why do we use Windows as an Operating System?! why?! why?!?
475006
I don't use windows and have no intention of going back to using windows. I use Linux (Suse 10 in fact), Lindows is a distribution of Linux. \n\nThere are many reasons I use Linux, First of all it's free if you want or you can pay a fee for a certain amount of installation support (like I did with Suse, £40 as a one off payment)\n\nLinux also doesn't suffer from viruses or trojans, I don't even use anti virus software, the architecture of Linux makes it almost impossible for viruses to get into the system.\n\nFor pretty much every sort of windows software there is a free Linux equivalent, so instead of a couple of hundred pounds for XP office pro, open office is free and will open & save microsoft documents.\n\nWhen you get a copy of Linux it is yours to do what you like with it unlike with windows where Bill Gates only gives you permission to use windows and I believe in future may restrict the type of software run on it, also you can bet that when Vista comes out all your hardware and software will need to be upgraded.\n\nAlso you don't get system crashes or the blue screen with Linux and as a bonus if windows fails on you completely all you have to do is run a live CD version of Linux (like Knoppix) and you can get at your Windows files to back them up to disc.\n\nOnce you get used to Linux it is as easy or easier to use than Windows, is much more secure and stable than Windows and there are more ways to configure it, and it can easily be installed alongside as dual boot with windows while you learn to use it.\n\nSo if your fed up with microsoft give Linux a go.
893180
ok, i have been using computers with windows since 3.1, and every operating system has had so many bugs right off the hop ... i know they are working with vista so it doesn't, but so far their track record speaks louder than the hype.\n\nAlso, I am very content with XP.  I have loved it from day one and at this point in my computer usage life, I just want to stay with something that is proven and I like.  In the past, I have always been one of the first to try new software, new versions, new O/S, but lately, what I am experiencing and seeing in the "new" stuff is that it is bloated, has features that aren't really needed, and in many cases, is dumbed down to the least common denominator of user.  (speaking specifically here of paintshop pro 10 and 11, but there are others as well).  For the first time ever, I find myself preferring older versions of programs, because all too often they are better than their successors.\n\nIn fact, I am so against getting Vista that I am purchasing a new computer this year, rather than waiting as planned, so that I DON'T get Vista!
18001
what operating system......ask and i will answer....
952767
What? Someone still uses Windows 95???
301516
You need to install some sort of boot loader to let you choose different operating systems you have installed.  Usually, if you have more than one OS on your PC, you get a choice of OS's when you load up. \nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boot_loader
483428
There's a history here to help you with your research:\n\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system
613665
Stop using that pathetic 1950's single-user toy operating system hidden behind a video-gameinterface, and switch to a real operating like Linux.\n\nThen you won't have these dumb problems.\n\nSeriously -- Since I dumped windows, I don't have to deal with any of that sort of garbage any more ...it...just...works...\n\nAnd not just today...but EVERY DAY.
476869
Bollox,  all your answers are Bollox, Except one. I'm not being abusive, but look at the state of it! A Mess.. the guy asked for information to help solve the problem, not to be told to reinstall Windows!\n\nROX has the best answer here, by far. I mean, It's helpful for god's sake!\n\nGeeze...
644938
The literal answer is that a "windowing" operating system was the term around at the time Microsoft developed the first version of windows. Deskview had long before had it's own windowing system and Unix had X. The Apple of course also had a well developed GUI at the time. Windows being a view to a application/stream of data. Deskview, Apple, IBM and all the other vendors that made multi-tasking OS's back then called these views windows. So Microsoft with typical origionality just called their OS Windows. \n\n\nMore realistically windows means look but don't touch. It has a we'll do it for you and we know better than you kind of attitude built throughout the OS.
46872
Software that your computers operating system needs to operate. You should not need to mess with these. Just pretend they dont exist
676783
Not really a question!! But pretty cool. I am sure it runs better than Vista.
715957
Also, when you're installing Windows OSs to dual boot with each other you have to start with the previous version first and install subsequent versions afterwards.  For some reason Windows doesn't like to do it any other way, but if you do it that way you'll get the usual choice menu at startup.
946277
An operating system always has a few main functions...\n\n1) Allocate and control access to system resources (RAM, Hard drive, CD-Roms etc)\n\n2) Provide an interface for programs to control devices (this is where drivers come in for devices, the OS uses the driver to communicate with the device on behalf of the user without the user knowing the details)\n\n3) Detect user events and process those event messages to control programs.\n\nThose are some of the main functions of any operating system so I would imagine it is the same role for developing anything... including a learning resource.\n\nI have included a link which tells you more about an operating system and its functions.\n\nEnjoy!
909574
there are a tonne of them, but because they're not as big as the ones you mentioned they probably wouldn't be of use as a main operating system because the support/compatibility isn't there:\nhttp://www.freebyte.com/operatingsystems/\n\ntake your pick from just about 100 of them on that page alone!
71075
No. Apple wants to sell its operating system, so they've developed a way (a very classified way) of preventing people from wiping the system and installing Windows on their hardware. The only way to run Windows on a Mac is to use Virtual PC.\n\nOf course, the second I posted the above (which I read in this morning's San Diego Union-Tribune), I find a contradictory article stating the opposite. Truth is, Apple isn't going to make it easy to use Windows on their system; any more so that PC makers have made it easy to put OSX on PC machines.
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.
181859
Well, they are both Operating Systems. Windows appears to be more user friendly due to it's Graphical User Interface (GUI).  Another thing, chances are most computer stuff you buy are going to be compatible to Windows than UNIX. BUT, if you learn UNIX you will probably never go back to Windows. UNIX is more powerful, reliable, safer, and many things can be done very fast with just a few commands. Yah, UNIX is that good!