge. But it received a mixed response and slow uptake compared to Windows 10, gaining a market share of 8.3% by June 2022.

In a distant second is Apple’s macOS. The most profitable company in the world might make most of their money from smartphones, but Apple has still managed to carve out a small but sturdy segment of the desktop operating OS market.

The other tech giant in the desktop OS game is Alphabet, whose ChromeOS is unique for using an internet browser (Google Chrome browser) as its primary interface. Generally packaged as a simpler and cheaper device option—it was primarily released with inexpensive laptops called “Chromebooks”.

Compared to the commercially released OS above, Linux is completely free to download and use, and is the largest open-source software project in the world. Although the OS is only used in about 3% of desktop computers, it was also the basis of Android and ChromeOS, and is the most-used OS on devices with embedded software—routers, smart home devices, cars, and even a few spacecraft (The SpaceX Falcon 9, for example).

Windowsfx is an elegant alternative to Windows 11. For many, Windows is the only desktop operating system they’ve ever used.

But what if I told you there was an alternative. There is, and it’s been around since 1997.

Also: Universal Blue is a new paradigm for the Linux desktop and it’s brilliant. Now, before you throw your arms up in the air in frustration, hear me out.

Those distributions range from the very basic to the incredibly complex and everything in between. In fact, the choices can often be overwhelming to those only familiar with the Microsoft or Apple way of doing things.

Also: How to choose the right Linux desktop distribution. Some of those desktops stick with the traditional layout of a bottom panel, system tray, desktop menu, and desktop app launchers.

For those that stick with Windows simply because it’s what you know, I have a treat for you.

In fact, if you just took a glance at Windowsfx, you’d be certain you were looking at the Microsoft desktop operating system and not Linux.

But Windowsfx isn’t just a simple theme that retools KDE Plasma into a very Windows 11-like interface. Windowsfx also includes Android app support, and MS applications pre-installed (such as Edge, Teams, Skype, PowerShell, Office Online, and OneDrive).

Out of the box, Windowsfx has you covered, regardless of what you need.

Just click on the Start button to reveal the desktop menu where you can access all of the installed applications.

In a word, Windowsfx performs flawlessly. No matter what you need, this operating system can do it.

Even a quick test of installing the Notepad++ Windows application went off without a hitch. Just download the.exe file, double-click it, and walk through the installer.

Installing Windows apps on Windowsfx is simple. One thing that you might want to consider is this: With Windows 11, you’re very limited in how you can customize that desktop.

That’s what you get with Windowsfx.

If there’s something you don’t like about it, change it. And making those changes isn’t nearly as hard as you think.

Customizing Windowsfx is all done through the System Settings app. This is Windows 11 on steroids… but only if you need it.

Also: Want to save your aging computer. Try these 5 Linux distributions.

If that’s not reason enough to try it, I don’t know what is. In the end, if you’re looking for the perfect operating system to help you migrate from Windows, Windowsfx is probably your best bet.

While many believe that Windows was, is, and will continue to be the preferred choice on the desktop, the most recent market share statistics show that Microsoft’s operating system is slowly but surely losing ground in the PC world. And while Apple’s macOS is still considered a solid but expensive (from a hardware perspective) alternative to Windows, 2020 is gradually turning out to be the year of Linux.

In other words, the Linux install base, especially in the consumer market, has never improved at a pace that would have threatened Windows’ leading position in the operating system market. And now everything’s changing, as Linux keeps growing and growing, and nothing seems to stop it from reaching new adoption records in the coming months.

And without a doubt, this helped the Linux adoption overall, while also impacting the market share of Windows. The data provided by NetMarketShare pretty much speaks for itself.

In February, Linux increased to 1.81%, while Windows also recorded a small jump to 88.21%, and both operating systems are believed to have benefited from the Windows 7 end of support. Linux, however, decreased massively to 1.36% in March, while Windows recorded an important increase to 89.21%, only for things to return to the previous trend in April when Linux jumped to 2.87%, with Microsoft’s operating system going down to 86.92%.

In May this year, Linux reached 3.17% with Windows dropping even more to 86.69%. And finally, June brought another increase of Linux, this time to 3.61%, while Windows stagnated at 86.69%.

This has obviously reduced the gap between the two operating systems, and if the same trend is maintained, there’s a good chance Linux becomes the second most popular desktop platform rather sooner than later.

And this involves developers and companies alike, with Linux becoming the operating system of choice for more apps and devices that come with it pre-loaded. In the end, aside from gaming, something that’s being improved as we speak, there’s basically no reason for someone on Windows to refuse to give Linux a try.

Hi everyone. In this handbook I’m going to give a brief introduction to operating systems and compare the three main OSs that are out there nowadays.

Then, we’ll review the main features and differences of the most popular operating systems (Windows, Mac, and GNU/Linux). The idea here is to explore their history, how and by whom they were developed, their business models, and their pros and cons.

I’m going to share facts as well as my personal opinions about this subject. So keep in mind some of the things I mention here will be based on my own experience and analysis of the topic.

Without further ado, let’s go.

“An operating system (OS) is software system that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common services for computer programs”. You can think about an OS as an “intermediary” program that stands between your computer and all other programs you run on it.

OSs were created to simplify the use of computers. Nowadays any given program can worry only about executing its core features and leave all basic system functionalities to the OS.

In the old days (1940’s-50’s) programs were written to run on specific machines. That means a program could run on one and only one computer model.

There was no layer of abstraction between the running program and the actual hardware. Side comment: Do you ever stop and think about the work of a programmer back in those days.

=O It just blows my mind every time I think about it.. It’s amazing how low level things were at that time and the progress technology has achieved thanks to those early programmers.

By the 1960’s industry giants such as IBM and AT&T started working on operating systems that could act as a layer of abstraction between hardware and software, which would simplify the implementation of new programs.

Unix was hugely successful and inspired the creation of many other OSs with very similar characteristics. Those later on had a big influence on GNU/Linux and MacOS, which we’re going to review in a sec.

This made OSs shift from corporate-specific functions to general usage. And this takes us to the modern age..

This channel has an incredible crash course series about computer science too, I definetely recommend it.

In the modern days, when speaking about personal desktop/laptop computers, the three most used operating systems are Microsoft Windows (with around 80% market share), Apple MacOS (with around 15% market share), and GNU/Linux based OSs (with around 3% market share). Regarding servers, around 80% run GNU/Linux and 20% run Windows.

We’re going to briefly review each of them individually and later on compare all of them to identify their differences.

MS-DOS was developed to be compatible with IBM PCs and it was very successful. But to make it more accessible to the general public, it needed a GUI, and that’s what Microsoft shipped in 1985 with Windows 1.0.

And has made itself the most widely used operating system worldwide. Windows accessibility and the fact that it comes pre-installed in most personal computers (thanks to commercial agreements) have made this OS the most popular one to this day.

And if you’re interested in knowing more about the history of Microsoft, here’s another cool video about it. Regarding its business model, I’d say Windows strategy is to flood the market and make its system as accessible and easy to use as possible.

Windows is just the default OS for most people. It’s the first one they get to know and it allows the user to easily run daily tasks (internet browsing, gaming, office work) without much config at all.

Only Microsoft has access to it. At first, users had to pay if they wanted to buy a copy of Windows OS or upgrade their Windows version.

Under this business model, the user can access most of the software functionalities for free and only needs to pay to access particular features. The key to understanding this shift is to understand that Microsoft has a hugely diversified portfolio of businesses (Xbox – in Gaming, Azure – in cloud platforms, LinkedIn – in social networks, Bing – in search engines, GitHub..

By making Windows free, they keep flooding the market and make it even easier for people to adopt it as the default OS. Another thing to keep in mind is that Windows shows advertisements within the operating system.

Yet another cool video explaining this move here. And a bizarre/funny/tiny-bit-scary example of Microsoft’s old school marketing style.

MacOS (previously called OS X) is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes pre-installed on all Macintosh computers, or Macs.

MacOS is built on top of a UNIX-like OS, which is why this MacOS shares many common characteristics with GNU/Linux-derived ones. In my opinion, Apple’s business model is mainly based on differentiation and exclusivity.

Apple has positioned itself as a top-tier manufacturer within the technology market, aiming to offer its customers high quality hardware and software, for a considerably higher price than most of the competition. Exclusivity is promoted as a perk to users too, selling the idea of being part of a select group of people when owning an Apple product.

You need to buy the whole package if you want to be part of the group. Apple makes most of its software and hardware differently and many times incompatible with others.

Another great marketing move by Apple has been their ability to profit on the hugely charismatic and influential personalities of people like Steve Jobs. They have taken advantage of his position and trajectory as an industry leader, innovator, and somehow “rebel”, to implicitly translate those same values to their products.

If you’re interested in knowing more about the history of MacOS, here’s a video about it. GNU/Linux is the base of many open-source OSs.

Let’s review each part separately. GNU is a huge collection of programs and utilities that was started by Richard Stallman.

The GNU project was started in 1983 with the idea of developing a free UNIX-like OS (UNIX was property of AT&T so it wasn’t available for free). Stallman started developing programs and utilities necessary for the OS, but one key piece was missing – the kernel.

It’s the piece of software that interacts the closest with the hardware and the rest of the OS sits on top of it. The Kernel is responsible for low-level tasks such as disk management, memory management, task management, and so on.

In the following years, both projects started to interact and were joined together to form a solid base that any OS could use. The key here is that both projects are open-source, and completely free software.

To better understand the free software movement, listen to this TED talk by Richard. And then watch Richard speak Spanish and sing a song about free software (you gotta love this guy..).

Originally published at deepu.tech. I got my first PC when I was in high school, in 2003.

This got me hooked to computers and I even started assembling PCs for others and selling my service as a Windows OS installer (pirated, of course, the middle class in India back then couldn’t afford to buy software). This also made me quite an expert in the Windows XP OS which I loved.

