Linux






 Mac OS X







 Windows

Pronounced “lihnuks,” this is a Unix-based operating system created by Linus Torvalds. Popular with advanced computer users because it is very customizable and you can actually add your own code to the operating system. Linux is also the Operating System of choice for many Web hosting companies because it is far cheaper to set up and maintain than a Windows-based server.

Mac OS X, pronounced “Mac Oh-Es Ten”. This is the current version of the operating system used on Apple Macintosh computers. Mac OS X is an advanced, user-friendly operating system. Apple developers took the Unix-based code from NEXTSTEP and combined it with the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of Mac OS 9. The result was a stable, high-performance operating system that had the stability of Unix and the intuitive interface of the Macintosh.

Microsoft Windows is the most popular operating system for personal computers. There are several versions of the Windows operating system, including Windows XP (for home users) and Windows 2000 (for professional users). Earlier versions of Windows include Windows 3.1, 95, 98, ME, and NT. All Windows platforms use a GUI (Graphical User Interface), like the Mac OS, and also offer a command-line interface for typing text commands.