NationStates Jolt Archive

I was just wondering, what is YOUr favorite Operating System? (Having used more than 1 is better because you actually know how the other works so you actually can base what you say on fact).

I don't like any of them.
Windows - unstable, evil, piss-poor security
Linux - Next to no compatibility with anything
Mac- same as Linux

I don't like any of them.
Windows - unstable, evil, piss-poor security
Linux - Next to no compatibility with anything
Mac- same as Linux

Then what DO you like?

Then what DO you like?

As I said, I don't like any of them.

As I said, I don't like any of them.

Well if you dont like ANY OS, what do you use?

Well if you dont like ANY OS, what do you use?

Windows, through lack of decent alternatives.

I just like Windows XP kuz it's simple to game with it.
Linux is fun to tinker around with it.
OSX is cool.

Windows, through lack of decent alternatives.

Lol, than your screwed, arent you? I guess you are just gonna have to wait until the perfect OS comes out....

I dont consider Linux to be very useful to me. Like windows it can be unstable and insecure (but its not like people go out to make killer viruses for linux users since you arent going to pull off a large scale attack.) Windows XP is very stable but is also quite insecure. Ive configured mine to circumvent some of the worse problems and its also a legal copy (expensive!) so i can keep it patched and up to date. Windows in the future will likely be a do-it-all package which will hold much greater appeal than XP, which holds the merits of being stable and useful.

I dont like the badly designed Macintosh GUI.

I dont consider Linux to be very useful to me. Like windows it can be unstable and insecure (but its not like people go out to make killer viruses for linux users since you arent going to pull off a large scale attack.) Windows XP is very stable but is also quite insecure. Ive configured mine to circumvent some of the worse problems and its also a legal copy (expensive!) so i can keep it patched and up to date. Windows in the future will likely be a do-it-all package which will hold much greater appeal than XP, which holds the merits of being stable and useful.

I dont like the badly designed Macintosh GUI.

I agree with you 100%. Unfortunatly, there seems to be a Linux OS that seems(gasp) to be STABLE! Check it out at www.xandros.com. If you dare.


Microsoft Pwnz you!

Windows, cause' I likes me some games!!! (Myrth, there are other Os's than the ones listed)

I don't like any of them.
Windows - unstable, evil, piss-poor security
Linux - Next to no compatibility with anything
Mac- same as Linux

Do you mean hardware or software compatibility? With hardware, it's no contest between Windows and Linux - Linux wins hands down. I've never had a piece of equipment (from near-decade-old soundcards to cutting-edge peripeherals to obscure laptop graphics cards) not be detected by any of the Linux distros I've used - Windows, however, has a nasty habit of failing to recognise certain things - you try getting my soundcard working in Windows 98SE - it can't be done. Try getting my network running as it should on Windows 2000 (supposedly an networking-oriented OS) - it can't be done. Windows has always been more of a hassle compatibility-wise than Linux, at least for me - I've always had one piece of hardware fail to work correctly after a fresh Windows install, whereas everything I've tried on the 4 computers I have (except my old ancient laptop which had pointer problems with RedHat 9) has worked with every single Linux flavour I've experimented with.

Software compatibility I will admit is an issue, but it's becoming less of one. OpenOffice is a more than adequate replacement for MS Office unless you're using things like VBA (which security-conscious people should turn off anyway) and can export and import cleanly enough to and from MS Office formats (though it does lack a decent web design package - more on that below). If you really need Windows apps, though, you could always use WINE or, if you want a simpler, more reliable approach, spend £30 or so on Crossover Office - I've got it and it runs everything from MS Office to Dreamweaver to Adobe Photoshop.

Games? Doom 3 is going to be coming out in Linux native format soon, and that means in a year or two all the games based on the Doom 3 engine (which we all know is set to become the standard) will be easily ported to Linux. There's also games like Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory and the Unreal Tournaments (I believe they all have an installer shell script on them) - and if you really want a Windows-only game, you could always try good ol' CrossOver Office or try dedicated gaming package, Cedega (again, the expense is very small).

