Comparison Analysis � PAGE �28�
Operating Systems Comparison Analysis
University of Phoenix
POS/420
�
Abstract
This paper will provide a comparison analysis between the Microsoft Windows XP Operating System and the Ubuntu desktop Linux distribution. Areas covered will include cost, market share, hardware requirements, file processing, programming capabilities, application software, user interface, stability and security. Included in this analysis will be cost comparisons to distinguish short term and long term costs associated with each operating system.
�
Introduction
Since the 1990s, Linux has grown from a learning tool to a contender for the corporate desktop and server. This paper will compare two operating systems to identify common and contrasting aspects of each system. Costs, when identifiable, will also be included in the analysis.
For the purpose of narrowing the possible candidates, it was decided to select operating systems available to the analysis team. Given that as a primary consideration, the team selected Microsoft Windows XP and the Ubuntu desktop Linux distribution for comparison.
Windows XP screenshot
Ubuntu Desktop 11.04 started from Live CD with Ins...
English: Microsoft© WIndows XP™ with Apple© Ma...As a scenario driver the team opted for a company with 100 computers as a baseline for generating costs analysis.
Cost Analysis
Providing an accurate cost comparison between the two OSs does not seem fair since the Ubuntu OS is an Open Source software package.' Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing.'(Softpedia.com, 2008). "Nothing" does not mean there is not a charge associated with Ubuntu, because if a person wants a maintenance support package, then the user will incur a cost just like any other OS. The following paragraphs will give an explanation of the different costs that a company will incur by utilizing either the Microsoft or Linux...