Comparison of Unix with Windows7

[michaelh73]

It also remains fact that over 90% of web servers are Linux/UNIX based which is why people who are web developers prefer Linux.

[deepsand]

It also remains fact that over 90% of web servers are Linux/UNIX based which is why people who are web developers prefer Linux.

Web servers are specialized server-side applications, and are thus irrelevant to client-side applications, the overwhelming majority of which run on some version of Windows, particularly amongst institutional users.

[deepsand]

Still true, but with forward thinking companies bringing in bring/buy your own device (BYOD) policies, we are seeing that eroded.

For web based applications, true to a certain extent.

For client-side applications, much less so, as it is not in the best interest of an institution to accommodate anarchy.

[williamc]

I only have my own opinions based upon long usage. I refuse to use windows servers for internet development or hosting. I do use a windows workstation for graphics and some other needed applications, however my mainstay is still linux.

[jhannawin]

For web based applications, true to a certain extent.

For client-side applications, much less so, as it is not in the best interest of an institution to accommodate anarchy.

Agreed, but what is the proportion of web based/enabled/service application development is going on in those institutions versus client only or client server? There are really only media applications that are hungry for local resources that are being delivered/developed for the client. Most other things, even office apps, can be done via the browser. I'm amazed at the amount of time I spend 'in browser' versus in a native application. Are we near a tipping point?

If a company's biggest asset is its people then why not get them productive in the way that suits them rather than re-train and force fit them into 'the corporate system'. I was a big fan of Lotus Notes as a platform and used it for my business for many years. The amount of effort required to bring the staff along with me was huge. We moved from that to a BYOD policy about 5/6 years ago (although in those days it was called a "I can't argue this anymore so yes you can use your damned macintosh so long as you set up the patronising thing" policy) and pretty much all of the issues disappeared overnight. We coupled this with a 'work anywhere' programme (instant messaging, voip, web apps) and haven't looked back. I haven't had to worry about the OS that a member of staff was using for years and have been able to adopt new tech (android etc.) really quickly.

[michaelh73]

You can also look at smart phones, Windows phones are used at about 8%. Not sure how much BlackBerry uses but iOS and and android make up at least 70% of the market. Obviously in order to make apps with each phone your going to have to use linux/mac

[deepsand]

Agreed, but what is the proportion of web based/enabled/service application development is going on in those institutions versus client only or client server? There are really only media applications that are hungry for local resources that are being delivered/developed for the client. Most other things, even office apps, can be done via the browser. I'm amazed at the amount of time I spend 'in browser' versus in a native application. Are we near a tipping point?

A browser is no more than a general purpose viewer. It is the equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, neither best suited for performing any particular type of task nor capable of performing all.

Using a browser as middleware for computationally intense applications is to needlessly introduce inefficiencies and limitations.

If a company's biggest asset is its people then why not get them productive in the way that suits them rather than re-train and force fit them into 'the corporate system'.

Because they cannot act as a coherent whole if each does things his own way.

[jhannawin]

It is the equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, neither best suited for performing any particular type of task nor capable of performing all.

Using a browser as middleware for computationally intense applications is to needlessly introduce inefficiencies and limitations.

If the primary task is to enable the user to undertake multiple tasks across multiple systems without knowledge, and the difference between the performance on a particular task is not obvious then I would argue that the Swiss Army Knife is better. However, I do recognise that for certain applications a specific platform is better.

Because they cannot act as a coherent whole if each does things his own way.

You've now got me onto one of my managerial pet subjects, team dynamics. When looking at how you get the best out of your team, you have to look at dog sledding . If where you want to go is well defined and narrow, and you want to get there just as fast as you can then you use a gangline team. A proper team hierarchy all nicely in a line. However, if where you need to go is more unpredictable and open then you use a fan hitch. Slower but far superior at handling unexpected obstacles. Whilst a fan hitch looks like each dog is going its own way, the vector is the important and coherent thing.

Crikey, swiss army knives, fan hitches and vector maths in one thread on operating systems. I didn't expect that when I woke up this morning

[deepsand]

However, for both hitches, it is not decided by the dogs which to use, what sort of lines to use, the length of the lines, which direction to run, how long to run, when to eat, or what to eat.

The costs entailed in supporting BYOD are not trivial; and, they are rising. It is not reasonable to expect that any business support a plethora of devices simply to please employees; there must be a tangible benefit to the business in order for it to be able to justify the inherent costs.

While such may be suitable for certain relatively trivial applications and where the workers themselves are afield, it cannot be reasonably argued that such generally holds for the in-house staff with access to the business's own internal IT infrastructure.

[kgun]

I haven't had to worry about the OS that a member of staff was using for years and have been able to adopt new tech (android etc.) really quickly.

And there you mentioned mobile platforms.

By 2014, there will be more phones browsing the Internet than computers. Will you be building for them?

Source: http://www.sitepoint.com/books/mobile1/

There the winner in my personal opinion is Apple. Windows 8 that is expected at the end of the year will have a mobile version. Windows phones, still lacking the many apps that are available for Apple phones, may gradually pick up.

I have a simple Nokia mobile phone, but await the iPhone 5 OR Windows 8 Nokia Lumina 1000. Note that Linux is an UNIX version developed by Finish Linus Torvalds

But on the desktop, Windows is still my personal favourite, but how much time do I spend on the desktop?