With the impending Doom 3 native releaseLinux gaming has the power of iD behind it, and that's a company so powerful, nVidia ask them what features they'd like to see in their cards. Linux used to be an incompatible, unfriendly bastard of an OS a few years ago (I remember turning my old machine into a barely-beeping mess with TurboLinux a few years back) but now if it's not already on Linux (as more and more things are) then there is a reasonable alternative or a way to get it going with something like WINE. Plus a penguin's a much cuter mascot than that horrible paperclip thing.

Apologies for the rant, just I'm tired of having to fix friends' and relatives Windows issues because they refuse to switch over to Linux, even though with distros like Mandrake (easier than RedHat - RedHat is extremely odd in places, for no good reason) and utilities like WINE, the transition really is quick and painless - and then the benefits start shining through. I've got a few Linux distro CDs lying around, all I need to get something running is slap it in and watch the installer, then when it's up and running I pop in my CrossOver CD and install that. No hassle, no fuss, no Windows.

I'm an ex-Mac user. I recently converted to PC to get my gaming fix.

Macs I don't like. All that proprietary hardware and that huge price tag... yetch. Plus the Mac crowd does seem to have a nasty artsy elitist streak. (not directed towards you, most Mac users are fine, but Macs do seem to attract the goatee-and-beret brigade more than PCs).

Hmm, tough one.

I use a dual boot Linux SuSe/Windows XP machine. Both systems are extremely stable and are both good at what they do, but I couldn't use one alone. Windows is great for games and handleing graphics, but going on the net with XP is dangerous and I avoid doing it. Linux is far more secure and far more flexible, but getting a decent DVD player for example, is a nightmare. It is far more secure for browsing the web though, as long as you know what you are doing. I've never met a trojan or spyware that can install itself into a linux system. Some software is difficult to implement in Linux though, as you have to jiggle with the Kernel or some other component of your system, so unless you are an experienced computer user, then Linux is too scary.

MacOSX seems to have got round this, using Unix Kernels they've stuck a mac interface on top, which does lots of the trickier things for you. It's Linux for dummies! As an experienced user though, I'll stick with dual boot.

Oh, yeah, and the price! Windows cost the most, but in order to use MacOS you need to buy a Mac, which is more expensive than a PC. Linux is free, or near free depending on the version.

I've not voted because they all have their strengths and weaknesses.

You also havn't distinguished between Windows Me, Windows XP, MacOS9, MacOSX or the various flavours of Linux. Windows Me is much poorer than XP for stability, but better for security. OS9 is a "pure" MacOS, whereas OSX is unix based, giving them quite different characters. Linux is a mongrel race, and even specifying a particular flavour, you can never cover all the possible variants and customisations.

I agree with you 100%. Unfortunatly, there seems to be a Linux OS that seems(gasp) to be STABLE! Check it out at www.xandros.com. If you dare.


Microsoft Pwnz you!
BS
I've used over 12 Linux Types just to have fun with.
They were ALL very stable.

I'm an ex-Mac user.
Thats the first step admitting it. lol you sound like you're in mac users annomonus

Mac OS X - Low priority for applications ...
Linux - Which version to use? and what flipping interface to select?
DOS/Windows 3.1 - Why bother?
Windows 95 - Can't use new hardware
Windows 98/98SE - Good for gaming and still sorta supported. Good for older PCs (like the one I'm using now)
Windows NT - Obselete
Windows 2000 - Not as flash as XP, but not for gamers
Windows XP - My choice, but only on a speccy PC. Not for old PCs.
OS/2 - Does anyone use it?

MAC OSX- Wonderful GUI Very STable,UNIX Based
Windows 3.1: ANyone got a 386 laying around?
Windows 95: Holy crap just go away
Windows 98/SE: reletive junk
Windows NT: Nice and Stable
Windows 2000: less flashy and compatible XP
XP: My OS of choice.
Linux: I use it somtimes but not for day to day stuff.

Like Myrth, none of them, the reasons being:

Windows: Not very stable, insecure and has constant problems.
Mac: not alot of software for it, and a limited amount of games.
Linux: not very newbie freindly.

Most others i havent tried, but Solaris isn't too bad, but i can't tell you much about it

You so realize that alot of liunx programs will run on the OSX. So theres plenty of software for the OSX.

I was just wondering, what is YOUr favorite Operating System? (Having used more than 1 is better because you actually know how the other works so you actually can base what you say on fact).

