POPULARITY AND USAGE STATISTICS OF DIFFERENT OPERATING SYSTEMS

Submitted by: Bendicion, Divine Grace L. BSCS 3

Submitted to: Prof. Efren Semacio Instructor, Operating Systems

Quality of Research (30%)...

Writing Quality (20%) ...

Analytical Strength (30%)....

Effort (10%).....

References (10%)..

TOTAL ....

OVERVIEW AND DATA PRESENTATION A survey over the internet, specifically through Facebook, was done by the researcher from November 28, 2011 to December 2, 2011 to determine the popularity or usage statistics of certain operating systems. A picture with operating systems logos was posted by the researcher including the question Which operating system do you prefer to use and why? During this timespan, 71 respondents posted their answers. Below are screenshots of the actual post with the comments of all the respondents. Some respondents were shy posting their answers as comments, so they preferred to message the researcher of their answers instead.

Just by reading the responses, it is obvious that Windows is the most popular and widely-used operating system by any type of user except for the administrators. The next figure summarizes the type of users who responded to the online survey.

10

The figure shows a total of 71 respondents which comprises of 3 administrators, 33 students (46.5%), 3 faculty members, 8 IT friends (11.3%), and 24 non-IT friends (33.8%). The next figure summarizes the operating system used by administrators who responded in the survey.

11

The previous figure shows that none of the administrators preferred to use any of the versions of MS Windows. Linux, Macintosh and Unix had 1 vote each. The next graph shows the operating system used by students who responded in the survey.

The figure above shows quite a variety of answers. But overall, MS Windows still got the most number of votes with 30 or 88.3%. Windows 7, the most recent version of Windows got the most number of votes compared to Windows XP and Vista. The next figure shows the operating systems preferred by faculty members who responded in the survey.

12

Faculty members on the other hand preferred Linux 2x and Windows only once. The next figure shows the operating system preferred by the researchers IT friends.

The figure above shows that, still MS Windows is the most popular operating system gaining 5 of 8 votes at 62.5%. Next is Linux with 25% and lastly, Macinstosh with 12.5%. With the students, faculty and IT friends, Unix did not have any vote. The next figure shows the operating system preferred by the researchers non-IT friends.

13

The previous figure still indicates that Windows got most votes at 83.4%. However, Windows Vista, the version prior to Windows 7 did not have any votes, same with the administrators, faculty members and IT friends. The next figure shows the overall summary of the popularity of the operating systems regardless of the type of users.

The figure above shows that still, MS Windows is the most popular operating system among all others. Next is Linux, Mac, and lastly Unix and an OS named Kahel OS. The next figure shows the distribution of users who prefer using Windows.

14

The previous figure shows the type of user who prefer to use MS Windows. No administrator preferred to use it. On the other hand, students and non-IT individuals are the largest users of the said OS. The next figure shows the distribution of users for the Linux operating system and its variants.

The figure above shows a quite equal distribution in the usage of Linux operating system. The next figure shows the distribution of users for the Macintosh operating system.

15

The previous figure shows, also a quite equally distributed vote among the users. Notice that no faculty member preferred this operating system and the non-IT individuals voted for this 2x. The next figures shows the distribution of users for the Unix operating system and others which have not been included in the survey.

Only one administrator voted for Unix and only one student voted for, Kahel OS, an operating system not included in the survey.

16

DATA ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION The data were gathered and tabulated manually by the researcher. Respondents profile were viewed to determine into which user type they belong. The goal of this research is to find out which is the most popular or widely-used operating system among the researchers Facebook friends. Two kinds of analysis were made to draw a conclusion on this research. First was to find out the most widely used operating system by the respondents (divided by each user type and generally), and second, to find out the user type distribution for each operating system. Reasons for using the operating system which they voted were compared to several operating systems articles in www.computerhope.com. After data gathering and tabulation, the following conclusions were drawn: As to the most widely used operating system among all user types, MS Windows got the most votes at 56 out of 71 respondents. The most common reason was being user-friendly, compatibility to other softwares, and being common. This data holds true in www.computerhope .com, in their article Linux vs. Windows, it says that Windows is one of the operating systems which is really easy to use, has lots of software programs, utilities and game to choose from, has broader driver support, and includes its own help section and has vast amounts of online help and books. However, Windows downside are licensing cost, software cost, reliability and security. But, the respondents have also mentioned that through good and proper care, reliability and security can be improved. Also, licensing cost and software cost are bearable compared to MAC where even drivers and upgrades are very expensive. Looking closely in each user type, the administrators did not vote for Windows. Linux, Mac and Unix were the ones who gained votes. According to them these 3 operating systems are more secure than Windows. Articles in www.computerhope.com also say the same thing. Windows is much of a target for intruders since most virus and malware writers are more familiar with the IBM platform than with the Unix/Linux kernels. Also, Windows is most widely used, so is really a hot target. However, Unix, Linux and Mac can also be infected with viruses, but the chances if near to none. In addition, they can be virus carriers and can still be victims of phishing and Trojan horses especially when Mac users run Windows through Bootcamp. As for the students, IT friends and non-IT friends, most of them voted for Windows gaining more than 50% of all the votes. Faculty members voted for Linux ad Windows. Linux, being the next popular operating system, according to the respondents comments and www.computerhope.com is more reliable, secure and less expensive than Windows. However, you need to be at least really computer-inclined to maximize its capabilities since it does not offer a help section and there are only a few online help and documentations. As for the user type distribution for each operating system, students are the widest users of MS Windows at 53.6% followed by non-IT friends at 35.7%. Being user
17

types who need lots of functionality with average security, Windows fit them their needs. As for Linux, there is quite an equal distribution of different users. Students, faculty members, IT friends and non-IT friends all comprised 22.2% of Linux users and the administrator at 11.1%. They all enjoy less expensive licensing and software and better security and reliability. For Macintosh, non-IT friends comprised 40% of its users. However one of their reasons was only for showing-off since Mac computers are really expensive. On the other hand, other user types such as the administrator, IT friend and student prefer to use Mac because of security, reliability and aesthetic qualities. Mac maybe expensive according to them, but it is worth the price both in hardware and in software. Unix got 1 vote from an administrator because it is very secured according to him, and Kahel OS got 1 vote from a student, because he says there were Filipinos who were part of the creators of Kahel OS. Generally, Windows is the most popular and widely used operating system. Its functionality and considerable price attracts users. Security and reliability issue can be minimized through proper use and good care. Most users did not want complicated systems and does not need a very glamorous aesthetic quality. Also, since computers systems change fast, it is not ideal to purchase a very expensive computer and operating system.

REFERENCES Do Macs get Viruses? (2011). [online] From: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000737.htm. Retrieved on: December, 2011 Linux vs. Windows (2011). [online] From: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000575.htm. Retrieved on: December, 2011 Mac vs. PC (2011). [online] From: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001238.htm. Retrieved on: December, 2011 Operating Systems (2011). [online] From: http://www.computerhope.com/os.htm. Retrieved on: December 2011

18