Then came Windows Vista, which I didn’t like much, and Windows 8, which I didn’t care for, and Windows 10, which seemed decent but still didn’t feel as good as XP. Fast forward to 2016 I made a bold jump to Ubuntu from Windows 10, after 13 years of being a loyal Windows user.

Now in 2021, I’m still using Fedora as my daily driver. I have macOS from work which I use for work stuff and a Windows 10 PC for VR gaming.

Throughout the article, I’ll be making some comparisons with the world’s most popular OS, Microsoft Windows, and Apple’s macOS which, IMO, is unavoidable. Linux has come a long way.

When we talk about Linux on Desktop(or Laptop) we are really talking about a Linux distribution, like Ubuntu or Fedora, and hence we need to understand what makes a distribution (distro). A Linux distribution is an Operating System made up of mainly the below:

I hope by the end of this post, you will give Linux serious consideration. Flexibility is a boon and a curse at the same time for Linux.

I’m in the first group though. Flexibility and freedom is the core of Linux, you can see this theme in everything else, from the choice of distribution to choosing a DE there is a plethora of choice and even after making a choice, there are so many things you can customize to your exact preference, be it look and feel, UX or performance, everything is configurable.

While such flexibility is great for power users and tech-savvy users, it could be daunting and annoying to people who just want to use the computer to get some work done. Linux in the past is known to scare off average users as they either came pretty bare metal out of the box or came with highly opinionated defaults, like unity desktop in Ubuntu.

This situation is changing though, for example Ubuntu, with Gnome, or Kubuntu, with KDE, Elementary and Pop. _OS are very user friendly from the beginning and comes with sane defaults and a pretty decent set of default applications.

With great power comes great responsibility. When it comes to freedom Linux is not a walled garden like the Apple ecosystem or configurable but annoying for power users like Windows.

But IMO the advantages outweigh the disadvantages and the default setup in Linux distros keeps getting better. It’s already possible to get on a distro like Ubuntu and get work done without having to configure anything.

A polished UI doesn’t mean good UX and vice versa. While UI/UX is subjective for most people, they would mostly agree on what good UX is and what bad UX is.

Fast forward to 2020 and you will find some of the most beautiful and slick-looking UIs and one of the best UX on Linux DEs. Look at the customized KDE plasma on the header image of this post for example.

The UI/UX on Linux is entirely up to the DE, which unlike in Windows/macOS is separate from the OS, and you can freely and easily switch between different DEs. You can even install multiple DEs and pick one for each login session.

You may ask. Probably not but it makes up for that in terms of flexibility and better UX, IMO.

It’s not very intuitive, unless you grew up with a macOS, IMO. It’s either the macOS way or the highway, there isn’t much flexibility in terms of what you can change to fit your preferences, and in the end, you just end up adapting to whatever the UX designers at Apple thought is good for the rest of us.

Gnome 3.36 with Arc theme on Fedora 32. With Linux, you can make your UI look and feel like macOS or Windows if that’s what you like.

The possibilities are unlimited. It doesn’t mean you have to customize things to get a good experience, the default setup in many of the DEs is quite good for most people.

I’m using Gnome for over 4 years and recently decided I will switch to KDE when I refresh my laptop. There are a ton of DEs in the Linux world but in my personal opinion, Gnome, KDE, Pantheon (Elementary OS) and Deepin provides the best UX out of the box and has slick UIs as well.

I don’t think there is much to worry about when it comes to performance. There is a reason Linux is used as the default choice for servers and infrastructure.

Mainstream distributions based on Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch Linux provide very good performance out of the box and DEs like Gnome and KDE have evolved to become much smoother and faster. You could even run Linux with fairly good performance on very outdated hardware thanks to lightweight distributions like Xubuntu or Lubuntu that use lightweight DEs like Xfce and LXQt.

Whereas in Linux & Windows, it has to work on a wide range of hardware. Also when it comes to individual application performances, some are just better tuned for macOS/Windows than for Linux.

Battery life on Linux laptops are still not as good as macOS or Windows but it’s getting better and is not bad enough to be a deal-breaker. ✅ Overall, Linux is better than Windows and macOS in overall performance.

Unfortunately this is a weak point for Linux distros. While the Linux kernel itself is very stable, the distros on the other hand tend to be less stable compared to macOS or even Windows sometimes.

In Linux, you choose between stability and bleeding-edge based on your preference. For example.

Another issue with the Linux ecosystem is the availability & stability of software. Some software vendors just don’t care about Linux users, I’m looking at you Adobe, and doesn’t bother publishing software for Linux.

The same goes for hardware support. Linux sometimes lacks support for certain hardware that just works in Windows/macOS.

Note: If a certain Windows software is needed on Linux, there is also the possibility of getting it working with Wine. Distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora are quite stable and have better support for third-party software and hardware drivers, and are getting better at staying stable.

There are also many distributions in between all these, like Manjaro which is a more stable version of Arch, and so on. I have been using Fedora for close to 5 years now and I’m quite happy with its stability and shorter release cycles.

It’s no secret that Windows remains the dominant desktop operating system worldwide and Windows 7 in particular has the largest market share in most countries across the globe. And still, competition in the desktop OS field got fiercer in the last couple of years, with both Linux and Mac OS X attracting more users and thus contributing to a slight market share decline for Windows.

There are countries around the world, though, where Windows has a nearly 90 percent market share and Linux isn’t even included in market share statistics, even though so many people are claiming that Ubuntu is a much user-friendly platform these days. StatCounter figures collected in September 2013 from Namibia’s PC network indicate that 61.87 percent of local users are now running Windows 7, while 11.59 percent of them deployed Windows 8.

Linux has less than 1 percent and is included in the “Other” category. Ghana is yet another example.

Windows 8 is third with 15.12 percent, followed by Mac OS X and iOS. Again, Linux didn’t make the cut.

Windows XP, Windows 8, Mac OS X, and iOS are also among the top platforms, while Linux has less than 0.77 percent of the market. As you can see, most African countries aren’t so interested in Linux, even though most distributions are available with a freeware license.

Windows 8 takes the podium with 5.98 percent. Unfortunately for Linux fans, the “other” category accounts for only 0.96 percent of the market.

The question of Windows vs Linux is one that many PC users and businesses have grappled with over the years when considering an operating system, with the former often a favored option. Despite the fact it isn’t as popular as Windows, Linux offers a number of advantages, including more avenues for customization due to the fact that it’s built on an open source foundation.

Naturally, there are advantages and disadvantages with both systems that are useful to know before making the decision on which is best for you. Following the formation of Microsoft, the first version of Windows, called Windows 1.0, was revealed in 1985.

After that initial launch, its first major update arrived in 1987, followed by Windows 3.0 in the same year. This was a rapid journey of evolution and, in 1995, Windows 95 was born, probably the most widely used version yet.

Since Windows 95, the operating system hasn’t changed a whole lot when it comes to its core architecture. However, a vast amount of features have been added to meet the needs of modern computing but many of the elements we recognize today were present in the former versions of the operating system.

This includes, for example, the Start Menu, the taskbar, and Windows Explorer (now called File Explorer) which all were present in Windows 98. One major shift happened with the launch of Windows ME in 2000.

However, some iterations of the platform still fared better than others and although it is still the most popular computing platform, users have dropped off over the years and migrated to other platforms, such as MacOS and Linux. Linux was launched later than Windows, in 1991.

Although it’s still regarded as a very bare bones operating system, without a graphical interface like Windows, it has nevertheless grown considerably, with just a few lines of source code in its original release to where it stands today, containing more than 23.3 million lines of source code. Linux was first distributed under GNU General Public License in 1992.

While Windows has maintained a fairly standard version structure, with updates and versions split into tiers. Once you understand the generations and naming schemes, purchasing a Windows OS is fairly intuitive for most consumers.

The Linux Kernel today underpins all Linux operating systems. However, as it remains open source, the system can be tweaked and modified by anyone for their own purposes.

What we have as a result are hundreds of bespoke Linux-based operating systems known as distributions, or ‘distros’, including Linux Ubuntu (shown above). Each distro has its own pre-installed packages and functionality, although some are considered derivations of ‘parent’ distros and have shared features.

This makes it incredibly difficult to choose between them, although we do have our own recommendations on what we consider the best Linux distros on the market – but nonetheless, it’s far more complicated than simply picking Windows 10 or Windows 11. Given the nature of open source software, these distros can vary wildly in functionality and sophistication, and many are constantly evolving.

On the other hand, this also brings its own benefits. The variety of different Linux distros is so great that you’re all but guaranteed to be able to find one to suit your particular tastes.

You’re in luck – Elementary OS is a Linux distro built to mirror the look and feel of an Apple interface. Similarly, those that yearn for the days of Windows XP can bring it back with Q4OS, which harkens back to Microsoft’s fan-favorite.

Naturally, there are also numerous Linux versions for running servers and other enterprise-grade applications. For those new to Linux, we’d recommend Ubuntu as a good starting point.

It’s the closest thing Linux has to a ‘default’ distro although we would urge everyone to explore the various distro options available and find their favorite.

This can be a great way to quickly test out if you like a distro without having to commit to it. While it’s technically quicker to install some Linux distros, Windows offers a refined user experience that requires just a few clicks.

However, while more polished distros, such as Ubuntu, are a doddle to set up, some of the less user-friendly examples require a great deal more technical know-how to get up and running, including knowledge of the command line tool, known as the Shell on Linux. Windows installations, by contrast, while more lengthy and time-consuming, are a lot simpler, requiring a minimum of user input compared to many distros.

Most applications are tailored to be written for Windows. You will find some Linux-compatible versions, but only for very popular software.

A lot of people who have a Linux system instead install a free, open source alternative. There are applications for almost every program you can think of.

Despite this, these alternatives are more likely to be amateur efforts compared to Windows. If your business requires a certain application then it’s necessary to check if Linux runs a native version or if an acceptable replacement exists.

