Linux vs Windows 2000

Every time your PC crashes, you can't resolve a
hardware conflict, or that accursed Blue Screen
of Death stares you in the face, you wonder: Is
it time to switch operating systems?
Specifically, is it time to make the move to
Linux? You've heard how great it is-- a free
operating system that never crashes and only
needs the barest-bones configuration of a 386
processor and 16MB of RAM.

Many of the stories about Linux's iron-clad
reliability are true. But before you abandon
Windows 95, 98, or NT-- or abandon hope that
Windows 2000 will fix its predecessors'
problems-- consider some key points. PC
Computing compared Windows 2000 and the
most current version of Red Hat Linux in four
crucial areas: installation and setup, reliability,
applications, and support. Here's a rundown.
(For the full story, check out page 192 of the
June issue of PC Computing or visit the ZDNET website.)


Installation and setup
Linux setup-- even on the commercial versions
such as those from Red Hat and Caldera-- is
getting easier. But it's still much more complex
than Windows. With each version of its OS,
Microsoft keeps making installation and
administration easier. Plus, with Windows 2000
you get self-repairing files and automated
software setup over a network.

Winner: Windows

Reliability
Anyone who's ever experienced several Windows
crashes in a day knows that it probably can't win
on reliability. Linux's reliability is already rock solid
and should only improve. Many users report
systems that run for months-- even years--
without crashing. Windows 2000 must still prove
that it can overcome Windows' crash-prone history.

Winner: Linux



Applications
Linux apps keep coming (PC Computing collected the
best on page 198 of the June issue), but even more
mainstream software vendors must climb aboard.
Corel now has a Linux version of WordPerfect, and it's
poised to release its entire productivity suite for
Linux. But Microsoft doesn't plan to develop Linux
versions of Office, which means you're still stuck with
Windows if you want Word, Excel, or Access. If you
write software and want to get rich, you write it for
Windows.

Winner: Windows

Support
Microsoft's name carries weight in the boardroom, and
with home users too. With a huge support staff, plus
thousands of trained Windows pros and resellers,
Microsoft has the edge (which is not to say you can
always get through when you call Microsoft tech
support). Although there are increasing support
options for Linux-- such as Linuxcare-- by next year,
enterprise-level support for the OS will still be spotty.

Winner: Windows

The Verdict
If Windows 2000 meets its goals, it will be a big step
forward for operating systems. But development
delays have put it months away from hitting the
shelves.

Meanwhile, Linux is reliable and available now--
although usability snags and limited support make
it a better server than desktop OS. As big-name
software vendors and support continue to emerge,
Linux will remain a serious contender.

Linux is best for:
Small business owners or IS professionals who
need email, Web, file sharing, or other types of
servers but can't afford to spend a bundle on
hardware (or Windows NT for that matter) are the
best candidates for Linux. The OS is perfect for basic
server tasks, and the latest packages (such as those
from Red Hat and Caldera) make installation more
painless with each new version.
If you're considering Linux for use on your home PC,
make sure you know what you're getting into. Installing
Linux-- even the commercial versions that arrive on
CD-ROM with a manual-- is not for the faint of heart.
And using it is not always headache-free. But if you
understand technology and insist on switching from
Windows to something more stable and more flexible,
Linux may be the best option.