Linked by David Adams on Mon 17th Oct 2011 17:29 UTC, submitted by Debjit
Well, its not official yet, but Microsoft's Windows 7 has now become the most widely used operating system. . . Windows 7 now has a strong 40.21% share of all desktop operating systems around the world whereas, the usage share of Windows XP has slipped to 38.64%. All this happened a couple of days back (in October). The rise in usage of Windows 7 and the drop in usage of Windows XP has been consistent since the time Windows 7 was first launched.
Permalink for comment 493352
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Features
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/24/13 17:26 UTC
So, the Xbox One disaster continues. Microsoft's policy for dealing with the used games market has reportedly leaked - and it's a clear and direct attack to destroy the used games market. Prices for used games will be set at the retail value of a new game, and retailers have to hook into Microsoft's computer systems and comply with Microsoft's terms and conditions.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/21/13 21:38 UTC
At an event earlier today, Microsoft unveiled the next Xbox - the third model, but confusingly named Xbox One. The big focus was TV, integrated Kinect, and all the other stuff we all expected to be forced down our throats. I think it took them 25 minutes to actually come to what should be the core of the story: gaming. Nothing groundbreaking in the gaming department, except for how Microsoft intends to handle the used games market and borrowing games from friends: pay up, buddy!
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/20/13 11:29 UTC
The day has finally come! Jolla has finally announced the launch device for its Sailfish operating system - and by god this is a looker. It's decidedly different from other phones out there, but it has good specifications and carries a relatively reasonably price tag - EUR 399, and it's up for pre-order today, shipping in the fourth quarter of this year.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/18/13 21:33 UTC
Why does Google get so much credit in the technology industry? Why, despite the company's many obvious failings, do many geeks and enthusiasts still hold a somewhat positive view on the all-knowing technology giant? A specific talk at Google I/O this week provides the answer.
Linked by David Adams on 05/16/13 4:23 UTC
OSNews is a sponsor of this year's O'Reilly OSCON in Portland, Oregon, USA. A lucky OSNews reader will win a free three-day pass, including two tutorials days. To win the pass, post a comment on this story saying something about Open Source Software or OSCON. We'll pick a winner at random next week. If you don't have an OSNews account, you may email us your entry. Part of the conference is the 9th annual Open Source Awards, and today the 16th is the deadline for nominations. If you'd like to nominate an outstanding open source contributor, do it here. Read on for more information about OSCON. Update: The 20% discount code for OSNews readers is "OSN."
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/11/13 21:41 UTC
"Windows is indeed slower than other operating systems in many scenarios, and the gap is worsening." That's one way to start an insider explanation of why Windows' performance isn't up to snuff. Written by someone who actually contributes code to the Windows NT kernel, the comment on Hacker News, later deleted but reposted with permission on Marc Bevand's blog, paints a very dreary picture of the state of Windows development. The root issue? Think of how Linux is developed, and you'll know the answer.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/08/13 14:22 UTC
This is one of those news items that's fun to write, fun to read, fun to comment on, and where no one will be able to say anything unkind. It's all just one big ball of awesome fluffiness. TuneTracker, the BeOS radio automation software, has just released something very special: TuneTracker System 5, the first version designed entirely and specifically for Haiku. In fact, it actually includes Haiku in the software package. Better yet, TuneTracker also unveiled several system-in-a-box products - which have Haiku and TuneTracker pre-installed.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 05/02/13 15:28 UTC
Exactly twenty years ago, a document was published that played a huge role in establishing the web as we know it today. Twenty years later, and this simple and straightforward document is proof of an irrefutable fact: while closed technologies can change markets, open technologies can change the world.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 04/29/13 21:06 UTC
Oh multitasking. That staple of computing that got thrown out the window with many modern smartphones. We got some rudimentary thing in its place - but even as multitasking on phone and tablets improves, its user-visible side remains cumbersome. Windows 8 has a neat implementation, and now it's time Android follows in it footsteps.
Linked by Thom Holwerda on 04/24/13 22:24 UTC
They're here! Whether that excites you or not remains to be seen, but the Galaxy S4, which will most likely become the best selling Android smartphone of the year by a huge margin, has been reviewed by all the major sites, and there's lots of interesting conclusions in there - although I think most of you will get the gist.More Features »
Sponsored Links
Member since:
2011-08-08
I don't know who's saying this. Windows been pretty stable since w2k and even more so in XP. Still not as stable as *nix, especially not on the server side, but not nearly has horrid as it used to be. "
The level-headed Linux users aren't saying it, but the Linux fanboys still are. I assume because admitting Microsoft has released anything worthwhile, stable, and usable is too much of a painful reality.
Depends what your metric for "good" is. It sure is stable though. "
Good point about "good". I disagree completely about the stable part however and will give an example. I use Linux for an htpc taking advantage of Nvidia's VDPAU. It's been completely stable for me. However, I know several people who have had horrible stability problems with the same setup, and some even with the same hardware (although different Linux distros). I also know plenty of people who deal with software breakage on a constant basis after "upgrading" their packages.
Linux stability is very dependent on what exactly you're using the box for, which software you've installed, which distro you use, and how often you "upgrade" anything.
I'm not suprised but I'm not surpised Lady Gaga is popular either. "
Are you not surprised Lady Gaga is popular because she has talent, has mass appeal, or because you believe millions of people have been brainwashed into thinking she's a good artist?
Regarding Windows, ...maybe part of the reason it's so popular is because it's actually earned it by being a useful and "good" desktop to it's users.
Are you sure massive marketing and and a serious OEM foothold has nothing to do with it? "
I'm sure it does have an affect.. However, I'm also sure it's much smaller than the conspiracy theorists would like you to believe.
Linux and Microsoft is not David and Goliath. Linux has a ways to go before it can call itself David.
At the end of the day, if Windows suits your needs best, use it. If Linux suits your needs best, use it. I don't see why that's such a hard concept for some people to accept. I personally don't and won't pledge allegiance to any OS. I will, and will continue, to use what works best for me, for the task at hand. If that means using multiple OS's, and it does in my case, then that's what I'll do.