This is a follow up from my last post,
Going OpenSource.
Today ill be Rating Vista, XP, ubuntu 8.04, OpenSuse 11.0 on different scenarios and rating it.
There will be 6 scenarios and a total of 100 marks.
It'll be divided into 7 parts.
Lets First list requirement of end user in an OS for general home scenario:
1.User Interface(UI)(Easy Of Use)(19)
2.Multimedia and Internet Support(15)
3.Basic Office Work(14)
4.Gaming(14)
5.Out of box Functionality(14)
6.Installation(5), Stability(9) and Speed(5) and Cost(7)
7.Conclusion.
Note:
Now I assume Window XP and Vista to be original.
I have rated the max points Asking my Nomad Friends What they would like in a desktop.
1.User Interface:(19)
Now Why is user in terface so important , ask an average user. this is what he sees and this is what he perceive to be his operating system
1.He should be able to use it without much learning.(A very gentle Learning curve).
2.UI should be consistent and should throw minimum surprise.
3.Doesn like to change every now and then, unless and until the features are cool enough.
4.Should easily find what he is looking for.
i.e The 20% feature used by most of us should be in front of his eyes Or a click away.
5.The terminology should be simple and not much computer like.
6.UI should not crash every now and then.
Window XP:(12)
Good:
It has a very consistent user interface. People are used to it now.
Files are easy to access .Its very stable with only occasional crashes .
Its the most used OS. UI does not throw many surprises.
But:
to reach a application requires just too many clicks. Every Company have there own folder in start menu.If a User is unaware of the company and knows only the name of the application will find it difficult and time consuming.
Workspace clustering is a big problem for multitasking.
Search fuction is poor.
Windows Vista:(14)
Good:
Integrated search function is placed best and just above the menu, which i believe make finding files and application very easy.
It has every thing that XP has and a bit more.
Its more eye candy.
Search function is gr8.
But:
it inherits the same application placement problem from XP.
Sometimes eye candy puts users off . Only sometimes.
Workspace clustering is still a problem.
Ubuntu 8.04:(14)
Good:
The Interface is minimalistic and user wont find it difficult to use.
Application are place just in the right place.(Gnome)
All games are placed under Games submenu in the main menu.
Browsers under Internet submenu,etc. Finding application is easy in the menu.
An additional application launcher makes it really easy to find application .
Working is similar to XP and compatible to its file system.
Workspaces makes life easier for multitasking. The OS is just stable.
Compiz-fusion makes for gr8 desktop effects.
But:
The launcher should be integrated into the menu like that in vista.
The UI somehow still does not feel polished enough.
Sometimes the UI freezes after some misbehaving applications. The force close applet is a life saver.Yet this is just undesirable.
Search function still not the best.
Opensuse 11.0:(15)
Good:
With KDE 4.1.1 the system is consistant .The start menu for opensuse(Kickof)is the best amoung all.
Although i still believe the search function shoud be placed just above the start button.
The Desktop is neat and unlike ubuntu looks polished.
The overall experience is quite satisfying.
Dolphin is the best file manager.The split view steals the show.
Compiz-fusion makes for gr8 desktop effects and integrates fine into the environment.
But:
The start menu of Gnome is most easy to use , I feel Opensuse should replicate Gnomes menu just for its simplicity and it'll be unbeatable.Here i mean the placement of the applications.But its still the best.
Two file manager(Konqueror and Dolphin only confuse the user initially .
I dont find any valid use of Konqueror in openSuse when you have Dolphin and firefox.
The Desktop is a bit intimidating. but overall the best among all.
Learning curve is a bit only a bit steeper than others yet worth it.
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7 comments:
Whats with MAC??
do u totally agree with open source??
I am against piracy,and cant afford windows. so have been following open source for a while and seem to like it. The philosophy of it impresses me the most.
knowledge should be share not sold.
I try to be impartial to best of my knowledge but in case if i am favouring a OS . Please inform me .
Thanks
@ golecha
Haven used mac. So cant comment.
i haven't used opensuse.. so i really can't comment on tat. Ubuntu is good, but since i am more used to Windows and all the shortcuts, I would prefer XP's UI than that of Ubuntu.
i too support open source...but one problem that still remains here is application portability, there are a certain applications which still couldn't be substituted....and then a universal standard could never be achieved using open source as every one will have a different platform....so some integration measures are important. yes taking in case a scenario of developing countries its gr8 in the sense that it comes free of cost and thats what is required....cdac has launched an indian os BOSS....
@ technoking
"but one problem that still remains here is application portability, there are a certain applications which still couldn't be substituted."
What application are you talking about, most have substitute, For a normal user its more than necessary. there are substitute. just have to find ,
Or use window emulator (WINE) to run Windows program.
"and then a universal standard could never be achieved using open source as every one will have a different platform....so some integration measures are important. "
Integration is required, but microsoft never follows universal standard either. Most of the Imp Things hav standard followed across major distribution.
Like Open Office ,Firefox, Gnome,KDE,
Pulse audio GIMP etc.Eventually the best things will become standard.
And yes made a good point in cost cutting . it is very imp and necessary for developing country.
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