I just joined so this is my first post
I for one am doing a paper on Linux Vs Windows at the college I attend (Tech School Actually)
I believe the following to be true:
Linux is best for Development, a Business oriented environment, servers, basic web browsing and E-Mail and more...
Windows is best for gaming, playing around with applications, and more (Below)
In depth, I personally use Linux as my development OS where I do "Work", run SSH, FTP, and a Web Server and the OS I use to learn stuff with. Windows I would use when I want to do a basic task like either gaming, run an application that doesn't work with Linux like Dreamweaver, Flash Etc.
Now, Linux in my opinion is only for people who are computer techs and love learning this stuff OR the basic browsing, EMail and such because that is easy to learn if thats all you use it for.
The reason why people choose Windows I believe is that when they want to download an application, they want it to work ASAP and not worry about compiling it, making it, etc. Linux is for the people that want to learn about all that. Programmers would probably choose Linux over windows.
I personally have COMPLETELY switched to Linux as my main Desktop on all of my PCs just for a few reasons that are:
-I did not have to reboot my machine for like a week. Windows you have to for either: updates, software etc.
-You install Linux and all of your tools for development are RIGHT THERE. No need to download anything unless you require special tools. Windows, comes with no software but your basic Works.
-I love linux for the fact that, I can go to a site that is known for spyware and on Linux, you don't get ANY. With Windows, those same sites make me turn up my IE security then turn it back down when I am done.
-Linux configuration files are all right there waiting to be modified. Windows "Hides" them.
-Linux logs are right there logging every single thing you do. Windows "Hides" there logs.
-Security, as mentioned before Linux has just over a 150 or so known viruses. Windows gets 1000 new viruses everyday (Or so it seems).
-When you turn on your Linux system, theres not one application that pops up. I cant stand to turn on my Windows System and 20 applications pop up. Yeah you set them to not pop up, but why bother when Linux has nothing pop up.
-Windows, does have one positive. Wireless, it can sometimes be a real pain to set up wireless internet on Linux(Trust me, Ive been at it for a week or two) And obviously the part about applications being downloaded, you dont have to compile/make them, just run them. But heck, RPMs are easier to install than EXE's. EXE's ask for all this information. You just click the RPM's and its installed just like that, no user interaction neccessary. Its only tough when there are no RPMs available for the application you want.
I think thats enough for now, or all I can think of. If I am wrong about anything, make sure to correct me as I have only been using Linux ALOT for the past month or so.