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Why do you use X?
12 years ago
OK, we all know people use Windows because it has all the programs and MacOS for the friendly UI, but have you ever wondered why some people use other OSs? Well let me tell you. But before we start: It's not that Linux is good for hacking, it's that Mac/Win are bad for hacking.
Linux is a UNIX like kernel made to be about as monolithic as anything can be. This makes it easy to port from one type of system to another and making drivers a snap. This comes at the cost the kernel needing more resources than other alternative OSs (But still much lower than Mac/Win.) but it makes up for this with dynamic linking. Meaning that if two or more programs need the same library to run that Linux will have them share it.
Why we like it: It makes all our programs light weight and can run on anything from X86 to System Z.
Why we don't like it: Other than Mac/Win Linux is the most resource hungry thing available.
Who uses it: Those who want the full power of their computer. Web browsing, tex editing, and gaming (LOL) at the same time on a Pentium 4? No problem... Well maybe not that good... But you get the point.
Unlike Linux BSD is actually based of the UNIX kernel, and to be clear: BSD doesn't look like Linux, Linux looks like BSD. Most defenses between the two are found in kernel space.
Why we like it: It's lighter and more secure than Linux.
Why we don't like it: Dynamic linking isn't quite as good and less drivers.
Who uses it: People who need their computer to keep running regardless of what they put it through.
BeOS and its open source reveille Haiku where built from the ground up to use synaptic multi prepossessing and well other OSs arsine parts of the CPU to improve multi tasking Haiku scales tasks to allow then to take full advantage of your CPU.
Why we like it: Wonderful 3D capabilities and better with 1-3 tasks than anything else.
Why we don't like it: Lesser multi tasking with higher amounts of programs when compared to other alternative OSs.
Who uses it: Artists... How is this not the master race on this site?
After UNIX was all but killed by Linux Bell Labs went on to make Plan 9. This odd ball of an OS can link computers together, this is meant mostly for true mainframes but could be used to make any lump of Plan 9 compatible comps in to a mainframe. The UI is a bit odd but that's the fun if you ask me.
Why we like it: Thanks to Google anyone with a Plan 9 box can have a supercomputer anytime they want even if your power may get bottle necked by your bandwidth if you have a bad ISP or network port.
Why we don't like it: Many important programs such as a modern wed browser are nowhere to be found in the Plan 9 repos at this time, lack of 64 bit support, and drivers.
Who uses it: Mainframe owners and hobbyists.
Dissatisfied with Apple's simplified *NIX operating system Google set out to make their own. Rather that simplify a full *NIX OS at the cost of power Google simply removed some of the more powerful parts of the OS knowing that few people use thing like fDisk and made heavy use of cloud computing. Made with the casual user in mind Chrome OS knows who it sets out to please and how to do it and it all come in a cute inexpensive box.
<3
Why we like it: Simple enough for grandma, fast as light, and cheep as H*ll.
Why we don't like it: Lack of advanced features make the OS unfriendly to power users and limited programs.
Who uses it: Casual users.
If you would like to see your OS please just tell me anything you feel I should know and I'll look into it.
LinuxLinux is a UNIX like kernel made to be about as monolithic as anything can be. This makes it easy to port from one type of system to another and making drivers a snap. This comes at the cost the kernel needing more resources than other alternative OSs (But still much lower than Mac/Win.) but it makes up for this with dynamic linking. Meaning that if two or more programs need the same library to run that Linux will have them share it.
Why we like it: It makes all our programs light weight and can run on anything from X86 to System Z.
Why we don't like it: Other than Mac/Win Linux is the most resource hungry thing available.
Who uses it: Those who want the full power of their computer. Web browsing, tex editing, and gaming (LOL) at the same time on a Pentium 4? No problem... Well maybe not that good... But you get the point.
BSDUnlike Linux BSD is actually based of the UNIX kernel, and to be clear: BSD doesn't look like Linux, Linux looks like BSD. Most defenses between the two are found in kernel space.
Why we like it: It's lighter and more secure than Linux.
Why we don't like it: Dynamic linking isn't quite as good and less drivers.
Who uses it: People who need their computer to keep running regardless of what they put it through.
HaikuBeOS and its open source reveille Haiku where built from the ground up to use synaptic multi prepossessing and well other OSs arsine parts of the CPU to improve multi tasking Haiku scales tasks to allow then to take full advantage of your CPU.
Why we like it: Wonderful 3D capabilities and better with 1-3 tasks than anything else.
Why we don't like it: Lesser multi tasking with higher amounts of programs when compared to other alternative OSs.
Who uses it: Artists... How is this not the master race on this site?
Plan 9After UNIX was all but killed by Linux Bell Labs went on to make Plan 9. This odd ball of an OS can link computers together, this is meant mostly for true mainframes but could be used to make any lump of Plan 9 compatible comps in to a mainframe. The UI is a bit odd but that's the fun if you ask me.
Why we like it: Thanks to Google anyone with a Plan 9 box can have a supercomputer anytime they want even if your power may get bottle necked by your bandwidth if you have a bad ISP or network port.
Why we don't like it: Many important programs such as a modern wed browser are nowhere to be found in the Plan 9 repos at this time, lack of 64 bit support, and drivers.
Who uses it: Mainframe owners and hobbyists.
Chrome OSDissatisfied with Apple's simplified *NIX operating system Google set out to make their own. Rather that simplify a full *NIX OS at the cost of power Google simply removed some of the more powerful parts of the OS knowing that few people use thing like fDisk and made heavy use of cloud computing. Made with the casual user in mind Chrome OS knows who it sets out to please and how to do it and it all come in a cute inexpensive box.
<3
Why we like it: Simple enough for grandma, fast as light, and cheep as H*ll.
Why we don't like it: Lack of advanced features make the OS unfriendly to power users and limited programs.
Who uses it: Casual users.
If you would like to see your OS please just tell me anything you feel I should know and I'll look into it.
<3
Oh well.