Mac Vs. Linux - GET A LINUX

My Top 3

INTRODUCTION
It was probably around the mid of 2004, when I finally did get tired of windows. Till then, Windows was my heart and soul, and being a creative graphic designer, it always seems more ‘practical’ to me than the next best solution – Mac; mostly because where I lived, Bangladesh, Mac was costly!
I started thinking of the different Operating Systems around. We did not quite have that many choices, did we? The only three choices were either – Mac, Windows or Linux! Now, Windows to me, was perfect – with regards to how I used to get different applications to support it as well (mostly the graphic packages – Adobe Photoshop, Coreldraw, Macromedia Flash, Dreamweaver), and had everything that a guy needs – Movies and Games! A lot of games! In fact most of the games were PC compatible compared to Mac or Linux. The other Operating Systems had games for them too; however, compared to the number of games available for Windows theirs was nominal.
But when my windows crashed, along with 4 years of data of mine – including a lot of personal photos which I intended to keep, and my works and references – that’s when I thought – enough with Windows. It is time for me to switch to something safer.
I started shopping around for different OS. I judged any Operating system by the following:
•Installation and Migration
•Hardware Support
•Power Management
•Networking and web
•Productivity
•Entertainment
•Security
•Working with windows (since I still have quite few software which only runs on windows!)
•Stability backup and Disaster Recovery.
Since I already had a clear perspective over Windows, I compared Linux and Mac. What I have found out then – the exact references have become obsolete now, in the fast paced world of computers, hence we shall revisit the specifications using the current examples.

LINUX VS MAC

Linux initially started as a project, however, has gone a long way since then. It first started as an open-source project for enthusiasts who believed that knowledge belongs to everyone compared to Microsoft or Apple. Today, Linux is one of the biggest threats to Mac or Windows together. Why? Mostly because its open source – aka free! Everyone who can afford a CPU can probably afford the software to run it with – but why pay more when you can get it for free?
Mac however believes that quality costs. I agree – quality does cost – but probably not as much as Mac! They don’t believe in parallel processing – they don’t believe in the fact that there should be an approach for upgrading your hardware rather than getting rid of the whole package. They believe if you’re running Mac – you’d have to use Apple hardware to make it perfect. If you’re playing music you’d have to use iphone to get the clearest bit-sampling. If you’re working with videos – you have to use Mac’s built-in software – just because they work so well together! The recent PC vs. MAC advertisement that plagued internet and TV Medias showed Mac’s way of ridiculing PC – aka Windows. PC never got back to them – they did not need to. Because after all that advertisement and what not – Mac will still be a ‘designer’s tool’ rather than a professional computer. They will still work with graphics and print medias better than Windows. They will look better than Windows surely, but the professional world will still run on Windows.
And hence the recent MAC comes with two operating systems – MAC and WINDOWS. As much as they are trying to make it compatible – it only shows their inability to come up with marketing solution and software as good as Windows. A lot of windows users have in effect transferred into MAC nowadays – but that is only because it lets you use the two operating systems together.
Does that mean they actually switched to MAC? No, they switched to Apple – rather than Intel.
INSTALLATION AND MIGRATION
LINUX
When I first started Linux – being a windows user – the interface and Installation seemed in Greek – a language that I hardly know. I have heard of such complaints before and needed to check it out myself. And yes, boy was it hectic! I did not know what to click next or what to do!
Impressively, Linux has only improved itself in the last few years. Ubuntu is fairly easy to start with. This process has not only gone easier with regards to time span needed – this has in effect gone through major changes to make it user friendly and lovable new GUI interface! And if you somehow, somewhere get something wrong (which has hardly a chance) you can always start all over again and / or refer back to the vast community built for Linux. One of my personal favorite is www.ubuntux.org simply because they’re official forum with vast amount of users helping each other out!
And there are few migration options as well – internet explorer bookmarks, history, documents, avatar for MSN and your Windows avatar – things like that. However, there are few programs which you might need to re-install from scratch – but hey, that’s a small price to pay to get something as good as Linux!
MAC
Mac has its way of doing things better, doesn’t it? Getting a Mac is as simple as ONE – TWO – THREE. One – you go to the store and choose your MAC. Two – you pay for your Mac (if you’re a student like me you would probably lose a fortune) and bring it home. Three – you switch it on after plugging it in.
And you’re all set to go!
Unlike Windows or Linux you do not have to go through strenuous process of installing operating system – they come preloaded with Apple hardware. And if you’re a Windows user – all files, well, MOST files will work with MAC OS X. You do not have to worry about your software because MAC, comes with most of them pre-installed! And if there’s any automation needed – just use the software Move2Mac which will again take off USD 50 from your bank account but will make the migration process much simpler and easier. Apple’s built-in email system or entourage will just import from Outlook Express. And off you go – just start working, will you?

