gschier
April 1st, 2009, 01:33 AM
HELLO everyone, this is my first post. I have written an essay for my english 135 class and would like some feedback, editing, suggestions, etc. thanks :popcorn:
Linux Ubuntu Beats Microsoft Windows
It is commonly known to most of the general population that Microsoft Windows in the most dominant operating system used for computing. However, there is an operating system that has been around long before Windows was even created; that operating system is known as Linux. Linux, unlike Windows, is a family of operating systems and has many variations because of its open-source capability, which means that anyone can modify the source code and create a custom operating system from it and redistribute it. Perhaps one of the most popular versions of the Linux operating system is Linux Ubuntu. Similar to Windows, Ubuntu is an operating system which has new releases periodically that are maintained and distributed by an organization named Canonical Ltd. There are many similarities between Windows and Ubuntu but there are also many differences that make Ubuntu stand out. Ubuntu is a better operating system because of its adaptability, free and open-source distribution, and also its security and protection features.
While most Linux distributions are for advanced computer users, Ubuntu was designed to be extremely user friendly and adaptable to the general public. Most people generally avoid Linux because they believe it will be harder to use than their current operating system. However, contrary to many beliefs, Ubuntu "out of the box" is very similar to Windows. Ubuntu includes a panel at the top of the screen with a menu, much like Windows, which is used to see programs, browse file directories, and edit system preferences. The panel also shows the time and date, currently opened windows, and many more convenient applets. In addition to this, a user is able to add more panels to any side of the screen as well as add more features such as weather status, a battery monitor and a CPU usage meter with a few simple clicks. Another reason why people tend to shy away from Linux is because it is hard to install programs since it has to be done manually most of the time by means of code and commands. The general user prefers a step by step, visual process such as the one used by Windows programs. This is why the makers of Ubuntu have provided a visual interface that allows the user to easily find and install programs. The interface shows a categorized list of hundreds of programs available (including popularity ratings and description) at the click of a button. It then downloads the selected programs from the Internet and installs them automatically. This process only involves one click, whereas in Windows, a user has to sit through multiple windows and agree to disclaimers, uncheck unwanted "add-ons," etc. If these features aren't enough to convince the average Windows user, Ubuntu also has an application known as Wine, which is a Windows machine emulator that makes it possible to install almost any windows program and run it alongside Ubuntu. Among these convenient features, another desirable attribute of Ubuntu is the cost.
Perhaps one of the most important things to know about Ubuntu and all other Linux distributions is that it is completely free and it is open-source (can be modified by anyone and redistributed). The free aspect is beneficial to the public and especially beneficial to large businesses that require installing hundreds of operating systems at a time. Not only is the operating system free, but all of the programs available to Linux users are free as well, which means that companies can save thousands of dollars on software and focus their budget on more important areas. Getting software for free is also appealing because instead of going to the store or buying software on-line, this step can be skipped and time and money can be saved. Moreover, the open-source concept of software is mostly beneficial to the advanced user, but this also affects the general user significantly. For example, if a person wanted his or her word processing program to have a new feature, or a customized toolbar, he or she could modify the existing code and post it on the Internet to make available to the public. Modifications like this are common in the Linux community and help the usability and quality of software grow at a very fast pace. This is not possible in Windows because copy-write laws make it illegal to modify and redistribute programs to the public, but even with these strict laws many Windows users still download pirated software because it is easy to get away with. However, this can lead to the main cause of what Windows users fear the most: viruses.
Most people who own a computer today are aware of the risk viruses as well as losing personal or confidential information over the Internet, which comes to another reason to choose Ubuntu. Getting a virus on Ubuntu is about as likely as getting hit by a car. Windows is easily susceptible to viruses because it allows applications to freely access system files without authentication. A virus is able to get into the system files and alter them to easily take over the whole computer. On Ubuntu, the system files are highly protected and do not allow access to programs without the root password from the user, so the only thing that the virus can do is access the home directory (called "My Documents" in Windows). This however, can be easily avoided by setting the permissions of the home directory to "read-only" from the preferences menu. Also, for those who like to feel extra safe there are multiple anti-virus programs available for Ubuntu even though they are not necessarily needed.
In conclusion, Ubuntu has many feature which make it stand out from Windows, as well as many features which make it similar to Windows and easily adaptable for a Windows user. Ubuntu can save home users and businesses money unlike other operating systems costing over $100 each; Ubuntu can also provide inexperienced computer users with an easy to use interface combined with unlimited ways to modify it, and most of all, Ubuntu can provide everyone with the security and protection they require in order to have the safest computing experience possible. It is hard to believe that Ubuntu started as a simple idea, and with the input of the community and its users, has grown into a huge project which is now capable of threatening even Microsoft! It is because of this that the Linux Ubuntu operating system is worth switching to and this is why so many people are already joining the Ubuntu revolution and enjoying the freedom and versatility of Ubuntu.
