When explaining OS functional and philosophical differences to non-techie types, it is often helpful and more understandable to employ good metaphors and analogies.

To kick this off, here are some I've often used:

If an OS were equated to financial institutions, Linux would be a Credit Union, and Windows/MS, OSX/Apple would be banks.

If an OS were compared to TV networks and owners, Linux would be NPR/PBS/DIY networks, Windows/MS is FoxNews/Murdoch and OSX/Apple is DisneyChannel/ClearChannel.

Linux kernal source code is the Declaration of Independance for your computer and your data, and the GPL's (open source licenses) are your computer's/data/information Bill of Rights & Constitution.

Windows/OSX licenses and DRM are Martial Law imposed to restrict your actions and control your information and your property.

If Linux represents sovereignty within your borders, Win/OSX are occupation within your borders.

If OS's were ISP traffic policies, Linux would be net neutrality, Win/OSX would be throttling and packet sniffing.

Please, no fighting or personal attacks- if you have other creative contributions, please feel free...

Windows is to computers as RIAA is to music.

I don't get most of these esp. "Linux is NPR/PBS/DIY network, Windows/MS is FoxNews/Murdoch and OSX/Apple is DisneyChannel/ClearChannel." - I really don't understand it and I am not sure I want to. :rolleyes:
I look at Linux as more of a slightly behind the newest model car (that you would lease), but paid for and customizable.

I don't get most of these esp. "Linux is NPR/PBS/DIY network, Windows/MS is FoxNews/Murdoch and OSX/Apple is DisneyChannel/ClearChannel." - I really don't understand it and I am not sure I want to. :rolleyes:
I look at Linux as more of a slightly behind the newest model car (that you would lease), but paid for and customizable.

More directly, I meant to express that Linux is the PBS of OS's, or if Os's were TV networks, Linux would be philosophically most like PBS- i.e. publically "funded", representing the sharing of knowledge, educational in its design and intellectual in character. I just threw in NPR (public radio) and DIY channel (obvious) for good measure.

As for the Credit Union/bank analogy, this one is particularly effective for non-techie types, especially those who only use CU's in lieu of banks. Many people of all persuasions absolutely hate banks- more than they hate Comcast, AT&T and/or Sony :)

Banks nickel and dime you to death (= software "upgrade" costs and license fees), make arbitrary decisions about how you can access and use your money (= DRM and access to your data), assess new fees at random for profit motives (like too many commercial software vendors), and only want to enrich the owners, the overpaid executives. CU's are owned as a "co-op" by the members, working as a non-profit, assessing fees to only cover the costs involved, and "giving back" to members in the form of loan rebates and dividends- they work well in a very FOSS community-like manner.

Needless to say, in all my adult working life, I have only used Credit Unions ;)

But your car metaphor is good :)

If OS's were political parties Linux would be Libertarian and/or Independant, Windows Republican, and OSX Democrat ;)

(...or maybe Windows and OSX are both Democrat from a "big government" point of view, i.e regulation = DRM and restrictive licenses...)


(no political arguments, please- I was just drawing on common perception of the parties, which don't necessarily reflect my own opinion :D)

If an OS were an ISP, Linux would be municipal WiFi or mesh networking, Windows would be Comcast and OSX would be AT&T.

If OS's were political parties Linux would be Libertarian and/or Independant, Windows Republican, and OSX Democrat ;)

(...or maybe Windows and OSX are both Democrat from a "big government" point of view, i.e regulation = DRM and restrictive licenses...)
I think that you have this backwards.

Republican=Do it my way=Windows
Democrats=Freedom of choice=Linux

If OS's were political parties Linux would be Libertarian and/or Independant, Windows Republican, and OSX Democrat ;)

(...or maybe Windows and OSX are both Democrat from a "big government" point of view, i.e regulation = DRM and restrictive licenses...)
I think that you have this somewhat backwards.

Republican=Do it my way=Windows
Democrats=Freedom of choice=Linux

The growth of the military and the national debt, by the Republicans, is truly a sign of "Big Government"

(No argument, just a different opinion)

Synaptic is like having a "windows update" utility for everything. You can only do that effectively with white-box (Open Source) software.

Windows is opaque box.

Mac is black box.

Linux is white/transparent box.

Note everyone wants to be able to "see" into their OS. If, however, they find that they must (i.e. where's the files for that app located?)- Linux is the only one that lets you do that.

http://tech.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/10/0319251

Told you so ;)

(I had no prior knowledge of any Murdoch/MS association before my first post, other than their similar business tactics and philosophies...)

From http://digg.com/linux_unix/Why_Use_Linux

"Mac is like a beach with a paranoid lifeguard. Everything looks pretty from the shore, and you can even wade in a bit. But your not allowed to go too deep. And Lifeguard Steve really doesn't like those who break the rules.

Windows is like the public kiddie pool. You can float around, and maybe even swim a little, but there are all these little annoying buggers who keep getting in your way. You always have to keep an eye on your stuff to make sure it is secure, and despite the little cleaning system, deep down you know what you're really swimming in.

Linux is like a Scuba diver. It takes a little training, but once you know what you're doing, you are free to go as deep as you want. There are few limits, and there is a large community of other divers who are anxious to help you out."

From http://digg.com/linux_unix/Why_Use_Linux
Linux is like a Scuba diver. It takes a little training, but once you know what you're doing, you are free to go as deep as you want. There are few limits, and there is a large community of other divers who are anxious to help you out." Till you get the bends! HA HA HA...

Seriously, no micky soft in my home....

Here's my take on the OS analogies:

Linux is like a 5,000 shaft horsepower jet engine which which you can put in any project.

Distros are like the Car / Plane / Boat you wish to utilize that powerful power plant.

You can build it yourself, toy around in an experimental that someone else constructed or pick a great stable purpose built vehicle.
Best off... you can park it and go get another one when it strikes your fancy.

VISTA/XP is like being in a lease for a car that you no longer enjoy driving and there are grape juice stains on the seats that the kids left and that miscreants have tossed trash into, urinated on, and defiled through your open "windows" while you were not looking.

Macs, are like a Lexus. Well made, useful, and have high customer loyalty and cost too much for me to consider.

Me? I'd rather use this environmentally friendly vehicle which moves solely on the power of my self-esteem!:p

Till you get the bends! HA HA HA...

...


I was thinking of "euphoria of the deep" instead of bends. When you dive down deep enough or sometimes when you're running out of air, you get euphoric just before you drown. :D ;)

[ed: is euphoric a legitimate word?]

I was thinking of "euphoria of the deep" instead of bends. When you dive down deep enough or sometimes when you're running out of air, you get euphoric just before you drown. :D ;)

[ed: is euphoric a legitimate word?]

I've been known to annoyingly wax euphorically about Linux..... :D

If an OS were A/V cables, Linux would be DIY cables or Monoprice/RAM/BlueJean cables, Windows would be Monster Cables, and OSX would be KimberKables.