In Windows, you download and run an executable file (.exe). In Linux, programs are mostly installed from a software repository tied to a specific distro.

In many Linux distros, a package manager handles this by layering a graphical user interface (GUI) over the messy mechanics of typing in the right combination of words and commands. This is in many ways the precursor of a mobile device’s app store.

In this case, the installation becomes more similar to that of Windows software. You simply download the relevant package for your distro from the company’s website, and the inbuilt package installer will complete the rest.

Windows users have a much easier time when it comes to accessing software and avoiding compatibility issues, but Linux matches that with sheer variety of specialized tools. If you just look at everyday business software, Windows has a big advantage over Linux.

In general, Windows users aren’t affected by compatibility worries.

As Linux is created and maintained by a community of passionate fans, there is a wealth of information to fall back on, in the form of tips, tricks, forums, and tutorials from other users and developers. However, it’s somewhat fragmented and disarrayed, with little in the way of a comprehensive, cohesive support structure for many distros.

A lack of official, centralized support can created a dis-jointed experience on Linux – Windows is the winner here. Microsoft is much better at collating its resources and offering help to its users.

There’s also a similar network of forums and tutorials, if the official assistance doesn’t help you solve the Windows problem you’re encountering. Security is a cornerstone of the Linux OS, and one of the principal reasons for its popularity among the IT community.

Are you sick of Windows operating system. Do you want to use a free open source system to replace it.

Since its introduction in 1985, Windows has been the most popular operating system on PCs. Many PCs have Windows OS installed before they are sold because Windows OS has the widest compatibility.

However, after a long time use of Windows PC, you may want to switch to another OS for the following reasons: Based on the above reasons, I will recommend some free Windows alternatives to you.

We give you a step-by-step guide to speed up computer Windows 10 effectively.

Wherever you use it—at home, school or work—it contains all the applications you need. Based on Debian and GNOME, Ubuntu is one of the older distributions.

Starting from version 11.04, the Ubuntu distribution abandoned the Gnome desktop environment and changed to Unity. But it shifted back to GNOME again since Ubuntu 18.04 LTS.

To its right, there are other icons along the top of the screen. But most of these icons are settings-based features and provide basic functions like network, language, sound, time, date, etc.

Anyway, Ubuntu is more familiar to Mac OS X users. There are other variants of Ubuntu like the followings:

This post introduces Ubuntu vs Windows from 8 aspects. You can decide to use which one after reading this post.

Google Chrome OS is a Linux-based open source (free) operating system. It is preinstalled on a number of low-cost and some high-end laptops, known as Chromebooks.

This alternative operating system is targeted at netbooks, compact and low-cost computers. Most applications in Chrome OS will be done on the web.

Chrome OS users don’t have to worry about viruses, malware, Trojans, security updates, and other annoying things. This free operating system is lightweight and suitable for installing on aging hardware.

But it’s less impressive at media playback, and media editing and gaming are beyond its capabilities. This post introduces Windows 10 vs.

Chrome OS from 4 factors. Students can pick one from them.

As I mentioned above, Ubuntu is based on Debian, and some versions of Linux Mint are also based on Debian, which is a UNIX-like operating system composed entirely of free software. Debian systems currently use the Linux kernel, FreeBSD kernel, or GNU Hurd kernel, but most of them mainly use the Linux kernel.

Therefore, “Debian” often refers to Debian GNU/Linux system. Debian supports a wide range of desktop environments, including GNOME, KDE, Cinnamon, MATE, and more.

In addition, many Linux purists prefer Debian to either of its popular offshoots because of the low disk and RAM occupancy, and the high stability. On the other hand, Debian has a much slower release cycle, and users may also encounter some hardware compatibility issues.

If you want a Windows alternative or Windows 10 alternative, this free operating system is one of the good choices. Please note that Debian is more suited to experienced Linux users.

OpenSUSE, formerly known as SUSE Linux and SUSE Linux Professional, is a stand-alone release based on Linux kernel. It provides both KDE and GNOME as desktop environments and is widely used worldwide, especially in Germany.

The Tumbleweed version is suitable for developers who like new technologies, while the Leap version is more suitable for use in production environments. Tumbleweed features a rolling release cycle, which means packages are updated on a daily basis.

As for Leap, it has a regular 8-month update schedule and is generally regarded as the more stable OpenSUSE version. No matter which version you choose, you can change to another version at any time after installation.

If you want to switch Windows to Linux, this OS can be one of your choices.

It can be said that FreeBSD is a continuation of UNIX. The only reason why it’s not called BSD Unix is that the “UNIX” trademark belongs to the TOG (The Open Group).

It runs on its own kernel, and all of its key components have been developed as part of a single whole. Therefore, it is perfect for server applications and desktop use.

If you want a stable OS, you can choose this one.

It incorporates partial functions of Windows emulator Wine, and therefore it can run software like LibreOffice, Firefox, Opera, etc. and can even manage earlier commercial applications like Adobe Photoshop.

But if you are not accustomed to the above alternative operating systems to Windows, you can choose this one. Before you completely remove Windows and install another system, it is recommended to operate the new system on Windows to learn and adapt to the new operation habits.

To do that, here are two solutions for you: No matter which method you choose, you should make a partition for the new system.

With this software, you can make a partition more easily. Please refer to the following steps to make a partition:

Step 1: Click the above button to download MiniTool Partition Wizard. Launch this software and go to its main interface.

Step 2: In the popup window, drag the slider to choose how much size you want to shrink and click OK to continue.

Step 4: In the popup window, choose partition properties like file system, partition label, drive letter and so on. Then, click OK to continue.

Step 5: Preview the changes and click Apply to confirm the changes.

If you don’t know how to do that, please refer to the following two posts:.

The systems in this post are good, reliable and usable. You can try them.

Does this post help you. Do you have other recommendations on Windows alternatives.

If you decide to replace Windows but have difficulties in making partition, you can contact us via [email protected]. We will reply to you as soon as possible.

As everybody knows already, Linux has recently recorded massive growth, with its market share increasing pretty much every single month as more users decided to give the platform a shot. This data pretty much speaks for itself.

The en-masse switch to Linux isn’t necessarily surprising when we look at the recent changes that happened for Windows users. Microsoft ended support for Windows 7 in January this year, asking users still running the 2009 operating system to upgrade to Windows 10.

And this happened for two reasons. First, it’s because Windows 7 was just running smoothly on their devices, and these users don’t want to spend extra on new hardware to enjoy the full Windows 10 feature package.

And second of all, it’s the different approach that Microsoft is using for Windows 10. Windows 7 is considered by many the last Windows version with a traditional desktop approach, while Windows 10 uses a modern concept that includes an app store, a digital assistant, an Action Center, and so much more.

But at the end of the day, what’s pushing them to Linux.

Some of those who switched to Linux say they’ve had enough in the Windows world and switching to an open-source platform guarantees more transparency, improved security, and so much more. Microsoft itself has tried to improve in these exact same areas, with major investments made in terms of the transparency and security offered to Windows 10 users.

The modern approach that Microsoft turned to with Windows 10 certainly didn’t help, especially with all the controversy around things like telemetry and data collection. And features that have been forced on users, including Cortana and more recently the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser, have convinced some that it’s time to explore the non-Windows world too, and in their case, Linux is very often the first stop.

But with all the improvements that Linux distros have received in terms of user-friendliness, there’s a good chance that others might want to get a taste of the likes of Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and others too at some point in the near future.

Let us know in the box after the jump.

As technology continues to advance, servers have become an integral part of modern society. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to access and share information, run applications or websites, or communicate with one another.

Linux is a freely available open-source operating system that is renowned for its stability, security, and flexibility. As a result, it is widely used by developers and system administrators.

This makes it an ideal choice for businesses that use Microsoft products. In this article, we’ll delve into the contrasts between Linux and Windows Server in terms of architecture, application compatibility, performance, security, cost, user experience, and industry-specific uses.

So, whether you’re an IT professional, a business owner, or someone curious about server operating systems, keep reading to find out which one fits best your needs. Linux Server is a fascinating operating system that uses the Linux kernel, which is free for anyone to use and modify.

Windows Server is built on a monolithic architecture where the entire operating system is loaded into memory during boot time. This makes it easy to use and user-friendly, which is why it’s a popular choice for many businesses.

From PHP to Perl, Python to Ruby, Linux is a versatile platform that can handle various software and hardware configurations. Windows servers support a wide range of applications and tools, including Microsoft SQL Server, SharePoint, and Exchange Server, and are also compatible with various software and hardware.

It can handle multiple tasks simultaneously and handle more load with minimal resources. Windows Server uses a heavier process model that creates a separate process for each thread, resulting in slower context switching.

Unix-powered OS has a more efficient file system that can handle large amounts of data without compromising system performance. Windows Server has made significant strides in recent years, with improvements like Thread Pooling, which enhances efficiency when handling concurrent requests.

When it comes to web server performance, open-source systems outperform Windows-powered servers in their ability to handle a larger number of concurrent connections, with better response times. They are also more scalable and can handle larger traffic volumes without performance degradation.

Although Linux is generally considered to be faster, Windows-based servers may be the better option for businesses that require specific features and applications only available on the Windows platform. Linux has gained a reputation as a favorite among cybersecurity experts for top system-level security.

Linux OS is less susceptible to malware and viruses due to modular architecture, so components can be isolated and secured individually. This makes it more difficult for malware to spread and cause damage.

Hackers often target these servers in search of vulnerabilities in the operating system. Its components are tightly integrated and less secure when isolated.

Servers powered by Linux also have a variety of security features built-in, such as access control lists, firewalls, and SELinux. These features provide additional layers of protection against unauthorized access and attacks.

Nevertheless, with the appropriate configuration and maintenance, Windows servers can be effectively secured. Linux is renowned for its free software, which can be highly attractive to businesses looking to reduce costs, especially for small or medium-sized enterprises.

