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Whats simpler windows or linux?

Whats simpler windows or linux?

  • Total voters
    17
tlchosting

tlchosting

Active Member
Say you had simple knowledge of a pc even if you have very good knowledge of linux and windows. Take into accounts of the following:

  • Software Install
  • Software Removal
  • Finding Software
  • Wireless Setting Up
  • Network Set up
  • Driver Install
  • Driver Removal
  • System Customisation
  • Security Settings
  • Hard Drive Partitioning
  • Range of software

What system is more user friendly and ease of use?

Could you use windows with out needing support?

Could you use linux with out needing support?

Some people seem to be confused when I first posted this so I will add this.

I am asking what is easier to use and setup, not what more better or advanced.
 
Last edited:
Windows, yes (I have used the windows forums before because I had a question, not for support), and yes but on occasions I have used LinuX forums.
 
I've byfar needed more support in Linux, but that was when I first started using it. After a few years of using it, I started getting better and better, now... I use linux and windows equally... n the sense that I know how to tweak both, install software on both, uninstall software on both, and more.

It just takes patience, which most people don't have, like you I'm assuming.

As for these...

Code: 
Ease of Use Winner --

    * Software Install -- Windows
    * Software Removal -- Windows
    * Finding Software -- Linux
    * Wireless Setting Up -- Linux (Windows Vista and higher will boot you off a hidden network purposely, as Windows is not coded correctly to handle them)
    * Network Set up -- Linux (depends on hardware)
    * Driver Install -- Equal
    * Driver Removal -- Moot point (Drivers don't need to be uninstalled most of the time in either, most have instructions on how to do so in both)
    * System Customisation -- Linux
    * Security Settings -- Windows (Because Windows needs it more)
    * Hard Drive Partitioning -- Linux
    * Range of software -- Linux

On some hardware, I've seen linux do much better than windows.
 
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CoffeeMonster said:
I've byfar needed more support in Linux, but that was when I first started using it. After a few years of using it, I started getting better and better, now... I use linux and windows equally... n the sense that I know how to tweak both, install software on both, uninstall software on both, and more.

It just takes patience, which most people don't have, like you I'm assuming.

As for these...

Code: 
Ease of Use Winner --

    * Software Install -- Windows
    * Software Removal -- Windows
    * Finding Software -- Linux
    * Wireless Setting Up -- Linux (Windows Vista and higher will boot you off a hidden network purposely, as Windows is not coded correctly to handle them)
    * Network Set up -- Linux (depends on hardware)
    * Driver Install -- Equal
    * Driver Removal -- Moot point (Drivers don't need to be uninstalled most of the time in either, most have instructions on how to do so in both)
    * System Customisation -- Linux
    * Security Settings -- Windows (Because Windows needs it more)
    * Hard Drive Partitioning -- Linux
    * Range of software -- Linux

On some hardware, I've seen linux do much better than windows.
Click to expand...


You should never assume. If you read my posts in the windows 8 thread and other threads on here, you would know I know how to run windows, linux and unix. With out support on any of them. I have a pc that runs over 22 different OS. Not for fun but for testing purposes and other stuff related to my PC repair business I run from home.

And has for hardware on Linux. Linux still has a way to go, although they are getting there. But there are a lot of hardware that Linux still do not have support/drivers for.

Also I was not asking what people know but if they were starting on windows or Linux for the first time. What would be simpler to use and manage as a first time pc user.

The simple fact is no one here could say that they found windows difficult to use/manage when they first started to use it. Even as a standard pc to use for documents ect.

Where as if they had to start on Linux. They would get lost in the first 10 mins, Linux is not easy to use/manage for a first time user of a pc or an OS.

And just cause I made that statement don't mean I do not know how to use Linux.
 
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CoffeeMonster said:
Code: 
Ease of Use Winner --

    * Software Install -- Windows
    * Software Removal -- Windows
    * Finding Software -- Linux
    * Wireless Setting Up -- Linux (Windows Vista and higher will boot you off a hidden network purposely, as Windows is not coded correctly to handle them)
    * Network Set up -- Linux (depends on hardware)
    * Driver Install -- Equal
    * Driver Removal -- Moot point (Drivers don't need to be uninstalled most of the time in either, most have instructions on how to do so in both)
    * System Customisation -- Linux
    * Security Settings -- Windows (Because Windows needs it more)
    * Hard Drive Partitioning -- Linux
    * Range of software -- Linux

On some hardware, I've seen linux do much better than windows.
Click to expand...

