Need Some Help

m0nk3yb0y · 10-22-2002, 02:30 PM

Hey all. I need some help from you guys. I have to do a compare contrast paper for my english class, and I chose OS X vs. XP. If some of you could just read it and leave me comments on how to improve it I would appreciate it. Especially point out anything I say that's wrong, I threw this together fairly quickly.

Grudge Match: Mac OS X vs. Windows XP

When it comes to operating systems, most people choose between two: Windows and Macintosh. The latest incarnations of both are Windows XP and Macintosh OS X 10.2. There are many differences and similarities between the two operating systems. Interface, stability, included programs, and supported programs are the main sections that will be focused on.

Windows XP and Macintosh OS X have some similarities and differences in the interface. In Windows XP there is a “taskbar” along the bottom of the screen. The taskbar is a bar that spans the width of the screen and contains useful functions and programs. On the taskbar there is a start button in the lower-left hand corner, to the right of the start button is the “quick-launch” buttons, which are short-cuts to frequently used applications, to the right of that is the active programs, and at the most right of the taskbar is the icons of the background tasks and is also where the time/date is displayed. As far as windows go, Windows XP has each window containing a menu bar and three buttons for altering the window on the upper-right hand corner of the window that are, from left to right, minimize, maximize and close. In OS X the bottom of the screen is used to display active programs with larger-than-average icons. The menu bar is striped across the top of the screen, which contains the options for the basic desktop or the active window. The
buttons for manipulating the window are in the upper-left hand corner, and are close, minimize, and zoom from left to right.

The next aspect looked at is stability. Stability, simply put, is how often the operating system crashes. Many Windows users have encountered the “blue screen of death,” on previous releases of Windows. Windows XP greatly increased the stability since earlier versions of Windows. This is mostly due to Microsoft making it based upon the Windows NT structure. Windows NT is the operating system used by many businesses when networking computers is an issue. It is rare that Windows XP locks up and forces the user to reboot. One of the problems that all versions of Windows faces is hardware compatibility issues. There is a limitless amount of hardware combinations that the programmers would need to prepare for, so many times it gets fixed after the program is released. OS X doesn’t seem to have anywhere near as much problems with stability as Windows XP. This is mostly due to OS X being based upon the UNIX architecture. UNIX is another operating system that is renown for its stability, but is very hard for average users to use. The fact that OS X is based on the most stable operating system created is not the only reason it is more stable than XP. Since OS X can only be used on the systems Apple, the creator of OS X, sells, there are no hardware compatibility issues with programs. So, Apple only has to program for their own hardware, which they would know the capabilities of in and out.

As far as included applications go, OS X and Windows XP are equal in amount, but not quality. XP comes with many useful programs including Windows Media Player and Windows Movie Maker. These are the programs most used by the average person. Windows Media Player plays music, video, and can play streaming audio over an Internet connection. Windows Movie Maker is a simple, no frills, video editor. Windows XP doesn’t have a program included to specifically organize photos and edit them, so it relies on Windows Explorer for organizing and viewing photos. Some of the programs included in OS X are QuickTime 6, iMovie, iTunes, and iPhoto. QuickTime is the movie player made by Apple. iMovie is the OS X movie editor, and has much more features than Windows Movie Maker. iTunes is only capable of playing and organizing audio. The two things that it does better that Windows Media Player is the simplicity of its interface and that it can rip Music CDs to MP3s. iPhoto is a program used to import pictures from digital cameras, view photos, and create slide shows.

Perhaps the biggest deciding factor for most people when choosing an operating system is the available software. As many people know, Windows has the widest range of software available. From video games to business, graphics to music, whatever anyone could want to do there is most likely a program for windows to do it. Some of the more popular software includes: Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Quicken, and Winamp to name a few. OS X has many good programs, but nowhere near as many as Windows XP. Some of the more popular software comes out on Macintosh usually a while after it is released on Windows, but sometimes along side the Windows version. For example, Microsoft released a version of its Microsoft Office on OS X but called it Microsoft Office X.

Dependent on the needs in an operating system, ones choice may differ from the next person. If the person is more of an every day user, they would be interested in the usability of OS X and overall aesthetic quality of Macintosh’s hardware. People more interested in the choice in computer components and having a variety of software would most likely more comfortable using Windows XP. There is no right or wrong decision, despite what numerous fanatics say. The right decision is what’s right for the user.

rstarr · 10-22-2002, 02:53 PM

I would check some of your verbage and punc. marks. Not for sure about the features of OS X, so I can't comment on it.

It seems abit unclear when you were explaing about WinXP taskbar and such. You might want to relook and reword that section. Well, maybe not, I read it again and now it makes sense.

eX-one · 10-22-2002, 05:06 PM

I'd like to first say that I like your paper so far. You're not giving in to any fanboyism which most of these types of comparisons end up being.