The expense varies depending on the version and number of users, which can lead to significant expenses for larger organizations. It’s essential to consider the total cost of ownership (TCO) over the long term.

The Linux community consistently improves and updates the software without hidden costs. Free updates, patches, and essential features are readily available, reducing the need for costly support contracts.

However, organizations need to factor in the costs of hiring Linux administrators, training staff on Linux OS, and acquiring specialized tools and software for managing Linux servers. Ultimately, the choice between Linux and Windows servers will depend on the specific needs of an organization, including its budget, hardware, software, IT staff expertise, and application requirements.

Windows boasts a familiar and user-friendly UI, complete with a graphical desktop, taskbar, and start menu. Linux OS offers a more customizable command line interface (CLI) which allows users to execute complex commands and scripts with ease and efficiency.

Windows has been the dominant operating system for personal computers for a long time. As a result, its users have access to a vast array of software and tools that may not be available to those using open-source software.

It has a large community of developers creating open-source software that can be used for free. Unix-based servers can run for extended periods without requiring a reboot, making maintenance and updates effortlessly.

Users who are comfortable with Linux and its customization options may find it to be the optimal choice for their needs. In contrast, those who prefer a more recognizable interface and a greater selection of software may choose Windows.

Linux is an incredibly sturdy and safe option that can provide numerous benefits for businesses. Although it may have a more challenging learning curve and limited software compatibility, the benefits of customization, security, and stability make it a great choice.

At the same time, it can be costly and susceptible to cyber-attacks. The ultimate decision of whether to choose Linux or Windows Server for your business relies on your specific needs and priorities.

However, if you prioritize compatibility with Windows-based applications and a more user-friendly interface, Windows may be the superior choice. At INTROSERV, we strongly recommend that businesses thoroughly evaluate their needs and priorities before making a decision.

Therefore, whether you opt for Linux or Windows, we are here to deliver the best possible service and support to ensure that your servers function smoothly and efficiently. Do not hesitate to contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you make the most suitable choice for your business.

Many of the C projects that exist today were started decades ago. The UNIX operating system’s development started in 1969, and its code was rewritten in C in 1972.

Oracle database development started in 1977, and its code was rewritten from assembly to C in 1983. It became one of the most popular databases in the world.

Although Windows source code is not publicly available, it’s been stated that its kernel is mostly written in C, with some parts in assembly. Linux kernel development started in 1991, and it is also written in C.

The GNU operating system itself was started using C and Lisp programming languages, so many of its components are written in C. But C programming isn’t limited to projects that started decades ago, when there weren’t as many programming languages as today.

there are some good reasons for that. Despite the prevalence of higher-level languages, C continues to empower the world.

Microsoft’s Windows kernel is developed mostly in C, with some parts in assembly language. For decades, the world’s most used operating system, with about 90 percent of the market share, has been powered by a kernel written in C.

About 97 percent of the world’s 500 most powerful supercomputers run the Linux kernel. It is also used in many personal computers.

Every program and driver in a Mac, as in Windows and Linux computers, is running on a C-powered kernel. iOS, Android and Windows Phone kernels are also written in C.

So smartphones you use every day are running on a C kernel.

The world’s most popular databases, including Oracle Database, MySQL, MS SQL Server, and PostgreSQL, are coded in C (the first three of them actually both in C and C++). Databases are used in all kind of systems: financial, government, media, entertainment, telecommunications, health, education, retail, social networks, web, and the like.

3D movies are created with applications that are generally written in C and C++. Those applications need to be very efficient and fast, since they handle a huge amount of data and do many calculations per second.

Imagine that you wake up one day and go shopping. The alarm clock that wakes you up is likely programmed in C.

They are also embedded systems and therefore are probably programmed in C. You turn on your TV or radio while you eat your breakfast.

When you open your garage door with the remote control you are also using an embedded system that is most likely programmed in C. Then you get into your car.

You get to the store, park your car and go to a vending machine to get a soda. What language did they use to program this vending machine.

Then you buy something at the store. The cash register is also programmed in C.

You guessed it: the credit card reader is, again, likely programmed in C. All those devices are embedded systems.

That program must detect key presses and act accordingly, and also display information to the user. For example, the alarm clock must interact with the user, detecting what button the user is pressing and, sometimes, how long it is being pressed, and program the device accordingly, all while displaying to the user the relevant information.

All those calculations are done by a programmed embedded system. Although the programming language used on embedded systems can vary from brand to brand, they are most commonly programmed in the C language, due to the language’s features of flexibility, efficiency, performance, and closeness to the hardware.

There are many programming languages, today, that allow developers to be more productive than with C for different kinds of projects. There are higher level languages that provide much larger built-in libraries that simplify working with JSON, XML, UI, web pages, client requests, database connections, media manipulation, and so on.

In programming languages one size does not fit all. Here are some reasons that C is unbeatable, and almost mandatory, for certain applications.

It is as close to the machine as possible while it is almost universally available for existing processor architectures. There is at least one C compiler for almost every existent architecture.

Such is its portability and efficiency that “compilers, libraries, and interpreters of other programming languages are often implemented in C”. Interpreted languages like Python, Ruby, and PHP have their primary implementations written in C.

For example, C is the intermediate language underlying Eiffel and Forth. This means that, instead of generating machine code for every architecture to be supported, compilers for those languages just generate intermediate C code, and the C compiler handles the machine code generation.

As Alex Allain, Dropbox Engineering Manager and creator of Cprogramming.com, puts it: C is a great language for expressing common ideas in programming in a way that most people are comfortable with.

Arbitrary memory address access and pointer arithmetic is an important feature that makes C a perfect fit for system programming (operating systems and embedded systems). At the hardware/software boundary, computer systems and microcontrollers map their peripherals and I/O pins into memory addresses.

So C’s ability to manipulate arbitrary memory addresses is imperative for system programming.

The first line of the function will be expanded to: This line tells the compiler to interpret the value 0x40008000 as a pointer to a char, then to dereference (give the value pointed to by) that pointer (with the leftmost * operator) and finally to assign byte value to that dereferenced pointer.

The next line will be expanded to: In this line, we perform a bitwise OR operation on the value at address 0x40008001 and the value 0x08 (00001000 in binary, i.e., a 1 in bit number 4), and save the result back to address 0x40008001.

We also declare that the value at address 0x40008001 is volatile. This tells the compiler that this value may be modified by processes external to our code, so the compiler won’t make any assumptions about the value in that address after writing to it.

If we did this inside a for loop, for example, without specifying that the value is volatile, the compiler might assume this value never changes after being set, and skip executing the command after the first loop. A common language feature that system programming cannot rely on is garbage collection, or even just dynamic allocation for some embedded systems.

They are often used for real-time systems, where a non-deterministic call to the garbage collector cannot be afforded. And if dynamic allocation cannot be used because of the lack of memory, it is very important to have other mechanisms of memory management, like placing data in custom addresses, as C pointers allow.

Bhen I first started using Linux back in 1997, the open-source operating system was primarily used by computer science students, hackers, and programmers who wanted a more powerful, flexible, secure alternative to the Windows operating system. It was serious and geared toward serious work.

Fast forward to now and Linux is used for everything (from phones, tablets, cars, appliances, IoT devices, and much more). Why.

Also: Window Maker Live is a throwback to the exciting days of early Linux. Linux can be bent and twisted into just about anything.

I’ve spent many a day (and weekend) tweaking the Linux desktop simply because I could. With Linux, I’ve configured desktops that have been so amazing my friends wanted to know how they could achieve the same look.

Also: Why don’t more people use desktop Linux. I have a theory you might not like.

I’ve rounded up eight compelling reasons below for why you should give it a try. AfterStep on Ubuntu.

Some might say too much choice can be a problem. The thing is, many Linux desktop distributions make the hard choices for you — which kernel, which bash shell, which startup service, which network manager, which package manager.

But even those distributions can be changed. Also: The best Linux laptops.

And that’s part of the beauty of Linux… if you don’t like it, change it. Or, you can choose a different distribution that defaults to a different desktop environment.

Remember when Windows 11 was released, and a lot of people soon discovered that the computer they bought three years prior wouldn’t support the latest version of the operating system. That’s not the case with Linux.

Also: Lubuntu is Linux for those looking to simplify and speed up their desktop experience. You might have a machine lying around in a closet that’s five years old, and you assumed it was headed for the recycler.

One of the problems I have with operating systems like Windows and MacOS is vendor lock-in. With MacOS, you do things the Apple way.

With Linux, you do things your way.

And nearly every Linux distribution allows for such customization. I don’t know about you, but I would much rather work in a way that perfectly suits my needs rather than in a way that aligns with a third party’s idea of what is efficient.

How many times have you gone to upgrade either Windows or MacOS, only to find out the upgrade actually happens during a reboot. For me, I could use that time actually being productive.

Also: Want to save your aging computer. Try these 5 Linux distributions.

In fact, with many Linux distributions, the only time you have to reboot after an upgrade is if the kernel is upgraded and even then, the reboot is only necessary to ensure the new kernel is loaded and running. Otherwise, you just keep on using the OS while the upgrade runs in the background.

That, of course, only applies when using the GUI tool for upgrades. Run the same upgrades with sudo dnf upgrade and the only time you’ll need to reboot is when the kernel is upgraded.

There are other OSs, such as Pop. _OS, which require a reboot to install new firmware and for upgrading to a new major release.

Wine is an installable piece of software that allows you to install Windows software and run it on Linux. Wine is not generally installed by default, but it’s found in most distributions’ default repositories so that it can be installed from within the various app stores available on Linux.

Speaking of which…. You might have heard many people say there’s no software available for Linux.

With Linux, you’ll find thousands upon thousands of free software that can be installed from the GUI app store found on your desktop. And thanks to the likes of Snap and Flatpak, you can even install proprietary apps, such as Zoom and Spotify, on Linux with ease.

