microsoft or linux   

I use Linux as well as Windows. I like linux better as it is a free user software and so developed by users from different places, ideas and skills. There you can customize it to yur needs, better than windows. Also it gives you opportunity to play with kernel, whereas windows kernel is untouchable. Also all the applications like Office required for Linux can be obtained for free as downloads

I'm using linux on my laptop. My desktop pc however multiboots on xp, vista and ubuntu linux. I like linux because I don't have to worry about viruses and malwares. My xp and vista have antispywares and antiviruses installed, and no matter how large your memory is, they still do take up a lot of resources, especially if they're on real-time protection. That doesn't happen in my linux laptop - because I don't even have to install antivirus softwares. Both windows and linux have their pros and cons and I don't think neither one is better than the other. It's all a matter of preference. At the moment, linux still has a long way to go in terms of making it user-friendly for the ordinary pc user.

microsoft rocksss !!!! there is nothing in front of microsoft

if u loves windows go for it, but if u want change go for linux. i also use linux. but i dont know all commands that used in linux. so i use different linux versions such as ubuntu to linspire or knoppix etc. but in my case i use these os only for 3 or 4 weeks and then i format my comp and instal another os for more application in linux. different linux version have different softwares. or else u can download and instal softwares. after that i only use winxp nor win vista. winxp is most suitable for easy use.

I use Microsoft as well, i herd that for every one Linux/Mac program there are 10 more available for Microsoft(windows). For a student Microsoft would be the ultimate choice. Also Microsoft has load of more games than the others.

I am using Microsoft Windows XP on my desktop computer and Linux on my virtual PC. well, I find it hard to use the Linux Operating system but then I guess it is pretty much better than the Microsoft OS.
With regards to the User Interfaces, the Microsoft Windows Operating system works best and it is really a user friendly, but when it comes to protection and stability of your system I would go to Linux.

I personally use Microsoft Vista and Linux (Ubuntu). If you compare them by stability, then Linux is the best. You rarely see Linux crash. But the only reason i use Windows, is because society runs off windows. I am in to gaming, and when there is a new game that comes out, you rarely see it say "requires Linux". It usually says "requires Windows". I also like that Linux is 110% free, which is an extra bonus.

So i think that both operating systems are good, it just depends what you use them for.

First, I must thank you about this topic, it is really take my attention about that, and I was thinking about using Linux before 3 months ago, but I give up that because I must format my laptop, but I think after what I read here from Mylotters responses I will think about it again.
Thank you so much for this topic, please keep up this good topics, I really enjoy to response to it, have a happy posting.

actually it experts use linux because mainly the saource code is open, so they can tweak and enhance the OS according to their needs.

windows are a lot better for the common users, and everyone's used to them.

but with ubuntu and edubuntu (linux modified versions) emerging, windows is supposed to face hard times in times ahead. the best feature for linux is that its a freeware.

I have a dual boot system with Fedora 8 and Windows XP. I personally prefer linux. It's lighter on my system than resource hungry XP, so it runs faster. It rarely locks up, or exceptions out. It is more stable, and more secure than XP, and is infinitely more customizable than windows could ever hope to be (due to being open source).

I can do just about everything in linux that I can do in windows, and a few things more. It also has the best price tag of all: Free.

That said, I do keep windows around for a few programs that I can't run in linux (well I can, but windows emulators tend to be more trouble than they're worth..). I use windows primarily for photoshop and eve (http:/www.eve-online.com) although EVE is porting to linux which is one less thing to run in windows..

I also have a LiveDVD of Games Knoppix for my kids. It's a boot dvd so it starts up with everything already running and functional. Actually if you're looking to play with linux this is probably a good way to test the waters. It is old though, and linux has come a long way in the 3 or so years since games knoppix was abandoned.