Courtesy of OSWeekly.com

(Column) - Operating systems are unique in various ways. Even though Windows, OS X, and Linux are all capable of doing most of the same things, the way that they’re built and the applications that have been created for them go a long way in helping each OS to stand out in a different way.

For example, with Linux, I instantly think about tasks of a technical nature. The Linux police will hear a comment like that and try to convince me that Linux is good for more than just complicated technical procedures, and I get that. Ubuntu has developed into a tool that’s fantastic for Linux beginners and everyday computer use, but its public image and background precedes these advancements.

With Windows, I don’t even remember the last time that I used it for fun. I’m not a big gamer, so PC games don’t really appeal to me, but if I was, then I’d probably be in love with the OS just like most other gamers are. When I think of Windows, I think of work, and in all honesty, there’s nothing really fun or exciting about the experience to me. I clock in, I clock out.

OS X iPods: The iPhone Takeover

In contrast, even though I work on my Mac 90 percent of the time, the experience is enjoyable, and I feel like I’m having a good time even when I’m swamped with tasks that I’d rather not be doing. That’s a true testament to the design of the OS, and it explains why so many people are switching to OS X for work and play. Like I said at the outset of this article, all operating systems have the same basic set of capabilities, and although I can and do work on my Mac throughout the day, there have been times when I’ve longed for some of the pure power and availability that Windows has for business applications.

On the Mac, almost everything feels simplified and watered down to the bare essentials, and this can compromise some of the functionality that is needed for business applications. By not overwhelming me with complicated options, OS X does help to ease my mind, but when the time comes for me to take care of some real business, there have been times when a compelling option or a solution isn’t available. By design, on OS X, you’re naturally encouraged to think more creatively, which is great and all, but this oftentimes isn’t enough to satisfy someone with a insatiable hunger for business productivity. In this way, I can understand why many overly corporate companies still shy away from OS X.

Now that we have the iPhone, some may rationalize that the device is a great fit for the mobile businessman in much the same way as a Windows Mobile device or a BlackBerry would be, but once again, while you can take care of business on an iPhone, a heavy business user would probably end up missing some of the flexibility that they’ve had with other devices. There’s no doubt that the iPhone will continue to advance to better support the business user, but until then, on both the desktop and mobile versions of OS X, work isn’t a real priority. After all, we’re too busy having fun to think about working in some dreary business application.

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