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Operating System


Operating SystemThe Operating System (OS) is the connection between the Computer Components (hardware) and your applications (software). Without the OS we cannot play games, edit texts, calculate spreadsheets, send email or use any software application that we have. The OS also determines other things like the Look & Feel of your applications.

The big three Operating Systems are Windows Vista, Mac OS X and Linux. Windows Vista is the default choice and is recommended for all users. Mac OS X can be installed in you PC, believe it or not, but it is not so easy. Actually Mac OS X has very much in common with Linux and BSD (another OS), all of them based on the UNIX OS. The problem with installing Mac OS X on your computer is related to the drivers for the Video Card, Sound Card, Networking etc. If there are no drivers, then you computer will simply not work. Mac OS X is the best OS out there and will set you back US$ 129.

Operating System


All Linux distos suffers from the same problem, lack of drivers. The advantage though is that Linux distros are free downloads and there are many distros to choose from, catering to all tastes. Most would recommend Ubuntu, but I would rather suggest PCLinuxOS or Mandriva. Both are very Windows-like so the learning curve should be very short and easy to climb. They are also very easy to install. Another advantage is the ample amount of free, high quality software available for Linux. And many times a Linux system can do with less expensive hardware an still perform brilliantly. It is not such a resourse hog like Windows.

How to choose an OS

As I mentioned earlier Windows Vista is the default choice for most of us. Sometimes it is also impossible to change because we are dependent on an application that is only available for Windows. For a serious gamer there is only one choice, Windows. In general I recommend going with Windows and if your are brave, go with Linux and if you are really looking for a challange then OS X is the right choice.

Linux Distros

There are today an unbelievable number of Linux Distros available for computer users to download for free. The most popular I have listed below. Except for the ones mentioned, you might also be interested in less known Distros, for example Zenwalk or gOS, which are also good.Operating System
  • Mandriva
  • Fedora
  • Debian
  • Ubuntu
  • PCLinuxOS
  • openSUSE
  • Mint
  • Sabayon




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