Why did God allow Windows to become the dominant OS?
476899
Because there is no God!
1139923
The first computers did not have operating systems. However, software tools for managing the system and simplifying the use of hardware appeared very quickly afterwards, and gradually expanded in scope. By the early 1960s, commercial computer vendors were supplying quite extensive tools for streamlining the development, scheduling, and execution of jobs on batch processing systems. Examples were produced by UNIVAC and Control Data Corporation, amongst others.\n\nThrough the 1960s, several major concepts were developed, driving the development of operating systems. The development of the IBM System/360 produced a family of mainframe computers available in widely differing capacities and price points, for which a single operating system OS/360 was planned (rather than developing ad-hoc programs for every individual model). This concept of a single OS spanning an entire product line was crucial for the success of System/360 and, in fact, IBM's current mainframe operating systems are distant descendants of this original system; applications written for the OS/360 can still be run on modern machines. OS/360 also contained another important advance: the development of the hard disk permanent storage device (which IBM called DASD). Another key development was the concept of time-sharing: the idea of sharing the resources of expensive computers amongst multiple computer users interacting in real time with the system. Time sharing allowed all of the users to have the illusion of having exclusive access to the machine; the Multics timesharing system was the most famous of a number of new operating systems developed to take advantage of the concept.\n\nMultics, particularly, was an inspiration to a number of operating systems developed in the 1970s, notably Unix. Another commercially-popular minicomputer operating system was VMS.\n\nThe first microcomputers did not have the capacity or need for the elaborate operating systems that had been developed for mainframes and minis; minimalistic operating systems were developed. One notable early operating system was CP/M, which was supported on many early microcomputers and was largely cloned in creating MS-DOS, which became wildly popular as the operating system chosen for the IBM PC (IBM's version of it was called IBM-DOS or PC-DOS), its successors making Microsoft one of the world's most profitable companies. The major alternative throughout the 1980s in the microcomputer market was Mac OS, tied intimately to the Apple Macintosh computer.\n\nBy the 1990s, the microcomputer had evolved to the point where, as well as extensive GUI facilities, the robustness and flexibility of operating systems of larger computers became increasingly desirable. Microsoft's response to this change was the development of Windows NT, which served as the basis for Microsoft's entire operating system line starting in 1999. Apple rebuilt their operating system on top of a Unix core as Mac OS X, released in 2001. Hobbyist-developed reimplementations of Unix, assembled with the tools from the GNU Project, also became popular; versions based on the Linux kernel are by far the most popular, with the BSD derived UNIXes holding a small portion of the server market.\n\nThe growing complexity of embedded devices has a growing trend to use embedded operating systems on them.
336069
Not at all.  I'm sure he loves the idea of people running his crummy, demigogic OS on a machine as elegant as a Mac!
88158
Well, in my opinion, we had/have platform independence with Java as well as many older and newer technologies designed for the Internet and Intranet environments.  While platform independence is a boon to the networked world and not a bad thing elsewhere, it is not a gut wrenching requirement for many applications on many platforms.  I think that part of the trouble lies simply with the IT community's unwillingness to concede that it is nice where you can get it, but won't stop computers in other non-networked environments (embedded platforms, stand alone workstations, point of sale terminals and high end mainframes or super computers, etc.) from running applications made with less portable languages and compilers.  In other words, people tend to use what they want in certain platforms and as long as it works it stays that way.  So, I'd say it has done as much as it has been called to do and will do more when it is called to do that.
295948
They basic function of the windows operating system is just to provide you with a Graphical User Interface for operating your PC.  Which translates to a very user friendly way to work your pc.  Back in the day before windows you had only DOS and the easier way was using utils like HD manager, which just provided a graphical shortcut to your programs.
1066971
Means a pc which has two operating systems on it!
266475
Take this a step further.\n\nIf some other OS was the most used then that would be the most targeted by hackers and hence we would all be moaning about it.\n\nWhatever is the 'most used' will always be the 'most targeted' no matter if it is windows, linux, mac os.\n\nWe could never use 'the net' as an OS as there needs to be a base system which accesses the net.\n\nAnd no, I will never get rid of windows personally because it is the most widely used by SME's which is where I get most of my work.
185395
In order to make Windows more friendly and feature rich, M$\nmade some trade-offs which make Windows more susceptible to\nviruses.\n\nFor example, Linux/Unix/Solaris has a baked-in notion of\npermissions and ownerships.  If a regular user downloads a\nvirus in an email, it generally won't have the ability to\nover-write the file system or the boot block.  On a Windows\nsystem, it's common for the only user to simultaneously be\nthe "administrator", so everything is left wide open, all\nthe time.\n\nContributing to this are some "features" in the M$ software\nwhich all but *invite* virus writers.  Consider the notion \nof "Outlook" being configured, *by default*, to execute\nattachments when the user just reads the message (ie.\nwithout even explicitly selecting the attachment).  Or\nconsider the thought processes that went into the decision\nto allow an *image file* to invoke a process when it is\nviewed.  Sure, it permits some really cool tricks (like\nanimated sprites on a map), but OMG it means you can\nexecute a virus just by viewing an image!\n\nThere's no inherent reason that a Linux (or Solaris)\ndeveloper couldn't be that bone-headed, but fortuntely,\nthere are lots of people **looking at the source code**,\nso hopefully that kind of blunder would be caught.\n\nSo while the Unix OS's are not guaranteed to\nbe immune to viruses, they do tend to be much\nmore resistant (more security conscious applications)\nand the effects are significantly reduced (because\nthe effects are limited to a single user's\npermissions).
108735
you're kidding right?\n\nSoftware.\n\nHardware is everything tangible. An OS is a medium for hardware and application to communicate.
