The big daddy of operating systems, Windows is the only choice for many home and business users. Microsoft has almost universal third party programming support, making it able to run thousands of great pieces of software. It has a lot of great Microsoft-made products, many of which are the universal standard (Microsoft Word and Outlook, for instance). If you like video games, Windows’ video game library completely dwarfs that of Mac OS. Windows is simple to use, is frequently updated, and is the most popular operating system in the world.Of course, it’s notorious for its many bugs and crashes. Tech geeks will screech at you to stay away from anything made by Microsoft, until their blood temperature breaks the lightsaber-shaped pen in their pocket protector and they have to spend the rest of the afternoon breathing through their inhalers.
However, many people think that it is because of Windows’ popularity that so many bugs have been discovered; it’s very likely that if Mac OS was being used by as many people as Windows, all the tech geeks would be attacking Apple, possibly until they were carried of on a stretcher in a Mac-bashing induced asthmatic daze.
If you decide to use Windows, it’s important to have the most recent version possible, since Microsoft updates their OS drastically with every revision. Also, run Windows Update often to protect your computer from bugs. Windows is also more prone to viruses than other systems, so good virus protection software is a must; I usually recommend MacAfee Antivirus.
Decisions, decisions…
There are other operating systems, but most of them are designed for a special purpose, out of date, or extremely difficult to use. Linux, Mac OS, and Windows are the average user’s most viable choices. It’s important to make sure that you know what you intend to do with your computer, and that the operating system you use is best able to accommodate that purpose.
I’ll let you get back to cutting up paper for the hat.