Hi there,

I am new here and doing a project and researching information on operating systems and writing about there advantages and disadvantages over different operating systems, I have found information but seems to be dated while searching so wondering if somebody could provide me with some up to date information.

Could people please tell add some advantages and disadvantages for these over each other.

DOS (not MS-DOS)

Windows XP & Vista (vista not as much too new)

Linux

Mac OS X


Thanks in advance for your help

Hi superfly,
Firstly welcome to CompuForums, I hope that you can stick around and post here rather than vanish, never to return once we've given you our help and thoughts.

DOS
Advantages:
-Runs well on legacy equipment and low heat / power draw situations
-Usually very stable
-Requires little disk space
Disadvantages:
-Often only specialist software written for it
-Not ideal for general usage
-Hard to get licenses for it

Windows XP
Advantages:
-Easy to install
-Good for general usage
-Ideal for modern machines
Disadvantages
-Relatively expensive
-Can be unreliable
-Susceptible to worms, viruses, and spyware


Linux
Advantages
-Free and open source
-Comes in many distributions
-Scalable from tiny embedded devices to large servers
-Large support community
-Can be run on almost any hardware
Disadvantages:
-Learning curve
-Sometimes hard to install

Mac OS X
Advantages:
-Easy to use
-Quite stable
-Designed for the hardware it runs on
Disadvantages:
-Can only be licenced for specific propeirtry hardware
-The hardware it runs on is more or less the same as a PC but more expensive
-Small learning curve

__________________
~Ash
Seen a bad post? Report it! Click the triangle in the top right hand corner of the post.
Want to get in touch? Send me a PM
Your opinion matters! Please consider taking part in The Suggestions Box thread: Click Here

Thanks for the information Ash thats really helped me, i might not be active on the forum for a month or so while i concetrate on my disso and exams but be back after.