* Software Install -- Windows
I agree, both are just as easy most of the time though.
* Software Removal -- Windows
Agreed.
* Finding Software -- Linux
Disagreed, if anything Windows is easier sometimes... I'd give this a tie.
* Wireless Setting Up -- Linux (Windows Vista and higher will boot you off a hidden network purposely, as Windows is not coded correctly to handle them)
Not true about hidden networks. I can use them just fine on Windows 7.
* Network Set up -- Linux (depends on hardware)
Works out of the box in Windows, Linux is harder for older laptops most of the time with Wireless. It was hell finding the proper wireless drivers for my chip. That was before Ubuntu 10.x though, haven't tried much in the Ubuntu 10.x days.
* Driver Install -- Equal
Agreed mostly
* Driver Removal -- Moot point (Drivers don't need to be uninstalled most of the time in either, most have instructions on how to do so in both)
Sure
* System Customization -- Linux
I think both, but in some ways Linux can be configured more.
* Security Settings -- Windows (Because Windows needs it more)
Disagree, see: Linux servers.
* Hard Drive Partitioning -- Linux
Disagreed, go to administrative tools, and there's a button to format/partition hard drives.
* Range of software -- Linux
Disagreed, both are the same.

CoffeeMonster said:
Finding legitimate and not malware prone software for linux is much easier and faster than in windows.

This is why linux wins both.
Click to expand...
I don't know what sources you are using, but this is the entire opposite case for me (in terms of finding non infected software for Windows).

TLCHosting said:
The simple fact is no one here could say that they found windows difficult to use/manage when they first started to use it. Even as a standard pc to use for documents ect.
Click to expand...
You're talking to a generally tech savvy group of people. Of course no one here would find windows difficult. I even started in the DOS/MS-DOS and Windows 3.1 days in the early 90's. I also dabbled with Linux every now and then in early 2000's but I didn't like it ever. I also used Macs at school.
 
Last edited:
Windows is, because you can install anything with ease.
With linux you tend to install packages, which is not installing it yourself.
Linux gets complicated when you want to install something that is not already in a package.
However windows is always easy - every program for windows has its own installer and you never need other things to "make it work" and if you do need other things, they are easy to install.
 
Tbh, if its a desktop pc, i'd say use windows. it all gui based. plus if its for a third party, deffo windows. they can then ask almost anyone for assistance on msn without looking for specialist forums.

Linux, although coming on leaps and bounds, it has some head work for the first time user. eg. explaining chmod/chown to a non linux person is urgh. explaining IPtables as a firewall, think again. unless you have lots of time to google linux answers, windows is probably the safer option.

Linux also has, lets say, compatability issues with hardware. lets say your installing a tv card, most of them are windows supported by the manu, drivers are windows, and unless someone has already coded up an alternative in linux, your going to be playing with config and hacks/wrappers for hours.

Installing software on each platform is much of a likeness.

windows, you have download.com/tucows etc etc etc.

Linux has often built in programs listing all the suitable apps to install, click, install.

If the question is for yourself, id suggest windows as a base, and use virtualpc (or similar) to run linux in a virtual box. or even dual boot your pc.

If your question is for someone else, then windows.

For web hosting etc then go for linux, its the industry standard. but then you only need to know linux commands etc when your playing with vps/dedi's and the like.

and just as a side note, and for balance, anything after windows xp sp2, is URGH. it becomes too fisherprice. xp works so why do m$ insist on trying to fix something that isnt broken??? fancy graphics, incompatability on software/hardware (vista), why???

Stability, windows 2000. ALOT of companies are still windows 2000 based. All round niceness XP.

I dont personally use it but... Any reason apple didnt make it into this thread??

Just my 2c/thoughts, not looking for a flame war today :)
 
Last edited:
Darknight said:
Windows is, because you can install anything with ease.
With linux you tend to install packages, which is not installing it yourself.
Linux gets complicated when you want to install something that is not already in a package.
However windows is always easy - every program for windows has its own installer and you never need other things to "make it work" and if you do need other things, they are easy to install.
Click to expand...

Installers are packages, moron.

If we didn't have installers (which some programs don't) we'd just be copying the programs into program files, then executing them.

stuffradio said:
I don't know what sources you are using, but this is the entire opposite case for me (in terms of finding non infected software for Windows).
Click to expand...

Google.

* Finding Software -- Linux
Disagreed, if anything Windows is easier sometimes... I'd give this a tie.
Click to expand...
At least on Linux, you can go into synaptic, or command line and search for the package based on what you want. In google, it's the same deal, and sometimes you have to use google to find linux software too.

