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Operating Systems
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The
PC, Mac, and an everyday user
Contributor: In-house
I use PC's and Mac's on a daily basis as a graphic
designer
running an assortment of web design and graphic software
titles. I'm not a technical guru and know little about
the subtleties of operating systems. I'm writing this
article from a users perspective, a user who'd like
his computer interaction made as convenient yet as
reliable as possible.
New operating
systems only improve our interaction with computers
when they require users to learn few additional skills
and navigational conventions. Their purpose is to
deliver a robust environment that enables users to
take full advantage of the software they use.
Looks are not everything
Microsoft's Wndows XP and Apple's OS X operating systems
where launched in the dying months of 2001. Both sport
a new graphical interface and boast a lot more besides,
but questions continue about their reliability and
security. I'd prefer stability in favor of style every
time.
The animation and graphical interface of both new
operating systems create large complex systems. In
practice this result in the need for constant updating
as users log bugs and inconsistencies in system functionality.
At best this takes time away from the task at hand
as an update or new driver is found, at worst work
has to stop altogether as a trouble shooter is brought
in to solve a problem.
There are facilities in both operating systems to
auto-update, however this method is not advisable
for a number of reasons, not least that settings and
files that have worked faultlessly may suddenly start
playing up. By using the auto-update facilities there's
no easy way of knowing what's causing the problem,
worse still, there may be no way back without reinstalling
the original operating system and starting over.
Security
and Performance
Despite their efforts Microsoft has been caught out
time and again by security breaches in it's internet
software products that ship with their operating systems
(Internet Explorer and Outlook Express etc). This
is inevitable in any new operating system, the only
way round this is to wait until the operating system
matures and is updated with service packs. In my view
Apple have significantly diminished the strength of
their operating system: when a user runs their renamed
Classic System software (eg OS 9.2) from within OS
X, I've observed applications running significantly
slower and more difficult to navigate as compared
with XP.
I'm sad to report Microsoft are winning the battle
for my respect as I've always enjoyed using Mac's.
Having Apple as an example of delivering a great operating
system has forced Microsoft to improve. Unfortunately
for Apple I sense Microsoft has taken a significant
leap forward in delivering an outstanding operating
system in XP. Apple simply haven't the resources to
compete. No doubt however, creative pros and the creative
industries will continue to dogmatically use Apple.
That's no bad thing, I just hope Apple's next attempt
at developing an operating system proves more of a
challenge and reflects the beauty and elegance of
its' concrete products.
Just
around the corner
The commercial world is changing fast in adopting
an Internet revenue flow as part of their business
strategy, and the barriers of national borders dissolve
each day as more businesses launch Internet products
and services. The integration of operating systems
and the Internet is therefore inevitably growing closer.
No doubt within ten years, operating systems bought
over the shelf will be a thing of the past as Internet
subscription delivery takes hold.
When bandwidth is no longer an issue perhaps the Internet
will eventually become a single operating system as
Microsoft, Apple and others merge. I see this as inevitable
as the adoption of a common world currency (in practice
this is already here in the shape of card transactions).
Let's hope whatever operating system evolves its emphasis
is on transparency and integration, not novelty and
style. Only then will users explore their computers
potential to the full.
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