I realize that MacOS and Windows both have a large selection of software to install from, but you won’t find nearly the selection of free software (and without ads) available for installation. Also, managing installed software is so much easier with Linux (either from the command line or the GUI).

In other words, Linux offers considerably more flexibility with regard to software installation. As I mentioned earlier, with Linux, you can create a desktop environment that is sure to wow your friends.

I used transparency and window effects that were unheard of on Windows, and everyone who saw my desktops wanted them.

Although few Linux desktops are as flexible as those, there are still desktops (such as Xfce, Enlightenment, and KDE Plasma) that can be configured to look like technological works of art. Not only is this a great way to make everyone around you jealous… it’s a lot of fun.

Although I did one time wind up having a server hacked and a rootkit installed, that was an anomaly for me. Outside of that, the vast majority of the issues I’ve encountered were fixable within minutes.

Also: The best Linux distros for beginners. Linux just works.

But more importantly, it works and works and works. So, if you’re looking for a way to put the fun, flexibility, ease of use, and reliability back into computing, do yourself a favor and give Linux a try.

An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources, and provides common services for computer programs.

For hardware functions such as input and output and memory allocation, the operating system acts as an intermediary between programs and the computer hardware, although the application code is usually executed directly by the hardware and frequently makes system calls to an OS function or is interrupted by it.

In the personal computer market, as of September 2023[update], Microsoft Windows holds a dominant market share of around 68%. macOS by Apple Inc.

In the mobile sector (including smartphones and tablets), as of September 2023[update], Android’s share is 68.92%, followed by Apple’s iOS and iPadOS with 30.42%, and other operating systems with.66%. Linux distributions are dominant in the server and supercomputing sectors.

Security-focused operating systems also exist. Some operating systems have low system requirements (e.g.

Others may have higher system requirements.

live CD) or flash memory (i.e. USB stick).

A single-tasking system can only run one program at a time, while a multi-tasking operating system allows more than one program to be running concurrently. This is achieved by time-sharing, where the available processor time is divided between multiple processes.

Multi-tasking may be characterized in preemptive and cooperative types. In preemptive multitasking, the operating system slices the CPU time and dedicates a slot to each of the programs.

Cooperative multitasking is achieved by relying on each process to provide time to the other processes in a defined manner. 16-bit versions of Microsoft Windows used cooperative multi-tasking.

Single-user operating systems have no facilities to distinguish users but may allow multiple programs to run in tandem. A multi-user operating system extends the basic concept of multi-tasking with facilities that identify processes and resources, such as disk space, belonging to multiple users, and the system permits multiple users to interact with the system at the same time.

A distributed operating system manages a group of distinct, networked computers and makes them appear to be a single computer, as all computations are distributed (divided amongst the constituent computers).

They are designed to operate on small machines with less autonomy (e.g. PDAs).

Windows CE and Minix 3 are some examples of embedded operating systems.

A real-time operating system may be single- or multi-tasking, but when multitasking, it uses specialized scheduling algorithms so that a deterministic nature of behavior is achieved. Such an event-driven system switches between tasks based on their priorities or external events, whereas time-sharing operating systems switch tasks based on clock interrupts.

A library operating system is one in which the services that a typical operating system provides, such as networking, are provided in the form of libraries and composed with the application and configuration code to construct a unikernel: a specialized, single address space, machine image that can be deployed to cloud or embedded environments.[further explanation needed].

Basic operating system features were developed in the 1950s, such as resident monitor functions that could automatically run different programs in succession to speed up processing. Operating systems did not exist in their modern and more complex forms until the early 1960s.

When personal computers became popular in the 1980s, operating systems were made for them similar in concept to those used on larger computers.

Electronic systems of this time were programmed on rows of mechanical switches or by jumper wires on plugboards. These were special-purpose systems that, for example, generated ballistics tables for the military or controlled the printing of payroll checks from data on punched paper cards.

In the early 1950s, a computer could execute only one program at a time. Each user had sole use of the computer for a limited period and would arrive at a scheduled time with their program and data on punched paper cards or punched tape.

Programs could generally be debugged via a front panel using toggle switches and panel lights. It is said that Alan Turing was a master of this on the early Manchester Mark 1 machine, and he was already deriving the primitive conception of an operating system from the principles of the universal Turing machine.

Later machines came with libraries of programs, which would be linked to a user’s program to assist in operations such as input and output and compiling (generating machine code from human-readable symbolic code). This was the genesis of the modern-day operating system.

At Cambridge University in England, the job queue was at one time a washing line (clothesline) from which tapes were hung with different colored clothes-pegs to indicate job priority.[citation needed]. By the late 1950s, programs that one would recognize as an operating system were beginning to appear.

The first known example that actually referred to itself was the SHARE Operating System, a development of GM-NAA I/O, released in 1959. In a May 1960 paper describing the system, George Ryckman noted:.

One of the more famous examples that is often found in discussions of early systems is the Atlas Supervisor, running on the Atlas in 1962. It was referred to as such in a December 1961 article describing the system, but the context of “the Operating System” is more along the lines of “the system operates in the fashion”.

Brinch Hansen described it as “the most significant breakthrough in the history of operating systems.”. Through the 1950s, many major features were pioneered in the field of operating systems on mainframe computers, including batch processing, input/output interrupting, buffering, multitasking, spooling, runtime libraries, link-loading, and programs for sorting records in files.

In 1959, the SHARE Operating System was released as an integrated utility for the IBM 704, and later in the 709 and 7090 mainframes, although it was quickly supplanted by IBSYS/IBJOB on the 709, 7090 and 7094, which in turn influenced the later 7040-PR-150 (7040/7044) and 1410-PR-155 (1410/7010) operating systems.

During the 1960s, IBM’s OS/360 introduced the concept of a single OS spanning an entire product line, which was crucial for the success of the System/360 machines. IBM’s current mainframe operating systems are distant descendants of this original system and modern machines are backward compatible with applications written for OS/360.[citation needed].

When a process is terminated for any reason, all of these resources are re-claimed by the operating system.

As you’re here, I’m going to assume that you’re a Linux user. And every once in a while, you find yourself asking: can I run windows applications on Linux.

The answer to that question is yes. Yes, you can run Windows applications in Linux.

Both of them work just fine. But they are somewhat resource hungry.

Moreover, Virtual Machine can’t utilize the total power of your machine. So, what is the solution.

No worries, there is another way to use Windows software on Linux. It’s called Wine.

In this beginner’s guide, I’ll show you what Wine is and how to use it to run Windows software on Linux. I have used Ubuntu here as Ubuntu is one of the best Linux distros for beginners, but any other Linux distribution will have more or less the same steps (except for the commands in Arch or Fedora-based distros).

And WINE is actually an acronym for that. And as previously stated, it’s not even a virtual machine.

Linux, Mac, BSD). While a virtual machine or emulator simulates internal Windows logic, Wine translates those Windows logic to native UNIX/POSIX-complaint logic.

There are various ways to install Wine on your system. Almost all the Linux distros come with Wine in their package repository.

If you are using a 64-bit installation of Ubuntu, you will need to add 32-bit architecture support on your distro which will benefit you in installing specific software. If you don’t know whether you have a 32-bit installation or 64-bit, check this article on how to check if you have a 32-Bit or 64-Bit Computer.

Once confirmed, do this by executing the following command: In Ubuntu, you can install Wine by:

In the case of software like Wine, which receives significant updates frequently, always try to remain in the latest stable release. To do this in Ubuntu, first, you need to add the 32-bit architecture with the above step.

In the next step, you need to download the Wine source file. For that, you need wget installed.

Also, you should know which version of Ubuntu is running on your system. In my case, I was running Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish.

Once you get your version name, replace this in place of jammy and execute the command below: Now update the package information.

You can use winehq-devel or winehq-staging for Development and Staging branch respectively. Before we go on installing and running applications in Wine, we should have a clear idea about a few things and about how to configure Wine for usage:

Wine uses a virtual C: drive for this purpose. The directory of this virtual C: drive is called wineprefix.

To do that, fire up a terminal and enter this command: Here it prompts you to install the Wine Mono package needed for the.NET application to work properly.

This will create a wineprefix and open the configuration window for Wine. You can change the configuration options or let it be as it is and close it.

The general rule is to install each new application into a fresh wineprefix. You can create and maintain multiple wineprefix manually.

So, we will skip that part for now. But, later I will show how to do that part with ease.

They will run without any hassle. However, new Windows applications are being developed every day.

But the development pace of Wine is also rapid, and support for new applications is being added all the time. And there is a dedicated database for keeping track of just that.

If you want to quickly check the rating of the application you want to use in Wine, you can take a look there. Here is the meaning of those ratings:

Of course, Wine Application Database is mostly user-generated data, so you are always welcome to try running an application with a different version of Wine and share your result with the rest of the community. Let’s see how we can find an application in Wine Application Database.

Click Browse Apps from the left sidebar. Click on the link to the application from the search result.

There will be a list of various versions with their compatibility rating with a specific Wine version. Let’s click on the latest version link.

There will be detailed information about that specific version. Installing a supported application in Wine is generally as easy as double-clicking on the installation file.

First of all, check for 7-zip rating on Wine Application Database. It has a Platinum rating, so we are good to go.

Right-click on the 7-zip installation file and select the Open With Other Application option. After that, select Wine Windows Program Loader.

The 7-zip installation has recognized the virtual C: drive from wineprefix. Finish the installation and you can now open the 7-zip application from the Ubuntu Activities overview.

If you want to access your files on Linux, they are generally located in Z: Drive. You can use the 7-zip just as you would use it on Windows – for extracting and creating archives and such.

To uninstall an application, you have a Wine Uninstaller tool. You can access this tool by entering the terminal:

Here, the list of installed applications will be present. You need to select the application, 7-zip in this case, and press Modify/Remove button as shown below:

You might have noticed that, in Wine Application Database, a specific Wine version is mentioned with every version of the application reviews. It is because of the rapid development rate of Wine.