* Wireless Setting Up -- Linux (Windows Vista and higher will boot you off a hidden network purposely, as Windows is not coded correctly to handle them)
Not true about hidden networks. I can use them just fine on Windows 7.
Click to expand...

Then why do I get this error, about 2-5 seconds after connecting to a wireless hidden network (no matter where, or who or what type it is): click here


* Network Set up -- Linux (depends on hardware)
Works out of the box in Windows, Linux is harder for older laptops most of the time with Wireless. It was hell finding the proper wireless drivers for my chip. That was before Ubuntu 10.x though, haven't tried much in the Ubuntu 10.x days.
Click to expand...

To be honest, it's mainly because some companies forced their hardware to only work with windows (IE: WinModems) but all Ethernet hardware should be pretty much Okay since Ubuntu 7. Wireless is just a moot point, just like graphics, due to proprietary drivers.

* Security Settings -- Windows (Because Windows needs it more)
Disagree, see: Linux servers.
Click to expand...

that's why linux has firewalls, and some routers come with firewalls too (if not all nowadays.)

* Hard Drive Partitioning -- Linux
Disagreed, go to administrative tools, and there's a button to format/partition hard drives.
Click to expand...

Actually, it goes: Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Disk Management (Local)

Linux takes out at least one of those steps.
 
Last edited:
CoffeeMonster said:
Installers are packages, moron.

If we didn't have installers (which some programs don't) we'd just be copying the programs into program files, then executing them.



Google.


At least on Linux, you can go into synaptic, or command line and search for the package based on what you want. In google, it's the same deal, and sometimes you have to use google to find linux software too.



Then why do I get this error, about 2-5 seconds after connecting to a wireless hidden network (no matter where, or who or what type it is): click here




To be honest, it's mainly because some companies forced their hardware to only work with windows (IE: WinModems) but all Ethernet hardware should be pretty much Okay since Ubuntu 7. Wireless is just a moot point, just like graphics, due to proprietary drivers.



that's why linux has firewalls, and some routers come with firewalls too (if not all nowadays.)



Actually, it goes: Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Disk Management (Local)

Linux takes out at least one of those steps.
Click to expand...

"
that's why linux has firewalls, and some routers come with firewalls too (if not all nowadays.)" That is still a security setting, so that point doesn't do anything about Windows needing more security.

"Actually, it goes: Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Disk Management (Local)

Linux takes out at least one of those steps."

You're actually saying Linux is easier because you have to click the mouse button one time less? Most people won't know where to begin looking for partitioning in Linux, at least Windows users would know it's somewhere in Control Panel.

"Then why do I get this error, about 2-5 seconds after connecting to a wireless hidden network (no matter where, or who or what type it is): "
Is it encrypted with WEP?

"Google."
What software do you install that is infected?

"To be honest, it's mainly because some companies forced their hardware to only work with windows (IE: WinModems) but all Ethernet hardware should be pretty much Okay since Ubuntu 7. Wireless is just a moot point, just like graphics, due to proprietary drivers."
That might be true, but they would have also forced their hardware to work for Macs. They are only concerned about the bigger markets, and Linux is not a big one to them.
 
jaimunki said:
Tbh, if its a desktop pc, i'd say use windows. it all gui based. plus if its for a third party, deffo windows. they can then ask almost anyone for assistance on msn without looking for specialist forums.

Linux, although coming on leaps and bounds, it has some head work for the first time user. eg. explaining chmod/chown to a non linux person is urgh. explaining IPtables as a firewall, think again. unless you have lots of time to google linux answers, windows is probably the safer option.

Linux also has, lets say, compatability issues with hardware. lets say your installing a tv card, most of them are windows supported by the manu, drivers are windows, and unless someone has already coded up an alternative in linux, your going to be playing with config and hacks/wrappers for hours.

Installing software on each platform is much of a likeness.

windows, you have download.com/tucows etc etc etc.

Linux has often built in programs listing all the suitable apps to install, click, install.

If the question is for yourself, id suggest windows as a base, and use virtualpc (or similar) to run linux in a virtual box. or even dual boot your pc.

If your question is for someone else, then windows.

For web hosting etc then go for linux, its the industry standard. but then you only need to know linux commands etc when your playing with vps/dedi's and the like.

and just as a side note, and for balance, anything after windows xp sp2, is URGH. it becomes too fisherprice. xp works so why do m$ insist on trying to fix something that isnt broken??? fancy graphics, incompatability on software/hardware (vista), why???

Stability, windows 2000. ALOT of companies are still windows 2000 based. All round niceness XP.

