I just got flamed in another thread from someone who seems to think that talking about using a different OS on their computer is like a major crime that should be punished. This has happened to me several times, on different forums, and at different businesses. I DID NOT write this thread to complain about someone elses opinion. I just don't understand why people get angry when you talk about something they don't like,

An example would be at a computer shop I visited not too long ago in Seymour, TN, here where I am. I went in asking if they knew what printers would work with the HP printer software in Ubuntu. I was told that I ruined my computer, and I was unwelcome at their store. By the way, this was Epic computing before they shut down. I understand that everyone has their own opinions. That's cool. But why get angry when someone else isn't into what you are?

Another would be Apple computer people. Apple makes a fine computer, out of my price range though. I "had" several computer friends that wanted to switch to Apple. They asked ME about them. I explained to them that Apple's are essentially the same as everything else now with hardware. Well, to make a long story short, I get verbally attacked because I said a $1000 or more computer is "the same" as a $500 one.

I didn't start this to complain or to get anyone mad. I actually wonder why people are that way about computers.

Also, I'd like to know what kind of computers everyone here uses, what kind of OS you use, and why. I'd just like to understand this war between OS's a little better, even though I've run Windows, OS X, and several Linux distros. Thanks for reading and helping me figure out this dilema I have.

Wow. I run Linux and have never had anyone attack me for it. However, I live in Seattle and study at the University of Washington which puts me in contact with people who are pretty liberal and open-source loving. It is true, though, that people feel strongly about their choice of computers. I am really not sure why this is.

-Matthew D'Asaro

I'm a Mac guy. I personally hate Windoze. That's from extensive use of both, including currently at work and my wife has a Toshiba.

The hardware might be the same, but the OS is much easier to work with. It's just nice that everything is made to work together. And let's not get started on the malware thing, or lack of it with a Mac.

But in all honesty, many people that I've talked to that shun the Mac, have never really and truly sat down to use one. In fact they can get past the fact that there is only one mouse button. They can't understand that you don't really need two. But if you reallllly do, just hold control and click.

My father in law is one such type. He sent me a video of this guy just gripping about the Mac up one side and down the other. Problem was he was completely wrong on everything. Example: He said You have this command period thing that's supposed to be an undo command. WRONG. Command-period is simply a stop command or cancel command (depending on what you are using at the moment, but same basic thing.)

Actually, a $1000 Mac is about the same as a $1000 windows computer in speed/quality/specs and not a $500 one. Apple doesn't make low end computers for a number of reasons, one is they aren't interested in competing with the Dells and HPs of the world.

Mac users are usually loyal to their computers because of the OS, which to me more elegant than Windows is, not to mention more intuitive and simpler. I have one computer running XP, two running Mac OSX and one running Linux (not to mention the server that runs Linux as well).

The Macs and the Linux box are connected to the web; the XP isn't so I don't have to concern myself with all the nasties that come with Windows use on the web.

Any computer person that thinks installing software on a computer ruins it isn't one I'd want to do business with as they obviously don't know anything about computers.

On this site people use:

Windows 88 %
Unknown 6.3 %
Macintosh 4.2 %
Linux 1.3 %

Less than 1% each:
Sun Solaris
Unknown Unix system
Symbian OS
OS/2 83
Sony PlayStation Portable
BSD
Others

When I first learned computers it was all BAL and FORTRAN using punch cards. My next exposure after several years was DOS 2.11. I grew up with Microsoft and understand how it works. I still view computers as very smart adding machines and only adding machines. I do not like Macs because I do not understand them and do not think in visual terms, but rather the basic hardware. I am self taught otherwise. I always hated Microsoft because they make their software only as good as it has to be, then fix the problems after I have spent my money. However, they have become the world's standard and the open source and otherwise free programming allows me to not use any other of their proprietary software as a means of my own little protest. I often wanted a more stable OS and did consider Linux in the past, but, with several years of updates, Windows XP seems to have finally been fixed. I am not sure where I go when these computers die because some of the programming I am quite good with will no longer work with Vista. I may have to go to Linux. I think that, philosophically, I could not go to Mac, because I just cannot abide any machine that thinks it is smarter than I. I usually do not want to do what the computer thinks I want to do. I've at least learned to turn off most of those cute little gimmicks to "enhance my browsing experience" with Windows systems.