Also, I’ve mentioned installing each application in its own fresh wineprefix. So, an application has no chance of interfering with another.

PlayOnLinux is here to rescue you. It provides a nice interface for doing all these things easily.

You can easily perform every task related to Wine with PlayOnLinux from a beautiful and intuitive graphical interface: But still, you will need to check Wine Application Database for reviews, installation procedures, and such.

There are quite a number of projects for running Windows applications on other platforms, based on Wine: This is another important part of using Wine.

These may include replacements for components of Wine using closed-source libraries. Winetricks comes with Wine installation on Ubuntu through the package manager.

If you have installed Wine from Wine official repository, you may need to install winetricks separately. To do this, open a terminal and enter the following commands:

There are many options for helping you with various tasks. Installing an Application with Winetricks.

Let’s install VLC:. So, select install an app from the options and click OK:

It will then begin to download the VLC installation files. And then guide you through the rest of the process.

Install Windows DLL or components and others. You can select a wineprefix from winetricks and install various libraries and components required by the application you want to run and also perform other operations.

For more information, you can check Wine FAQ and Documentation. I hope you find this complete beginner’s guide to using Wine i.

An operating system (OS) is a program that manages all other applications on a computer. It enables users to interact with computers to run various tasks and manage hardware parts.

Each OS has unique features and benefits, making it challenging to pick one. Based on user information, Windows is the most popular since the product is readily available and simple to use.

Mac users, on the other hand, claim Mac OS offers superior quality and performance. Whatever OS you choose will greatly influence your overall computing experience.

Understanding their differences can make choosing an OS that fully suits your needs much easier. Dive in.

Table of Content. Linux is an open-source operating system developed in 1991 by Linus Torvalds.

Unlike Windows and macOS, Linux has a freely available source code. This has allowed numerous developers to modify, enhance and distribute their own variations of the OS.

Unsurprisingly, the OS got its name by infusing his first name, “Linus,” and “Unix.” Linux has developed over time to become a highly versatile and robust OS with remarkable community support and contributions. The top features of Linux OS are:

It evolved from a text-based processor called MS-DOS, compatible with IBM PCs. Microsoft developed Windows due to the need for an OS accessible to the general public.

Since its initial release as Windows 1.0, it has undergone multiple upgrades, including versions 95, 98, XP, and Vista. Today, Windows comes pre-installed on most personal computers and is the default OS for many users.

The main features of Windows OS are: MacOS, previously known as OS X, is a line of operating systems developed by Apple.

When it was first released in 1984, it was the first PC shell to come with an inbuilt GUI. MacOS is developed on top of a UNIX-like OS, which is why it shares many common characteristics with GNU-Linux derivatives.

Linux vs. Windows vs.

When choosing an operating system, you will always be making a trade-off. Your choice will largely be based on the most important aspects of you and your current budget.

The way Linux organizes files is different from how Windows and Mac do. Linux/GNU uses a UNIX-based file system.

The OS organizes all files in certain directories that emanate from one root directory. Essentially, there is a single file tree where all directories are mounted.

Your computer’s files are primarily stored in a “C” or “D” drive, but you can partition them further to have more drives. The drives have different types of folders, with the common ones being “Music,” “Video,” and “Pictures.” You can store your files in these folders, outside them, or create new ones and name them however you want.

Like Linux, macOS also has a root directory that acts as the bedrock of all other directories. Windows has its shell with a unique syntax, while Linux and macOS use Bash as their default shell.

This is because it is easier to translate the language to all operating systems than the Windows shell. GNU/Linux also runs on a majority of servers in the world.

You can use a package manager to install, update, and uninstall other software from the terminal by executing a few commands. This software is useful, especially when frequently installing and uninstalling various programs.

Linux and Mac operating systems come with pre-installed package managers. On Linux, the package manager varies, depending on the variant.

For Mac, the default package manager is known as homebrew. Windows comes without a default package manager.

Chocolatey is one of the choices you have with this OS. While all package managers have similar functionality, the syntax used in each varies.

Ease of Installation. While it is possible to DIY the process, installing Linux requires some basic computer skills.

As for Windows, you may not have to do the installation by yourself, as most PCs come loaded with a Windows OS. However, should you have to install the software, it is incredibly straightforward as the OS fuses seamlessly with most machines.

The company also releases regular updates that are relatively simple to install. Another point to note is that Mac has less frequent updates than Windows.

All macOS iterations are also free. Software & Hardware Compatibility.

MacOS may be less popular, but it is similar to Windows in this regard. Unlike in the earlier days when only a few programs were compatible with Linux, the situation is currently different.

Only Apple is directly responsible for the computers that run their OS regarding hardware compatibility. And Apple manufactures some of the best computing hardware out there.

Unsurprisingly, their newest computers often deliver the best performance in the market. With the company manufacturing both the software and hardware, its machines can have greater compatibility with the OS.

The bigger advantage here is that you can install the OS on any machine you prefer. Here you should note that Linux offers a choice of distributions (versions of the core Linux OS) that fit specific use cases.

Ease of Use. Mac and Windows are seamless and user-friendly operating systems.

A variant like Ubuntu is as seamless to use as Mac or Windows. Some other versions, like Arch, suit individuals with advanced computer knowledge.

Linux variants are generally regarded as the most secure and stable operating systems available today. Their enhanced security is largely due to Linux’s open-source nature.

Many people can also collaborate and propose solutions to resolve a security breach. Mac is also fairly secure and stable, rectifying bugs quickly.

In matters of security and stability, Windows is the most vulnerable OS. Since it is compatible with a wider range of hardware, its margin for error is broader.

Performance and Efficiency. This is one of the areas where Windows outshines its counterparts.

As a result, this OS is extremely versatile, with most developers creating software or apps that run natively on the system. While Windows has a command line interface tool, it is rarely needed.

Windows also has options for enhancing gaming performance, such as DirectX, which allows a GPU or CPU to operate optimally. Mac’s enhanced integrations with the Apple ecosystem and ease of use are some of its biggest advantages.

Linux’s performance is quite limited compared to Windows and Mac. Not all programs offer native support, which can complicate running new software on Linux.

2 Linux Presentation. 3 (‘Lynuks’) The other major alternative is based on the pronunciation of the English version of ‘Linus’.

5 Ubuntu Kali Linux Fedora Red hat Mint Debian Slackware Backtrack. 6.

Without a computer operating system, a computer would be useless. E.g.

8 Multi-user: A multi-user operating system allows for multiple users to use the same computer at the same time and/or different times. Multiprocessing: An operating system capable of supporting and utilizing more than one computer processor.

Multithreading: Operating systems that allow different parts of a software program to run concurrently. Operating systems that would fall into this category are:.

10 Desktop of Linux. 11 Press Alt+Ctrl+F1 to go to the command promt.

12 To execute a command, type its name and arguments at the command line ls -l /etc Command name Options (flags) Arguments. 13.

16 Why did we choose Linux for Internet Was available with all necessary Internet software some years back when Microsoft Windows was not ready for Internet. Low cost compared to any other alternative.

Extremely reliable No reboots in 450+ days. Easy to setup.

Download a CD, Burn it, Boot from it and the server is ready for adding users and setting passwords. Lower hardware requirements.

17 Linux Provide Security As there is a limited access Of user to basic files and folders, in Linux network it provide security to user’s privacy. Without disclosing the secured data Linux acts as a efficient server.

18 Linux is Virus Free.

19 Linux Vs Windows.

22 Microsoft and Linux Are still, the two most popular operating Systems.

24 COST LINUXWINDOWS Online DownloadsFreeNot Available Retail Price, CD$50$300. 25 Linux Applications for Servers All common Internet services available – Mail, Web, DNS, etc.

A 486 66MHz can be your firewall No cost to setup a server. As easy as download a CD and install.

Keeps running for years.

27 ADVANTAGES OF LINUX  Freedom  Stability  Less Affected by virus  Does Not Slow Down Over Time  Method of Updating Software DISADVANTAGES OF LINUX  Many Windows Program not run on Linux  Linux is not Easy Beginner. 28 Most Linux distros are free.

This is only one aspects of Freedom enjoy by the Linux users.

When it does whole system do not go down. Updated regularly with the latest security patches and kernel builds.

30 Linux is More Secure From viruses than Windows. Linux/Ubuntu has awesome Auditing system by default.

32 With Linux Distro majority of needed Software can be installed and Update from central package management Provided by Distro. It automatically update all the drivers when needed.

33 Disadvantages Many Windows Program not run on Linux. Linux is not Easy Beginner.

34 – News, Software, Documentation, Tutorials, etc. Another great Linux resource site.

Excellent help for beginners. Linux cartoon strips Further Reference.

23H2 (10.0.22631.2861) (December 12, 2023. 24 days ago (2023-12-12) ) [±].

1 day ago (2024-01-04) ) [±]. 10.0.23612.1000 (January 3, 2024.

Microsoft Windows is a group of several proprietary graphical operating system families developed and marketed by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry.

Defunct Windows families include Windows 9x, Windows Mobile, Windows Phone, and Windows Embedded Compact.

Windows is the most popular desktop operating system in the world, with a 70% market share as of March 2023[update], according to StatCounter. However, Windows is not the most used operating system when including both mobile and desktop OSes, due to Android’s massive growth.

As of December 2023[update], the most recent version of Windows is Windows 11 for consumer PCs and tablets, Windows 11 Enterprise for corporations, and Windows Server 2022 for servers.

As of 2014,[update] the following Windows families were being actively developed:. These Windows families are no longer being developed:.

These products are generally categorized as follows:. The history of Windows dates back to 1981 when Microsoft started work on a program called “Interface Manager”.

Windows 1.0 was to compete with Apple’s operating system, but achieved little popularity. Windows 1.0 is not a complete operating system.

