One thing that I hear from some of my technical friends is that their operating system of choice is 'so easy' or 'so much better' over some other one which is trash. I've heard it said that OSes are like religions, but I disagree. I would say that they are like different countries.
How is an OS like one of the nations of the world? Think about it for a moment. If you have ever visited another country, you have noticed that there are both cultural similarities and differences when compared to your own. Culture is a way of life. Even people from countries which have views diametrically opposed to each other can find something in common. For example, we all eat. Family is important. There are times for both work and recreation. The differences lie in the details. Comparing operating systems should be done the same way.
Daily digital life can be dramatically different depending on which OS you use. When speaking of OSes, I am largely referring to the major players in the world right now: Windows, OS X, Android, iOS, and Linux, but I could also include Haiku, Syllable, AROS / MorphOS, ReactOS, and a host of others. For the purposes of comparison and space, let's narrow the playing field to two specific choices: Windows 7 and the MATE version Linux Mint 13.
These two have plenty in common, neither is the most recent version available and both have had plenty of time to mature. Both have their fair share of benefits, drawbacks, and quirks. Overall hardware support is not generally a problem for either. A wealth of software is available: free and commercial, open source and proprietary, enterprise and consumer.
The differences are what bring contention and division. Windows 7 is much shinier, but slower. Linux Mint doesn't have anywhere near as many games... or malware, for that matter. Windows 7 is more or less free with the purchase of any PC. Mint is free, no matter what. Windows 7 has much better support from software companies, but it also doesn't have a community of people who help each other like Mint does. Mint's MATE environment could be considered dated, but its very existence is a reaction to what some consider to be bizarre changes to computing. It offers a choice where Windows 7's design is dictated by a company. The list goes on and on.
Because of all of these differences, changing from one operating system to another is a process which is at times fun and at others, frustrating. A large part of your daily life is routine, and changing a routine is a recipe for interesting times which has challenges and rewards. Instead of going online, downloading a program, and clicking Next until your program installs, you start a program, select what you want from a list, and click Apply. Using LibreOffice Writer instead of Word requires adjustment. Sometimes you have to change services because of a lack of compatibility. For some, it requires too much effort. For others, however, it is all worth it.
Unlike in my younger and more foolish days, I don't hastily recommend someone jump from Windows to Linux any more than I'd recommend someone move to another country on a whim. Change isn't easy, especially changing cultures, but I'm always willing to help someone make at least a visit or two.
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