coverstory 5 LINUX ALTERNATIVES TO WINDOWS AND MAC OS We discuss five key Linux alternatives to Windows and Mac and why switching over to Linux from Windows or Mac is getting easier by the day - Ashok Pandey indows or Mac are two names which and service packs, etc. to update your PC/laptop, can easily be recognized in the world of similarly you get updates with Linux. But, it doesn’t PCs. Most of the devices are running on mean that your machine will be unstable as is the case Wthese operating systems. Some time ago, with Windows after some updates. Linux machines will Windows stopped supporting Windows XP, and in the be available with 99.99 per cent stability even after near future they might stop supporting Win 7 and 8 as rebooting the PC after every patch, service pack, or well. They are offering an update from their old OS to driver change. latest Win 10, but it’s only for a year after which you have to pay for this. Security Mac machines are also popular but come with various No one can claim, that Windows, Mac or Linux, or any premium options. Most of the people look for free or other operating system is 100 per cent secure. There are cheap alternatives available. Understanding the need of loopholes that can lead to vulnerability. Viruses can at- Windows and Mac alternatives, we tested a few free Linux tack these machines and can be hacked as well. How- distros. These are stable Linux distros offering various ever, if you compare that which one is the most vulner- features without charging you a penny. able then Linux will be behind Windows and Mac. Linux offers excellent security from regular kernel updates to no more fears: busting myths an almost daily list of security patches. Business owners In past years, Windows and Mac were a preferred choice who rely on commercially supported Linux systems will because of some myths and less knowledge about Linux have access to every available security fix. services. But now, no matter whether you have a startup or a giant business, critical technical support is always your Linux for every machine priority. Windows and Mac, both offer technical support, Whether you have a new machine with latest and in the same way, you will get technical support from configuration or old machine with some outdated the Linux team whether you are using Ubuntu or Fedora. hardware you will be able to find suitable OS for your machine that will not only be light but will also be .NET Support compatible with every hardware. So if you have an old Business using standardized Microsoft technology, machine with Windows XP or 98, or Mac machine with specifically .NET web technology had the misconception an old configuration which is running slow, Linux OS about the tech support as well as the reliability of will boost their performance as well as provide you Linux. There is nothing to worry about now. Linux also powerful experience. supports .Net and you get reliable technical support for uninterrupted business abilities. Free of cost Another big benefit of Linux is – it comes at no cost. Just Can’t use popular Win software download your preferred OS from the website and then Wine is a free software available on Linux operating on your machine. As it comes free of cost that doesn’t systems that lets you install and use Windows mean you won’t get support, yes you get all the supports applications. So whether you want to use Photoshop, MS- from the community, which is wide enough to solve all Office, or any other popular Windows software, you can your queries. easily install and use them with ‘Wine’. Flexible Stability Windows and Mac, both are user-friendly operating As with Windows or Mac, which send regular patches systems, but if you are looking for flexibility then again 32 PCQUEST MARCH 2016 pcquest.com twitter.com/pcquest facebook.com/pcquest linkd.in/pcquest [email protected] Linux will win the match. However, Win and Mac both Linux Mint 17.3 offer customization and you can do a lot more with them, “rosa” yet there are some restrictions with these OS. Linux allows Linux Mint 17.3 comes you to do whatever customization you want to. Moreover, with updated software several third-party applications and themes are available and brings refinements for the desktop. and many new features Open Source Linux is an open-source operating sys- to make your desktop tem, meaning you can do a lot more things with it, which experience more are not possible with Win and Mac. A developer can utilize comfortable to use. benefits of open source OS and customize or modify the The Driver Manager OS as per the requirements. Also, open source community is more robust than can play with the OS to enhance its performance, security before. It refreshes the and more. cache before looking for drivers and reports update and installation errors if appropriate. Command line Interface Using the Linux command-line, you can do pretty much Fedora 23 everything you need. However, Win and Mac users will Workstation argue that they can do everything with their machines Fedora 23 Workstation even without using commands, yet Linux offers more is a reliable, user- power to the user to go out of the boundary and do friendly, and powerful whatever they want. operating system We have listed some of the top Linux OS available aimed at home for you: users, hobbyists, students, and software Ubuntu 15.10 developers. Fedora 23 The Ubuntu 15.0 Workstation features is available for the latest GNOME 3.18 release courtesy of the GNOME download and community. This release of GNOME includes updates supports PCs, to the Files browser, and the new Calendar and Todo Laptops, and applications. Fedora 23 Workstation is the first release of mobile devices as Fedora to include LibreOffice 5. well. This comes with the latest remix 2.0.101 oS developer tools Built on the Android- and fresh desktop x86 project, Remix OS interface. For ‘makers’, Ubuntu now has support for more for PC unlocks our next platforms – 20 versus 14 in version 15.04. phase of development for Remix OS and openSUSE Leap 42.1 introduces a whole openSUSE Leap new range of is a new type versatility to how and of hybrid Linux where you can Remix. distribution. It By revitalizing your uses the source seasoned hardware from SUSE Linux with Remix OS for PC, breathe new life into it with over 1.6 Enterprise (SLE), million Android apps. which gives With Remix OS for PC, you can also conveniently Leap a level house Remix OS on a USB stick. That means you can liter- of stability. By ally bring your Remix experience wherever you go. With basing openSUSE on SLE (SUSE Linux Enterprise), the core most computers in the world powered by x86 chipsets, of Leap will be maintained by SUSE engineers, meaning it you should have no trouble finding the right hardware to will get fixes and security updates from SLE. run Remix OS. pcquest.com twitter.com/pcquest facebook.com/pcquest linkd.in/pcquest [email protected] MARCH 2016 PCQUEST 33.