Windows - Plays games but does nothing for work.
Linux - I can get my work done but doesnt play my games

So, FACT: When I want to play a game and goof off and not get anything done I use windows. When I want to get my work done I use linux.

AMIGA!!!

only problem is that nobody in the us writes stuff for it, but it's a sweet OS.

I'm a die-hard Microsoft Windows fan, especially XP. If you tweak it enough, and know what you're doing, there are no security loopholes or instability. You just have to play, as I have, to create the perfect OS for my personal use. This applies to all OS'.

You just have to play, as I have, to create the perfect OS for my personal use. This applies to all OS'.
exactly

I'm a die-hard Microsoft Windows fan, especially XP. If you tweak it enough, and know what you're doing, there are no security loopholes or instability. You just have to play, as I have, to create the perfect OS for my personal use. This applies to all OS'.

thats kinda the point. If you want linux to be secure you just install it.

Windows XP, I just want a damn OS that's capable with what I want to do and play. I don't care about security features or anything. I got an Anti-Virus program and that's fine with me. Even IF it doesn't protect me from security threats.

Regarding what someone said earlier about different versions of Linux, if anyone here is considering trying Linux, then I suggest you start with Mandrake Linux (http://www.mandrakelinux.com/en-us/) or SuSE (http://www.suse.co.uk/) which are orientated towards first time users.

The poll should really say MacOS instead of Apple, but meh.

I personally enjoy Mac os x because of the ability to compile almost any linux/unix type program on it, and the nice UI. I also use GNU-Darwin and Debian. As Tuesday said, I configure an OS to make it the perfect one.

Sorry i didnt put so many options, i dint know there were so many O_o.

By the way, how can you tell if a computer is dual Os?

It depends.
Windows is good for gaming since a lot of games were written for Windows.
Macs are good for graphics, work etc.
Linux I've never used so I can't say.

/me was described as 'Linux-taliban' already by classmates. I am using SuSE-Linux, which is running stable on my PC and all hardware is working fine with it (well, except my printer, but since it refuses to work with ANY OS, it doesn't count).

IMNSCO:
Windows XP is a slow POS. And it belongs in the kindergarten, not on real computers.

Windows 2000 was slow and insecure.

Windows ME, ewwwww! I'd use it to punish my worst foes!

Mac OS <X had no real multitasking, why bother.

Mac OS X is only a UNIX in flashy new clothes, but since you can get better UNIXes than Mac OS X, don't bother.

FreeBSD is a real OS and would be an alternative - if he could find a CD version of it.

bump

COme on people! The search for the Perfect OS continues! Your input on OS's and why they are good is important to myself and others who may read this! Think of it as a chance to enlighten the NS community. Hip-hip, hooray!

Hmm...I'm using Windows XP. It's rather fast, it's stable, there are no constant problems, and I've got a firewall, adware deleter, and virus scanner keeping things secure. Where are the so-called problems? I don't see any. Plus it's compatable with just about everything, which is nice.

Macs bring to mind school, akward multi-tasking, and lack of compatability with games. Not much else to say.

I don't have any experiance with Linux, so I can't form an opinion on it.

Well, since I havent said my favorite yet, i guess i should now.

Personally, i like Microsoft XP Professional. It is a bit more virus resistant than Home Edition, and for some reason it runs better. The interface is smooth, and it is compatable with nearly 99% of all games. Internet explorer is a little lousy, but all you have to do is download a new browsers, like Mozilla from www.mozilla.com, and your in tip top shape! Having a virus protector works too, and i havent been virused in the last 2 years (well, there WAS a recent Trojan in my computer but Mr. Norton killed it).

Mac is OK. The worst thing about it is that it #1, only works on Macintosh computers and #2, it has almost NO compatability with games.

I personally havent tried Linux yet, but i DO have an old computer lying around the house somewhere, so i may check it out and see if it lives up to the hype.

