A computer, whether it is a Windows or a Mac computer, is not functional unless its operating system is working. As all computer users know, operating systems are offered in new versions every couple of years or so, and eventually the old ones become obsolete as they cannot support newer technologies. Big releases of major upgrades sometimes cause problems and the company must find fixes to later offer as upgrades or downloads online. From the security focus of Windows Vista to the home networking capabilities offered by Windows 7, the capabilities keep changing to meet the demands of a user base constantly exposed to new technologies.
The Windows/Mac competition has been around for a while, but there are several other operating systems that are available too. Linux is another option and, while it has been used by businesses for a while, home users are finding it to be worthwhile as well. It can be downloaded at no cost, although common Windows programs are generally not supported. However, you can download open source software like Open Office to do the same things as Microsoft Office for Linux. Windows users have the option to recover files they have deleted, but cannot do this on Mac. Unfortunately, Microsoft’s system has always been more susceptible to computer viruses.
Various plug-ins and add-on software has been offered to combat the proliferation of computer viruses and spyware. And there is a large contingent of virus free open source software programs like the VLC media player and the Xvid movie codec that are gaining headway as well. The main operating systems continue to improve and evolve, but another entity may be competing soon as well. Google is designing an operating system that functions outside of the main computer, in the cloud, meaning its capabilities can be taken advantage of over the Internet. This is an alternative to having to install memory-intensive software onto your computer and another way the operating system model has been adapted to the most current computing technologies.
Whichever operating system you choose, there will be a growing list to choose from. How you use your computer is directly affected by the software interface, and this choice might even make it more exciting in the years to come.