Operating System Showdown: VISTA vs. UBUNTU

Other tech sites will bore you with in-depth "technical details" and performance specs in their product analysis. We pull back from the boring benchmarks to compare the superficialities, and we do it all on a single page.

For years many have predicted the death of Windows at the hands of Linux. The latest challenge to Windows comes from Ubuntu. Since everyone has long made up their minds in which operating system to use, we compare these two operating systems on the features that don't matter. Read on to find out if your favorite wins...

Names

Ubuntu - It's an African word that means "Humanity for others." Embraces the spirit of the open source movement, but it's a bit corny.

Vista - It's what you would see looking through your Windows (or outside if you weren't wasting time on your computer). Clever.

Advantage - Vista

Domain Names

Ubuntu.com - Lands you at the home page for the Ubuntu distribution. Choosing a name like Ubuntu means the domain will be available.

Vista.com - Takes you to the page for a company that provides "online services for businesses." That's what you get for choosing a common word as product name.

Advantage - Ubuntu

Vowel-to-Consonant Ratio

Ubuntu - 50%

Vista - 66%

Advantage - Ubuntu

Google Fights

The best two out of three wins...

Vista has every driver you will ever need - 1,110,000 results

Ubuntu has every driver you will ever need - 554,000 results

For driver support Vista is the clear winner.

Winner: Vista

Vista banged your sister - 66,100

Ubuntu banged your sister - 63,200

Close, but...

Winner: Ubuntu

I'm in your Vista killing your processes - 958,000

I'm in your Ubuntu killing your processes - 254,000

Ubuntu triumphs in security.

Winner: Ubuntu

Advantage: Ubuntu

Ice Cream Flavor

If the only two flavors left at Ben and Jerry's were Ubuntu or Vista, which would you eat?

Ubuntu - With that name, the brown chunks might be zebra droppings. Might not be the best choice.

Vista - It's green and minty fresh. If you can get over the grass clippings, you'll enjoy it.

Advantage: Vista

Completely Made Up Category

Which operating system needed a completely made up category to give it a victory, so the competition appeared fairer?

Advantage: Vista

Virtual Coin Flip - Best of 11

The virtual coin flipper was used at random.org. I chose the Swiss Franc 1 to maintain neutrality.

Ubuntu - Heads

Vista - Tails

Results: H-T-T-H-T-H-T-H-H-T-H

Advantage: Ubuntu

Conclusions

Ubuntu beats Vista by a score of 4-3.