World without Windows?
At Runtime UK we have been testing different operating systems to see which is best, overall. Many have different advantages and many disadvantages.
|
– |
Windows (XP) |
Ubuntu |
Puppy Linux |
DSL |
|
Browser |
Very Slow |
Fast |
Very Fast |
Slow |
|
Install |
Very Slow |
Slow |
Fast |
Very Fast |
|
Size |
Under 2GB |
Over 4GB |
100MB |
50MB |
|
Apps |
N/A |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Clear |
Very Clear |
Clear |
Unclear |
V. Unclear |
|
Ability |
Beginner |
Novice |
Advanced |
Expert |
|
Flash |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
USB boot |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Updates |
Large |
Rare, Small |
Rare, Small |
Rare, Small |
|
Ajax |
Smooth |
Very Smooth |
Rough |
Very Rough |
|
Load Up |
Slow |
Very Slow |
Very Fast |
Fast |
Windows
1. Advantages
Windows is standard for most new PCs. It is for all users, novice or otherwise.
Windows instructions and text are very clear and easily understood. Useful for novices.
If you are a gamer and use Flash Players and Java, Windows can quite easily run with Adobe and you can play games with ease.
There is automatic updating for most software on Windows.
2. Disadvantages
Depending on your internet we cannot provide the exact speed of the internet browsers but Windows has the slowest time overall to load pages.
Download speed is also depending on your connection to the internet but we tested it and Windows is rather slow.
Windows updates are regular. Once or twice a month a big package of updates appears at shutdown (XP). The speed differs from connection yet again but this is the slowest out of all current OS.
Ubuntu
1. Advantages
Ubuntu is rather popular on the internet forums. Novices can use this OS without too many problems.
The internet browser is relatively fast compared with Windows.
Compatible alongside other OS, this means you are able to switch back to Windows, rather easily.
Downloadable Applets on a software database should help with searching for things like Plug-in.
The download speed is faster than Windows but read on for even better results.
2. Disadvantages
The install of Ubuntu is very large and takes up over 4GB to run on RAM. This maybe a problem for older computers.
The install and separation of reserved data takes a long time to perform. (You may have to find something else to do during this process.)
The flash players may not be so compatible. For some users Adobe works like a dream, however our attempt at this caused many different problems. Some we could not overcome.
Puppy Linux
1. Advantages
Puppy Linux has many different versions such as Slacko Puppy, Wary Puppy etc. This means you can find the one that’s suited for you.
So far, this is definitely the fastest browser. Our evaluation was that we could access search engines within seconds of loading the computer up. This was very useful.
The install was of normal speed. It took us about 10 minutes to install.
Only takes up 100MB to install and uses under 200MB of RAM to run. This was much smaller than Windows and Ubuntu.
Downloadable ‘Pupplets’ are on a software database that is relatively easy to access.
Has a very fast download speed for most packages.
You can use your USB stick to boot Linux; however this can be slightly complicated for Novices. Ask the forums for assistance on the BIOS boot-up.
There are rather rare updates and it only takes a small amount of your time to download them.
2. Disadvantages
Quite Unclear and not all information is provided on the help window, so this software is not for Novices unless you just want to use it for browsing.
DSL
1. Advantages
Damn Small Linux: A version of Linux that is apart from the initial website. As the name suggests it is really damn small.
Takes an insignificant 50MB to download and install and can also run off USB!
Very fast install and download speed.
Also has Applets from a small software database, however these are basic software.
2. Disadvantages
The Browser is of around Ubuntu’s speed and is a little more basic.
Flash is incompatible.
Information and help is unclear so this OS are for experts and computer software and programming.
These are all the OS we have tested so far. Our opinionated best is Puppy Linux (Slacko Puppy) because of its mega-fast loading power, browsing and download speed. However, Ubuntu is the OS we are now using because it is the best for the use of documentation, flash, andAjax. This is good for businesses that do a little browsing and document work.
Tests
The tests carried out are as followed:
Browser speed test: By timing how long a page takes to load on each OS, we can determine which is fastest and order them by speed. The page used for this test was http://www.wellingtonchamber.org/
The results of this test were: Windows – 7.2 seconds
Ubuntu – 4.1 seconds
Puppy Linux – 2.5 seconds
DSL – 5.9 seconds
Install speed test: According to Windows downloader’s, install times are as followed:
The results of this test were: Windows – 45 minutes 32 seconds
Ubuntu – 31 minutes 5 seconds
Puppy Linux – 10 minutes 55 seconds
DSL – 5 minutes 50 seconds
Clearness test: This was Opinion so it was not much of a test. However I based the results upon how clear the help was about changing OS on booting.
Ability test: This was the same process as above and merely by opinion. If you have your own views on this issue we persuade you to stick with it.
Ajax test: This was tested on Ajax Daddy website. Analysed the amount of fps (frames per second) and ordered the OS accordingly.
The results of this test were:
Windows – 20 fps
Ubuntu – 29 fps
Puppy Linux – 12 fps
DSL – 10 fps
Load up test: This was done by timing how long the OS took to load its main desktop.
The results of this test were: Windows – 1 minute 3 seconds
Ubuntu – 2 minutes 2 seconds
Puppy Linux – 32 seconds
DSL – 49 seconds
All test results may vary from computer to computer, but the order will most likely be the same.