I use Mac because I am stuck in my ways. My first computers were macs, and my parents had Mac software (so I got free stuff in the age before rampant computer piracy). After a while, I just was too stuck in my ways to change, even when I went out and bought OS X and MSCrap to produce the pieces of printed paper that people seem to be so obsessed with recieving by "deadlines".
Further, I have tried Linux, and it caused my computer to implode.
Well, not really implode, most of the damage was caused by the desk lamp which fell down onto the computer (despite being several feet away) and somehow bounced up and down several times, crushing the machine in on itself until the machine caught fire (an event completely unrelated to the various flammables in my apartment). At this point there was a temporary shift in gravity causing the computyer to fly out a nearby window and into the street. I was very self-satisifed, as anyone would be when the laws of the universe defy themselves for his enjoyment:D
I also used a Commoder once, but that was more to appease my own self-loathing than anything else.
Finally, I have had occassion to use Windows, but I have also had occasion to be in a gay bar. I am not talking about either one, as they were some of my most embarrassing moments in life.

I use Mac because I am stuck in my ways. My first computers were macs, and my parents had Mac software (so I got free stuff in the age before rampant computer piracy). After a while, I just was too stuck in my ways to change, even when I went out and bought OS X and MSCrap to produce the pieces of printed paper that people seem to be so obsessed with recieving by "deadlines".
Further, I have tried Linux, and it caused my computer to implode.
Well, not really implode, most of the damage was caused by the desk lamp which fell down onto the computer (despite being several feet away) and somehow bounced up and down several times, crushing the machine in on itself until the machine caught fire (an event completely unrelated to the various flammables in my apartment). At this point there was a temporary shift in gravity causing the computyer to fly out a nearby window and into the street. I was very self-satisifed, as anyone would be when the laws of the universe defy themselves for his enjoyment:D
I also used a Commoder once, but that was more to appease my own self-loathing than anything else.
Finally, I have had occassion to use Windows, but I have also had occasion to be in a gay bar. I am not talking about either one, as they were some of my most embarrassing moments in life.


Lol... and HOW did Linux cause your lamp to magically destroy your computer? Was the lamp a microsoft fan and hated Linux AND Mac, so it just decided to take the two out at once, even if it killed itself?

its got to be dos :)

bump

Well DOS doesn't take shit :)
I use XP but would rather have OSX. And Yes I game and most of the games I like are on the MAC.
Then theres oh so wonderful linux. with WINE linux will play most windows games. In fact any game based on openGL will boot in linux.

Well DOS doesn't take shit :)
I use XP but would rather have OSX. And Yes I game and most of the games I like are on the MAC.
Then theres oh so wonderful linux. with WINE linux will play most windows games. In fact any game based on openGL will boot in linux.

Then why dont you use Linux? Alot of Linux Flavors are free, unless you want to buy a CD or get super extra packs.

Professionally I use OS/2 WARP 4....I admin 100+ servers running OS/2

Its pretty damn reliable. The only problems I encounter are due more to hardware failures as the kit is quite old. The interface is ok and you can notice the similarities with NT3.51 and NT4. Network wise its also interesting as we run Netbios and not ethernet.

I also have used OS's like DEC VAX and VMS, all sorts of DOS (far too many to mention), WfWG 3.x, NT, Win 9X, Solaris (but as an extreme novice), W2K, XP and Mandrake. All in a professional capacity.

At home I run MS OS's. Ease of use mainly and game compatibility (mainly CIV) and easy to network. However I am getting closer to building my home network consisting of

1 OS/2 machine (if I can get it to run ethernet)
1 BSD machine running as firewall/proxy
1 Mandrake machine
1 Win95 machine
1 Win98 laptop (the machine i am using at the moment)
W2K on the rest ... 3 desktops and another laptop

Now when I get my hands on a AS400.... :)

I'd run virtual LINUX as webservers and host some sites maybe.....

Because most of my games expect for a few are direct X.
And I have Red Hat Linux on my system.

I have a Lindows Live CD.
It's really good for 1st time Linux users. It even explains how to use the command line if you want to. But it will try to keep you away from it as it's very windowsish.

Professionally I use OS/2 WARP 4....I admin 100+ servers running OS/2

Its pretty damn reliable. The only problems I encounter are due more to hardware failures as the kit is quite old. The interface is ok and you can notice the similarities with NT3.51 and NT4. Network wise its also interesting as we run Netbios and not ethernet.

I also have used OS's like DEC VAX and VMS, all sorts of DOS (far too many to mention), WfWG 3.x, NT, Win 9X, Solaris (but as an extreme novice), W2K, XP and Mandrake. All in a professional capacity.

