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עוד רעיון מבריק של Al Fasoldt

Windows vs. OS X                                                                                                                          : Choosing a computer in the era of viruses and hackers

By Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2002, Al Fasoldt
Copyright © 2002, The Post-Standard

   I'm sometimes asked to explain the pros and cons of choosing a non-Windows computer. Here are some simple answers.
   The most compelling alternative to a Windows PC is an Apple computer. Current Apple computers are a couple of steps ahead of current Microsoft Windows PCs in a few important areas, but they are behind in a few others.
   In the area of susceptibility to computer viruses, Apple's computers are far ahead of Windows PCs. There are virtually no viruses that can infect Apple's OS X operating system, but there are 60,000 viruses that can infect Windows PCs. Many computer users do not realize that Windows viruses such as the Klez Worm have no effect -– none whatsoever -- on Apple's OS X computers.
   In the matter of safety from hackers, Apple's OS X computers are also far ahead of Windows PCs. OS X computers are Unix PCs; designed with security in mind, whereas Windows, which was designed before networks became common, is inherently insecure. Apple is also more likely than Microsoft to fix problems that users uncover.
   But both Apple's OS X computers and modern Windows PCs are relatively easy to use. If you leave out the dangers of virus infection and Internet security, Windows XP computers score a bit better. Both types handle typical tasks well. A typical Windows XP computer, except for its susceptibility to virus attacks and break-ins, is as reliable as an Apple OS X computer in daily use.
   Both types have a wide range of software for standard tasks. Windows is far ahead in its overall range of software, but OS X is ahead of Windows in the quality of its Web browsers and the slick feel of its "office" applications. (Microsoft Office for OS X is simply superb.)
   In digital entertainment, Apple's OS X is clearly ahead in the way it supports digital video editing and DVD creation. This can be done (and done well) on a Windows PC, but only with a lot more effort.
   One aspect of OS X that I appreciate as an audio enthusiast is its iTunes integration. iTunes is the OS X audio playback program. It handles audio CDs, MP3 CDs, MP3 disk files and Internet radio streams. It also provides a simple way to make audio CDs from MP3s. I consider iTunes one of the best programs on any modern computer system; it's an excellent example of a good program designed seamlessly into a modern operating system.
   Apple's OS X is far behind Windows in entertainment software, however. Windows is the top gaming system by far. I'm not saying you wouldn't find a lot of games, including some outstanding ones, for OS X. But companies that make sophisticated game programs usually ignore OS X.
   Windows users considering a switch to an Apple computer sometimes feel that they won't be able to bring work home from the office or do school work at home. The premise, of course, is that the entire world uses Windows, and so you have to use Windows to get any work done at home.
   But this is false. We should all realize that Windows is a monopoly operating system, so it's no surprise that Windows is used in most offices and schools. But the first thing to note is that millions of people use OS X, whether in offices, homes or schools. The second point is that documents of all kinds can be shared between Windows and OS X. Something you've worked on at the office in Microsoft Word under Windows can be finished at home in Microsoft Word under OS X, for example.
   The interface of OS X works very much like the Windows interface does, so there's not much to learn if you switch. I'm an expert on the Windows interface, and I didn't have an easy time with the slight differences in the way OS X does things. But I now prefer the OS X method, partly because it looks better and partly because it just seems to make more sense.
   You can find out more about Apple's OS X computers by visiting www.apple.com.