This actually played a major role in the PC vs. MAC advertisements MAC came up with!

HARDWARE SUPPORT

Linux has its errors which they’re fixing now slowly and have improved over the last 5 years or so. Now most of the hardware are adopted for a Linux driver, and somehow, the graphic cards Linux shell works much better in Linux than any of the other Operating System.
And for Mac, well, you can have all the hardware you want as long as you buy it off Apple! No, they are like little kid who would not share his toy – they would not share their operating system with any other hardware maker! Hence, you have no issues with Hardware specifications – but if you ask me? I would like to upgrade my computer once in a while as it may suit me – rather than buying a £1200 computer which will probably be obsolete a year later.
Did I mention the Mouse? Back in 1984 – two years before I was born, MAC introduced MOUSE technology! Yet, our MAC is being just the plain old stubborn MAC that it is and would not just change into a multi-functional multi-button Mouse! Yes, of course, they would try to come up with applications like Mighty Mouse which in effect tries to make use of two fingers with respect to their position – but it just can’t mimic a decent two-buttoned mouse which comes with Windows or Linux!
POWER MANAGEMENT
Power management in fact was an issue when I started. Linux somehow did not work with the Hardware I chose – however, when I switched to Ubuntu 7.04 from Ubuntu 6.10 – it worked like a charm! If you’re not sure of what hardware you should put your Linux into – just go through their manual. That should set you up!
Mac however, does take a step up here. Most Mac notebooks can go till 2 hours with a power-hungry WIFI receiver and the itunes playing the latest Bonjovi album – just like a Windows Laptop. It can go for auto-scheduled power ups and shutdowns – just like Linux and Windows.

NETWORKING AND WEB

Ah the internet technology, without which we all are pretty much redundant nowadays. Be it the MSN messenger that helps us connect to friends that we’ve not seen for ages, or connect to people we may never see in our life, be it the latest weather forecast from BBC which would get us down yet again in the great London weather – we cannot just do without internet nowadays. And of course, then there is our beloved server which makes it all possible – the vast Terabytes of space all around the web which also, has to be managed by some sort of operating system.
Would it be Mac? Or Linux?
LINUX
Okay, first and foremost lets face it – Linux, is by far the best networking tool around. Why? For one, not all viruses are meant for Linux (that’s the virus part taken care of) and two, Linux comes with open source – which means if you’re running your very own server – it would be helpful since you can start your own little programmer’s mind and cook up the next Google search engine running server.
And as for us, the normal users – Linux comes with Firefox built in – that’s the internet part taken care of right there. As for tricky ActiveX controls meant for Windows what not – that is still a bit of a hiccup from Linux but can be worked around with Windows built-in emulator or from dual boot.
As for networking with Windows just in case you would like to share some illegal mp3s to your friend with a Wifi in the same room through a wireless router – it can easily be done! There are few built in applications however, a better way is still a small network sharing hardware which does not strain your wallet.
MAC
Okay, fine, I would agree that Mac is easier for us the ‘normal users’. All you need to do is just plug your lan cable in or just use the Wifi access port rather than going through the strenuous process of finding the wireless ports around. The hub or Airport (if I recall correctly) in Mac automatically detects any wireless servers around. And connects too!
And yes, Mac is safe from the virus as well, just because no one bothered to make virus for Mac! Why? Mostly because I do not know of a single hosting server who would run their host in a Mac! There you go Mac, I had to say it – you are not just good enough for servers! Though I think the exact reason would be Macs are just too hard to upgrade (i.e. you’ve to get rid of the whole computer, buy a new computer, plug it in, and run the built in transformer to set up your server again which would take off at least 3 hours off your life and 30 minutes of your server down time, which in domino effect would mean you would lose customers) and servers need constant upgrading.
So yes, running a Mac would mean you would not get virus affected, but that just belittles the importance of Mac, don’t you think?

PRODUCTIVITY

Why do we need computers, really? As much as I would like to think computers were invented for playing games like Kill Curt Cobain from EAâ„¢ games, unfortunately enough, as things are, they’re invented to make our life easier, in process which only makes it harder. In any case, any one would believe that productivity-wise Windows is far ahead of any of the operating system. But amongst Linux and Mac, who would win the race?
LINUX
The beauty of using open-source software is there’s some other genius kid around the block thinking of applications supporting it, without apparently any benefit apart from self-satisfaction of giving the world something back and making an effort to make it better. Of course I am talking about the myriads of free and useful software that is all around the market for Linux. Be it open office, myriads of applications for basically digitizing your life, and also your creative side with GIMP and Inkscape which comes for free! Did I mention they were free? So you do not have to take into account for different software which again would put a strain in your wallet in case you want to do … anything, really.
MAC
Mac is well suited for productivity – IF you have the cash for it. You want to use your e-mails? Of course, just pay up the license fee of Office for Mac. You need graphic applications? Of course sir, right away, may I just have your credit card please?
Without question Mac is streamlined for productivity however way one would like to be sarcastic about it. With the price issue as only drawback to Mac, it would definitely stand out – Macs require fewer keystrokes than Windows – which does not mean much for a day but would add up if you’re using a computer for 8 hours a day for a year. The less clicks you have to go through to do a job, the faster your productivity is. All the graphic packages are well suited with Mac – like coreldraw and illustrator and flash.