Linux Ubuntu Beats Microsoft Windows
It is commonly known to most of the general population that Microsoft Windows in the most dominant operating system used for computing. However, there is an operating system that has been around long before Windows was even created; that operating system is known as Linux. Linux, unlike Windows, is a family of operating systems and has many variations because of its open-source capability, which means that anyone can modify the source code and create a custom operating system from it and redistribute it. Perhaps one of the most popular versions of the Linux operating system is Linux Ubuntu. Similar to Windows, Ubuntu is an operating system which has new releases periodically that are maintained and distributed by an organization named Canonical Ltd. There are many similarities between Windows and Ubuntu but there are also many differences that make Ubuntu stand out. Ubuntu is a better operating system because of its adaptability, free and open-source distribution, and also its security and protection features.
While most Linux distributions are for advanced computer users, Ubuntu was designed to be extremely user friendly and adaptable to the general public. Most people generally avoid Linux because they believe it will be harder to use than their current operating system. However, contrary to many beliefs, Ubuntu "out of the box" is very similar to Windows. Ubuntu includes a panel at the top of the screen with a menu, much like Windows, which is used to see programs, browse file directories, and edit system preferences. The panel also shows the time and date, currently opened windows, and many more convenient applets. In addition to this, a user is able to add more panels to any side of the screen as well as add more features such as weather status, a battery monitor and a CPU usage meter with a few simple clicks. Another reason why people tend to shy away from Linux is because it is hard to install programs since it has to be done manually most of the time by means of code and commands. The general user prefers a step by step, visual process such as the one used by Windows programs. This is why the makers of Ubuntu have provided a visual interface that allows the user to easily find and install programs. The interface shows a categorized list of hundreds of programs available (including popularity ratings and description) at the click of a button. It then downloads the selected programs from the Internet and installs them automatically. This process only involves one click, whereas in Windows, a user has to sit through multiple windows and agree to disclaimers, uncheck unwanted "add-ons," etc. If these features aren't enough to convince the average Windows user, Ubuntu also has an application known as Wine, which is a Windows machine emulator that makes it possible to install almost any windows program and run it alongside Ubuntu. Among these convenient features, another desirable attribute of Ubuntu is the cost.
Perhaps one of the most important things to know about Ubuntu and all other Linux distributions is that it is completely free and it is open-source (can be modified by anyone and redistributed). The free aspect is beneficial to the public and especially beneficial to large businesses that require installing hundreds of operating systems at a time. Not only is the operating system free, but all of the programs available to Linux users are free as well, which means that companies can save thousands of dollars on software and focus their budget on more important areas. Getting software for free is also appealing because instead of going to the store or buying software on-line, this step can be skipped and time and money can be saved. Moreover, the open-source concept of software is mostly beneficial to the advanced user, but this also affects the general user significantly. For example, if a person wanted his or her word processing program to have a new feature, or a customized toolbar, he or she could modify the existing code and post it on the Internet to make available to the public. Modifications like this are common in the Linux community and help the usability and quality of software grow at a very fast pace. This is not possible in Windows because copy-write laws make it illegal to modify and redistribute programs to the public, but even with these strict laws many Windows users still download pirated software because it is easy to get away with. However, this can lead to the main cause of what Windows users fear the most: viruses.
Most people who own a computer today are aware of the risk viruses as well as losing personal or confidential information over the Internet, which comes to another reason to choose Ubuntu. Getting a virus on Ubuntu is about as likely as getting hit by a car. Windows is easily susceptible to viruses because it allows applications to freely access system files without authentication. A virus is able to get into the system files and alter them to easily take over the whole computer. On Ubuntu, the system files are highly protected and do not allow access to programs without the root password from the user, so the only thing that the virus can do is access the home directory (called "My Documents" in Windows). This however, can be easily avoided by setting the permissions of the home directory to "read-only" from the preferences menu. Also, for those who like to feel extra safe there are multiple anti-virus programs available for Ubuntu even though they are not necessarily needed.
In conclusion, Ubuntu has many feature which make it stand out from Windows, as well as many features which make it similar to Windows and easily adaptable for a Windows user. Ubuntu can save home users and businesses money unlike other operating systems costing over $100 each; Ubuntu can also provide inexperienced computer users with an easy to use interface combined with unlimited ways to modify it, and most of all, Ubuntu can provide everyone with the security and protection they require in order to have the safest computing experience possible. It is hard to believe that Ubuntu started as a simple idea, and with the input of the community and its users, has grown into a huge project which is now capable of threatening even Microsoft! It is because of this that the Linux Ubuntu operating system is worth switching to and this is why so many people are already joining the Ubuntu revolution and enjoying the freedom and versatility of Ubuntu.