I need some help for a clear understanding of the two different
opearting systems of LINUX and Windows 2000. I would be grateful if
any of you can compare and contrast these systems in detail.
I prefer the answer to be in an article format rather than suggesting
me the websites which I have viewed already.

Thank you

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Request for Question Clarification by hedgie-ga on 21 Mar 2003 03:50 PST

Dilan
         We have no way of knowing what websites you have viewed,
 what your level of expertise is and what your applications are.

 It is also not clear if a pointer to an existing article providing 
 balanced view is acceptable. Are  you are asking for an original
 article to be written ? If so, why and how should it differ for the
 exisiting articles?

In cases like this, more detailed question, with specific examples of what
you are wondering about  can go a long way to make acceptable answer 
possible.

---

Clarification of Question by dilan-ga on 21 Mar 2003 07:50 PST

Hi hedgie 

I do not need an original article to be written, where you can
summaries all the information you have gathered from web and books for
this problem.

The article needed is to choose an operating system
(Linux/Windows2000) for their developments of a company (Example: Why
to use Linux rather than Windows and afterwards why using Windows
rather than Linux).

If you can provide me some excellent websites that would be fine and
article/report in a balanced view is acceptable.

Assumption: No need for a consideration of the system currently they
have and the business they run.

Your question deals with the on-going issue,

  sometime called 'the OS-wars'   

   There are fans on both sides
  and few balanced and objective reviews.

 That makes it easy to find  articles and opinions
  and hard to provide balanced view.
 I will try my best.

BRIEFLY:
 For some companies Linux is better choice. For example, Google search
 engine runs on some 1000 linux boxes. Cost and reliability is one
factor here.
 For other companies, windows, windows 2000, is better since Linux has
a
'steeper learning curve': If you do not have staff with computer
expertise,
 If you do mostly routine office work:  Word processing, accounting
 and need the latest drivers, and compatibility with others,
then time and effort investment into making linux run may be too much.

Here is one, a bit dated, but objective and expert  evaluation:
http://www.suffritti.it/informatica/tco/Updated%20OS%20Evaluation%20Linux%20vs_%20Unix%20and%20Windows%202000.htm

ONE SIDE:
Here is a comparison of  two scenarios
(note this is done by and for linux guys)
http://www.linuxworld.com/site-stories/2001/1018.tco.html

Here is another one from a linux  advocate:
http://www.michaelhorowitz.com/Linux.vs.Windows.html

OTHER SIDE:
http://wwwMicrosoftt.com/sbserver/evaluation/compare/linux.asp

A short and objective (they sell both)
http://www.hostasite.com/plans/linuxvswindows.html?sid=ba0f45731ed2693bbfd4c67969fefd36

A long and objective - estimating TCO (= Total Cost of Ownership)
 Linux vs. Windows Total Cost of Ownership Comparison

www.cyber.com.au/cyber/about/ linux_vs_windows_tco_comparison.pdf 


In conclusion,
it is a complex question.
If you are unsure, you may want to test it first.

Search Terms USED

Linux Windows 2000  comparison


SEARCH TERMS  RECOMMENDED for further search

Knoopix, Lindows  (that may be another, followup question as well)

In Conclusion

    I hope that this collection of articles will give you a balanced
overview.
    Rating and  feedback  is appreciated. 
    BTW (= By The Way) this search and answer was prepared on a
Microsoft-free
    Linux computer. It worked OK for this purpose.

    hedgie

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Request for Answer Clarification by dilan-ga on 22 Mar 2003 16:35 PST

Hi hedgie!

The following link is not executing
http://wwwMicrosoftt.com/sbserver/evaluation/compare/linux.asp 

The following link doesnt include the information wanted from the question
http://www.linuxworld.com/site-stories/2001/1018.tco.html
(Where it argues Unix vs Windows)

---

Clarification of Answer by hedgie-ga on 22 Mar 2003 18:02 PST

The microsoft link should be

http://www.Microsoft.com/sbserver/evaluation/compare/linux.asp

 It is not clear to me how that got mangled.
 Perhaps during the spellcheck. Sorry about that.


This one 
http://www.linuxworld.com/site-stories/2001/1018.tco.html 
indded is not directly applicable. There is similarity between
linux and unix, but costs differ.

Here is a more linux specific comment from the linux side

http://www.tsif.com/Linuxpages/linux_news.htm

Good websites were identified. Thanks for the quick response.

Here are  references to two older questions dealing with
Operating Systems

Humor - but with grains if inght based  on  experience
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=167764

Mostly useful if you decide to explore Linux in more detal
http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=165292

  They may be interesting or amusing, or both.
  This is a 'freebee' thrown in for good measure.