Pity I cant select all 3 buttons Ive been using Linux since 1995 but still don't tend to settle on it for my desktop.

Run Linux on most of my servers, sometimes Solaris or Windows 2003, however I use XP (no vista) for desktop and OSX.

Everything has its strengths, and weaknesses.... In windows world XP is good, Vista is dire, and Windows 7 not much better than vista. OSX has gone from passable to good, and linux has stagnated on the desktop, but with KDE im hopeful Linux might jump forward again....

Arguing over OSes is like arguing over Radios....

Big Mac guy here. McIntosh that is, not McDonalds.

We have several computers around the house, including 2 Windows machines, but I find Macs MUCH more enjoyable and user friendly.

I'd say I know the Windows OS reasonably well, but the menu terminology always seems obscure and non-intuitive, and PC mice seem jumpy and imprecise. To me, a Windows machine just feels like an Etch A Sketch compared to a Mac.

The virus and malware difference is huge. My business has owned 20 or 30 Macs over the last 15 years and in that time I recall one virus issue, more than 10 years ago. With our 2 PC's it seems like we're always dodging these crazy problems and being prompted to install some new anti-virus software that might itself be a new virus in disguise. It's insane. This stuff just does not happen on Macs.

OK, now I guess it's my turn to get flamed.

After a long time of hard work i was finally able to buy my mac book pro.

So you are looking at a brand new mac owner here and i love it!

I seriously DO NOT understand one bit why people say they dont get macs. Whats there to get? Its pretty much the same thing. Except on mac you dont worry about viruses constant software problems and of course its cooler looking and very user friendly.

Before this windows was the only thing i had aver used and switching over was no problem. Just a few minor differences that i figured out in less than 10 minutes.

As for right clicking i have that too on my mac. The right corner of my track pad IS my right click button. Whataya have to say to that?:wink:

I dont miss windows one bit!

I started with DOS 3.3 and didn't see graphics until Win286. I had Win3.0 but never really needed it. DOS6 was my favorite and memory managers like QEMM. I was happy with XTGold. Win95 was a jump and I had trouble learning "pictures" instead of text commands.

I've tried several flavors of Linux but keep going back to Windows XP because I have things to do. I have another computer right next to my main one so I can learn Ubuntu. I find I can search for answers on one, while learning on the other. I really like it but I'm impatient and want results quickly.

I have a couple Windows computers and also have a couple Mac machines. Although different, i enjoy them both and each has its pro's and cons like anything else. I do want to try Linux just to check it out and if i like it, i'll use it too. In my opinion, i don't see where one is better or worse than another, just different. I know what each is capable of and what isn't and as long as i remember that, i don't have any problems with either.

The thing with me is if it works and I don't have alot of trouble with it, then i'm fine. I'm one of the rare few that hasn't had alot of computer problems over the years. I was taught from the beginning how to keep stuff organized, clean and up to date and that has worked in my favor. The only time when i would have a problem is when the computer finally quit from use or became obsolete.

I've never had the blue screen of death, a virus or crash so i must be doing something right. I'm glad i've had experience with different OS' over the years as i like to learn and find my way around with them. That in turn has let me help others get their machines working properly also.
-Tony

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12537279/

As the other Os's get popular, the hackers will write viruses. It's not that the Macs are immune, it's just thay they are not targeted yet.

As for personal preferences,, I say to each his own. No one can say one system is best for all. It is a personal choice on which system to use.
Whether it's an operating system, a browser, or the type of clear we use on our radios, each has their personal choice.The info is out there for us to look at all the pros/cons of something, then make our chioce.
As for an OS, I have used some older Apple stuff, Atari 1040ST it looked like WIndows and was called TOS (Tramiel Operating System).
For now I have Win XP, have used 98SE, 95 and 3.1.

I am not saying it is best for everyone, but best for me. It works fine, and that's all that matters to me.

