Sun and the black box of the internet

SANTA CLARA, CA, United States — What would you do if you would have to store 2 PetaBytes of data? The Internet Archive chose Sun’s Modular Datacenter (Sun MD) equipped with Sun’s Open Storage technology.
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New Spokesperson at GoDaddy: Anna Rawson

GoDaddy – one of the world’s biggest registrars and web host. And in the same time notorious about signing contract with attractive women.
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Linux versus Windows – the truth!

Oh, here we go, yet another “is Linux better than windows”. The internet is full of this discussion, but sick of reading biased opinions I thought it was time to make an unbiased one!

Having used various Linux OS’s, including Gentoo and compiling my own kernel, and all windows platforms since the 3.11 release back in the mid 90’s, I have a good knowledge of the progress and developments made.
I haven’t had Windows installed for about 3 months now, and Ubuntu is actually my choice of OS, but that’s not to say I wouldn’t go back to Windows.

Wndows – XP and Vista, as they’re Microsoft’s latest releases.
Linux – Ubuntu 8.10, as I’m currently using it and it’s the latest Ubuntu and arguably one of the most “user friendly” Linux distros.

So, which is better?
The quick and simple answer is “neither” as both have a lot of pros and cons.
Windows has around 85% market share of the entire operating system market, is it time more people used Linux? Can people rely on Linux to be as user friendly as Windows?
Not really.

The longer answer:

Both Linux and Windows can often be user un-friendly.
Installing, configuring and then day to day usages, browsing the internet, emailing, getting songs playing on your PC or connecting your ipod or printer are usually fairly straight forward – but only when it all works correctly.
As soon as there is an issue, error or fault, the standard end user is left in the dark with no explanation of what went wrong, how to fix it or even where to go for advice on the issue.

This can often be a little worse in Linux, as to fix issues or even investigate problems can often mean typing commands into a terminal. It’s daunting enough being completely lost as to the problem in front of you, why your MP3’s have disappeared into an intergalactic void, or the software you tried to install says “error: 0×058743”, but you get added confusion and fear from having to tackle textual commands in a terminal that, with even a simple typo in the command, you could easily render your entire system useless.

So although both Linux and Windows are only easy and user friendly when everything works without problems, arguably Windows has the edge on this problem as it is marginally more user friendly plus there are MANY more forums and websites with assistance for XP and vista.

The help and support and advice for Linux is in abundance, but often it isn’t fixes or tutorials for the faint hearted. The basic problems, like why the screen resolution isn’t correct, or where does it save my files (etc) are generally easy to resolve, even if help is required.
But beyond simple tasks, most people who use Linux are usually more advanced users, and more often than not they have forgotten that the users they are trying to offer help and advice to are not people who spend all day everyday messing with computers.

The same issue is present with advice and help with Windows, but with there being more forums and websites catered for Windows support, you can often find a more novice explanation elsewhere.

Fortunately the textual commands in Linux are often provided by forums and websites, so it is usually a case of simply copying and pasting that text and the problem is resolved.
For these circumstances, this is fantastic, but if that copy paste code was incorrect, given to you without thought of surrounding considerations (your Linux version etc) then it can actually add to your problems. And if you are asking for help, you don’t have this knowledge and have to trust the advice given to you.

That said, for those who enjoy learning and hobbying with their PC, this is a good thing and most certainly has a less commercial feel to it all than Windows.

There is more software available for Windows, although it’s not necessarily an advantage as much of it is simply duplicated. Different companies providing the same functionality as other software with slightly different layout (and price).
In fact, often it’s software hidden deep inside Windows that users don’t know even exists, and companies charge money for their software that simply uses the already present Microsoft one.

Ubuntu and other Linux distros have access to a repository. So you can click on the “add and remove programs” and search for a software type or name and if it’s in the repository, you simply click “install” and it installs without problem.
I know that sounds too good to be true, but I have installed 30 or 40 different software applications and all have worked perfectly.
There is also “canonical-maintained software”, and this is a choice within the add/remove programs section where you can choose to only download software that is bug tested, virus checked and also has automatic updates provided for it through Ubuntu itself.

Unlike Windows, there isn’t an almost unlimited supply of software, and it is true that some Windows applications or third party software don’t have a decent equivalent on Linux.
But for the majority of requirements, Linux has everything you need and with the added advantage that it can be searched for and installed at the press of a few buttons.

So, saying one is better than the other is like saying a Ferrari is better than a 5 door family Ford.

Sure the Ferrari is faster, more fun to drive and probably most people’s choice if they could afford one, but it’s no good in big cities stuck in traffic jams for hours on the way to work. The Ford would be much better for that.

And the same is with most things, including Linux versus Windows.

Certain Linux distros, like Ubuntu, are pushing hard towards reaching that same level of easy-to-use environment, and they have moved a great deal away from the olden days where typing text into a command terminal was required for all operations.

Like various Linux distros, Ubuntu has simple navigation like Windows, with a similar control panel allowing graphical point and click access to various settings. Mouse, sound, graphics, power, desktop settings, bluetooth etc.

The conclusion…

For the standard end user who isn’t a PC hobbyist and just wants the basic functions a PC provides, Windows is most certainly the choice due to the larger amount of help and support available, and arguably a more user friendly environment.

For those with even a little bit of an adventurous sole, or simply want to try something different, the Ubuntu install is very much as easy as the Windows one. In fact, there were one or two things during the install the user has to choose that is likely confusing to the average user, that were explained in a little more detail on Ubuntu install.

By all means try Linux. It’s completely free with no limitations whatsoever.

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Verizon Wireless and Nokia introduced the Nokia 7205 Intrigue

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, USA and WHITE PLAINS, NY, USA — The multifunctional new Nokia device is available beginning today in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and through the company’s online store at www.verizonwireless.com.
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