also @ TechSpot: Dell's thumb drive-sized computer will ship in July for $100

What do you use: Linux / Mac / Win?

Discussion in 'The Alternative OS' started by etchhh, Sep 20, 2008.

  1. etchhh Newcomer, in training Posts: 28

    i just wonder why there is still peaple who use Microsoft Windows OS till now , although open source products like Linux/Mac/.. r available and even "free" to use !
    Moreover , its secure / easy to use and bla bla bla ...

    so ,,, lets return to our question ... what do u use ?? .. Linux/Mac/Win/...etc OS ^^
  2. etchhh Newcomer, in training Posts: 28

    for me !!

    i'll just start by and say ... i use Microsoft Windows -sadly- ..

    ( i just have no time to install linux OS - ubuntu for me i'd say -)

    i'm sick of this bug based product , i hope that one day i use linux for real - i wanna try it :p

    so , what about u ?
  3. BorisandBailey Newcomer, in training Posts: 203

    2 hard drives, 2 operating systems

    I have Windows on one hard drive, Ubuntu on the other. I use Windows for my specialized programs--Photoshop and Illustrator, and I use Ubuntu for everything else. With the possibility of Microsoft going subscription, I'll switch entirely to Linux the next time it's time for me to build new computers for me and my wife, maybe in another five years or so.
  4. jobeard TS Ambassador Posts: 12,211   +119

    Lots of underlying issues to the simplistic question.

    Issues that typically impact the decision are
    1. which system supports the applications I need?
    2. what system am I most familar with?
    3. how comfortable am I in learning a new system?
    4. what's the impact of not getting the work tasks done while I'm getting it all together?

    Personally, I use all three; OS X 10.3.9 (behind the curve now),
    WinXP Pro,
    Linux RH7 (also behind the curve)
    and even have a Win/98se used as a primative backup server.

    Unless you have a need to move to a specific environment, avoid the pain
    and stay where you are. On the other hand, if your major motivation is to get to a
    more stable environment, then just use the list above to guide you in your choice.

    (notice: no reference to "xxx is better, cheaper, faster, or easier. Just not germane!)
  5. tw0rld TechSpot Maniac Posts: 599

    Currently my system Dual-boots Kubuntu 8.04(Hardy Heron), and Win Xp sp3. I love Kubuntu, but it is very buggy. Just the other day while browsing with Konqueror the system crashed twice. This happened after Iinstalled the flash plugin in konqueror, since then I have installed Firefox 3.0, and all is well.
  6. EXCellR8 The Conservative Posts: 2,273

    Ubuntu >*

    I have Ubuntu 8.04 installed on a pretty fast machine and I love it.
     
  7. TimeParadoX Newcomer, in training Posts: 2,445

    Dual booting is better and more efficient than just installing one primary OS and sticking with it. For about 3 years I've dual booted WinXP and Ubuntu and never had any problems. I use Ubuntu for general stuff like Firefox and photo editing and XP for gaming.

    It's really all about what you're doing, so don't stick with a OS just because it's convenient.

    Also, installing Linux on a PSP along with custom firmware is very fun since you can run emulators like Daedalus for NES games.
  8. LNCPapa TS Special Forces Posts: 3,946   +120

    All three - in fact, the machine I'm posting this from now triple boots Vista Ultimate 32/Leopard 10.5.5/Ubuntu 8.04 x64. I love all three (I'll even through XP SP3 in there) and use them all regularly. I'm not a zealot for any particular platform and think they are all good and necessary.

    Just don't imply that OS X is free or open source. All the Mac zealots who complain about Gates just make me laugh.. and sick at the same time. Jobs is every bit as bad as Gates ever was.
  9. etchhh Newcomer, in training Posts: 28

    actually i like the idea of having all the three Operating Systems on my machine ,, currently i have win xp w/ win/98 as a backup-system lol , u know Microsoft Buggy Windows crashes almost every week with me ..

    i'm gonna try to use mac and linux also -- why not give it a try ;) ?
  10. hynesy TechSpot Maniac Posts: 444

    Its all very debatable, what one person likes may not suit the next, I have tried OS X both Leopard and Tiger, Ubuntu and Kubuntu, XP and Vista and found that each has its good and bad points. Personally, I am on Vista, just because some important programs I need only support Vista and for games, dual.triple boot is pretty pointless for me, Vista does everything I need.
    Cheers
    Hynesy
  11. SNGX1275 TS Special Forces Posts: 11,891   +117

    I use Vista, XP64 (sort of), Win 2000, and my laptop is Leopard. I run a lot of different, just not Linux, other than the cost, it doesn't do anything I need to get done any better than what I already use, and often times it does it worse.
  12. alvdy Newcomer, in training Posts: 95

    I run Vista on my desktop and OS X on my MacBook with Vm's of XP and Ubuntu (hardy heron).
  13. Justin Newcomer, in training Posts: 1,595

    Linux only (Gentoo)

    I do have a Windows gaming box that I fire up whenever I can't get something to work through Wine.
  14. Ultiweap TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 742

    Yes thats nice all that...

    But .exe file does not open but how do you make to play a game on it or even program that is only .exe format for the users of Linux and MAC???

    Also I would like to know where to get a MAC OS as etchhh ask that it is free?
  15. jobeard TS Ambassador Posts: 12,211   +119

    Fundamentally, other systems do not rely upon the filename extension to determine
    what the file is or how to open it. Windows uses the .com .exe .scr to 'run' the code.
    Linux has a 'magic number' in the first four bytes of the program file or a line that reads
    #!path_to_interpreter
    which is launched and handed the file to work on.

    Mac WAS like Linux, but now (10.4 and above) has Intel processors and the .exe
    can be launched with the right emulation or configuration. This is very problematic
    and NOT advisable for gamers.
  16. Ultiweap TechSpot Enthusiast Posts: 742

    So if I understand well the new versions of MAC can open .exe file without any problem?

    But how do linux users do to get a program that is only .exe format?
  17. jobeard TS Ambassador Posts: 12,211   +119

  18. tw0rld TechSpot Maniac Posts: 599

    uughh!

    Wine sucks! I've tried using it a few times to run windows based programs, but to no avail. Apparently it works for others.
  19. jobeard TS Ambassador Posts: 12,211   +119

    Likely true, but imo, it's a faux pas to move windows programs ANYWHERE :)

    Gamers have major conflict of interest in Keeping their games AND moving to any other platform.
  20. captaincranky TechSpot Addict Posts: 8,776   +277

    The subject of "Kubuntu" being buggy has been tackled before. The "Ubuntu" version has a much better reputation. But, if your choice of Kubuntu was motivated by the KDE desktop, it might be worth it for you give "Open SUSE" a shot.

    The "wine" is always so far behind current program versions that I certainly feel your pain there, That said, Windows isn't going away anytime soon for many apps.