Personally, I use Windows. I learned on an IBM mainframe running Fortran on a card reader. I continued with Fortran through Fortran 77. Moved on to distributed computing using Netware. My first PC was a Mac. In fact, I'll bet I had a Mac before anyone else on this forum. I was on a waiting list for the "revised" Lisa, when Apple sent me a complete Mac system for a big discount. One of the first off the assembly line. Mac was (and still is) a fine machine, but they were not open source, and getting into anything but the Apple version of Basic for programming was difficult. It was not compatible with engineering programs or programming at all. Eventually, I moved to an IBM clone as soon as open sourcing was allowed. I could easily delve into the machine language underlying DOS down to every "peek", "poke" and flag setting. Adapting hardware to work with DOS may have been work, but doable unlike the Mac OS.

For most things that people do, the Apple products are fine. I would not call the Mac OS "elegant" though. It is still stifling to write for, although as the programming layers have evolved, I must admit it is getting easier, while the Microsoft products are getting more difficult due to "unofficial" capabilities not available to anyone but select Microsoft-approved developers. But, I am still an engineer, and engineering software written for the Microsoft OS is still easier to maintain and debug than the versions developed or converted for Apple OS.

Any argument regarding the vulnerabilities of either OS is pointless. Neither has a distinct advantage. Proper protection applied to either will be sufficient. In real life experience, losses on the Apple OS has exceeded those on the Microsoft OS, because of the unfounded perception that either the OS is more robust in defense, or that fewer pieces of malware are written for the Apple OS. The only things that matter are the attacks that succeed. I expect that Mac users will become more cognizant of the protective measures needed, and the entire discussion will suffer a much-needed retirement.

I don't really do any low level programming anymore, but if I did, I suspect I might opt for one of the Linux clones. It is open source, relatively easy to get to the machine language functions, and have respectable libraries of subroutines. Besides, you can create an environment for running Mac-like or Microsoft-like applications. The only real issue is that with that variety and flexibility it is difficult to get real compatibility for many functions. And since the market is small, not many software houses are willing to provide the resources to tackle those problems.

Now this is what I like to hear. An Actual discussion of operating Systems. I guess since I started this thread, I'll explain why I choose Linux. When I started with computers, I started with DOS like most. My mom is a school teacher for Knox County, her school uses Macs, so my first was a Macintosh. That's where I learned about Macs, and I still own a G3 . Going to school, I started using DOS, then Win 95. Worked my way up through the versions, learning more and more, and learning that I would get viruses no matter what. Till about 2 years ago, I'd tried nearly every ant-virus/malware/spam software on the market. I finally just decided to deal with it. School taught me more about the OS, and how to protect it. Still wasn't good enough for me really.
I figured I'd go Apple again for a while for a break from the worry of viruses and the infamous blue screen of death. It was still the good ol' Apple I remembered.

I thought I might look into an Apple new since I was in the market for a comp. Went to an Apple store, saw the prices, and pretty much ran off, lol. Bought me an Acer Aspire 4720Z instead at Staples. That laptop was the first I'd used Vista before. Within a day, I was already disgusted with Windows. I thought it was my only option, so I kept using it. Till it crashed to the point I couldn't fix it anymore.

Then a friend showed me Ubuntu on his laptop. I thought it was neat, so I'd give it a shot. Tried it, had a few problems till I got help on the Ubuntu Forums. The only thing I've ever had a problem with was the Atheros wireless cards. Now, 9.04 has that covered and nearly everything works out of the box. I use WINE if ever have the need for a Windows app. I not that fond of constnt updates, but it makes me feel safer that when a problem is found, it's fixed then, and not 6 months later. Also, new versions every 6 months are nice too.

I know that people will never completely ever be able to agree on what's the best OS unless there's only one to choose. But it is nice to see people talk, and not argue about why they like what they do. Thanks everyone. Andy.

If I was good at geeking, I'd no doubt have a version of Linux on my box... I do have Mandriva on a spare computer I have on sometimes, but I don't know enough about this stuff to do much more than a little internet surfing...

I do want to get familiar enough with Puppy Linux to use it on a couple older computers I use for music... It's really lean, a install is only about 100MB vs 500MB(extras deleted) for Win ME vs 3+ Gig for XP....

Tom

My old computer, a $495.00 Compaq of 2001 vintage (Wal-Mart special) was fitted with a 266 megacycle "Covington" version of the Celeron processor. Over time this slow, limited machine began to creak under the weight of the increasingly complex anti-virus and web browsing software, and I found that even a new printer driver was enough to cause it to crash, , so I began to look for a new machine.


