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Re: Windows more fragmented than Unix/Linux

> Laff is right. There are more versions of
> Windows out there than there are versions
> of Linux.

Huh?!?!... On what basis do you make such a silly remark like that?

Define "version" please. While you?re busy trying to come up with a rationale for your statement, let me set up an analogy and examine the evidence.

When comparing Windows and Linux I'd define "version" as a code base, and "distribution" as a variation on that code base. By that comparison, which I believe is fair and balanced, there are arguably three, maybe four versions of Windows total: 1) the 3.1/95/98/98SE/ME line, all built from the same 16-bit/32-bit hybrid code base as a graphical shell on top of DOS, 2) the NT4/2000/XP line, all built on a separate, 32-bit code base, 3) Windows CE/Pocket PC/Mobile/whatever-they?re-calling-it-today, and 4) the server ?versions? of the aforementioned NT4/2000/XP line, which I would argue are actually distributions and not really new versions at all. In fact, I'd argue that each "version" in each line is better described as a "distribution." If you want to throw in XP Embedded, XP Tablet Edition, XP Media Center Edition, Windows XP 64-bit Edition, Windows 2000 Data Center Edition, etc. etc., fine, but they are all variations on the same code base that originated with NT.

Now let's take a look at Linux. What's your definition of version here? I'd suggest kernel versions. How many of those have been released? Who knows, because there have been so many it's impossible to count. There are literally hundreds, each with their own version number. Check http://ftp.cdut.edu.cn/pub2/linux/kernel/history/Master.html for a detailed list, and this guy gave up trying to keep up on May 26th, 2000. A quick check of http://www.linux.org/dist yields 217 known "distributions," and those are just the ones being maintained. And don?t forget that each distribution releases a new ?version? of its own practically every month.

Personally, I don?t see how people think Windows is hard to keep up with. I rather like the fact that Microsoft unleashes a new, actual version every decade or so. They add features and fix bugs constantly, just like the Linux folks, but the difference is I don?t have to recompile the damn kernel every four days, or at all for that matter. If that?s what gets you off, hey, have fun. I have a life, thank you, and Windows meets my needs just fine, and it doesn?t take a 10,000 line man page to build and maintain. Linux has made great strides, I grant you, but it is still way harder for the average Joe than is Windows.

I?m all for Linux giving Microsoft some much needed competition but come on? ?There are more versions of Windows out there than there are versions of Linux?? What a crock of sh*t.

Posted by: crm_z   Posted on: 04/21/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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