At home I run MS OS's. Ease of use mainly and game compatibility (mainly CIV) and easy to network. However I am getting closer to building my home network consisting of


1 OS/2 machine (if I can get it to run ethernet)
1 BSD machine running as firewall/proxy
1 Mandrake machine
1 Win95 machine
1 Win98 laptop (the machine i am using at the moment)
W2K on the rest ... 3 desktops and another laptop

Now when I get my hands on a AS400.... :)

I'd run virtual LINUX as webservers and host some sites maybe.....


Wow..uh.... thats alot of computers :D. What do you use them all for?

Wow..uh.... thats alot of computers :D. What do you use them all for?

I keep the electricity company in business!

Use them for all sorts....mainly though to keep my troubleshooting skills up to date and to test stuff and the like...music server...that kind of thing...

MS DOS.

It reminds me of when life was simpler.

bumpy-wumpy

MS DOS.

It reminds me of when life was simpler.

Which version??:)

Bumpy-wumpy.

Which version??:)
The one that I had as a child. As far as I remember, the last one before windows.

I voted Linux. It can do all things that Windows can do and its open-source. When I reformat my hard drive, Linux will get the major partition while XP will get a small chunk for a few games and that's all.

Bump

(BTW- if you add a second OS to your computer will it erase everything ont he hard drive or no?)

bump

I use Mac OS X. Microsoft is in general evil and crappy, and I've found that anyone who's unbiasedly compared Mac OS anything and any version of Windows has found the Mac OS to be a godsend compared to the demonspawn of Microsoft.

The only real complaint is that while the Mac does have most good/popular games, it gets them six months later. (Not a big loss personally, since it gives me a chance to find out whether or not the game'll suck and the developers come out with the first couple of patches.)

Bump

(BTW- if you add a second OS to your computer will it erase everything ont he hard drive or no?)

depends on how you do it. You can re-partition your computer in a way to lose all data, but there are also ways to resize a partition so the other OS has enough plaace. If you have 2 partitions or hard disks, it is no problem at all.

/me remembers a time when he had 5 OSes on his PC, just to test 'em.

I use Mac OS X. Microsoft is in general evil and crappy, and I've found that anyone who's unbiasedly compared Mac OS anything and any version of Windows has found the Mac OS to be a godsend compared to the demonspawn of Microsoft.

The only real complaint is that while the Mac does have most good/popular games, it gets them six months later. (Not a big loss personally, since it gives me a chance to find out whether or not the game'll suck and the developers come out with the first couple of patches.)

Im the one that finds Macintosh to be the evil company. Their mouses suck, their programs are... lacking. And Not ALL major games come out on mac. What about FFXI: Online? Anarchy-Online? EvE-online? BAttlefield: Vietnam?

I'm sure someone has already mentioned this, but if so, I'm going to again. It depends on what you're using your computer for. Mac OS's are best for multimedia type stuff, video editing, and that kind of stuff. Windows is best for general use, as it's very easy, and the networking portion of it is actually pretty stable, reliable, and secure. The different types of Linux and Unix I'd say are best overall, even though it's more difficult, because you can get a distro for pretty much whatever you need, and they're highly customizable for the most part.

All in all, I think Linux is best, but Windows (XP) is my favorite.

Im the one that finds Macintosh to be the evil company. Their mouses suck, their programs are... lacking. And Not ALL major games come out on mac. What about FFXI: Online? Anarchy-Online? EvE-online? BAttlefield: Vietnam?
That's why I said "most", not "all". I think most can agree that the Mac's list of major games is considerably shorter than the PC's, but the people who whine that "The Mac isn't compatible with anything!" are pretty clueless.

That's why I said "most", not "all". I think most can agree that the Mac's list of major games is considerably shorter than the PC's, but the people who whine that "The Mac isn't compatible with anything!" are pretty clueless.

But you have to admit their mouses are a little... funky.

bump

But you have to admit their mouses are a little... funky.
Well, it's not like I'm disagreeing. I don't think I've ever used a Microsoft mouse, or at least not regularly.

But you have to admit their mouses are a little... funky.
I hope you realize that ANY USB 3 Click mouse will work with OSX.

I hope you realize that ANY USB 3 Click mouse will work with OSX.

I know. But , if i had just bought a Macintosh computer that came with a mouse, i wouldnt want to go buy another mouse(lets say i didnt have a USB mouse). That may just be because i am cheap but... im sure im not the only one.