ENTERTAINMENT

For all the Linux lovers out there I would have to disappoint them – linux is no good for games. No, nada, nope. For that windows is by far the best. Okay, can you play your music though? Yes, and it comes in 1000s of flavor – compared to itunes in Mac. Yes, you can use any and every media players, really. You can play OGG VORBIS, MP3, WMA, WMV, AVI, MPEG and any and every extension of music you can think of, really. And that game bit? Unfortunately enough that is true for mac as well. As much as Mac is apparently sleeker than Linux at creating Videos – game development is still an area which they haven’t really pondered about till date. The game grounds are still unexplored for both of the operating systems.

SECURITY

Linux definitely takes the cake and eat it too when it comes to security. This is why linux is trusted worldwide as a server Operating system – first and foremost it makes sure that a normal user would in fact, stay as a normal user rather than root. Secondly, its not really as user-friendly as windows or mac, so when you’re running a Linux – you know what you are doing – which in effect keeps off the users from ‘accidentally’ settings things wrong. Third but not the last – Linux uses a user control feature which is only recently introduced to windows vista – a security guard which needs you to verify any and every action which might set things wrong. Only – Linux implements it better than our beloved windows.
Mac? Let it be known that mac is just as vulnerable as a normal Windows – if you do not know what you are doing you might just as well give off your credit card number to some phisher who was inactive till you browsed some really good site showing bare people. Yes, it is such sites which has the most virus/phishing applications – just in case you didn’t know. The airport utility however is a nifty little utility would help you get off the sniffing at a wifi joint – but that hardly protects you from the unknown phishing applications which you might just install yourself if you’re not careful enough.

WORKING WITH WINDOWS

As much as I would like to think windows is useless and would crash every time I try – the truth is our work-life is just not right without windows. Bill Gates is playing the sole monopolist for couple of years now – and I do not think anyone can even come near Windows when it comes to operating systems. Hence, we’re here fighting for a second / third place, really! The first is already taken – windows.
Hence comes the compatibility issue with Windows. We all know that windows, Mac, and linux have different shell or so – and hence they all talk different languages. How’d they be compatible? Well, linux came up with a lovely solution – well, three actually – one – just boot a windows in the same computer why don’t you! Two – love windows so much that run an emulator inside linux. Third VirtualBox – where you need to install a separate copy of windows including activation and what not – but will in fact work with Linux – hand to hand. Networking is another issue though – they cant just seem to work on both ends and it’s a tiresome work to do all that without errors. Either the windows end or the linux end would show their true face and cause us endless trouble with regards to the authentication. But hey, that’s a small price to pay for my security!
Macs would ace this exercise with built-in PC and Mac version nowadays. They do handshake well together as well as far as MAC and PC networking is concerned and the parallel windows running windows? That’s just pure genius. Wait, couldn’t you do that in linux as well?

STABILITY AND BACKUP

Linux, is as stable as it gets if you get the mainstream Linux OS like ubuntu or Red hat linux in my case back then. Linux systems run and stay running for ages – unlike our competitor windows – who would like to restart every now and then. As far as the back-up goes – you can Clonezilla your computer which almost works as a time-machine in Mac.
Macs really aren’t prone to the kinds of system software problems that you see in Windows. You’re extremely unlikely to find that your data files, applications, or system files have become corrupted. But you still need backups. Macs are susceptible to human error, hard disk crashes, theft, and the ducks dropping a hammer on your computer. Mac users have several options such as built-in time-machine or just a cheap online backup like Mozy – only around 40 USD a year.
CONCLUSION
Linux comes with freedom to do whatever you wish to with your computer. That freedom does come at a cost, though — the cost of a certain degree of effort. I haven’t yet dealt with a single Linux install that didn’t require me to edit some configuration file somewhere. That said, the amount of effort required to get the Linux system you want (or need) has gone down enormously with time.
If the freedom to use your PC in as unhindered a way as possible is important to you, that’s what Linux delivers — although keep in mind it comes with a learning curve, one that is still flattening out rather slowly.
Having said that, and since I’ve been dealing with linux for quite a while now – I would choose Linux over Mac at any given day. Whether it would replace my PC or not – is a totally different question. Perhaps I’d stick to the current way that I am – running a parallel win-emulator in Ubuntu. After all – to me – my security of data comes first and foremost and only Linux can offer me that.