It’s easy for some of us to look back fondly on the days of MS-DOS. In days of old, a simple set of letters and punctuation was all you needed to launch any computer program. This command dealt with all of the related dependencies that allowed the code to function. Essentially, you only had to type a string of characters on a completely blank screen with a single cursor. The shiny operating systems we all know and love today developed in response to the consumer demand for a graphical icon. To the average user, this seems much simpler than writing a text command. In reality, though, this change caused a whole new wave of complications to the computing experience.
Firstly, the graphical representation of your software environment ties up system resources. While this may not seem significant for a typical user, this can be a serious issue if you plan on push your computer to its full abilities. As more users began to purchase these operating systems, software developers began to include more services in an effort to anticipate the user’s software. If an operating system were designed with your favorite software in mind, this would make for a much smother computing experience. Unfortunately, most software designers attempted to anticipate every last conceivable application that any user anywhere might choose to try. All of this added capability slows your computer down much like bloatware.
Linux has always remained a successful option because it permits for setups that do very little. Many versions of Linux operate in minimalist fashion; you have to make changes to accomodate programs and dependencies as you need them. While this might feel annoying for typical users, it’s amazing when you plan to use your machine to its full potential. Many experienced users prefer a lighter operating system. However, if you want to jump right into your favorite programs without much research, the resource heavy systems will be a better fit for your needs.
Microsoft’s Windows Vista was arguably the pinnacle of the extravagant operating system. Its massive code base anticipated nearly anything a user could attempt to throw at it. Ironically, this led to an opposite inspiration for Windows 7. Windows 7 employs a lightness of resource use that can finally compete with the lightweight Linux.
New tech trends appear to be inspired by the desire to do more with less. In the future, developers will push the limits of technology to satisfy both of these needs. The newest operating system releases by all of the major competitors in the field seem to speak to this user demand. There will always be a need for a balance between compatibility and operating system memory use.
Luckily, we are lucky enough to have a robust market of operating system providers. Eachnew release introduces different advantages. There are reasons for using every modern operating system based on user needs. When choosing your operating system, you must carefully look into its compatibility with software that you intend to use. Each competitor attempts to satisfy a specific niche market. Your market will be represented by at least one of the major releases at any time. Look to others who have similar needs to your own for tips on which operating system to use.
Geek Choice is a nationwide computer repair company that works hard to help our customers navigate the ever changing world of computer technology. Slow computer performance could be the fault of spyware, malware, or viruses, or it could just be a matter of using the wrong operating system or hardware to fit your needs. Geek Choice offers on-site help for any computer problem. If your operating system is interfering with your favorite programs, give us a call at 1-800-GEEK HELP (433-5435).
Tags: linux, Mac OS X, MS-DOS, Operating System, OS, Windows