diff --git a/why-linux-is-better.rst b/why-linux-is-better.rst index 85505d4..4c4f418 100644 --- a/why-linux-is-better.rst +++ b/why-linux-is-better.rst @@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ File extensions are the sole determiner of filetype. ---------------------------------------------------- On Linux, filetypes are determined by a combination of filesystem metadata, heuristics for fixed-formats, and file extension. -On Windows, the file extension is the sole determiner of filetype. +On Windows, the file extension is the sole determiner of filetype and executable status. If the file extensions for different filetypes happen to collide (recall that files are not case-sensitive), one program must take default precedence over the other. @@ -319,13 +319,14 @@ Package manager with signed binaries and easy backup/reinstall. --------------------------------------------------------------- Windows Installer is a software package manager in the sense of installing and uninstalling software, -but it does not provide the essential features of current major Linux packaging systems, +but it does not provide the salient features of current major Linux packaging systems, such as: - securely retrieving the package from a trusted remote or local repository, - adding and removing third-party repositories, - changelogs, - cryptographically verifying the integrity of the package, +- backporting security fixes to stable version, - licensing status of software, - and sophisticated dependency management. @@ -474,37 +475,46 @@ even when it is `embarrassing`_ to `do so`_. Debugging habits. ----------------- -By requiring `frequent`_ `reboots`_, +By `requiring`_ or encouraging `reboots`_ for installing software or changing configuration, Windows encourages bad habits such as restarting software to make a bug go away, -rather than diagnosing, reproducing, and reporting bugs. +or avoiding certain commands as a work-around, +rather than reproducing and reporting bugs. In the long run, this hurts both proprietary and open-source software running on Windows. It is also one reason why developing solely for Windows because of the larger user base may not always be the best choice. -.. _frequent: http://www.howtogeek.com/182817/htg-explains-why-does-windows-want-to-reboot-so-often/ +.. _requiring: http://www.howtogeek.com/182817/htg-explains-why-does-windows-want-to-reboot-so-often/ .. _reboots: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/31204/why-do-application-installs-make-you-reboot-and-close-other-apps/ -------- Malware. -------- -In theory, Linux and Windows are equally susceptible to malware. -In practice, Windows users often inadvertently install malware (see `notes on package management`_). +In principle, Linux and Windows are equally `susceptible to malware`_. +In practice, Windows users are `more likely`_ to inadvertently install malware, +primarily because of the way they install non-malicious software (see `notes on package management`_). +Requiring every computer user to do the work of package maintainers is harmful in a variety of ways; +it tends to encourage a cargo-cult mentality to security instead of systematic root-cause analysis. +.. _susceptible to malware: http://www.linux.com/learn/tutorials/284124-myth-busting-is-linux-immune-to-viruses +.. _more likely: http://unix.stackexchange.com/questions/2751/the-myths-about-malware-in-unix-linux .. _notes on package management: `Package manager with signed binaries and easy backup/reinstall.`_ -This is has two repercussions: +As a result, -#. Users must spend considerable time and effort detecting and removing malware. -#. Users may falsely attribute software misbehavior to malware. +#. Windows users must spend considerable time and effort detecting and removing malware. +#. Windows users may falsely attribute software misbehavior to malware. -Number 2 is particularly pernicious, as some users attribute problems arising from failing hardware to malware instead. +Some users may even attribute problems arising from failing hardware to malware instead. -Computer running slowly? - Might be viruses. (Or maybe some recently installed software is using a lot of memory.) +(This has also consequences for developers. +Because few Linux users experience problems due to malware, +Linux developers will be more likely to reproduce issues reported in forums or bug trackers.) -Applications crashing? - Is your anti-virus up to date? (Or maybe the application has bugs that need fixing.) +Linux has a better security model which uses secure package installation by default, +but allows installing software from other sources as well, +unlike the overly restrictive app-store model. -Random reboots? - Oh, probably a virus. (Or maybe the hard drive is failing.) +Also, because Linux is a ubiquitous server operating system, +its security is under constant attack, +and Linux desktop users benefit from the fixes to the vulnerabilities.