I've always perfered a PC mouse over an MAC mouse.
1 button feels kinda stupid.
My mouse was only 30 Dollars :)

I've always perfered a PC mouse over an MAC mouse.
1 button feels kinda stupid.
My mouse was only 30 Dollars :)

i know, but thats 30 dollars i could have used to buy a video game (and good ones are few and far between on MAC. I did a check, and like none of my favorite games are on MAC).

I've always perfered a PC mouse over an MAC mouse.
1 button feels kinda stupid.
My mouse was only 30 Dollars :)
Well, if we're comparing the Apple mouse to a multibutton scroll wheel mouse, then the Apple mouse is beaten in every regard except appearance. I went and got a five-button scroll wheel Kensington for only thirty dollars, since one button is pretty bad for gaming. (except my scroll wheel is half broken now.)

Well, if we're comparing the Apple mouse to a multibutton scroll wheel mouse, then the Apple mouse is beaten in every regard except appearance. I went and got a five-button scroll wheel Kensington for only thirty dollars, since one button is pretty bad for gaming. (except my scroll wheel is half broken now.)

lol same here. I think i may have pressed the button a LITTLE too hard when i was trying to scroll for my RPG-7 so i could blow up that american tank in Battlefield:Vietnam.

Heh I've had the same MicroSoft "Blue"( what a stupid name ) mouse for 2 years and I smash the buttons all the time and it still works prefectly.

Heh I've had the same MicroSoft "Blue"( what a stupid name ) mouse for 2 years and I smash the buttons all the time and it still works prefectly.

lol

Bumporz.

Back onto the Linux debate, has anyone else found the 'newbie' distros more difficult than regular ones? I've used Red Hat, Mandrake and Debian, and Debian is supposed to be the techy distribution for Linux gurus, and the other two are supposed to be newbie distros for the Windows transition users;

My first Linux was RedHat, and I found I didn't like the GNOME interface (yes I know you can install KDE from the packages list now, but I didn't at the time) and I also found there were a lot of things I didn't like about it. It found inifinite ways to get on my nerves, a lot of them down to GNOME but also a lot to do with the RPM install system that is pure evil. I didn't like it, back to Windows.

Next I tried Debian, and fell in love. apt-get is a real stroke of genius, and KDE is a superb window manager (though I also use IceWM sometimes - I just can't get used to Fluxbox, I think it's the lack of a taskbar - every GUI I've used apart from Fluxbox has had a taskbar and I guess I'm just used to seeing it). The only problem I have with it is the Debian servers (which apt-get uses) are notoriously technophobic - the Firefox version it dishes out is outdated, and I'd prefer it if it dished out the latest versions of things.

Yesterday I tried Mandrake for the first time, I'm looking for an OS that I can give to my mother (I'm sick of having to fix the Windows problems) and Mandrake was supposed to be the easiest one, and what's more, it had KDE! Yes, I thought, the answer to my prayers. Not. It doesn't have LinNeighborhood (an incredibly easy directory sharing configuration app) installed by default and Samba needs to be installed from the CD. It also wont let you run as root, which I like to do when I've got a lot of things to configure, as doing the 'su' command and entering the password between every one gets tiresome. It just seemed harder to do things in Mandrake than it was in Debian. I'm no Linux guru, I actually find Debian's way of doing things easier than Mandrake's.

So is Mandrake actually annoying for everyone, or have I gone round the Debian learning curve faster than I expected, and now find a less technical distribution restrictive? All I know is Mandrake was the first Linux I've used where I've actually thought 'Windows is better' (but at least it's RPM handling is sensible - but it's nothing on apt-get).

So is Mandrake actually annoying for everyone, or have I gone round the Debian learning curve faster than I expected, and now find a less technical distribution restrictive? All I know is Mandrake was the first Linux I've used where I've actually thought 'Windows is better' (but at least it's RPM handling is sensible - but it's nothing on apt-get).

hmm Well I ise Mandrake 10 with KDE (surprise! LOL) ....no major netoworking....just net access.