I dont personally use it but... Any reason apple didnt make it into this thread??

Just my 2c/thoughts, not looking for a flame war today :)
Click to expand...

I agree with a lot of what you said, also when it comes to drivers linux gets left out so there is still a lot of new pcs that could not take linux due to lack of drivers.

stuffradio said:
* Software Install -- Windows
I agree, both are just as easy most of the time though.
* Software Removal -- Windows
Agreed.
* Finding Software -- Linux
Disagreed, if anything Windows is easier sometimes... I'd give this a tie.
* Wireless Setting Up -- Linux (Windows Vista and higher will boot you off a hidden network purposely, as Windows is not coded correctly to handle them)
Not true about hidden networks. I can use them just fine on Windows 7.
* Network Set up -- Linux (depends on hardware)
Works out of the box in Windows, Linux is harder for older laptops most of the time with Wireless. It was hell finding the proper wireless drivers for my chip. That was before Ubuntu 10.x though, haven't tried much in the Ubuntu 10.x days.
* Driver Install -- Equal
Agreed mostly
* Driver Removal -- Moot point (Drivers don't need to be uninstalled most of the time in either, most have instructions on how to do so in both)
Sure
* System Customization -- Linux
I think both, but in some ways Linux can be configured more.
* Security Settings -- Windows (Because Windows needs it more)
Disagree, see: Linux servers.
* Hard Drive Partitioning -- Linux
Disagreed, go to administrative tools, and there's a button to format/partition hard drives.
* Range of software -- Linux
Disagreed, both are the same.


I don't know what sources you are using, but this is the entire opposite case for me (in terms of finding non infected software for Windows).


You're talking to a generally tech savvy group of people. Of course no one here would find windows difficult. I even started in the DOS/MS-DOS and Windows 3.1 days in the early 90's. I also dabbled with Linux every now and then in early 2000's but I didn't like it ever. I also used Macs at school.
Click to expand...

I used to love the old windows 3.1, it was so easy to hack at school lol.

I have to say in windows and linux i never really have a problem with infected software.

I am the same never been booted off my wireless and I have been using wireless for years.

It is nice to see some one that points out the good and the bad for both. Instead of just going linux because they like it or windows because they like it. You made some really interesting points.

Dost forget since vista you can also resize your drives, so there is no need for likes of partition magic and such. :D

CoffeeMonster said:
Installers are packages, moron.

If we didn't have installers (which some programs don't) we'd just be copying the programs into program files, then executing them.



Google.


At least on Linux, you can go into synaptic, or command line and search for the package based on what you want. In google, it's the same deal, and sometimes you have to use google to find linux software too.



Then why do I get this error, about 2-5 seconds after connecting to a wireless hidden network (no matter where, or who or what type it is): click here


To be honest, it's mainly because some companies forced their hardware to only work with windows (IE: WinModems) but all Ethernet hardware should be pretty much Okay since Ubuntu 7. Wireless is just a moot point, just like graphics, due to proprietary drivers.



that's why linux has firewalls, and some routers come with firewalls too (if not all nowadays.)



Actually, it goes: Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management > Disk Management (Local)

Linux takes out at least one of those steps.
Click to expand...

On linux you have .bin files for some programs, now a of new users to linux will not know what to do with it apart from clicking on it, instead of using the command line. Also bin files are not classed as an installer. :)

And yes you might be able to find software on linux using the built in software and resources and yes even the internet but they are still limited. Also there is still a large amount of software used in businesses and home workers that just don't exist on linux. Also yes you can use wine to run windows software *not all but some*, but running widows software from wine takes a of resources and can make linux crash.

As for wireless, like I said I never in all the years been booted off a wireless network. My be I am just lucky.

Also as for getting to a required resource like windows partitioning that is not the only way. Right click computer and click manage then click disk management.

Simples.

Also there are some keyboard short cuts if you take the time to look them up. :)

Dynash said:
That's not a winning point, even in warez.
Click to expand...

I agree. Also alot software for linux is developed by the people not by company's and this can be abused but hackers and others to hack linux systems. Where as with most of windows installs are done by company's its less likely unless you download cracked/hacked software/games. That tends to be very popular now and over 80% of these cracks/hacks tend to hold virus ect. And as for linux its also the same even though most software is free there are some that you have to buy and they can contain the same if you do not get it from a legit source.
 
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Honestly I've had an easier time with Ubuntu. Software is easy to install, no downloading etc, and the issue of finding, downloading, and installing drivers does not exist with Linux.
 
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