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Since the appearance of Windows 3 and the proliferation of Microsoft’s operating system, the comparison with Apple’s Macs and operating systems is a popular and never-ending issue of discussion. A lot of ink -and now web pages- are devoted to a topic with no clear answers in sight. The equation became even more complicated when Linux entered the market in several different flavours, each with its own virtues. And not only that! Microsoft users have got in the debate process as to whether it is worth moving on to Vista or sticking to XP.

I consider the whole process of trying to convince other users as to the superiority of a particular operating system as a waste of time -therefore the “black hole” title. And here is nine reasons:

1. Most people participating in the discussions are simple users, and by this I do not imply a low level of sophistication for applications they use, but simply the fact that the operating system is the underlying platform on which software is run for work or pleasure. So if for example you are a graphic user that uses Photoshop 90% of the time what is the difference between operating systems? Nothing, absolutely nothing!
2. Instead of arguing about a situation that you can only change with your personal choice, focus your attention on your work instead. Having an opinion is a good thing, but being a supporter of any company is not going to win you extra money. Concentrate on your work instead for extra income and satisfaction.
3. If you have already settled on the use of any operating system -chances are that you already have- you have probably invested on peripherals and software that are difficult to transfer on another platform without a horrific price tag. If that is the case, just get on with your work and refer to #1 and #2 above.
4. If your operating systems does not support a feature that another does, there is no reason to worry and get in complaint mood. Competition is a good thing and chances are that you will have what you want soon. So your demand now will probably become a non-issue before you know it.
5. Using a particular mechanism and way of thinking for a long time does not mean that you are right and everybody else is wrong. There is infinite ways to approach the same task, and operating systems are no exception in the rule.
6. There is more similarities than differences. Like it or not, most operating systems take the user through similar steps for similar tasks.
7. If you are nevertheless convinced that you use the best operating system in the world and do not want to hear anything, your wallet is the best way to go ahead. Keep buying from the same supplier, it is the best way to let them know that you like what they do. I know many people that keep moaning about software or a device they have, but still keep going back. What matters most is your actions!
8. If you particularly like a particular application which has no equivalent use or manner of operation in another platform, then again you know you are stuck with a certain operating system and you have no choice whether you like it or not.
9. If you are employed, the operating system’s choice is not yours and all you have to do is take advantage of what you have.

Of course, if it is your job to build applications or are in any way heavily involved in code related to operating systems, you have any right to discuss its file system or code, as you obviously see more than the superficial user does -see older post about Torvalds’ opinion on the OS X file system.

As the web browser replaces the operating system -that’s exactly what I am doing right now after all- the OS debate becomes more and more irrelevant. We still need considerable local computing power and Internet connectivity is not spread all over the world in the same density and standardisation like telephones. But we are getting there. What is most urgent than ever before is to have constant and easy access to our files plus the ability to work on them independently from the OS platform.