Comments on: Operating System Choices

By: greg laden

greg laden — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:55:11 +0000

Linux, even Ubuntu, still isn't quite ready for prime time.I don't know anything about MS exchange. I'm in a very large enterprise network with my Linux box with no problem of any kind. There are a few media files that I have a hard time with, but the cost I pay for that is far fary less than the cost linkes to a Windows machine.The moment Harry Potter Games run on Linux, that Windows machine gets a new OS!!!

By: Mr. Gunn

Mr. Gunn — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:21:36 +0000

Well, there are arguments for both sides. I hate it when someone asks me to help them with their computer problems, and it turns out they have a mac. There’s not really ever anything I can do to help them. How’d you like to explain to your aunt, “I could have fixed it if it were a PC, but you have to take a mac in for repairs”. Even worse is when they ask me, “Why does it work like that?” “That’s the way Apple decided everyone should do it, Bertie.”In the long run, a PC usually ends up cheaper because you inevitably end up with a frankenPC composed of parts from multiple partial upgrades, whereas with a mac you pretty much have to buy a whole new computer.Linux, even Ubuntu, still isn’t quite ready for prime time. Unfortunately. Every new release some people say it is, and I get all excited about finally switching, but then when you read more about it you find that the same frustrating problems remain, the poster child of which is working with MS Exchange. Then there are always some issues with graphics cards, removeable storage, network shares, and so on.For someone who’s just going to check webmail and browse websites, they’re all fine, but for business related stuff(see above comment) or gaming or as a media center, Windows is still the way to go. Unfortunately.I think linux-based OSes are the way of the future, I really do, and the bottom of my list always turns out to be mac. I just don’t like not really having control over my own system.

By: Evan

Evan — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 06:32:17 +0000

Great articles!I should actually be getting my new hard drive today so I can finally install Linux. I’m so excited about it. I had to get a new drive because my current one is way too small and old (a 20GB from about 8 years ago!) and I figured a fresh slate would be the best way to go. I have been using OpenOffice, Firefox and Thunderbird for quite some time. I even try to use them at work and push them on everyone I know. It’s unfortunate that the software I use for work is strictly Windows and won’t even work with Wine (I’m told). I’m still looking for alternatives.

By: greg laden

greg laden — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:34:29 +0000

Jeff,Indeed. Now that Apple has realized its true strength … user interfaces … and based this on a reliable operating system .. a flavor of *nix … its a pretty good computer.However, I find Gnome and certain other Linux interfaces to be much more comfortable for me. I know everyone loves the way the Mac looks, but I can’t read mac fonts on mac screens. And, I’m not comfortable with the system so I can’t make too much use of it. But System X has got a lot of nice features.

By: Lifewish

Lifewish — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:59:27 +0000

They missed this gadget off the list. Not in production yet, sure, but then neither is the OpenMoko (much to my dismay - I can't wait for the mass-market version).

By: Jeff Knapp

Jeff Knapp — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:47:07 +0000

I say, give them a UNIX alright – Mac OS X. Just as secure as Linux et all and a true easy-to-use consumer OS. Lots of cool apps as well.