Just a couple of nitpicks for ya hehe

"In OS X the bottom of the screen is used to display active programs with larger-than-average icons"

The Dock's icons can be set to any size you want, as well as have any amount of magnification you want when the mouse is rolled over it. Here's some shots to illustrate :

This is with no magification and icons are set to small.

This is with highest magification, and what you'll usually see the system set at if you go to a store that sells Macs.

"iTunes is only capable of playing and organizing audio

In fact, iTunes (actually OSX itself) is capable of burning to CD (I don't have my firewire burner around so that's why it says burner not found), but like any burner that's built into the OS, it's not as good as a 3rd party one such as Toast (Mac) or Nero or what have you.

iTunes can also play streaming radio. Pick a shoutcast station, click it, and away you go

If the stream is in WMA or something like that, just open it in Windows Media Player (yes, it's available for Mac)

QuickTime does more than video also. It can also play mp3s.

another thing that Quicktime can do with OSX is really more gimmicky than anything. When minimized, OSX windows and programs will shrink to icon size and sit in the dock off to the side. If Quicktime is playing a video file and you minimize it, it does so, but the video will keep playing. It'll also magnify according to your settings.

Admittedly it doesn't really do much, but it is nice to see reactions from Windows users. "Wow!!! That's SOOOO COOL!!!!!" and so forth lol.

I've been using OSX since the first release and I have to say, it's alot easier to use than XP, and gives me less hassles. It's not that I don't have any experience with PCs, I've been using them since my dear old 486DX-33 and my 2400 baud modem which I used to call around to play BRE. It's just nice to have a computer actually work for you 90% of the time, as compared to trying to get a computer to work 90% of the time.

I'm not trying to sound like a fanboy or nothing here, but I'm pretty sure that I'm one of the few people that have Mac experience here, so I'll share what I know. Anything else? I'll try my best to answer

huboldium · 10-22-2002, 05:32 PM

i would talk about how by going with mac os you are forced to buy a mac and use mac parts, where with windows you can intercange parts easier than a plastic surgeon

Georules · 10-22-2002, 05:40 PM

In paragraph 4 you might want to make sure to tell what you think to be quality programs or not.

Good comparison I would say. I like the conclusion also... that is a concept most people don't really understand when I tell them that.

exone, watch out giving him preference, "I have to say its a lot easier to use" giving info about some of the features, OK, but ease of use is a matter of opinion. I agree that some of the little things are kinda cool like the minimizing swoosh and magnification, but that hasn't really been enough for me to "make the switch to mac"

anyway, monkeyboy, I like the way it looks so far. seems mostly fair on both sides.

m0nk3yb0y · 10-22-2002, 08:25 PM

Spiffy, thanks a bunch guys. That was some really usefull info eX-one. I had a hard time finding a good comparison of OS X and XP on the Net, and didn't really find one that didn't have a whole lot of bias. I'll be sure to edit my paper with your suggestions. If anyone still has any more suggestions though, please give them.

10-22-2002, 08:40 PM

You didn't check the stats page here did you? Under Operating Systems?
OS X is a bastardized version of UNIX. M$ is worried silly that more people will go to some form of UNIX (LINUX, Mandrake, RedHat etc.) that they're staying up nights trying to discredit these OS'.
We wouldn't want poor Uncle Bill to go hungry would we?
I have the software to switch to Mandrake 9 but I still need some info.
You made a fine report and you should be proud of yourself!

flav2000 · 10-22-2002, 09:44 PM

I like your conclusion!

Besides the quality programs part - that you will have to define, there are also more freeware and shareware available from a user perspective. There are more developments for windows platform than for Mac OS as far as I know.

You may want to venture into this or not.. your call

Georules · 10-23-2002, 11:15 AM

well he kinda did, but didn't define that paragraph well.

kraig · 10-23-2002, 09:40 PM

i like it. very unbiases. i have experience with a lot of windows os's and mac os. mac os is a little of a stretch from windows at first, but really easy to pick up. I love both winxp and mac osx, and want to purchase a mac as my 4th computer.