One thing I find annoying is that Moz is a pain as you have to config it for text size...otherwise I have no big issues....have yet to do any gaming though

well os/2 warp 4 has to be my top OS, i've used dos, linux and lord knows how many versions of windows and it is still the most stable OS i have used.
It's main problem is that IBM doesn't really support it as much as it used to so it wont run as well with more recent systems but its still good for games and doing my work on.
The final good version of windows was probably 3.1, after that it just went down hill and i hate having to use it, it's unreliable, pathetic security, crashes every 5 minutes and gives you no real control over the system, i hate the fact that it tries to run everything for me.
PC-DOS was good and i'd choose it over windows. It's main weakness is that a lot of the more recent systems again dont like it as much.
Overall
OS/2 - Yes
PC-DOS (not this MS-DOS stuff) - Yes
Windows - Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
linux - better than Windows

Bumporz wumporz mcorz.

Back onto the Linux debate, has anyone else found the 'newbie' distros more difficult than regular ones? I've used Red Hat, Mandrake and Debian, and Debian is supposed to be the techy distribution for Linux gurus, and the other two are supposed to be newbie distros for the Windows transition users;

My first Linux was RedHat, and I found I didn't like the GNOME interface (yes I know you can install KDE from the packages list now, but I didn't at the time) and I also found there were a lot of things I didn't like about it. It found inifinite ways to get on my nerves, a lot of them down to GNOME but also a lot to do with the RPM install system that is pure evil. I didn't like it, back to Windows.

Next I tried Debian, and fell in love. apt-get is a real stroke of genius, and KDE is a superb window manager (though I also use IceWM sometimes - I just can't get used to Fluxbox, I think it's the lack of a taskbar - every GUI I've used apart from Fluxbox has had a taskbar and I guess I'm just used to seeing it). The only problem I have with it is the Debian servers (which apt-get uses) are notoriously technophobic - the Firefox version it dishes out is outdated, and I'd prefer it if it dished out the latest versions of things.

Yesterday I tried Mandrake for the first time, I'm looking for an OS that I can give to my mother (I'm sick of having to fix the Windows problems) and Mandrake was supposed to be the easiest one, and what's more, it had KDE! Yes, I thought, the answer to my prayers. Not. It doesn't have LinNeighborhood (an incredibly easy directory sharing configuration app) installed by default and Samba needs to be installed from the CD. It also wont let you run as root, which I like to do when I've got a lot of things to configure, as doing the 'su' command and entering the password between every one gets tiresome. It just seemed harder to do things in Mandrake than it was in Debian. I'm no Linux guru, I actually find Debian's way of doing things easier than Mandrake's.

So is Mandrake actually annoying for everyone, or have I gone round the Debian learning curve faster than I expected, and now find a less technical distribution restrictive? All I know is Mandrake was the first Linux I've used where I've actually thought 'Windows is better' (but at least it's RPM handling is sensible - but it's nothing on apt-get).

Give her Linspire.
It is actually more idiot proof than windows. And based on Debian so it's nice and stable.

I'm a Microsoft whore. And proud of it. :D

I'm a Microsoft whore. And proud of it. :D
I'm a Mac addict and proud of it. Aristocracy makes the difference.

I'm a Microsoft whore. And proud of it. :D

*sees Bill Gates behind Universalist Totality*

Bill Gates: Bend over. It's time for your product activation, bitch.

BSD ... (specifficaly Free BSD)
:)

so "other" LOL

Bump


"All hail Bill Gates, Emperor of the Cosmos and founder of the Microsoft empire!"

Linux is just too darn hard to get to work.

I hate XP but I'm too lazy to reformat and back up everything....

bump

I gots a question...


Whats the best LiveCD Linux, since i dun wanna erase windows and i just wanna give Linux a shot.

I like FreeBSD, and my OS(I coded it)

I use mostly Windows XP because of the games. When used on a regular computer for regular stuff and with some sensible precautions, it's an ok OS. Not amazing but OK. The problems start when you want to do something more than an Excel spreadsheet or play. Although the current Windows is much more stable than previous versions, it still has a lot of problems (it has crashed on me just trying to open an internet connection, with nothing running in the background).

I have dabbled with Linux, but don't really have any need to use it day to day. Possibly when I have two or three more computers that I want to network and build some kind of server to access my email and files from anywhere, or send commands from work to my home PCs via email.

Mac, I just can't get myself to see as a "serious" OS, although the applications kick ass.

