NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm getting a laptop very soon, and I'm planning on installing a Linux distro (PCLinuxOS, if you're interested), but what system do you run?

I run Vista on my machine, and I actually haven't had any problems with it.

My laptop is Vista, my PC is XP.

I run Vista on my machine, and I actually haven't had any problems with it.

Unless you got it when it first was released, that isnt suprising. Vista got fixed pretty quick.

It still can be quirky, but what OS isnt?

Geek! :p

*wishes he had linux geek credentials too*

*remembers the good old times with MS-DOS*

Geek! :p

*wishes he had linux geek credentials too*

*remembers the good old times with MS-DOS*

I knew I was a Linux geek when I couldn't get the thought "sudo apt-get" out of my head when I was trying to get some sleep:tongue:

My laptop is Vista, my PC is XP.



Unless you got it when it first was released, that isnt suprising. Vista got fixed pretty quick.

It still can be quirky, but what OS isnt?

There's also the fact that I have the 2GB of RAM needed for Vista, and that it was the first and only OS of my machine also helps. I didn't upgrade from XP.

Dual boot with Ubuntu and a stripped-down XP.

Dual boot with Ubuntu and a stripped-down XP.

Out of curiosity, how often do you actual run XP or vice-versa, and why?

Out of curiosity, how often do you actual run XP or vice-versa, and why?
Since I installed Ubuntu two months ago, I have only booted XP once. I've found solutions/workarounds for all my 'OMG I don't have Windows!!' problems.

Even my external soundcard, which I was most worried about, worked perfectly upon install.

Saying that, I have only really been using my machine for surfing, word-processing and watching/listening to media.

Since I installed Ubuntu two months ago, I have only booted XP once. I've found solutions/workarounds for all my 'OMG I don't have Windows!!' problems.

Even my external soundcard, which I was most worried about, worked perfectly upon install.

Saying that, I have only really been using my machine for surfing, word-processing and watching/listening to media.

To be fair, that's pretty much all most people use their computer for.

And most Linux OSs seem to have fair support, except for hardware that companies refuse to give out driver details for. I'm looking at you nVidia.

To be fair, that's pretty much all most people use their computer for.
Well, I haven't tried to run any games, high-end graphics software, etc., on it yet, though I've heard people say they can run demanding games via WINE or suchlike.

And most Linux OSs seem to have fair support, except for hardware that companies refuse to give out driver details for. I'm looking at you nVidia.
Aye, sorting out my nVidia graphics card took a couple of hours work.

But it's fine now.

Yeah, games through WINE work pretty well. Not as well as I would have liked however, especially the fullscreen ones.

Yeah, games through WINE work pretty well. Not as well as I would have liked however, especially the fullscreen ones.

Age of Empires II by any chance? Wait, there's a list for this somewhere, isn't there?

Pretty much any Windows program will work, on the list or off. Some work better then others however. AEII has worked well in my experience.

My main OS is Ubuntu, and I run Windows XP in a virtual environment.

The hell, why split Linux into distributions?

I run Vista on my machine, and I actually haven't had any problems with it.

Is vista worth getting? All I hear about is that it is really glitchy, and I already have XP...

The hell, why split Linux into distributions?

Linux itself is only a kernel. It provides the basic structure for the OS. When people bundle that kernel with other applications, then it becomes a distribution. Different distributions are better at different things.

I run XP in both my desktop and laptop, but I've toyed with the idea of running some form of Linux at some point (probably a dual boot setup with my laptop).

Linux itself is only a kernel. It provides the basic structure for the OS. When people bundle that kernel with other applications, then it becomes a distribution. Different distributions are better at different things.

Saying it's just the kernel is pendantic, at this point "Linux" is commonly known as the whole kernel/user software, I don't care what Stallman says. And the basic user software tends to be the same also among distributions, it doesn't vary that much, with a few exceptions. Not to mention the fact you can usually install everything else from repositories.

Xp.

Vista. No problems.. At least yet. One of the best things in it is Media Center. Streamlines listening music.

The hell, why split Linux into distributions?
So that it seems lower on the poll?


Linux itself is only a kernel. It provides the basic structure for the OS. When people bundle that kernel with other applications, then it becomes a distribution.
So does Windows. Ever seen (pirate-made) DVDs which install a customized WinXP with new drivers packages, a lot of deep tweaks, and a hundred programs for common functionality, from antivirus to photo editing, all in one go?

The hell, why split Linux into distributions?

Because there are reasonably major technical differences and philosophical differences between distributions.

I would have gone for:

Linux (Ubuntu)
Linux (Debian/Debian Derived)
Linux (Red Hat/RPM Based)
Linux (Other)

Or something like that, though.

As for me, both my boxen are running a rather stripped down Debian, although one of them will probably be having a look at Puppy or Zenwalk or something when I get back home.

