Which OS do you use, and why?

[Occulus]

Poll question: Which OS do you use, and why?

Please, don't flame war over the topic, but please DO give reasons- REAL reasons, not just snark- as to why you use one, rather than another.

[Occulus]

1. I use both win and lin

I'm a gamer. Most games today aren't sold with linux binaries. That alone forces me to use Windows.

[Poll_Blind]

2. I use VMWare and Virtual Server 2005....

Which allow me to run *nix under Windows and Windows under *nix.

PB

[Occulus]

3. Will VMWare run in Windows 64bit? n/t

[Poll_Blind]

5. No idea, none of my rigs are 64-bit yet. n/t

PB

[Poll_Blind]

4. Live CD's: For those who don't want to reformat to taste *nix...

Check out these "Live" CD distros. You download them, burn them to CD then boot from them. They don't need to write anything to your HD to run- they operate entirely in ram using ram drives.

Please, check out this page, one of many. Or search "live" and "distro" in Google.

Cheers!

PB

[stepnw1f]

6. I Use Both But Prefer OSX

I won't use windows unless I have to.

[Kali]

7. Windows - because - other

Not that computer-savy and don't know anything else. Slightly afraid of change as well. It is what came on our first computer and I am used to it (same reason I have hesitated so long to try another browser)

[Occulus]

11. You should check out post #4.

Live CDs are the shiznit for those (such as yourself) who might be curious but don't want to actually change anything.

[Kali]

18. MAYBE - but you are talking to someone who is self-impressed

that I even knew what OS was when I clicked on the subject...(or that I even clicked on the subject!)

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

8. Largest variety of games available for Windows. That's why. I'll probably

consider building a Linux machine for web browsing only though.

[mike_c]

9. I use Windows and Linux....

Most of my computers are dual boot machines. I use Windows because I use a few apps frequently that are not available on Linux and because Windows XP is stable enough that I no longer have regular screaming sessions at my keyboard. I'm presently booting into Windows more frequently than Linux.

I use Linux for most coding work-- it's a FAR superior platform for program development IMO, and most of the work that I do ports directly back to Windows if necessary. The open source development tools are just so much nicer on the Linux side. I also run Linux exclusively on my music server.

The amount of time I spend using a given OS depends on the balance of tasks that I'm performing. Lately I've not been coding much, so I spend less time on Linux and more on Windows where the CG apps I'm using reside.

With Cygwin and Win4Lin (etc) available and quite functional, the line between Linux and Windows is beginning to blur a bit, too.

[lakeguy]

10. windows xp since i have a relatively new laptop and drivers

are a problem with other systems. maybe i will switch to linux shortly. then i will buy a mac after this laptop is passed down.

[mike_c]

14. use poll_blind's suggestion and try a live distro in your laptop....

If it runs with full functionality, then you can do an install without losing anything. That's a fairly conservative approach that avoids much in the way of major tinkering. Be especially vigilent about your wireless networking.

[lonehalf]

12. Software

Largest amount of S/W.

Just go to a big-box electronics store and count the number of titles for each OS.

[mike_c]

16. yeah but then go to SourceForge and count the titles....

You'll find just the opposite relationship in the open source community, at least for Linux.

[longship]

38. Linux software is free.

So you won't see it on the store shelves.

If you just counting, I think you'll find that Linux has more software available than Windows. But it's different stuff, so a mere count doesn't tell the whole story.

If you want to play games, you're probably going to have to run Windows. There are key applications which run only on Windows.

If you're afraid of Linux a good alternative to Windows is OS X. It has a Unix core (BSD) and is exceptionally stable. There is good amount of software which works out-of-the-box.

If you're doing Internet stuff, Linux is absolutely tops. It's faster. It's much, much more secure. It's rock stable.

[CornField]

13. Was torn between the last two choices

I use a combination of operating systems both because I have to and because I want to (clients use this or that... I want to use this or that software/play certain games). Each one has it own perks and problems.

