English 4

Windows and Linux are two computer operating systems, both among the most popular. However, Windows is much more popular than Linux, virtually because Windows was released before Linux, so most market based software was written for the compatibility of Windows.

Windows is easy to install and use. But, we see people around us installing and using Windows, so we just consider Windows as being the only way of using computers. But in fact, both Windows & Linux are equally easy to install and use. If you are too lazy enough to bring a change in the way you use computers, and consider that switching to Linux is new & difficult, then you will use Windows. Linux is no doubt different from Windows, but not a bit difficult or new. Just ask yourself, "Did you know how to use Windows when you had used computers for very first time?" If you can't use computers without the official support and help provided by Microsoft and other companies producing Windows software, then Windows is right for you. No doubt Windows and software come with really good technical support and a guarantee, but even with Linux you have extensive support and help available from forums and technical support from companies who charge for this support like Novell, Red Hat, and Cannonical. There may be a chance that one of your computer hardware components may not work on Linux. The most common culprits are modems and graphic cards. The reason is: Windows occupies ninety percent of the desktop market and most of the hardware manufacturers make drivers for their hardware only for windows because developing drivers is a lot of work and a money requiring task. These manufacturers don't see the need or demand for producing drivers for Linux. However, Linux is secure, as there is not much discussion about anti-viruses and anti-spyware software being used on or for Linux. Linux is free and an open source software. There is very fast development, so you remain updated with the latest, most efficient software. This is sharply in contrast to Windows, because Windows development is done only by Microsoft, while Linux development is something done by millions of open source developers and supported by so many companies. As a result, Linux updates come on a very regular and short period, while Windows development is rather slow. And yes, in Linux, the update is for whole system rather than just the operating system. So you don't have to update each of your applications. Also, Linux's whole system update does not require you to reboot the system (except the kernel update), unlike windows where even an application installation or update may require you to reboot your system. Most Linux operating systems come pre-installed with your hardware drivers (unlike windows where you have to install them later). It also comes with Open Office Suite; Microsoft Office has to be bought separately, at a cost even higher than Windows. Other commonly used apps like, video player, music player, CD/DVD Burner, image editor, photos manager, email client, web browser (Firefox), and Messenger (unlike Windows