Windows NT, aka Win 3.11.

Vista, baby

Vista, baby

What are you doing up, isn't 12 past your bedtime, and past your ruining my bragging rights time?:mad:

Xp.

Windows XP sp3

One of my geek friends persuaded me to install Ubuntu on the computer I use at university. Took a while to get used to it, but now I'm back at home using XP on my home computer (supposedly higher spec) using Windows feels like trying to wade through treacle while being run over by a tank.

One of my geek friends persuaded me to install Ubuntu on the computer I use at university. Took a while to get used to it, but now I'm back at home using XP on my home computer (supposedly higher spec) using Windows feels like trying to wade through treacle while being run over by a tank.

Eh. Windows might not be flashy, but it's got moxie. And it runs Netscape. Can't beat Windows. :)

One of my geek friends persuaded me to install Ubuntu on the computer I use at university. Took a while to get used to it, but now I'm back at home using XP on my home computer (supposedly higher spec) using Windows feels like trying to wade through treacle while being run over by a tank.

It is written that Linux runs in 512MB like XP runs in 1GB and Vista runs in 2GB.

And if you think Ubuntu feels snappy in comparison to XP, you should try one of the really lightweight and fast systems instead of Gnome --- something like aewm, WindowMaker, or Enlightenment. I live in StumpWM, and find using Gnome/KDE/etc to be horrendously sluggish.

What are you doing up, isn't 12 past your bedtime, and past your ruining my bragging rights time?:mad:

Not past my bedtime, I arrived home from work about an hour ago after doing an eight hour shift in mad house conditions.

Not past my bedtime, I arrived home from work about an hour ago after doing an eight hour shift in mad house conditions.

Sounds like it involved pushing laws through parliment with undue speed.

Goodbye workers rights. ;)

Vista. It came with the laptop and all the laptop's special features are integrated with it, so I wasn't going to change it (even though I was tempted at first). Surprisingly, I haven't had any problems with it at all, and I've gotten used to it, to the point where I will not use XP now if I had the choice.

XP ... planning to using Vista once I get hold a cheap retail version.

Vista. It came with the laptop and all the laptop's special features are integrated with it, so I wasn't going to change it (even though I was tempted at first). Surprisingly, I haven't had any problems with it at all, and I've gotten used to it, to the point where I will not use XP now if I had the choice.

What about Windows 7?

What about Windows 7?

What about it? It's still a while away, and I won't have all the HP goodies they have bundled with my Vista, support for the remote control, etc. etc.

I run 2 Linux boxes at home (a p4 Desktop and a centrino Laptop) and Mac OS X on a C2D mini mac at work. Both do what I need them to - I like the mac better but It's also a much faster machine than either of the Linux boxen.

I'm currently considering byuing a new system to replace my laptop and I am having a hard time deciding between a Thinkpad running Linux and a new Macbook running OSX.

Do you guys realize how hard it is to get this to display in DOS?
A little appreciation would be nice.

What about it? It's still a while away, and I won't have all the HP goodies they have bundled with my Vista, support for the remote control, etc. etc.

I'm sure these all will be compatible, and you'll be able to download them off the HP website. Though, I don't condone Windows at all. ;)

Do you guys realize how hard it is to get this to display in DOS?
A little appreciation would be nice.

Actually, surfing in Lynx, a text based browser, it's damn fast. Though I'm actually using opera. Lynx is fast!

I don't run XP. XP runs me.

My own computer runs a custom version of Xandros, but I've been considering a different distro, if I ever get around to switching. I've got XP on my work computer, and when I get around to building my gaming computer, I'll pretty much have to throw Windows on there, but I'll still dual boot with some GNU/Linux distribution, not sure which.

I don't run XP. XP runs me.

Where are you living? Soviet Russia?

My own computer runs a custom version of Xandros, but I've been considering a different distro, if I ever get around to switching. I've got XP on my work computer, and when I get around to building my gaming computer, I'll pretty much have to throw Windows on there, but I'll still dual boot with some GNU/Linux distribution, not sure which.

Asus Eee?

I'm getting a laptop very soon, and I'm planning on installing a Linux distro (PCLinuxOS, if you're interested), but what system do you run?

why no ubuntu on the poll? had to vote for debian

i manage about... *counts*... 15 PCs at work and a couple more at home. most are running XP, some Vista, and a couple are on Ubuntu for fun. the dedicated server we have is also Ubuntu, though it could have been CentOS or Red Hat. shared servers are either Windows Server 2000-and-something, or Red Hat

this laptop, which is actually mine, is on Vista though

i have tried other distros of linux, including some of the really tiny ones on USB stick, etc, but ubuntu seemed the easiest to move over to for a lifelong Windows-boy

Currently running OS X, for Mac.

