Week 6: Operating Systems

So this week's lecture was based on operating systems, like Linux and iOS. Each type of e-reader has a different operating system and in this post I'm going to first tell you a little about each major operating system and then about which e-readers use which OS.

First, Linux:

Linux is the most successful open source project; it is a computer operating system which is based on free and open source software. Many different varieties of Linux exist, all are Unix-like and based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released by Linus Torvalds on October 5, 1991.

Pros v Cons:
Pros:- Runs on just about any hardware.
- More options than any other system. This is a pro and a con. If you want to change anything in Linux you can. The only limiting factor is your desire to figure out how.
- Way more secure than Windows XP and even OSX.
- Everything is free.
- Full access to the free open source library of software

Cons:
- The latest and greatest hardware is typically slower to reach Linux.
- The shear number of options can be daunting to a non-technical user. Although, like OSX, the distribution you select will determine the level of complexity presented or hidden from the end user.
- Limited support for proprietary applications
- Limited vendor support

Systems run on Linux:
Amazon Kindle (Linux 2.6.26)




Second, iOS:

iOS is Apple's mobile operating system. Apple, Inc. does not license iOS for installation on third-party hardware. As of October 4, 2011, Apple, Inc.'s App Store contains more than 500,000 iOS applications, which have collectively been downloaded more than 18 billion times. iOS is derived from Mac OS X, with which it shares the Darwin foundation, and is therefore a Unix-like operating system by nature.

Pros v Cons:
Pros:
- Easier to use for the non technical.
- Content creation is its strength.
- More secure than Windows due to its UNIX base
- More stable than Windows due to Apple’s tighter control over the configuration options and its UNIX base.
- Almost no spyware or virus applications.
- More powerful than Windows due to its UNIX base.
- You have almost complete access to the enormous library of free open source applications.

Cons:
- More expensive upfront than other choices. Some would say this is offset by less maintenance required over the life of the system.
- Less support. You have to go to Apple for all your hardware problems.
- Less hardware choices than Windows. For your average user this isn’t much of a problem. All the common hardware types will work.
- More complex than Windows due to its UNIX base. This really isn’t a major con because OSX does a great job of hiding this complexity from the end user.

Systems run on iOS:
Apple iPad

Now deciding on which operating system is better for e-readers is a matter of complete preference. If you're looking for a more tablet-like e-reader, then an Apple device with iOS would work better. If you just want a solid e-reader without a lot of tablet-like features, then an Amazon device is the way to go.

Until next time -