The Difference Between Linux and Windows

I think you already know the different about windows and linux, a year ago when I moderated an open source seminar at campus, there is someone  asked me about the different betwen them, he aksed me to explain linux and opensource for layman, so I try to rewrite it in this blog.


Before we go to the different between them, these is the similarity of Linux and Windows:

Either Linux and Windows is an Computer Operating System, and also have some type and option, such Ubuntu, Arch, Fedora, Mandriva, Debian, OpenSuse, Gentoo, Redhat, Slackware and many other (just like Windows 98, Me, XP, Vista, 7, Server 2008 in Windows). But those similarity not exactly similar, windows is only available form Microsoft, but Linux can be avalaible, made and modified from anywhere and anybody (means any comunity can make and developt their own linux distribution but not in Windows).

And the different is:
Linux CD is not only contain operating system, but also office program(word, spreadsheet, presentation, database), Photo editor, accounting program, project management etc, whereas Windows only contain Operating System so when you want to work with office or other program you have to buy and install it. Beside that Linux relatively more secure from virus, even be said it's free from Windows Viruses (There is still virus in Linux, but don't worry because they are not growing.

Yes we can modify Windows if we buy license for Microsoft (as you know, buy Microsoft Lincense is more expensive than we buy Computer :D), we can copy, use and modify Linux without buying any lincense.

For beginner, if you wanna try Linux I suggest you to try Ubuntu, Fedora or Mandriva. It easy to use and costumized

Books may you wanna read: