Hi,

Does anyone know a good issue today dealing with operating systems that a business must deal with? To clarify, I am writing a paper in which a fictitious company must provide a report to its management evaluating a problem that needs solved relating to operating systems in some way. We're being given so much leeway in the case of choosing a topic that I can't think of one to write about.

I refuse to write, like everyone else, about a typical "Windows XP/Linux" or "Windows/Mac" debate, whereby the company ultimately chooses one OS over the other. I want mine to be a little less streamlined than that. However I am still in college and don't know that much about the IT industry as it pertains to issues dealing with OS in the business world--most everyone just uses Windows anyway :p

Thanks in advance to whoever can reply.

A few things come to mind. The most important issue would be security. You could write about the need and options available to secure a PC in a business environment.

I wouldn't ignore the Windows vs MAC debate since there is now a new twist. There was info in the press yesterday that the new Intel based MACs will be able to dual boot between MAC OS and Windows. So that adds a new wrinkle you might use in your paper.

Probably too late but cost versus functionality is a great way to start. Open-Source versus supported.

Creating a Novell Network is much cheaper and easily licensed than a windows network. But Windows domains are grrrreat to admin. Of course you could also pay a linux pro to configure a filesharing/samba network but then you have to pay him, and he owns you.

You could include security in the discussion also since Linux/Novell and windows all have there ups and downs. Look into server OS's and you will see huge price differences and security issues. Good topic for anyway who would be doing MIS, or even IT.