I run Ubuntu (which I hear is a Debian derivative) and Windows Vista. I run Vista when I want to have fun. I run Ubuntu when I have to do homework.

I freaking hate vista...for those of you who are thinking about upgrading, don't. It's a waste of money for a bunch of bugs and pointless features. All of the important stuff is already found on XP anyway.

I freaking hate vista...for those of you who are thinking about upgrading, don't. It's a waste of money for a bunch of bugs and pointless features. All of the important stuff is already found on XP anyway.
I have found Vista to be okay. It does what I want it to.

Because there are reasonably major technical differences and philosophical differences between distributions.

I would have gone for:

Linux (Ubuntu)
Linux (Debian/Debian Derived)
Linux (Red Hat/RPM Based)
Linux (Other)

Or something like that, though.

As for me, both my boxen are running a rather stripped down Debian, although one of them will probably be having a look at Puppy or Zenwalk or something when I get back home.

Nonsense about the technical. And it seems pointless to categorize philosophy of an OS, that's opinion.

Btw, I'm surprised there was finally a sp3 for xp. Sure was kept hush-hush, wonder why? :)

Asus Eee?

Yep. The 901, to be specific.

I never really understood why people subject themselves to Linux. It's terrible. It really is. You're either sadomasochists or idiots. I can't decide which.

Dos

I've used XP for a long time, and am currently running a stripped down and customized version of XP Pro x64. I have Ubuntu installed on my laptop.

XP. I'm not considering a new computer until post-Vista.

We used to have windows 98 on our oldest computer, and then in 2004 we bought a compy with XP. When I started uni this year I got a laptop with vista on it, I was so skeptical about vista at first but now I love it! I can't even go back to anything else now. :)

Well, I have 3 different computers, I regularly use: my craptop uses damn small Linux, my Aspire One uses Xubuntu Linux and my desktop uses Gentoo Linux. Do I need to say that I dislike that OS from Redmond? ;)

Running Kubuntu, but I dual-boot XP. Only use XP for gaming though.

I run XP, but am one of the minority that wishes to have Windows Vista.

Currently running OS X, for Mac.

As am I, 10.4 to be precise.

I run Vista on my machine, and I actually haven't had any problems with it.

I run Vista Home Premium on my laptop, and it regularily loses the DHCP lease, so I have to reset. Damn Vista! :( I've almost completed the collection of XP drivers for the laptop, so I'll be switching right back to a dual boot XP Pro / Debian+Wine.
My home PC runs Win2k Pro SP3 and it works perfectly.
My office PC runs WinXP Pro SP2 and it works perfectly.

I'm happy with XP. I'll upgrade my OS when I get a new computer. I'm planning on building a new system a year or so from now, and will probably run dual-OS with a Linux distro and either Vista or (if it's out yet) 7.

XP runs all the games I play without having to tweak anything. Vista users I know have complained about massive compatibility issues with any games made before Vista was released. Even Microsoft games like Halo: Combat Evolved.

*edit* my newest toy is an old Tandy. I wanna see what it can do!

XP FTW (still)! I'll get vista eventually, but it's still a bit buggy.

Nonsense about the technical. And it seems pointless to categorize philosophy of an OS, that's opinion.

Why? Look at the difference between a Gentoo system, a Debian system, and a RHEL system.

RHEL is trying to be stable, well supported, and commercially viable. They have a packaging system, repositories, well tested software of any flavour, excellent support, etc.

Debian is first and foremost free software, with stability and power after that. So it's well bug tested, excellent community, very powerful packaging system and well managed repositories, but they will refuse to include commercial software, etc.

Gentoo is bleeding edge, very configurable, and correspondingly unstable. They have a third philosophy, a system for distributing source code instead of prebuilt packages, etc.

The three systems are very different. And while one can theoretically have them all behaving the same way to an end user, their usage, administration, and strength, are all quite distinct. As a result, it makes sense to differentiate between the different flavours.

Yep. The 901, to be specific.

Nifty. I have a 701, now running Debian. Can't be happier with it.

I never really understood why people subject themselves to Linux. It's terrible. It really is. You're either sadomasochists or idiots. I can't decide which.

Hah. Tried to run a secure webserver on Windows lately? For what I do with a computer, Linux offers me more power, more flexibility, and more security. If you find the way Windows is set up naturally matches your workflow, more power to you, and you'll find Windows effective. If you have a text based brain like mine, and do not work well with the Windows style, then Linux offers you many more options to make your system into an extension of yourself. That is why I use it: its tweakability. I can change the behavior of my Linux system in ways that a Windows user cannot even comprehend.

XP

Not had many problems, and when I do they're usually brought on myself due to my clueless mashing of the keyboard.

In Soviet Russia, your OS runs YOU!