When we talk about the advantages of an operating system over another often very personal motivations or simply negotiate for a product bearing account for the appearance of a confrontation thus hampering a constructive dialogue. But what makes today really different Linux from Windows? Where the penguin has managed to reduce the technological gap past or even exceed the environment where Microsoft and the developers still have to work? Here is a complete and updated list of pros and cons:

- Open source / Closed source: access to the kernel sources is probably the most important difference that exists between Linux and Windows. The GPL provides users the ability to alter at will the code behind the penguin without incurring penalties. But there is another side of the coin. For some public access to sources makes the operating system more vulnerable to attack as it simplifies the task of users and developers to discover and exploit flaws and weaknesses.

- Type of license: Linux is a kernel released under the GPL. The license allows the installation of the operating system on an unlimited number of machines. In the case of Microsoft products, however, the user is linked to the amount of licenses purchased. If then has five licenses, they can only legally be installed on many systems.

- Support to companies here there is no difference. The penguin as the Microsoft environment, enjoying both an ever growing number of websites, forums, blogs and free mailing list to which you may submit its problems. At the same time demanding more companies may sign for both Linux and Windows, services and support contracts for payment.

- Hardware support: One thing that was a point against Linux over time was the hardware support. Years ago if you wanted to install a distribution based on the penguin, did not have the certainty of being able to use each component at its disposal to 100%. Today the existence of this problem is more limited although some vendors are still obstinately to issue driver only for Windows.

- Command Line / GUI: In terms of usability and graphical user interface there is no difference between Linux and Windows. Users of the penguin can use the operating system without ever having to go to text mode. Conversely features a shell command (which remains a key component for remote administration of servers) continue to be more extensive and powerful on Linux than on Windows.

- Base centralized application: For years it was easier to install applications on Windows, but the penguin is now able to reverse the situation. On Linux applications like Synaptic offer a centralized model to search for, install, add or remove software at will. Windows users must know exactly where the resident may want to install, download it and know where to launch his own hand setup.

- Access Level: Linux is a multilayer system. The user can decide at what level access (eg level 5 for the graphical interface and level 3 for the text). For example, if you experience a problem with the visual X Windows, may decide to switch to text mode and fix it logged in as root. With Windows there instead the Safe Mode that provides limited functionality and not always possible to get on top of the problem.

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