It’s easy to look back warmly on the era of MS-DOS. In the distant past, a simple set of letters and punctuation was all you needed to launch your favorite program. This command handled all of the related dependencies that allowed the code to work. Basically, you only had to type a command on a completely blank screen with a single cursor. The fancy operating systems we all know and love today developed as a response to the consumer demand to click on graphical content. To the computer novice, this seems much simpler than typing a command. However, this change brought about a whole new wave of complications to the computing experience.
Firstly, the graphical representation of your software ties up system resources. While this may seem insignificant for the average user, this can be a major issue if you hope to stress your PC to its full capacity. As more individuals and businesses began purchasing these operating systems, software developers decided to include more services in an effort to anticipate the user’s software. If the operating system were planned out with your favorite software in mind, this would lead to fewer complications with programs. Unfortunately, many software designers decided that they should anticipate every single possible application that any user anywhere might choose to try. This slows your computer down much like having extra programs running.
Linux has always remained a successful option because it permits for setups that do very little. Many versions of Linux operate in a minimalist fashion; you will have to select programs and dependencies as you need them. While this might feel annoying for most of us, it’s amazing when you intend to use your machine to its full potential. Many advanced users prefer a streamlined operating system. However, if you are looking to dive right into your favorite programs without much research, the resource heavy systems will support more of what you want to run.
Microsoft’s Windows Vista was arguably the pinnacle of the extravagant operating system. Its massive code base anticipated nearly any software function. Ironically, this led to an opposite inspiration for Windows 7. Windows 7 has a streamlined, resource light structure that can finally compete with the lightweight Linux.
Recent trends in the tech world seem to be inspired by the desire to do more with less. In the future, developers will push the limits of technology to satisfy both of these interests. The newest operating system releases by all of the major competitors speak to this user demand. There will always be a need for a smart balance between compatibility and operating system memory use.
Luckily, we are lucky enough to have a robust market of operating system providers. Each release introduces different advantages. There are arguments for using all of the various modern operating system based on their intended use. When deciding on your operating system, you should carefully look into its compatibility with software that you intend to use. Each company aims to satisfy a certain market. You will likely be served in at least one of the recent releases at any time. Ask others who have similar needs to your own for advice on which operating system to use.
Geek Choice is a national computer repair company that seeks to help our customers make good decisions about hardware and software. Slow computer performance could be the fault of spyware, malware, or viruses, or it could just be a matter of using the wrong operating system or hardware to meet your needs. Geek Choice offers on-site help for any computer issue. If your operating system is interfering with your favorite programs, give us a call at 1-800-GEEK HELP (433-5435).