Windows vs. Ubuntu: Dell's New Confusing Take
Last month Dell posted a website that in no uncertain terms claimed that Ubuntu was safer than Windows.
"Ubuntu is safer than Microsoft Windows," Dell wrote in its list of top ten things users should know about Ubuntu. "The vast majority of viruses and spyware written by hackers are not designed to target and attack Linux."
"Linux is used on computers of all sizes ranging from the biggest to the smallest," Dell said. "If you’re the kind of person who likes your computer to simply work, Ubuntu is right for you. It’s based on stable, secure, easy-to-use software that’s been around for a long time."
For this month, Dell has corrected itself to clarify that each OS is for different types of users with differing wants and needs. Let's see what Dell says this time:
WHICH OPERATING SYSTEM SHOULD I CHOOSE ?
UBUNTU is not a Microsoft Windows operating system - and is not compatible with Microsoft Office programs - so it's important you make the right choice:
Choose WINDOWS if:
- You are already using WINDOWS programs (e.g. Microsoft Office, ITunes etc) and want to continue using them
- You are familiar with WINDOWS and do not want to learn new programs for email, word processing etc
- You are new to using computers
Choose UBUNTU if:
- You do not plan to use Microsoft WINDOWS
- You are interested in open source programming
So basically, people who use Windows or who have never used Windows should use Windows. You should only choose Ubuntu if you're into open source programming and so happen to require Dell's advice on which OS you want.
Did I just get downgraded to newb status for using Windows?
Linux = Open Source
Open Source != Linux
Wow, as if one didn't know that already!
Linux = Open Source
Open Source != Linux
???
This is so wrong, in ubuntu 9 at least, I didnt try 10 yet, but I got loads of errors and difficulties, from installing java into firefox requiring a lot of weird console commands which is imo the reason why any linux based OS still fails tothe public, to the "ubuntu update" that failed in the middle and didn't install anything, but somehow marked all updates as installed and I couldn't reinstall them again, a mess of a OS compared to windows.
Did I just get downgraded to newb status for using Windows?
Do Dell machines come with a choice of Ubuntu or Windows now? I didn't know they were allowed to sell Ubuntu as part of their packages.
There are ways to reset/fix the information that their update program uses, but yes that part is still a pain to use.
HEY EVERYONE, HACKERS DESIGN VIRUSES FOR THE OS THAT REPRESENTS 90% OF THE MARKET!
Ubuntu has many advantages in productivity over Windows. The problem is gaining market share. The Ubuntu development team probably would not be able to handle hackers targeting them. Even though Linux has less security holes, Windows has the manpower behind it to quickly deal with security threats.
Show the end users visually, not bullet list two points.
They get an F for lack of effort.
That's a bizarre view. Linux has far more developers than Microsoft, and security patches are typically issued same-day or next-day for critical security flaws. Microsoft on the other hand takes 90 days+ to issue security patches, even for the most critical of holes.
You'd be surprised. I've tried to help people who are completely clueless about computers; I'm talking about people who only use Internet Explorer because it has "Internet" in the name, can't distinguish that program from their ISP, and don't understand how using the URL bar makes browsing faster than typing everything into Google and clicking the resulting links. They don't feel safe without Norton no matter how terrible of an AV program it is, and if they ever accidentally saw their computer's BIOS screen they'd want to return the thing immediately.
To me, these people represent Dell's main consumer base. They've never learned about the complexities of their computers and only use them as a small part of their daily lives. From what I understand about Ubuntu, it is a much more hands-on and involved operating system to get going, and this is the last thing people need if they just want their computer to do the same, very few simple tasks every day.
Why wouldn't they be "allowed" to sell whatever they want to sell? I didn't know you were allowed to access Toms Hardware web site. Who gave you permission to do that?
Also, to install JAVA on Ubuntu, just go into Package Manager, and search for "Ubuntu restricted". It installs Flash, JAVA, and mp3 support automatically.
Yes, using a newb operating system does indeed make you a newb.
Exactly, and who laid out the Ubuntu desktop on the picture! It sucks, Ubuntu can be allot less intrusive looking than that in five minutes after the install. That picture is not what Ubuntu looks like after the initial install anyway.
Save for games I would choose Ubuntu any day over the Swiss Cheese OS known as Windows. Their Browser is still tied into the OS at the kernel level (Back doors for the FEDS) and it is still a patchwork piece of crap OS.