windows v linux

[eyepie]

My daughter has been asked to compare the networking capabilities of the above systems. She doesnt know what it means. Can anyone help.

[vehelpfulguy]

Networking is the ability for computers to connect to each other.

This could be 3 or 4 computers in a small office, called a Local Area Network (LAN).

Or it could be the ability for a computer to connect to a server (usualy a larger central computer) in a mode called Client - Server networking.

Networking is quite a complex subject and if she has been asked to write about it I assume it has been covered in her lessons.

Lessons on networking would have covered terms like Peer to Peer and Client Server.

[vehelpfulguy]

I should add that the Internet is a giant Network, probably the biggest in the world.

I should imagine most of the computers on the interent run either Windows or Linux.

Most of the web servers (the computers that SERVE the web pages to us all) run Windows or Linux.

However comparing Windows v Linux networking capabilities is not easy.

[ACtheTROLL]

presumably this isn't a history lesson?

it all sounds a little too general and broad ....
what specifically is the course (lesson?) subject - and what exactly is the question.

networking is networking ... they both network - using the same language .... (which is the whole point of networking).

[eyepie]

Thanks for that, its the Linux system shes confused about, she knows it has free software but apart from that she doesnt understand what other benefits if any it has compared to windows.

Thanks for your help anyway.

[Boriyako]

Linux (Unix) is a lean, mean and technically simple (that means mostly to the technical whizzes are the one who like it) multi tasking, multi user operating system that is particularly good with communications (it was developed by 2 techno-wizards at Bell labs)

Windows is a clumsy, dos shell, unreliable and system greedy operating system. Kept "efficient" by endless updates.

Unfortunately unix/linux/xenix somehow became the realm of the tekkies and Big Brother Bill (clever boy that) saw the commercial (read profit!) opportunities in operating systems, couldn't get his hands on the good one (because the tekkies saw the big bad wolf in businessman's clothing) so put his money (lots and lots and lots) into the "bad" system and we all live happily ever after!!

New versions of Unix/Linux like redhat are excellent and run well with windows lookalike interfaces/routines.

You can even (O Lord!!) run windows and Linux on the same machine (for gamers). For Linux .you can get cheap open-source software packages that are microsoft compatible - wordprocessors, spreadsheets powerpoint .etc

One big point about Unix - there are almost NO viruses (thus far) written for the packages that run on it so it is a very safe system to use on the internet.

[markysngc]

simple anwser for your question is the networking capabillities in Linux are far far far far better then those in windows.

Try doing fairly simple suff like port forwarding, multi wan load balancing,, proper firewalling (windows defender makes me laugh!!) intrusion detection or any of the other stuff that a proper network admin would need to do in windows and it nearly impossible.

Windows is designed to network with windows (often badly) linux is designed to network properly, thats why most of the internet runs on linux (ok unix)

Boriyako I liked your answer, a lot of truth.

[ACtheTROLL]

Ah love the linuxites.

simple to use .... rubbish ... even the gui relies on manual "tickling" - which is why techies like it.
it uses a complex commandline syntax which gives more flexibility ... as long as you know exactly what you want ....

dos shell ... pure linux is the same .... more so in fact as it's possible to install different desktops ... overlaying kde or whatever kernel you choose

the fringe linux community seem to have dropped the ball when it comes to "unbiassed" opinion ...the aim of an operating system is as a means to an end.

macs are the epitome of this philosophy - within 20mins of opening the box ... most people can write a letter....

creatives use macs because for them the whole point is ... you don't have an operating system getting in the way of your real work.

they won't tolerate anything that stints productivity

Windows is getting better ... but still requires a steeper learning curve than macs.

linux generally speaking is written by enthusiasts for enthusiasts who don't need or want comercial quality software ... because it's boring ... they want an operating system that need operating .... no time for apps ... they just get in the way.....
(my chum constantly uses ... If you really understood how bitmap (jpg, png etc,etc) works ... you'd know how to use ....
(my aim is to take a photo .... not to spend a month researching lossy compression and colour codecs)

as for firewall, port forwarding etc ... that's not the job of an operating system ... (not even the job of a server if you want to get technical) when you get into real networking .... no one would dream of using software solutions ...
even simple domestic routers contain firewall and a means to port forward.

[Boriyako]

apologies to eypie for turning this into an online version of enthusiasts getting their teeth into a good argument - love it!!

Troll...you are the MAN! Agree with you 100% about MACs - the best but would love to sit over a beverage and discuss Unix vs windows - there I still don't agree!

Hope we've given eypie some form of answer

Cheers

[eyepie]

I would just like to say thanks to all who replied. My daughter finds some answers still a bit technical but says she has a better knowledge of what Linux is about. At least she thinks she does lol.
Thanks again