14 DAY TRIAL // Some time ago Softpedia published an article trying to draw the sketch of the ideal OS. We suggested as potential arguments things like stability, hardware potential, security and a user-friendly interface. The Perfect Operating System
We were very wrong about the whole thing, because the only "fashionable" criteria seem to be transparency, at least since the first Windows Vista beta came out. There isn't one single beta version comment out there that doesn't analyse each and every little detail of the new Window appearance - Aero Glass; as against to Mac OS X, of course.
The main problem for OS's seems to be these days the transparency of the window margins and, bottom line, who copied whom. Are we talking about Gates' staff "borrowing" from Jobs? Or Microsoft engineers - from Cupertino-based company?
The naked true is that the new version has nothing spectacular to say. Except maybe for the Aero Glass, new directory types, the new search features (another point on the dispute agenda between Windows Vista and Mac OS X), a new view over users accounts and some helpful network functions for the Windows presentations support. But they say the "magic" stuff is going to amaze us as the second beta version comes out. So, hold you're breath!
I'm aware of the Microsoft fans imminent disapproval, but I'm afraid Windows Vista is nothing but an upgraded Windows XP with a transparent appearance.
After all, what's so great about Windows Vista? Oh, maybe the 2.4 GB, which I believe stands for a record for a non-gaming beta. The rest is kind of hazy. Let's just hope Beta 2 will bring some light into the whole thing. Anyway, this editorial isn't about the quality of the new Windows Beta 1. Still, it is a beta, so we'll have to take it accordingly. It's more a question of "transparency" of the new transparent Windows Vista, opposed to the other OSs on the market.
Mac OS X has taken the most advantage of the break Windows decided to take for introducing the latest version of its OS. The break itself together with the transparency means Microsoft has just did a huge favor to its competitor. At least 20 people I know were sincerely amazed when hearing there are some things called Macs out there, and all because they have heard about Aero Glass transparency and its presumptive Mac OS X "roots". Meanwhile, about 10 of them actually got their hands on the Mac thing or even turned "switchers". "Irelevant!!" Microsoft or even Apple fans might say, but this doesn't just make the whole thing fade away. It is out there, regardless of the number of "emigrants" with Mac destination.
Altogether, the comparison with Windows Vista (Longhorn at the time) has been "dissected" in every cover-article, before or after the spring launch of Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger. And while everybody was paying attention to Linux threat, Windows found itself having to face Mac OS X.
After all, it's Linux I'm talking about. What's the impact of Windows Vista on this specific OS? Unlike Mac OS X, Linux hasn't managed to take any advantage on the long lasting vacation Microsoft sent its operation system on until 2006. We all kept hearing about Linux server innovations...But not a word from desktop area. The lack of unified distribution, or even better, the presence of dozen distributions is the first thing that comes to everybody's mind when talking of the Linux desktop failure. Or maybe "failure" it's too hard word describing the situation. Let's say "low rate of adoption".
Though, this expression also falls under some amendments. When establishing whether an OS is successful or not, the analysts prefer to judge based on the Western and American market and also on companies opinion. If we are talking about an OS easily adopted by a high number of companies, from America mostly, then we have a "successful" one. But many seem to forget about the emergent markets like India, China or South America, where Microsoft isn't such a big deal due to its price policy. And they all prefer Linux.
Even at this point, Windows Vista can still be the big opportunity Linux has been waiting for to come in first after years of performance. I know the transparent Windows Vista bars are pretty cool and all, but I seriously doubt that the users would be calmed down by the esthetic appearance when seeing their computers under virus attack. And I honestly don't think that the virus makers will stop doing what they do best just because Windows Vista looks nice.
Some sites have announced not so long ago that Mac OS X runs on PC. Even so, this OS will be forever attached to Mac hardware, so Linux remains the only serious competition for Windows. Firefox success should give some serious thinking to all responsible for Linux development. Bottom line, what does Firefox have to top Internet Explorer? Well... stabilitty, safety and ..oh, yes, it's free! And Linux has all that to offer also. How long or how much does it take for Linux to make it? A little, and not only technically speaking. We have to credit Linux as the safest and most secure OS. Topping that, it runs on almost any configuration (even if some elements installing can give you headaches) and has applications for most of fields.
Actually, there are only three things missing: an easier using method, support and marketing. Windows has the advantage of offering its users wizards for almost anything, while Linux can't help you too much with that. You still have to roam all over Internet to find some not contradictory opinions. As a Open Source, Linux has the advantage of being a free service. On the other side, you have no one to call if something goes wrong, and for a new user is even harder. If you decide to use Linux and don't know much about installing and administrating, you have a good chance to fail and join some forum you can't understand and, finally, to give up.
Windows Vista should do us the honor of running its final version on our computers in 2006 so that gives Linux plenty of time to fight the battle of its life for becoming mainstream.
The question is: Has Linux enough power, knowledge and resources to take full advantage of this unique opportunity?