The shell of Windows 1.0 is a program known as the MS-DOS Executive. Components included Calculator, Calendar, Cardfile, Clipboard Viewer, Clock, Control Panel, Notepad, Paint, Reversi, Terminal and Write.

Instead, all windows are tiled. Only modal dialog boxes may appear over other windows.

Windows 2.0 was released in December 1987, and was more popular than its predecessor. It features several improvements to the user interface and memory management.

The result of this change led to Apple Computer filing a suit against Microsoft alleging infringement on Apple’s copyrights (eventually settled in court in Microsoft’s favor in 1993). Windows 2.0 also introduced more sophisticated keyboard shortcuts and could make use of expanded memory.

Windows 2.1 was released in two different versions: Windows/286 and Windows/386. Windows/386 uses the virtual 8086 mode of the Intel 80386 to multitask several DOS programs and the paged memory model to emulate expanded memory using available extended memory.

It runs in real mode but can make use of the high memory area.[citation needed]. In addition to full Windows packages, there were runtime-only versions that shipped with early Windows software from third parties and made it possible to run their Windows software on MS-DOS and without the full Windows feature set.

The early versions of Windows are often thought of as graphical shells, mostly because they ran on top of MS-DOS and used it for file system services. However, even the earliest Windows versions already assumed many typical operating system functions.

Unlike MS-DOS, Windows allowed users to execute multiple graphical applications at the same time, through cooperative multitasking. Windows implemented an elaborate, segment-based, software virtual memory scheme, which allows it to run applications larger than available memory: code segments and resources are swapped in and thrown away when memory became scarce.

Windows 3.0, released in 1990, improved the design, mostly because of virtual memory and loadable virtual device drivers (VxDs) that allow Windows to share arbitrary devices between multi-tasked DOS applications.[citation needed] Windows 3.0 applications can run in protected mode, which gives them access to several megabytes of memory without the obligation to participate in the software virtual memory scheme.

Windows 3.0 also featured improvements to the user interface. Microsoft rewrote critical operations from C into assembly.

Windows 3.1, made generally available on March 1, 1992, featured a facelift. In August 1993, Windows for Workgroups, a special version with integrated peer-to-peer networking features and a version number of 3.11, was released.

Support for Windows 3.1 ended on December 31, 2001.

The update was limited to this language version, as it fixed only issues related to the complex writing system of the Chinese language. Windows 3.2 was generally sold by computer manufacturers with a ten-disk version of MS-DOS that also had Simplified Chinese characters in basic output and some translated utilities.

The next major consumer-oriented release of Windows, Windows 95, was released on August 24, 1995. While still remaining MS-DOS-based, Windows 95 introduced support for native 32-bit applications, plug and play hardware, preemptive multitasking, long file names of up to 255 characters, and provided increased stability over its predecessors.

Windows 95 was a major commercial success for Microsoft. Ina Fried of CNET remarked that “by the time Windows 95 was finally ushered off the market in 2001, it had become a fixture on computer desktops around the world.” Microsoft published four OEM Service Releases (OSR) of Windows 95, each of which was roughly equivalent to a service pack.

Mainstream support for Windows 95 ended on December 31, 2000, and extended support for Windows 95 ended on December 31, 2001.

Windows 98 also included integration with Internet Explorer 4 through Active Desktop and other aspects of the Windows Desktop Update (a series of enhancements to the Explorer shell which was also made available for Windows 95). In May 1999, Microsoft released Windows 98 Second Edition, an updated version of Windows 98.

Mainstream support for Windows 98 ended on June 30, 2002, and extended support for Windows 98 ended on July 11, 2006.

Windows Me incorporated visual interface enhancements from its Windows NT-based counterpart Windows 2000, had faster boot times than previous versions (which however, required the removal of the ability to access a real mode DOS environment, removing compatibility with some older programs), expanded multimedia functionality (including Windows Media Player 7, Windows Movie Maker, and the Windows Image Acquisition framework for retrieving images from scanners and digital cameras), additional system utilities such as System File Protection and System Restore, and updated home networking tools.

PC World considered Windows Me to be one of the worst operating systems Microsoft had ever released, and the fourth worst tech product of all time.

NT OS/2 was intended to be a secure, multi-user operating system with POSIX compatibility and a modular, portable kernel with preemptive multitasking and support for multiple processor architectures. However, following the successful release of Windows 3.0, the NT development team decided to rework the project to use an extended 32-bit port of the Windows API known as Win32 instead of those of OS/2.

Linux vs Windows is an age-old battle of the operating systems which has led to wars, disagreements and almost fanatical behavior on the Internet, for what seems like forever. I think it is important to stress that this article will discuss not which is, the best OS because it is impossible to come to that conclusion.

So, what follows is hopefully a fair review of both these Operating Systems based on different, specific criteria. Following are the topics we’re going to discuss through this blog.

What is Linux.

Distributions. Which one is for you.

Conclusion. Windows is a licensed operating system and its source code is inaccessible.

It is simple and straightforward to use. Windows offers features like,.

It was based upon the MS-DOS core. Following that initial launch, new versions of Windows were quickly rolled out.

In 1995, perhaps the most widely used version yet, Windows 95 was born. At this point, it ran on a 16-bit DOS-based kernel and 32-bit userspace to enhance the user experience.

You can take a look at the video tutorial for a more wholesome Idea of the same.

Linux is a free and open source operating system based on Unix standards which provides a programming interface as well as user interface compatibility. It also contains many separately developed elements, free from proprietary code.

Its modular feature allows most drivers to dynamically load and unload at run time. Interested in Linux Administration.

Linux was created by Finnish student Linus Torvalds, who wanted to create a free operating system kernel that anyone could use. It was launched much later than Windows, in 1991.

With just a few lines of source code in its original release to where it stands today, containing more than 23.3 million lines of the source code, Linux has surely grown considerably. Linux was first distributed under GNU General Public License in 1992.

According to the market research data, on 92.63% of the world’s PCs, Windows is running, while hardly 1% of PC users use Linux. Many users say it is hard to use Linux as compared to Windows and so the appeal of Linux is very limited for household use.

Hence, corporation servers are running on Linux, irrespective of the GUI. Also, due to the licensing agreement with Microsoft, various PC vendors are entitled to bundle Windows OS with their PC, enabling Windows to gain market popularity over Linux.

Linux uses the monolithic kernel which consumes more running space whereas Windows uses the micro-kernel which takes less space but lowers the system running efficiency than Linux.

In Linux, everything is treated like a file. Directories are files, files are files, and externally connected devices (such as Printer, mouse, keyboard) are also files.

Every Windows user has faced security and stability issues at some point in time. Since Windows is an extensively used OS, hackers, spammers target Windows frequently.

Microsoft often releases security patches through its Windows Update service. These go out once a month, although critical updates are made available at shorter intervals or when necessary.

This is caused due to the failure of the system to respond. Eventually, the user has to keep aside his/her frustrations and manually restart the PC.

As Linux is community-driven with regular monitoring by the developers from every corner of the earth, any new problem raised can be solved within a few hours and the necessary patch can be ready for supply.

Windows scores. This is where the Redmond offering wipes the floor with Linux.

Users of Windows can be certain that almost any software(even the most obscure, outdated software) will work, even when it is abandoned by developers. Windows has great legacy support.

Linux, on the other hand, has been struggling with basics that Windows users take for granted. Ease of Use.

Linux, over recent years, has gone leaps and bounds when it comes to usability. Distributions like Linux Mint and Ubuntu, have even gone as far as making their installation and setup simpler for non-technical users to do carry on with day-to-day activities with the utmost ease.

Buy a new laptop or PC, and there is quite the chance it comes with Windows 10 installed. Users are used to clicking the toolbar and opening their favourite programs, for so many years now that it makes it very difficult for them to make the switch.

If you are a Linux user, you have an operating system that doesn’t spy on you. Having Linux means the system is yours and yours alone.

As a user, you can be sure that device theft poses no real problem to your data. On the contrary, Windows has gotten more advert driven over the last few years.

Windows can watch what users do, offering to sync to the Microsoft One-Drive service or to learn behavior to make Cortana (the Microsoft personal assistant) better. To be honest, I do not favor these tools, as they’re pretty intrusive.

Subjective opinion. Linux is an open source operating system whereas Windows OS is commercial.

In Linux, the user has access to the source code of the kernel and alter the code according to his need. It has its own advantages.

In windows only selected members to have access to the source code.

Companies offer paid support for their distros, but the underlying software is still free to download and install. Microsoft Windows is generally priced between $99.00 and $199.00 USD for each licensed copy.

Windows, as we all have come to know, becomes sluggish by the day. You have to re-install Windows after a while when you encounter crashes or slowdowns on your system.

Linux helps your system run smoothly for a longer period. Much longer.

Also, as a Windows user, you will have to develop a habit where you keep on rebooting the system for just about everything. Just installed software – reboot.

Uninstalled software – reboot.

System seems to slow down, you guessed it right – reboot.

This is probably why you could observe that most of the Internet giants like Facebook and Google run on Linux. Even supercomputers run mostly on Linux.

It is because Linux is far more reliable than Windows OS. Period.

While Windows has maintained quite the standard version structure, with updates and versions split into tiers, Linux is far more complex. Originally designed as an OS accessible to all, the Linux Kernel today underpins all Linux operating systems.

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Why Linux, and why not Abdulgafar Abodunrin 9mo. Abdulgafar Abodunrin.

If you’re currently running Windows 10 but recently started thinking about a potential switch to Linux, there’s a chance that you’re still undecided on what distro to install on your device. While Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or elementary OS work just fine, there’s one Linux distro that makes former Windows 10 users feel like home.

As you can see in the screenshot here and in the video embedded at the end of the article, Linuxfx looks and feels exactly like Windows 10. You also get a Start menu with a Windows Start button – this one, however, could actually be an issue, as Microsoft might not like seeing its Windows logo in another OS.