A well-heeled friend of mine hand purchased a MacBook Pro (on of those sleek black aluminum beauties) in November. Whilst he is an intelligent, kind, and generous fellow, he has absolutely NO patience. He tried the machine for a couple days, and put it away in his closet in disgust. WHen I mentioned that I was looking for a new machine, he offered to give the MacBook to m, but warned me that I would be unhappy with it, and advised me instead to purchase a new $400.00 laptop PC. I Instead accepted his generous offer, being rather short of funds after my fire.

I have been using the new MacBook for three weeks, now, and am on the whole quite pleased with it. I haven't got the hang of photo processing yet, and am having some trouble with storing and retrieving files. I understand that all of this is supposed to be intuitive, but I suppose that my intuition has been warped by many years exposure to DOS and Windows. Even so, I am quite pleased with my new machine, and certainly consider the price to be right!

I am partially fluent in both Windows and Ubuntu Linux. I like Ubuntu linux because every problem I have had has been someone else's problem and it has been solved. The solutions are posted and I simply implement them. When I was working with windows, solutions were hard to find, impossible or cost money. The windows user attitude comes from the fact that if someone pays for something that apparently works, in their eyes, something that also works and is free is an insult to their ego. What's more, Linux users in the third world far exceed Windows users. It is simply a matter of economics.

Best,

Chas

Just being fair, and hoping I don't flame any flames, I pretty much have found something irksome about most every OS I've ever used. And I've used a few, from old time share systems up through VMS, Unix & it's derivatives, Apple IIs, the original Mac and the newer Unix-based Macs, CP-M, DOS, and most flavors of Windows. I think none of them have been nearly perfect, but in point of fact, considering the extraordinary size of the user base, Windows is pretty amazing. I have in fact written quite a bit of real-time code under NT 4.0 and most of it's brethen (but not Vista, yet). I think BG & crew deserve more credit than they get. And if I want a driver it is probably available without having to write one.

I've earned my living using mac computers since the mid 1980s. Yes, I've had a few minor problems along the way – but, nothing serious has ever went wrong using my macs – and I've owned a lot of them.

The mac OS is a pleasure to use and reliable as a rock. I haven't had to reboot my computer in eight years!! I'm serious and I use my computer minimum 10 hours a day – never had a problem with the mac OS.

Macs are plug and play computers – you turn them on and they work. That's hard for some people to believe – but true.

My brother was a Windows guy for many years. He finally broke down and bought a mac. Now he regrets all the years he's spent messin' around with Windows. Since he's got his mac, he's never looked back.

For me, the OS is key to the whole computing experience.
I use PCs at work (ugh) and Mac OS at home.

I appreciate how Apple has standardized user interface guidelines for software developers to follow. It enables wildly different apps to have a familiar look, feel, and operation to them. Makes navigating and learning new and infrequently used software much easier than on a Windows platform. The Mac OS is also less intrusive to the user. Windows just seems to want to get in the way more often.

Wny does Windows not permit a person to view the contents of the desktop in list view ?

To be fair, there are some quirks with the Mac OS. The worst is the Dock. And Apple really swallowed a bunch of stupid pills when they released the round hockey puck mouse.

Many Mac fanatics are enamored of the hardware packaging aesthetics. I'm not one of them. I could care less if the hardware was stuffed in a shoe box with burlap wrap. But you damn well better make the front panel buttons intuitive!

I heard a comedian say" The biggest problem I've ever encountered with a Mac computer is the Mac users that can't shut the (heck) up about how great they are".
I could relate.
Although certainly not a blanket statement about Mac users in general, they do tend to attract a certain elitist, snob element. Other than that, I find them to be nice machines. They do what they're supposed to do, and they do it well.

I tend to default back to Windows XP because it's what I know best and I'm comfortable with it. I have few problems with Windows, for the most part. It was a solid operating system.
However, I AM about to throw my fairly new Vista laptop through the wall. What a hideous, balky, intrusive, resource hog POS. There's just something wrong with an OS that uses 1.3G of memory, idle, with only AV software running.