10-22-2002, 02:30 PM	#1
m0nk3yb0y softcore 1st class Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hell Posts: 64	Need Some Help Hey all. I need some help from you guys. I have to do a compare contrast paper for my english class, and I chose OS X vs. XP. If some of you could just read it and leave me comments on how to improve it I would appreciate it. Especially point out anything I say that's wrong, I threw this together fairly quickly. Grudge Match: Mac OS X vs. Windows XP When it comes to operating systems, most people choose between two: Windows and Macintosh. The latest incarnations of both are Windows XP and Macintosh OS X 10.2. There are many differences and similarities between the two operating systems. Interface, stability, included programs, and supported programs are the main sections that will be focused on. Windows XP and Macintosh OS X have some similarities and differences in the interface. In Windows XP there is a “taskbar” along the bottom of the screen. The taskbar is a bar that spans the width of the screen and contains useful functions and programs. On the taskbar there is a start button in the lower-left hand corner, to the right of the start button is the “quick-launch” buttons, which are short-cuts to frequently used applications, to the right of that is the active programs, and at the most right of the taskbar is the icons of the background tasks and is also where the time/date is displayed. As far as windows go, Windows XP has each window containing a menu bar and three buttons for altering the window on the upper-right hand corner of the window that are, from left to right, minimize, maximize and close. In OS X the bottom of the screen is used to display active programs with larger-than-average icons. The menu bar is striped across the top of the screen, which contains the options for the basic desktop or the active window. The buttons for manipulating the window are in the upper-left hand corner, and are close, minimize, and zoom from left to right. The next aspect looked at is stability. Stability, simply put, is how often the operating system crashes. Many Windows users have encountered the “blue screen of death,” on previous releases of Windows. Windows XP greatly increased the stability since earlier versions of Windows. This is mostly due to Microsoft making it based upon the Windows NT structure. Windows NT is the operating system used by many businesses when networking computers is an issue. It is rare that Windows XP locks up and forces the user to reboot. One of the problems that all versions of Windows faces is hardware compatibility issues. There is a limitless amount of hardware combinations that the programmers would need to prepare for, so many times it gets fixed after the program is released. OS X doesn’t seem to have anywhere near as much problems with stability as Windows XP. This is mostly due to OS X being based upon the UNIX architecture. UNIX is another operating system that is renown for its stability, but is very hard for average users to use. The fact that OS X is based on the most stable operating system created is not the only reason it is more stable than XP. Since OS X can only be used on the systems Apple, the creator of OS X, sells, there are no hardware compatibility issues with programs. So, Apple only has to program for their own hardware, which they would know the capabilities of in and out. As far as included applications go, OS X and Windows XP are equal in amount, but not quality. XP comes with many useful programs including Windows Media Player and Windows Movie Maker. These are the programs most used by the average person. Windows Media Player plays music, video, and can play streaming audio over an Internet connection. Windows Movie Maker is a simple, no frills, video editor. Windows XP doesn’t have a program included to specifically organize photos and edit them, so it relies on Windows Explorer for organizing and viewing photos. Some of the programs included in OS X are QuickTime 6, iMovie, iTunes, and iPhoto. QuickTime is the movie player made by Apple. iMovie is the OS X movie editor, and has much more features than Windows Movie Maker. iTunes is only capable of playing and organizing audio. The two things that it does better that Windows Media Player is the simplicity of its interface and that it can rip Music CDs to MP3s. iPhoto is a program used to import pictures from digital cameras, view photos, and create slide shows. Perhaps the biggest deciding factor for most people when choosing an operating system is the available software. As many people know, Windows has the widest range of software available. From video games to business, graphics to music, whatever anyone could want to do there is most likely a program for windows to do it. Some of the more popular software includes: Microsoft Office, Adobe Photoshop, Quicken, and Winamp to name a few. OS X has many good programs, but nowhere near as many as Windows XP. Some of the more popular software comes out on Macintosh usually a while after it is released on Windows, but sometimes along side the Windows version. For example, Microsoft released a version of its Microsoft Office on OS X but called it Microsoft Office X. Dependent on the needs in an operating system, ones choice may differ from the next person. If the person is more of an every day user, they would be interested in the usability of OS X and overall aesthetic quality of Macintosh’s hardware. People more interested in the choice in computer components and having a variety of software would most likely more comfortable using Windows XP. There is no right or wrong decision, despite what numerous fanatics say. The right decision is what’s right for the user.

10-22-2002, 02:53 PM	#2
rstarr Still cruising Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Radcliff, KY Posts: 12,012	I would check some of your verbage and punc. marks. Not for sure about the features of OS X, so I can't comment on it. It seems abit unclear when you were explaing about WinXP taskbar and such. You might want to relook and reword that section. Well, maybe not, I read it again and now it makes sense. __________________ HCW F@H Member Stats • F@H Home • F@H FAQ• Stats site•