[starstuff]

15. XP, OS X, LINUX, FreeBSD, SOLARIS

XP and SOLAIRS because I have to (work)
LINUX & FreeBSD for web servers
OS X as my workstation because i like it best =)

[high density]

17. I use Windows XP Pro mostly, but have Linux machine as well

Mostly I'm running Windows XP for games and because it does everything I need it to do. It's a rather stable operating system, and the license was free since I was a computer science student at the time when I got it. I also have a lot of fun programming in C# with the .NET Framework, so this is obviously the best platform to do that on.

In addition I have a Suse Linux 9.2 machine that records TV programs with MythTV and in its spare time (99%) does Folding@Home. It also works as a fileserver and I task it to make DVDs every once and a while when the need arises. Avidemux works great on Linux for compressing video and audio to DVD-compatible streams. At first I just built this box to have fun/experiment with Linux, but after sticking a couple of TV capture cards in it and installing MythTV, it really does have a good purpose. The best part is that it doesn't have a monthly subscription fee like a TiVo.

At work we're a 100% Windows shop given that all of the software we use or resell runs on Windows.

[lpbk2713]

19. I use Win XP Pro basically cause I'm lazy.

I don't want to go to the trouble of setting up a *nix machine.

[longship]

20. All Linux, all the time.

Linux is freedom. I host my own e-mail. Web server, Domain Name, and other services. The only thing I pay for is connection and bandwidth. Running five machines 24/7, I can attest to Linux's rock-like stability. No blue screens of death for me.

Over a decade with Linux-only.

[high density]

22. BSOD? Are you talking about Win98 and earlier?

I've had three blue screens of death in three years of running Windows XP, and all three of those could be traced to a faulty IDE controller that I was using. Linux undoubtably would have been "oops"ing on that too.

I have no problems with Linux, and as you say it's a lot "freer" than Windows, but your perception of Windows after not using it for 10 years is probably off.

[longship]

37. You've had three more BSODs than I've had.

Linux is rock stable. No hang-ups. No BSODs--or the Linux equivalent, whatever that might be.

Sure, WinXP is more stable than the older stuff. But it still has a way to go to meet Linux stability.

Also, Windows has spyware, viruses, and all sorts of other insecurities. And the security software is worse than the spyware, with their memory hogging, CPU robbing, "Keep your computer secure" resident-ware, complete with nagware pop-ups. I don't need any of that shit in Linux.

My opinion is that Windows just plain sucks. The only thing it's good for is playing games.

[5X]

21. Manual typewriter wired to black and white tv running basic. n/t

[SnohoDem]

23. Lots...

XP Pro, XP Home, Win 2K, RH 9.0, Ubuntu 5.10, CentOS 4.3, embedded Linux, eCOS, CMX, RTX, embedded MSDOS (DataLight), and sometimes no OS at all (I write firmware).

I'm pretty agnostic about OSes but I like the philosophy behind Linux/bsd/gnu etc.

[onehandle]

24. Mac OSX 99.9% of the time.

Because it's the best and Apple is much less GOP friendly than Microsoft and its hardware manufactures.

Windows now and then to check cross-platform compatibility for web and video files.

[FogerRox]

25. I bought a panasonic note book used from Panasonic for 75$

Running Win 2000. I share an I-mac, G-5.

[ContraBass Black]

26. Windows, for development, gaming, connectivity, and flexibility.

As for security and stability, being careful has prevented any problems.

[BlooInBloo]

33. What CBB said.

[Orsino]

27. Work requires me to use Unix and Windows XP.

I ran Red Hat and later SuSE Linux primarily on my home computer, dual-booting with a nice, cheap OEM copy of Win2k. I haven't used my Linux much in the past year, though.

[Feron]

28. Linux

I dual boot with Windows ,but I don't count it really because I so rarely use it.

Linux ,for me at least, is easier to use and less frustrating to use than Windows. I'm not a programmer or uber geek either.

If I don't want a pre-installed program, it goes in the bin. Unlike Windows, I don't have to use a registry hack or third-party program to get rid of it.

And if I need a program, 95% of the time I can use my distro's package manager to download and install it for me just by typing in a single command.

As for my desktop, I can trick out KDE without downloading a thing. Instead of being saddled with two or three themes, I can customize my desktop exactly how I please. And if that isn't enough, I can download Superkaramba for free and/or download additional themes off of the Internet.

