Non-Windows Operating Systems for the Beginner

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Windows is by far the most commonly used operating system, with over 95% market share. Most computer users have used Windows operating systems exclusively throughout their lives, and may know very little about alternatives.
The next biggest operating system is Apple's OS X. One of the main differences between Windows and Apple is that Windows can be put and run on just about any computer, while the Apple operating system can only be run on Apple hardware. This means if you want to switch to the Apple OS, you have to buy an Apple computer.
The second most popular alternative to Windows is Linux. Linux is a free, open source operating system which can run on any system. It is redistributed in a number of different forms, the most common being the Ubuntu distribution. Linux has a comparatively small user base, and it has traditionally been considered difficult to use, however it has gotten better over time, and is fairly easy to install. Linux is supported by a large developer community, and it isn't hard to find help when you need it.

The Differences in Operating Systems

Over the recent decade or so, there has been some convergence of the operating system market. Several years ago, the three major operating systems - Windows, Mac, and Linux, were all very different, and had very steep learning curves. The modern versions, however, are relatively similar, and aren't nearly as hard to switch between. This is mostly a product of the Windows-ification of Mac and Linux, but Windows has also adopted some of the features of Mac in their latest iteration, Windows 7.

Getting Help for Switching

There is considerable documentation available for users who are switching between any operating system, and you can find lots great online articles, published books, and in-depth tutorials.
For switching from Windows to the Mac, you can buy a support plan from Apple which allows you to go in to their stores several times and get training sessions from their experienced employees. This is an especially good for less technically-savvy users.
Because Linux is open source and community, there isn't specifically anyone to go to for help. Ubuntu does offer tech support for a fee, which is one option to consider. They also have a very active developer community which participate in online forums, and you can get lots of help by asking questions there.
If you have decided to give Linux a try, there is a big choice of distributions available. Ubuntu which was mentioned above is most popular, but not the only. This blog is dedicated to reviews of different Linux distributions and can help you to navigate in the world of Linux.
When you decided which distribution to try, you can either download it for free and burn onto CD yourself, or you can also buy Linux CD from dedicated site. And CD will be dispatched to you wherever in the world you live.
Windows is by far the most used operating system, and for many people it works just fine. However, it is not necessarily the best, and you may find that you benefit from going to another operating system.

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Miles Walker writes about getting the best car insurance quote over at Car Insurance Comparison .org. His recent review looked at Kentucky car insurance.

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