1102451
An operating system is a very powerful program. It hosts other programs made for it. The operating system is also a very important  piece of software that can communicate with a computer's hardware. Without an operating system, no programs would be able to work unless they're bootable alone (this would be going into a different story). An operating system can use up to about 5 gigabytes of data on your hard drive( so I've heard). Some operating systems can include: Windows, Mac OS X, linux, and others. Some operating systems are made specifically for one purpose for a company. These operating systems are usually not sold to the public and are classified as custom OS's.
302841
Microsoft Windows is a bloated insecure monster.  Like a house that's had a new story added to it every few years, each new addition featuring better technology and yet the foundation and bottom floors remain archaic and full of poorly patched holes.\n\nThe argument for best system can however be made on the grounds that as the most popular OS on earth it's compatibility with pretty much all commercialy developed software packages is assured.\n\nJust my thoughts,\n\nArmus
939192
God owns you..and all the patents anyways..so why would he need to be patent? He made everything..owns everything..and controls all in the future. Yes we have freewill to be  idiots..but he still loves US. :)
1038032
There are plenty of OS's out there. Linux is just the most popular besides windows. For the average user though, there is no use in going outside linux/OsX/Windows.
410093
It's a computer Operating System.\n\nIn takes a user input (mouse, keyboard, trackball, touch screen etc...) and converts it into something the computer can understand, it then usually results in the computer performing a specific series of actions.\n\nCreated by Microsoft, it's the most recent incarnation of it's 'popular' Windows platform. (I say popular because unfortunately most people have no choice about it!). It's probably Windows most stable version (excluding Server editions maybe).
382165
because windows is a better  program
293405
I'm long time mac user since 1984.   And i have seen windows 95 a new OS coming up in year 1995. I have been using both OSs since then till Mac OS X 10.4 and XP professional. Windows is  just  like an empty plate for yourself to serve and eat(ie get the third party). But Macs are packed with great features and software which you won't even get from the windows third party. Finally why is the Mac user base in the world very small ? Its just same as asking why Ferrari's Market share is less.They are expensive but worth to have.\n\nMacs are designed for students, email & internet users, professionals users.\nApple products hardware & software are designed in such a way that all the complex tasks are done with simplicity and real ease. Looks great and cool.\n\nEg- iPods. On a iPod you know how easy is it to select a song you want from a collection of 10000 songs library. With just a few clicks on you iPod.Right..! Try that on any other MP3 player in market today.\nThats because the well designed hardware and software and most importantly well integration of the iTunes and iPod. But along with the easy use iPods look beautiful and cool.\n\nMacs are similar. most easy to use, great user experience, great features. \n\nFOR STUDENTS AND GENERAL COMPUTER USERS -\nEasy to use with few Examples:-\n\nDrag and drop-\nInstallation and uninstallation of applications. Just drag the application you want to install from the installation CD and drop in the Application folder and thats it, Installation done. In some cases we need to do installations in conventional way(like windows) but most of the times its drag and drop. For un-installation its just drag the application to the trash and empty it. un-installtion done. Very simple for general users. Same with moving folders and files.\n\nTrue Plug and play-  Of course now XP is also capable of it. But not 98,ME,2000.\nWith Macs plug and play works really smooth since Mac OS 8 days\n\nFeatures:-  Ok! the hardware looks cool so what about software the brain of the computer. Microsoft is following Apple for years. You will see these Mac feature in the next years release of Microsoft's next generation OS Vista.\n\n\nMac OS X-  http://www.apple.com/macosx/newfeatures/\nHeart of the Mac with a smart way to do the tasks. \n           Cool looks and feel and really easy to use OS with Drag & Drop,\n Aqua look, and really a great user experience.\n\nDashboard - instantly access to small apps like calculator, stock charts,weather, \n                      clocks, telephone directory... Its really cool..\n\nSpotlight- Instantly searches with lightening speed.\n\niChat A/V - Coolest experience for Instant messaging and video         \n           conference with isight.\n\n\nAutomator - repeated tasks like renaming the file names is done     \n            in a matter of few secs.\n\nMail Client - free with OS really cool features like slide show \n             of the image which come on your emails\n\nQuicktime -  Support for HD videos to mobile phone format 3G format. Great to have             \n                      mpeg -4 support in Quick time. \n\nFront row:- Remote for a mac to explore you mac digital life from across the room\nhttp://www.apple.com/macmini/frontrow.html\n\niLife suite - http://www.apple.com/ilife/\n Free with any new Mac. Its really a great package of software which we  \n           really require to manage our digital life style.\n\n* iPhoto - Photos and view them with great effects and \nslide show and even make books and calendar out of our own images.\n\n\n* iMovie -  Very easy to capture movies from the digital camcorder and easy to \nto edit software. there are cool effects available\n \n* iTunes - i Guess all iPod owner know how easy to used is the ipod with cool looks and great features. Really cool app to organize my music.\n - Podcast:- Free audio and video stuff you subscribe\n\n* iDVD  - Feels like I'm doing a hollywood project. :-) This app has got great
193186
Good question, if phrased slightly incorrectly.  Bill Gates managed to sell the rights to an operating system to IBM way back in the day, that he didn't even have yet.  He paid a person in Washington state $50,000 for DOS and provided that to IBM.  That's how Microsoft was started.  Bill Gates never wrote a line of code in his life.\n\nIf your curious about this I suggest you watch Pirates of Silicon Valley, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168122/ which goes from Apple being on top to the beginnings of Microsoft and how Microsoft eventually climbed their way to the top.\n\nBut, Bill Gates started Microsoft on the basis of an operating system he didn't even have when he started it.