- This page should be taken down and divided into several different pages, such as:

• Using Windows vs. Linux for Adult Classes - A discussion of why we load Windows on adult students' machines, and the possibility of offering adult students a choice of what OS is loaded on their machines.
• Windows Pros/Cons, and the status of Windows as time goes on.
• Linux Pros/Cons, and the status of Linux as time goes on.

Currently, the machines built for the adult classes are loaded with Windows. The machines built for the Earn a computer classes are built using Debian Linux. This page is devoted to presenting the current pros/cons to having two different systems built for adult and kids classes. Please edit this page with your thoughts, and be objective.

We already have an installation base for using Linux for kids' computers, and Windows for adult computers. This page is devoted to analyzing the benefits/detractors for using each operating system on both children's and adult Earn A Computer computers.

• Most businesses use Windows. Our adult students' priorities include being familiar with computers that they use at work. If the adult students are bewildered by Windows interface, then Byteworks has not succeeded in helping them.
• Most people use Windows in their daily lives.
• Applications are written for Windows first. More commercial/popular applications are available for Windows.
• Hardware support – Devices like iPods are easier to use with Windows than with Linux. The reason for this is that iTunes from Apple is only available for Windows/Macintosh.

I'm not familiar with Byteworks' software licensing fees, so I'm assigning a to this section

Antivirus software is necessary for new users to Windows. I (Nate) used Windows XP for five years without anti-virus software. However, I've been in the IT industry for 12 years, and have enough experience not to fall for the majority of the malware that affects new users. I'm a skeptic, and costantly debate the virus tales that I hear about Windows machines. However, after hearing story upon story of Windows machines being infected by virii, and seeing people's machines being brought into the shop, I am slowly beginning to acknowledge the argument that Windows machines really do need anti-virus software.

Yes, Windows support from Microsoft is a con in my book.

• The hardware requirements for Vista currently exceeds the machines that we supply to the adult students.
• The licensing cost for Vista is an unknown. Please change this if Byteworks has information regarding our Vista licensing.
• As time goes on, Microsoft will decrease its support for Windows XP.
  • I (Nate) don't recall contacting Microsoft when I had trouble. However, end-users might find value in being able to do this. Thus, as Microsoft phases out support for XP, our adult students will find it increasingly difficult to get support from Microsoft.

In addition to being free to use, I've noticed a boon in popularity among free software. With Google Docs, Spreadsheets, Web Pages, and Blogging, you don't need to be tied to a particular platform.

OpenOffice software does a good job of saving to popular formats, such as Powerpoint, Word, and Excel.

• Like Windows – The KDE interface is not much different from Windows XP. There's a “Start” button and a gigantic menu that pops up with all the applications that are installed, divided by category. The “Minimize”, “Maximize” and “Close” buttons are in the exact same order as those found on Windows systems.
• Currently, Linux systems do not need antivirus/anti-malware sofware loaded. As a result, the machines are more responsive and less intrusive in day to day activities.
• Software - When I need to install something on Linux, I use the Package Manager application that's built in. With Windows, you must go to the website of the software provider and get the software. Then, you must trust the software provider and their website to be valid and honest.

• OpenOffice software needs a few extra steps for saving to Powerpoint, Word and Excel formats.
• Not all documents (resumes, job applications, etc) will translate directly from OpenOffice into Word, which is what's expected by many employers. However, I've used OpenOffice for my resume, and just convert to Word, or use http://www.Monster.com

Connecting to the Internet has proven to be tricky with our students' machines. This could be a deal-breaker for our adult students until the various ISPs provide Linux-friendly modems/software and instructions for setting up Linux-based computers on their networks.

I've had some problems with USB drives, and I'm sure that some hardware that our adult students will be interested in will provide a few hoops to jump through on Linux that they wouldn't have to deal with on Windows. Although, I've experienced difficulties with hardware on Windows, too.