Ok, to enter, here are the rules:

1. Only 1 CD per OS allowed. Meaning any single CD Linux distro versus any single-CD version of Windows.

2. Must be installed on the same hardware. That can be any hardware, so long as it's the same for both.

3. Must be a clean install to a blank hard drive, starting from booting to the install CD or live CD, if it's a live/installer.

4. "Recovery CDs" from computer vendors are NOT valid choices. It must be the OS as distibuted to consumers from the OS developer/publisher. Not a customized version for your specific custom model computer. This is to make sure both OSes are "general purpose" and on a level playing field.

5. No FTPInstalls/NetInstalls (sorry Debian guys, but fair is fair). You can only install what comes on that one CD. Again, this is to level the playing field, as there's just no WAY most "regular" Windows installs can do a "netInstall." And RIS/Ghost would break rule #4

I figure that's as fair a comparison as it can be

Results to observe:

1. Amount of time required for install
2. Hardware compatibility: how well does the OS detect your hardware without additional drivers?
3. Useability: How many applications do you get with the OS? How many tasks can you do?
4. How much interaction do you have to perform with the installer? Gotta do a lot of work or just kick it off and relax?

Final rule: You must be HONEST!

Reasoning: People are comparing single-CD Linux distros with OEM installs of Windows that include 6 CDs worth of extra software (at least) plus whatever else. The above, on the other hand, is a FAIR comparison.

And believe it or not, there are some situations where Windows will win. This is coming from a Linux guy...I run Ubuntu on my laptop. It installed slower than Windows, but the installer was easier to deal with , and offered a lot more automatic config options than the Windows installer, especially in the area of network/internet and partitioning.

Problem is, I think Microsoft designs their installed with the idea that no one will use it outside of OEMs. Linux installers had to be designed with the idea that actual home users will perform the installation.

Anyway, given the above, I think it's POSSIBLE that a FAIR comparison of WIndows and Linux can be made. Instead of the usual:

Linux hater: "Linux sux!"
Linux fanboy: "Linux rulez!"
Linux n00b: "Where's the ***** Start button?!?"

Wash, rinse, repeat.


You can all call me crazy now.

HUH.. Debian doesn't strictly require netinstalls. If you want you can download all the CDs and install it offline. It has about 16 CDs.

http://www.debian.org/CD/http-ftp/

But netinstall is more convenient to many people. Just saves burning so many CDs.

Which is the other reason I said "sorry." Those 16 CDs were ruled out by Rule #1. However, single CD variants like Xandros, Linspire, and Ubuntu are welcome to compete.

You don't need 16 CDs strictly. Most of them contain optional and rarely used packages.

Can we use Disk1 --and only Disk1-- of a multi-disk set such as Slackware 10.1?

Edit:
It appears you answered while I was asking.

Hmm....ok, I guess so. But since these types of distros were set up to be multi-CD, I doubt they're going to work well installing off of only one CD. you're welcome to try though. Might actually be interesting and educational.

Except Fedora...Fedora hardly puts any packages on CD1; it's mostly recovery CD and installer. And no, you can't use just CD2 because the boot/installer is on CD1...and I think the kernel packages are too.

Cool!

Ok then, for Debian, I guess it would be fine to use a Knoppix CD, install from that, then update from Debian repositories?
If so, I'd say a Knoppix install would be at least equal to Windows concerning #2 and would beat the **** out of Win at #3.

AND HOW! So would Slax, for that matter...hmm...

You can install, but no updating from the repos. We're comparing the OS as is, after installing from it's distribution CD. Level playing field. If you can hit the Debian repos, then the Windows install is allowed to hit Tucows and Nonags. Then things just start getting WAY out of hand and we have the usual Linux vs. Windows thread.

Windows update after the Windows install finishes isn't allowed either. I think Knoppix would be QUITE competitive with a straight Windows install, however....though I think, since booting the installer counts as time, and you have to boot into Knoppix as the installer, the Knoppix installer would be much slower than the Windows installer

Fine, even so, I'd say it can deal with Windows face up.Much slower? Last time I installed Knoppix (a 3.7 version), it took me around 25-30 minutes, less than Windows does. Also count that after installing Windows, you have to reboot at least a couple of times for the drivers to be installed.

thats what you think , well in Slackware's case anyway

Well, the result is known to most people, you'll end up with windows with no drivers for your hardware so everything runs slow and you have a resolution of 640x480 with 256 colours and no programs to use except IE and wordpad, oh and paint. So if your lucky enough to have had your ethernet controller recognised by Windows then your computer will be overtaken by spyware and virii the second the nic is initialised.

However with slackware (just CD 1) I would have a fairly functional desktop and/or server, sure I would have to use less preferred apps like Mozilla than Firefox but thats no biggy.

I have installed both Windows and Slackware on the machine in my sig and the above is exactly what happened, I have not really used many other distos seriously with this computer so I can only speak of my experience with Slackware

The prize is a ticket on the first row to the first World OS Boxing Championship
featuring, ladies and gentlemen :

On my right : Battling Billy (yes, his boxing gloves are solid gold, but he can afford them)

On my left : Linus the Viking (with his penguin-dressed cheerleading beauties, a sight for sore eyes !)


Rules : None
Length of fight : Forever, but break at five o'clock to have some tea, if required.
Winner takes all !!!!!!!!!!

Please enter the challenge and post the results.

and they will have their heads imprinted physically on the covers of their fav..(forget how to spell) distro distributed in millions
and this time andy warhol will start swapping old men with these ...

and i understand that there won't be any thick black coffee
so i still prefer my snoopy daydreaming on a nation of void pumpkin head ...

not necessarily must be five a.m. in the morning ...

rule 7

You must only compare free distros of linux with free copies of windows