In addition to a Helloa, a digital assistant that has been tweaked to look like Cortana, this Linux OS also ships with a pack of apps that Windows users will find very useful, including Skype, TeamViewer, and Microsoft Teams. The icon of the mail app, which is actually Evolution, is borrowed from Outlook for an even more familiar experience.

How many Windows 10 users would migrate to Linux thanks to this distro is something that remains to be seen, but right now, there’s no doubt that Linux has finally become the Windows alternative that Microsoft never wanted to see happening.

There are many reasons why Linux should be preferred over proprietary software platforms such as Windows and Mac. But here, we are listing the top ten reasons to give you a clear picture.

But its user interface and ease of use has been steadily improving over the last few years. Linux has today become user-friendly enough to replace Windows on desktops.

Here are the ten most important reasons why. Linux ought to be adopted by home users, educational institutes and businesses.

The security aspect was kept in mind when developing Linux and it is much less vulnerable to viruses compared to Windows. Programs cannot make changes to the system settings and configuration unless the user is logged in as the root (equivalent to the administrator user in Windows) user.

hence, they cannot do much damage to the system, except to their own files and programs, since the downloaded file/malware will have limited privileges. You can browse the Internet without worrying about your system getting infected.

The reason for this higher level of security is that since Linux is open source software, the source code is available for review. A huge number of developers all over the world have gone through the code, which means that most of the flaws have already been discovered.

The Linux OS runs exactly as fast as it did when first installed, even after several years. Most of us must have experienced how a freshly installed Windows system runs extremely fast and the same system becomes slow after around six months to one year.

The uptime for the Linux servers is very high and the availability is around 99.9 per cent. Unlike Windows, you need not reboot a Linux server after every update or patch.

According to an article on the zdnet website, 96.3 per cent of the top 1 million Web servers are running on Linux. Twenty-three out of the Top twenty five websites run on Linux.

Maintaining the Linux OS is easy, as the user can centrally update the OS and all software installed very easily. All the variants of Linux have their own central software repository, which is used to update the system and keep it safe.

The updating can be done periodically, with just a few clicks, or users can even automate the updating process. Updating a Windows system is not so easy compared to a Linux system.

All of us know that with every new release of Windows OS, a huge number of hardware systems become obsolete as their technical specifications are no longer adequate to run the latest Windows OS. Linux makes very efficient use of the system’s resources.

The installation procedure is very flexible, and allows users to choose the modules they want to install. This allows them to install Linux even on old hardware, thus helping in optimal use of all the hardware resources.

You can give new life to your old and slow Windows system by installing a lightweight Linux system, or even run a NAS or media streamer using a particular distribution of Linux. There are also lightweight desktops like Xfce and LXDE which can run on lower-end PCs.

All the basic software required by a typical user and even an advanced user are available. Dozens of educational software are available under Linux.

Businesses can use the software free of cost and reduce their IT budgets substantially. The most important aspect of Linux is that its source code is available as it falls under the FOSS category (Free and Open Source Software).

Several countries are developing their own versions of Linux. This will ultimately help these countries in developing their own OSs for specialised or strategic areas like defence, communications, etc, to begin with.

Usage of foreign and compromised computer operating systems and communication software can bring the country to its knees within a few days, both militarily and economically. Hence, using FOSS tools is critical for the security of any country.

C-DAC has developed BOSS (Bharat Operating System Solutions), India’s own PC operating system. Contrary to the general belief that Linux is only for geeks, it has now become user-friendly and has a good graphical user interface (GUI).

The GUI has developed to the extent that most of what typical users want can be done on Linux, as easily as it is done in Windows, without knowing any commands. In case you are using some applications which run only on Windows, you can install Wine (Windows Emulator), using which you can run those applications on a Linux system.

Even if a particular game is not available on Linux, you can install PlayOnLinux to run Windows games. Users have tremendous flexibility in customising the system as per their requirements.

There are more than half-a-dozen desktop environments to choose from, like GNOME, KDE, etc. For any task, right from the GUI interface and file managers, to DVD burners and browsers, around four to six options are available for any particular software.

But these programs can be combined to write really powerful programs and utilities. The Linux OS offers a command line interface with several shells to choose from.

This is the most useful aspect for students, as they can use the software to study how it works, before modifying and extending the code to suit their needs. This will also help them to learn the internals of an OS and the software.

Even if users are not programmers, they can contribute to Linux by helping in documentation, translation and testing. It can be a fantastic educational tool for schools and colleges as free software is available to aid in teaching.

There are alternatives available to it like Scilab and GNU Octave. Linux software is available in many areas— Celestia and Stellarium for astronomy, Avogadro and Gabedit for chemistry, EMBOSS and TreeView X for biology.

There is strong community support for Linux over the Internet through various forums. Any question posed in forums will usually get a quick response as a lot of volunteers are online and working to solve the problems due to their passion for Linux.

Linux is an open source operating system used everywhere, from your phone to your smart TV. The Linux kernel can be found powering the software on millions of devices.

Much like Microsoft Windows and Mac OS, Linux is used mainly as a computer operating system. The difference is that Linux is free, open source, and compatible with a much wider range of devices.

Linux starts with Linus Torvalds, who began work on the code in 1991 while a student at the University of Helsinki. Linus wanted to create a better alternative to MINIX, a UNIX-based operating system developed for use in the educational field.

©Profit_Image/Shutterstock.com. Using almost exclusively the C-programming language, Linus developed the Linux kernel using the foundation laid by Richard Stallman’s work on the GNU project.

Not long after, Red Hat and Suse became the first Linux distributions based on the original kernel. Linux exploded in popularity over the next few years.

Additionally, Dell became the first manufacturer to offer Linux across its entire product line. Over the next two decades, dozens of new Linux distributions are released, driven mainly by hobbyist developers.

Although Linux doesn’t enjoy the huge popularity that Microsoft Windows and Mac OS have, it still caters to a niche audience. Additionally, since Linux is completely open source, there are no licensing fees or costs to use it.

Depending on what you’re looking to do, you should be able to find a tutorial that caters to your needs. If you are familiar with Windows or Mac OS, most distributions of Linux are similar.

To start with Linux, you’ll need a computer with an internet connection and a USB storage device with at least 8GB of space. Once you have the key ingredients, the installation of Linux is quite simple:

Due to its similarity to other operating systems, you can get started with Linux having only basic computer skills. Browsing the internet, watching videos, and checking your social media can all be done easily.

The most essential part of the Linux user’s toolbox is the command line, also known as the terminal. Learning the terminal in Linux allows you to gain a deeper understanding of how your computer works.

Additionally, mastering the most common commands is especially useful if you are a developer or systems administrator. If you want to become a “power user” of Linux, reading books on the topic can help you.

Now in its 10th edition, the Linux Bible contains everything a Linux user needs to know to get the most out of the operating system. Covering advanced topics such as managing users, storage, and security, as well as specialized software, the Linux Bible is packed with helpful information.

With all of the essential commands and tools, the Linux Pocket Guide is an excellent book to check out if you want to master the command line and become a power user in Linux. Daniel Barret also wrote another book, Efficient Linux at the Command Line, which covers commands and terminal usage on a more advanced level.

However, the best way to learn Linux is to jump in and start using it. Microsoft Windows has always been the most prominent contender to Linux.

Even compared to Mac OS, Linux is still notably less popular among typical computer users. That doesn’t mean Linux doesn’t have its advantages.

You can modify and edit the kernel to your liking and install a wide range of packages and software to enhance your experience. Additionally, with a vast support network for Linux worldwide, you’ll find no shortage of assistance if you run into problems and need help.

This means that you can’t modify or edit your kernel and may also notice more limited compatibility relative to Linux. Windows also suffers in performance and privacy due to the bloated nature of the operating system.

Overall, Linux is the preferred operating system if you want to get more customization out of your computer’s operating system. If you enjoy tinkering and solving problems, Linux will be fun for you to use.

If you don’t care about exploring how your computer works and just want something easy to use, sticking with Windows pre-installed on your PC may be the wiser choice. ©Roman Samborskyi/Shutterstock.com.

Thanks to this, we have thousands of different versions or ‘distributions’ of Linux. Over the years, some versions became extremely popular and developed strong fan bases of users and contributors.

Released in 2004, Ubuntu has become the most popular Linux distribution of all time, with over 25 million users worldwide. Ubuntu has been developed over the years to become a powerful operating system and a great alternative to Mac OS or Windows.

Users enjoy compatibility with the most popular apps, including Spotify, Google Chrome, Skype, Telegram, and others.

Initially released in 2006, Linux Mint grew in popularity due to how easy it was to use and the library of free apps it came with. With Firefox, LibreOffice, Thunderbird, and tons of media software preinstalled, Linux Mint is a very powerful operating system.

Thanks to a stronger built-in firewall with a higher level of customizability, Fedora makes a great security-focused operating system. With increased attention to security, it’s no wonder that Fedora became very popular in the server and enterprise field.

Unlike other distributions of Linux, which focus on performance, usability, and other features, Tails is designed solely for privacy. Users who care about their privacy admire Tails due to its built-in ‘amnesic’ function, which means the operating system forgets all traces of user activity when the computer is shut down.

Debian is commonly used by developers and enterprise applications, but it is also commended as being reasonably easy to use for beginners. One of the oldest versions of Linux, the beta of Debian, was initially released in 1993.

Arch Linux is less user-friendly than other versions of Linux, but has several advantages for the experienced user. With a minimal design, users are encouraged to maintain complete control of every aspect of their operating system.

However, Arch Linux is ideal if you enjoy the hands-on approach and want a unique option. As of 2023, huge companies like Amazon, Google, and IBM are opting to use Linux over operating system competitors like Windows, due to the security, scalability, and stability that Linux provides its users.

Linux allows each individual gamer to tailor their operating system to their liking. The image featured at the top of this post is ©jivacore/Shutterstock.com.