And with DRM on the horizon, I won't be going back to Windows.

[Deja Q]

29. Just wait until no-desktops.

Predominantly Linux; I do use Windows for only a couple applications.

Understanding how things work rather than merely being told what I ought to like by some salesman, I know... I know that Linux is superior for many a reason.

But it's a moot point. Look at corporate America and technology. It's all being moved toward centralization. Virtualization. Thin Clients. No support. No jobs. Contracting. Offshoring. In one of many fields. Until America itself can be discarded, as it is no longer "financially viable".

That is the harsh reality that awaits.

[951-Riverside]

30. I use Windows but I will move to linux once it becomes more user friendly

[longship]

41. Linux is exceptionally user friendly.

Like others have said, Windows users should try out a KDE-based Live Linux CD. KDE has the same basic look-and-feel as your Windows desktop so there should be no culture shock with the switch.

But the key here is installation. How many people have ever installed an OS on a computer? Whether it is Windows, OS X, Linux, BSD, or anything else, it is not a trivial matter getting an OS working on some arbitrary hardware. I have as much trouble with Windows installs as Linux in this regard. If Linux were available already installed on computers people would be whistling another tune.

[951-Riverside]

46. I installed linux before, it was vey easy but....

If I want to install programs on it I have to type commands like apt-get or /make /install /config, if linux offered a simple program install/uninstall system I would be pleased as punch. :D

[joefree1]

31. I use OSX/Mac because I'm an artist/designer

Best word for Mac is elegant. It's intuitive, stylish, and pretty. Also most of the creative and entertainment industry are on Macs. So what I see on my screen other designers, art directors, and artist will see the same thing on their screen.

And watching the return of Mac and Steve Jobs has been a joy to behold.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

32. I use windows because I'm familiar with it and too lazy to bother

learning how to use another system. And, it seems to do pretty much what I expect an OS to do.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

34. I started out as a MacUser and had to switch to Windows for biz

reasons. I also had Window laptops for the same reason but decided, when I had a problem with my last laptop to get an IBook instead and I love having my feet back in the Mac World!

[lectrobyte]

35. a variety, mostly Windows, some Linux

[bemildred]

36. FreeBSD, Windoze98, sometimes Linux. nt

[Mr_Spock]

39. Tech-pro - must use windows for work

Use it at home too as many other software tools I use are windows only.

[Madrone]

40. Windows - XP Home, Pro, and MCE ; MacOSX ; FreeBSD

Haven't used Linux in years. Will likely be giving Ubuntu a go of it in the near-ish future. Just got a Mac. LOVE it. Very similar to FreeBSD.

All in all -

New desktop as of a week ago - Windows XP MCE (so far no dual boot)

Other desktop - XP Home

Tosh laptop - XP Home / FreeBSD dual boot

MacBook Pro

Work desktop - XP Pro

Work Servers - FreeBSD

Work Server we never used beyond the install - Win Server 2k3

Edited to add - Windows mostly because I need to know it for support, but also because I want to - I guess. ;) OSX because I want to! FreeBSD because I need and want to.

[porphyrian]

42. Other: I use Windows because I've learned it.

I've grown accustomed to the quirks and shortcomings of Windows, not that I like them, and I just haven't worked on a box running any of the other software yet.

[Nicole]

43. I use OSX/Mac because I want to n/t

[alfredo]

44. When looking for a computer I asked repairmen which computer

was more trouble-free. All said the Mac. That was back a long time ago. Since then I have used Linux and like it, but because OSX is UNIX, I can use the UNIX/Linux apps I grew to love.

I am a big fan of Scribus, Inkscape, GIMP (GIMPShop) and NeoOffice.

I have an older Mac running Yellow Dog Linux. I have it out on extended loan to a friend. He uses it for surfing the web and e-mail. He's never had to call me for help.

[NastyRiffraff]

45. All OS X, all the time

Well, okay, I have to use a Windows box at work sometimes, but I as a designer/graphic artist, I MUCH prefer the Mac. It's elegant, easy to use, but you can also dig deep if you want to, as it's Unix-based.

With the new Intel-based dual processors on the Mac, you can run Windows on it. (But why would I want to?)