It is easy for a generation of computer users to look back warmly on the heyday of MS-DOS. In days of old, a simple text command was all you needed to launch a computer program. This command dealt with all of the inner functions that allowed the code to work. Essentially, you just had to type a command into a black screen with a single cursor. The user-friendly operating system developed as a response to the consumer demand to click on graphical content. To the average user, this seems much easier than typing a command. However, this development birthed a whole new wave of complications to the computing experience.
First of all, the graphical representation of your software uses system resources. While this may not seem significant for the average user, this is a serious problem if you plan on stress your machine to its full abilities. As more individuals and businesses began using these operating systems, software developers began to include more capabilities that anticipate the user’s software. If an operating system were planned out with your favorite software in mind, this would make for a much smother computing experience. Unfortunately, many software designers decided that they should anticipate every single conceivable application that any user might choose to install. This slows your computer down much like bloatware.
Linux has earned the hearts and minds of many users because it allows for builds that do very little. Many versions of Linux operate in a minimalist fashion; you have to make changes to accomodate programs and dependencies as you need them. While this might feel like a pain in the neck for the novice user, it is great when you intend to use your machine to its full potential. Many experienced users prefer a streamlined operating system. However, if you are looking to jump head first into your favorite programs without much research, the resource heavy systems have better general compatibility.
Microsoft’s Windows Vista was arguably the perfect example of the extravagant operating system. Its massive code base anticipated nearly any software function. Ironically, this led to an opposite inspiration for Windows 7. Windows 7 employs a lightness of resource use that competes directly with Linux.
Current technology seems to be inspired by the desire to do more with less. There should be a future motivation to satisfy both of these desires. The latest operating system releases by all of the major players in the field seem to speak to this public demand. There will always be a need for a clever balance between compatibility and operating system resource 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 all of the various modern operating system which depend heavily on their intended use. When choosing your preferred operating system, you must carefully look into its compatibility with software that you intend to use. Each company attempts to satisfy a specific niche market. Your market will be served in at least one of the recent releases at any time. Ask others that use the same software for tips on which operating system to install.