But my favorite OS of all time, hands down, has to be Amiga. Especially version 3.1. A beautifully simple, compact, modular, highly customizable, true multitasking, OS that you could do almost everything with. It's too bad that development all but came to a halt in the early nineties because it was years ahead of any other system. It's still quite something by today's standards.

Working in an IT department for a couple of years has inspired in me a rabid hatred of all things Microsoft. I was hired as a token Mac guy, and wound up having to deal with incessant Windows (mostly XP Pro) problems, which made up 99% of the calls, in an area in which the Mac:PC ratio is almost 1:1. The occasional time when I got a Mac-related call, it was usually either someone making a dumb mistake or someone unfamiliar with the OS asking for help. I also had to work for weeks straight cleaning a single virus off of hundreds of Windows boxes, while not even pretending to own a speck of protection software on my own machine.

Like I said above, I use Mac (OSX; I found OS9 to be lacking, as did most of the Mac community). I'm not much of a gamer, so that issue has no effect upon me (although anyone who thinks there aren't good games out for Mac are just looking at the wrong companies). It is, like some people have said, down to what you use your computer for. I do tons of graphic, sound, and other multimedia work, so a Mac is about the only thing that really works for me. I have, on occasion, tried a couple flavors of Linux, and would take it in a heartbeat over Windows.

Solaris! :p

Solaris! :p

:O can you please tell me why?

Well, I ticked "other", so I'd better say something.

Windows is horrible. It does so many things automatically that are unwanted and difficult if not impossible to turn off. I'm not an OS techie, so I can't tell whether it's as full of bugs as Weird or Eggshell, but even if it has only a quarter the bugs of Weird it's a menace to civilisation. :headbang:

I have no experience with Mac OS, so can't comment.

Linux, well, I tried to install Suse linux on one of my PCs, and it always crashed. So I gave up on that. :(

Dos? Ha, ha, ha. The old jokes are the best, aren't they. :p

Solaris? I administer a Solaris box at work, and although it's horribly bloated and a bit of a pain (especially when someone else set up the box in the first place) but it does its job. If I ever buy myself a new home computer, it'll probably be a SunBlade, anyway. :)

But just to muddy the waters a bit, I'll go for AIX. We had an RS/6000 at work before we got the Sun, and I now have it at home. Alas AIX seems to be a bit bloated - I need to upgrade to a bigger hard drive before I can install AIX6, so I'm rather stuck with AIX3. Still, it was a pleasure to administer and it always did everything I needed, despite the person who set it up having left years ago.

So AIX it is :cool:

[edited because I have AIX3, not 4. And IBM Info Explorer is the weirdest browser ever.]

bumpz!

I dont like the badly designed Macintosh GUI.I loved the Macintosh GUI, using it as a novice. It's what they did in OS X that's bletcherous.

In my mind, there isn't really a quesiton. Linux is by far my favorite. Anyone who bothers to learn enough to use it over Windows and Apple will know this. Although I do use Windows to play games...but that's just becuase there aren't versions out for Linux yet. Also, why'd you include DOS? No one uses it anymore excpet for a few programmers.

Isis OS(I coded it)

Anything running the Mach

Bottom line— People who say the Mac has no games/apps/mice are as stupid as people who say Windows crashes all the time/is evil are as stupid as people who say Linux doesn't work with anything/is hard to use.

Really, it breaks down to Linux is cheap, Windows is popular, and OS X is cool. Those are the only real issues.

The Mach mirco kernel is cooler.

I'm a kernel hacker, I should know.

Bottom line— People who say the Mac has no games/apps/mice are as stupid as people who say Windows crashes all the time/is evil are as stupid as people who say Linux doesn't work with anything/is hard to use.

Really, it breaks down to Linux is cheap, Windows is popular, and OS X is cool. Those are the only real issues.
Nooo...Windows sucks, Mac is better, and Linux is by a long shot superior to both, just a little harder to use if you don't know how to.

Nooo...Windows sucks, Mac is better, and Linux is by a long shot superior to both, just a little harder to use if you don't know how to.

That's your opinion. It just means you value cheapness over popularity or style ^_^ (J/k, mostly)

God damnit

Why don't you people code your own? I did

God damnit

Why don't you people code your own? I did

I dont know hao!