10-22-2002, 05:32 PM	#4
huboldium Producer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Downtown Vancouver Posts: 4,523	i would talk about how by going with mac os you are forced to buy a mac and use mac parts, where with windows you can intercange parts easier than a plastic surgeon __________________ -------------------------------------------------- Check out my music and mixes: http://djhouston.ca Need a website?: http://psytechcomputing.com computer specs: q6600 @2.8, 4gb corsair xms2, IP35-Pro, 2 seagate 7200.11 500gb, echo mia midi, samsung asus EN8600GT silent, samsung 206bw, eizo flexscan s2031w, adam a7 studio monitors, mk-249 midi controller, bcf-2000 midi controller

10-22-2002, 09:44 PM	#8
flav2000 Linux n00b Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada Posts: 846	I like your conclusion! Besides the quality programs part - that you will have to define, there are also more freeware and shareware available from a user perspective. There are more developments for windows platform than for Mac OS as far as I know. You may want to venture into this or not.. your call __________________ Intel 1GHz Tualatin Celeron (256kB) @ 1.33GHz 768MB PC133 CAS2 SDRAM Asus TUV4X IBM 60GXP 40G Sony CRX-140E 8-4-32 CD-RW new 128MB Retail ATI Radeon 8500 LE SB Audigy Value Realtek 10/100 Ethernet Logitech Z-540 Speakers

10-23-2002, 09:40 PM	#10
kraig Avg. Geek Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Halifax NS Posts: 4,669	i like it. very unbiases. i have experience with a lot of windows os's and mac os. mac os is a little of a stretch from windows at first, but really easy to pick up. I love both winxp and mac osx, and want to purchase a mac as my 4th computer. __________________ I believe that the very act of believing in something causes us to distance ourselves from that thing. Now since we all know that in order to fully understand a thing one must be that thing, it seems obvious that the state of believing in something inevitably causes us to not truly understand it. This leads to all sorts of difficulties. "I believe in love" has a better than even chance of leading to divorce, while "I believe in God" seems to end in variations on the Spanish Inquisition -CLP

10-22-2002, 05:06 PM	#3
eX-one Lookin for one of these Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: off saving the world (FF9) Posts: 1,069	I'd like to first say that I like your paper so far. You're not giving in to any fanboyism which most of these types of comparisons end up being. Just a couple of nitpicks for ya hehe "In OS X the bottom of the screen is used to display active programs with larger-than-average icons" The Dock's icons can be set to any size you want, as well as have any amount of magnification you want when the mouse is rolled over it. Here's some shots to illustrate : This is with no magification and icons are set to small. This is with highest magification, and what you'll usually see the system set at if you go to a store that sells Macs. "iTunes is only capable of playing and organizing audio In fact, iTunes (actually OSX itself) is capable of burning to CD (I don't have my firewire burner around so that's why it says burner not found), but like any burner that's built into the OS, it's not as good as a 3rd party one such as Toast (Mac) or Nero or what have you. iTunes can also play streaming radio. Pick a shoutcast station, click it, and away you go If the stream is in WMA or something like that, just open it in Windows Media Player (yes, it's available for Mac) QuickTime does more than video also. It can also play mp3s. another thing that Quicktime can do with OSX is really more gimmicky than anything. When minimized, OSX windows and programs will shrink to icon size and sit in the dock off to the side. If Quicktime is playing a video file and you minimize it, it does so, but the video will keep playing. It'll also magnify according to your settings. Admittedly it doesn't really do much, but it is nice to see reactions from Windows users. "Wow!!! That's SOOOO COOL!!!!!" and so forth lol. I've been using OSX since the first release and I have to say, it's alot easier to use than XP, and gives me less hassles. It's not that I don't have any experience with PCs, I've been using them since my dear old 486DX-33 and my 2400 baud modem which I used to call around to play BRE. It's just nice to have a computer actually work for you 90% of the time, as compared to trying to get a computer to work 90% of the time. I'm not trying to sound like a fanboy or nothing here, but I'm pretty sure that I'm one of the few people that have Mac experience here, so I'll share what I know. Anything else? I'll try my best to answer

10-22-2002, 08:25 PM	#6
m0nk3yb0y softcore 1st class Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hell Posts: 64	Spiffy, thanks a bunch guys. That was some really usefull info eX-one. I had a hard time finding a good comparison of OS X and XP on the Net, and didn't really find one that didn't have a whole lot of bias. I'll be sure to edit my paper with your suggestions. If anyone still has any more suggestions though, please give them.

10-22-2002, 08:40 PM	#7
kzinti1 Guest Posts: n/a	You didn't check the stats page here did you? Under Operating Systems? OS X is a bastardized version of UNIX. M$ is worried silly that more people will go to some form of UNIX (LINUX, Mandrake, RedHat etc.) that they're staying up nights trying to discredit these OS'. We wouldn't want poor Uncle Bill to go hungry would we? I have the software to switch to Mandrake 9 but I still need some info. You made a fine report and you should be proud of yourself!