Quad Bootup.

Windows

Most likely you’re reading this article on a Windows computer, why do I say this? Simple, because Windows XP/Vista are the most used OS’s on the market currently, ahead of OSX and Linux. Since Windows comprises more than 80% of computers in the world, this means that it has the most widely available support and software available. It also means that because of its wide spread use and more unsecure build, that it’s most prone to spyware and viruses. Windows is by far the greatest choice for gaming, as most games are developed natively for windows and windows systems being generally less expensive.

Mac OSX

If you’ve been paying attention to your TV lately it’s very likely that you’ve at least seen one Mac Vs PC commercial. Apple’s OS has been gaining strength over the years and for good reason too. Mac OSX is much more secure to Windows because it’s a UNIX based operating system. These means that there virtually no spyware and virus applications currently affected Mac OSX systems. OSX is also much friendly for the casual user, as it’s designed for less technically users and is generally seen as much more fun experience. A downside to OSX is that you must ‘legally’ buy a Mac machine to run it. You can’t buy an OSX computer from a third-party vender such as Dell. This means that Apple’s computers tend to much more expensive than Windows set-ups.

Linux

Linux? What’s a Linux? You might think that Linux is some new operating system just because you’ve never heard of it, but the first iteration of Linux was actually released in the 1970’s. Why hasn’t Linux caught on? Many of the pros of Linux can also be considered a con is the easiest way to explain its popularity. Linux is the most technical of the three main OS’s. Literally anything and everything in Linux can be changed to match your desired wants; you just have to figure out how to do it. It’s not for casual users; however, as many casual users have a hard time figuring out how to even install Linux on their system. Something great about Linux is that it’s highly compatible and runs on just about any hardware. It’s also even more secure than OSX, which is very impressive considering that safety is one of Apple’s strongest selling points.

Which OS is right for you? Well that question is impossible to answer without knowing what kind of user you are and what you’re looking for. Chances are, Windows is fine for most people that are reading this article. It’s never a bad idea to consider using Mac OSX or Linux, however.

Photo Credits: foskarulla

Originally posted 2009-11-30 03:13:29.

Internet Explorer 7

Security

The simple fact is, Internet Explorer is not nearly as safe as its leading competitors, even if you have the latest patches. These issues go way beyond the scope of this article, however, but you should be forewarned that your credit card may not be safe when making a purchase. The best way to avoid these issues if you’re a Internet Explorer user is to simply use Firefox or Google Chrome for any credit card purchases you need to make.

ActiveX

This could be coupled with the safety issue, but this one is just too big to even lump it with the general safety of the browser. ActiveX allows other people to access your computer for the execution of certain programs. While this sounds nice a perfect world, it simply opens up way to many doors for hackers, malware, spyware and virus leaks to find their way onto your computer. The difference between IE and other browsers is that you don’t even get asked whether you want to download something or not, IE just lets them in.

Web Standards

Web standards were designed for a reason, so that everyone could design one universal code of how things should work and be organized. Microsoft continues to ignore these standards creating chaos for Internet Explorer users. You may design a website that looks perfect in Firefox, Safari, and Chrome but it could have many glaring problems when you try to view it in Internet Explorer. Why are these standards a problem? Internet Explorer makes up over 70% of internet users!

Add-on Support

It’s impossible for a software company to meet the demands of all of its users. This is why many companies allow their users to develop their own Add-ons to boost the efficiency and make their browser more appealing. You may not like the default look of Firefox, but once you use a few Add-ons you may love it, this is what Microsoft is missing out on.

Internet Explorer is not a lost cause, but there is certainly a cause for concern going into the future. If Microsoft hopes to maintain a steady hold over its users it needs to address the above problems. You should consider how these problems affect you, and make the switch to a new browser accordingly.

Photo Credits: dannysullivan

Originally posted 2009-11-04 03:21:54.