Although using a Linux operating system may make the user manually install and compile the folder and without proper use and could end up a mess because it is not very user friendly process, but some versions of Linux also use a visual interface that is as easy to install rather than using a binary installation which is a Graphical User Interface version of the installation that has an easy to follow interface and does all of the work for you, that windows is known for using. This was combated by the OSI program Wine which is used on Linux to install the programs from Windows to a Linux machine.
Interface
Windows uses a user friendly interface that lures new computer end user to the operating system even though Linux xubuntu can be changed to the users settings to look like another operating system such as Windows vista, Mac OSX Leopard or anything to make the end users like easier.
Ease of use
Windows has always been easier to use because of its all Graphical user interface with large writing, animation and icons which are easier to use for the newer end-user. Linux is also starting to use a Graphical user interface but it still partly uses a command line interface with a similar syntax to windows command line. When using the command line for Linux has been mastered it is very easy to use afterwards.
Security
Windows vista needs a virus scanner and spyware detector and all sorts of different security devices to ensure that is remotely safe and Linux at this moment in this completely safe because of it programming is very hard to make viruses for even though the source files are available publicly. This is also because the many thousands of Linux operating system are so unpopular that anybody who makes viruses is only bothered about Xp and Macs.
Support
When something goes wrong with an operating system the end user is expected to find out what is wrong with the operating system and fix it. Microsoft has loads of call centre (mainly in India and the middle-east) that are happy to tell you what is you did wrong with your computer and not what you actually need to know. Now Linux uses the internet forums and textbook which Microsoft windows users also could use.
For every piece of software that can be used on windows operating system, there is also a version for that program on Linux. This software is not exactly the same for each of the operating systems but for features can be close and the other, less popular version could have some feature that are not on the windows version of that specific product.
Image Editing
Image editing is used in the industry to make a picture look different, better or worse depending on the industry if the industry is a holiday makers or a tabloid, it would be used to make a place look better than it actually is with white sands and blue sea, if the industry is a modelling agency image editing program would be used to make people look better by getting rid of any features that may make the model standout for example spots or crooked teeth, the last example of an image editing software is used in the tabloid industry which makes features of a person more noticeable and a prime example of this is the celebrity magazines that are published to “knock celebrities down a notch”, this is why image editing software is a double edged sword in the industry.
Adobe Photoshop is made to be able to edit pictures and is now an industry standard. There is an open source version of this which is GIMP, even though it is not as good in features as the Photoshop but has its own features such as selective colour changes that are not used in Photoshop. Linux Xubuntu can also use wine to use Photoshop which the end user can use programs from windows and apple on the Linux.
File Management
A file management system is used to get around the hard drive with ease, depending on the software, a file management system can help you get round the hard drive faster or slower and can have features like search and drag and drop into other files.
Multimedia player
A multimedia player is used to play media files for entertainment or research purposes. This can be a movie file (MPEG, M4P, MOV) a picture file (JPEG, PSD, BITMAP) or a music file (OGG Vorbis, MP3) which can be able to search the operating system for new multimedia and other features that can be used are an equaliser and organised library. Each different media player have different qualities depending on the manufacture of the software.
Web Browser
A web Browser is used to access the internet and all of its information in a matter of seconds. Different Web browsers have different feature like add ons for Firefox, predictive text, history and a bookmaking feature that allows the user to save pages that might be useful in the near future
Internet explorer is becoming more like Firefox with its extensions and skins but Firefox`0 is becoming faster and more reliable with more features than internet explorer
Instant Messaging
An Instant messaging program is a program that does what it says on the tin. Messages contacts instantly instead of talking to people on the phone or by mail, IM programs have many features that can make there social experience more in-depth by using voice chat, video chat and file sharing. And some IM programs have a feature that allows the end user to access more than one account at the same time.
Vector Imaging
Vector imaging is used to draw diagrams and brainstorms that look profession to the end user and can be used for other uses as a visual aid to other user to show them what something may look like to work like.
Document Processing
Document processing is used to make document that could be presented later on in the future, such as word for a report, Excel for a Database and PowerPoint for a Visual presentation on a topic or subject. These can differ by using different features to get the document completed but the programs can also work together to do more than one thing at once such as Word and Excel would make it able to make a mail merge without have to reprint a letter lots of times.
3D Drawing
3D drawing is used in the industry to convey information or to implement into a film or computer game, the software can differ to what it can do because program like Maya is used for animation, graphical editing and special effects in movie but a program like AutoCAD is made to design building and structures.
