31 January 2007
BBC Posts OS Reviews
The BBC has published reviews from 4 computer users, two using Vista, one on Linux and one Mac OS X.
The first of the Vista reviewers had been using the OS for about 6 months and notes the 'visually stunning' display. Also considered a favorite of this reviewer is Flip 3D which provides a 3D view of all minimized tasks when alt+tab is pressed. He consideres Vista more stable than previous versions of Windows and is impressed by ReadyBoost which allows a USB flash drive to provide cache memory to increase performance.
The second of the reviewers was a software developer who had been using Vista for about a year. He focuses on the system from a software design point of view and considers Windows Presentation Foundation the biggest change between the systems. This allows for the creation of 'stunning' user interfaces and relies on DirectX to provide the features like 3D and animation. He also notes that his hardware all just worked, but acknowledged that it hasn't been everyone's experience. He did mention the cost of upgrading users' current systems as a drawback that may have many users waiting for when they upgrade their computer. Also the added expense of RAM and a graphics card that supports DirectX9. He does recommend 1 GB of RAM instead of the minimum 512 MB and recommends Windows XP users to upgrade as he considers Vista to be a large improvement over XP.
The Linux review lists an advantage of Linux as flexibility and ease of use even for novice users. While it is easy for novice users, it also mentions that experienced users have 'radical powers over their computer' that cannot be found in other OS's. Mentioned is the huge variety of software available that can be easily installed using package managers. The rare occurrence of viruses (and no successful spread of Linux viruses) adds to the lack of security worries in the system according to the review. Some of the desktops provide visual effects that he considers better than Vista and OS X. He does point of a drawback being that some hardware and mainstream games lack official support and as a result can be difficult to install, but points out that many people are willing to help with the issues. The main point listed that sets Linux apart from other systems is the issue of a free software license that encourages people to share the software with friends and encourages programmers to be better allowing others to view and improve their work.
The Mac OS X reviewer had switched to OS X six years ago from Windows and points out the the desktop is cleaner with no reminders and popups or other interruptions. He points out that the hardware and software work very well together and the system requires very little maintenance. His computer is used about 11 hours a day and is restarted every weekend and he cannot remember when any application crashed and has never had the OS crash. Also mentioned is the high security because of the base of the system being Unix and the lack of viruses. Also pointed out is that all of the functions just seem to work and work with Windows users too. He also mentions that he feels that he is in control of his computer rather than the computer controlling him.
I myself would agree with most of the points brought up by the person reviewing Linux but would point out that the lack of viruses does not necessarily equate to higher security. It can if you are referring to Trojans and other malware, but security also has to do with how easy the system is to break into. Provided that someone hasn't opened their system to create a security issue, Linux does tend to be very secure in that sense too though and even systems with unpatched vulnerabilities in the software running on the system can usually avoid problems.
The first of the Vista reviewers had been using the OS for about 6 months and notes the 'visually stunning' display. Also considered a favorite of this reviewer is Flip 3D which provides a 3D view of all minimized tasks when alt+tab is pressed. He consideres Vista more stable than previous versions of Windows and is impressed by ReadyBoost which allows a USB flash drive to provide cache memory to increase performance.
The second of the reviewers was a software developer who had been using Vista for about a year. He focuses on the system from a software design point of view and considers Windows Presentation Foundation the biggest change between the systems. This allows for the creation of 'stunning' user interfaces and relies on DirectX to provide the features like 3D and animation. He also notes that his hardware all just worked, but acknowledged that it hasn't been everyone's experience. He did mention the cost of upgrading users' current systems as a drawback that may have many users waiting for when they upgrade their computer. Also the added expense of RAM and a graphics card that supports DirectX9. He does recommend 1 GB of RAM instead of the minimum 512 MB and recommends Windows XP users to upgrade as he considers Vista to be a large improvement over XP.
The Linux review lists an advantage of Linux as flexibility and ease of use even for novice users. While it is easy for novice users, it also mentions that experienced users have 'radical powers over their computer' that cannot be found in other OS's. Mentioned is the huge variety of software available that can be easily installed using package managers. The rare occurrence of viruses (and no successful spread of Linux viruses) adds to the lack of security worries in the system according to the review. Some of the desktops provide visual effects that he considers better than Vista and OS X. He does point of a drawback being that some hardware and mainstream games lack official support and as a result can be difficult to install, but points out that many people are willing to help with the issues. The main point listed that sets Linux apart from other systems is the issue of a free software license that encourages people to share the software with friends and encourages programmers to be better allowing others to view and improve their work.
The Mac OS X reviewer had switched to OS X six years ago from Windows and points out the the desktop is cleaner with no reminders and popups or other interruptions. He points out that the hardware and software work very well together and the system requires very little maintenance. His computer is used about 11 hours a day and is restarted every weekend and he cannot remember when any application crashed and has never had the OS crash. Also mentioned is the high security because of the base of the system being Unix and the lack of viruses. Also pointed out is that all of the functions just seem to work and work with Windows users too. He also mentions that he feels that he is in control of his computer rather than the computer controlling him.
I myself would agree with most of the points brought up by the person reviewing Linux but would point out that the lack of viruses does not necessarily equate to higher security. It can if you are referring to Trojans and other malware, but security also has to do with how easy the system is to break into. Provided that someone hasn't opened their system to create a security issue, Linux does tend to be very secure in that sense too though and even systems with unpatched vulnerabilities in the software running on the system can usually avoid problems.
Labels: linux, Mac, microsoft, os, vista, windows
