Linux vs. Windows

Hardware the OS Runs On

• Linux– Various types• Old PCs using 486

processor• New dual core

processors

• Windows– Microsoft specific

CPUs

Hard Disk Partitions

• Linux– Boot from 1 of 2

drives• Primary Partition• Logical Partition

– Live CD

• Windows– Boot from only

Primary Partition

File Systems

• Linux– Non-journaled• ext2

– Journaled• ext3• ext4• reiserfs• jfs

• Windows– Non-journaled• FAT variants

– Journaled• NTFS

File Hierarchy

• Linux– Unified• All connected to root

(/)

• Windows– Volume-based• Uses letter for

Available Distributions

• Linux– Various

• Debain• Ubuntu• Fedora• SuSE• Many More

• Windows– Common

• XP• Server 2008• Vista• 7

– Occasional• 3.1• 95• 98• ME• 2000• NT• Server 2003

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

• Linux– Typically Two• KDE• GNOME

• Windows– One• Changed over years

Updating Software

• Linux– Centralized for all

software– Multiple Package

Mangers• YUM• apt-get• Many others

• Windows – Only updates

Microsoft products– Other applications

updated by user

Security

• Linux– Multi-User• root• restricted

– Malicious Software• Restricted to restricted

user• Usually fixed quickly

• Windows– Single-User• Administrative user

– Malicious Software• Free reign of all files• Fixed through

Microsoft• Needed use of:

– Anti-virus– Anti-spyware– Anti-malware

Cost

• Linux– Free to download

from distributors– Relatively cheap CDs– One copy for multiple

computers

• Windows

– Buy from store– One copy for one

computer