Perceptions of operating systems

The Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) categorizes human beings into one of 16 possible personality categories. Curiously, the MBTI suggests individual preferences among human beings, which can be loosely correlated to their Myers Briggs Type. This article presents possible reasons why a particular Myers Briggs type may gravitate towards a particular operating system. On a PC, one has a choice of Windows or Linux. While other operating systems may be available, these two are the most common. For simplicity, we refer to any operating system that uses a Linux kernel as simply, Linux. The point of this article is not debate semantics (i.e. whether or not, Linux constitutes an operating system).

INTP
The INTP will desire to use an operating system with less abstraction and which allows them to analyze how it works and makes them think. INTPs may experiment with Linux because it is different and become immersed in using it to stimulate their thinking interests. INTPs particularly would be focused on improving Linux and finding rational solutions. The INTP enjoys trying to solve complex problems and Linux presents this challenge. Since the OS is easily customizable, it appeals to the INTP's individualistic thinking and attitude on things. The INTP may become bored with Linux if the level of maintenance is too high and offers no intellectual stimulation.

INTJ
The INTJ type will sit down and extensively plan what he intends to use Linux for before using it. He will do research to make sure Linux is a viable operating system to use, and once he has determined that Linux has the features he needs, he will then consider using it. Ultimately, INTJs are driven by a goal, or a purpose and so will use Linux in fulfillment of some vision. They are not interested in mere intellectual stimulation like the INTP. They will have sound arguments as to why their choice of Linux is superior, backing it with rational reasoning, whereas the INTP may use Linux out of curiosity, but will extensively justify it logically if forced to do so.

INFJ
The community spirit and being free and open source could be seen by the INFJ as helping the community. This means that the INFJ is more likely to gravite towards Linux, which supports their moral cause of helping the poor and providing a free operating system. On the other hand, the INFJ may envision a perfect operating system and learn Linux so that he can integrate his changes into the system. He may use Linux to help empower persons in impoverished countries. The INFJ may perceive Windows as corporate-based and greedy, which is harmful to society at large. Therefore, the INFJ may reject the use of Windows on moral reasons. The INFJ may gravite towards Windows if it is necessary to avoid conflict and/or to make their friends, family or co-workers happy.

INFP
The INFP will not be sure what operating system to use and may continuously jump from Linux to Windows, assessing which one feels right to them. The INFP may gravitate towards Linux when it makes them feel unique or special in some way. They may see using Linux as a form of individual expression i.e. not being like everyone. Like the INFJ, their morals may drive them to using Linux e.g. open source, not driven by commercial greed and the need to express individual through Linux i.e. the ability to customize it in your own special way. The INFP may extensively daydream as to which one to use that he actually rarely uses any system.

ISTP
The ISTP may gravitate towards Linux because it has a number of useful utilities for data recovery and machine maintenance, using Linux tools, such as dd to perform data recovery. The ISTP will enjoy their unorthodox problem solving approach, using the tools to achieve efficient results. The fact that Linux may have faults does not bother them in the slightest as they become self-absorbed in the moment of fixing a problem.

ISTJ
The ISTJ is less likely to use Linux, noting how Linux is time consuming to setup and use. The uncomfortable way in which Linux is used is likely to stress out the ISTJ, constantly complaining about how different from Windows it is. When he cannot get his Office programs that he has used for years working, he will start to further stress out as valuable time doing more efficient things is wasted. The ISTJ is likely to complain how that Linux is useless for real work and any such use is likely to negative.

ESTJ
Likewise, the ESTJ will also not like Linux very much, noting how Windows is the defacto operating system, which has been used for years. Furthermore, the ESTJ will cite business use and marketshare of Windows as proof of its widespread success. The ESTJ is likely to swiftly reject Linux as a unsuitable operating system for any real business application. Moreover, those that use Linux are likely to dismissed as wasting time.

ESTP
The ESTP will probably not be too concerned with the operating system used, jumping online and updating their social media account. They may use Linux to try daring things with their computers. However, use of computers for too long is likely going to bore them. If Linux is frustrating for them, they will not use it. They want quick access to their programs, so they can do the work the fastest as possible.

ESFP
The ESFP is likely to use Windows because of its access to Photoshop software, which they can used to promote their body image and their fun while not in the lime light. Like the ESTP, their use of computers is to do work as quickly as possible, or for updating their social media account.

ENTP
The ENTP will love using Linux for the intellectual stimulation, but will continuously argue with others about how bad Linux is, including all of its flaws and limitations. Yet, in despite of this, the ENTP will continue to use it, knowing he truly does not believe what he is arguing. An ENTP may also gravitate towards Windows, arguing about how bad Windows is, while using it. The ENTP has strong intuition, so use of any unfamiliar operating system allows them to further develop their intellect and form arguments to support or counter what they believe.

ENFP
The ENFP will use Windows to avoid conflict and encourage others to freely express themselves by using it. Routine maintenance with using an unfamiliar operating system may stress the ENFP out a lot.

ENFJ
The ENFJ will use what everyone else is using to avoid conflict and maintain harmony. They may suggest the importance of both operating systems in the environment to create harmony and balance. They may explore Linux owing to their intuition.

ESFJ
Likewise, the ESFJ will probably also want to maintain social harmony and avoid conflict, but they will likely feel more comfortable with traditional operating systems, electing to use Windows instead. The need to avoid confrontation and irrational debates over which OS to use, may further convince the ESFJ that he and everyone else should use Windows.

ENTJ
ENTJs will use whatever operating system is necessary to accomplish the goal, arguing in a direct way why their choice is the ideal way. The ENTJ could, therefore, use either operating system. Unlike INTPs, they are not stimulated by an intellectual challenge, opting to instead use their logic efficiently to accomplish a goal. The open source argument holds no weight for them as they consider only the OS which is technically the most efficient.

ISFP
The ISFP will use Linux determined to feel individual and different. They may spontaneously change back to Windows as they become bored and annoyed with the same old system. The technical specifications or technical superiority of either system is likely to hold little weight. They must do their own individual evaluation to come up with the OS they feel will work best for them.