R U fedup with Windows XP etc....

[Komakino]

0 for 2

Most people probably stick with Windows because they could care less about switching to a Mac. It's simply a non-issue for most Windows users. I've never thought about switching to anything else because my Windows PCs do everything I want them to do. The vocal Windows users who want to switch to a Mac are really Mac people forced to use Windows. I understand the frustration. I'm a Windows user and I'm forced to use a Mac sometimes. As I've said, it makes a great 200GB iPod. That's about it.

Macs aren't much more expensive than PC's now. I don't think that's an issue.

- Dave

4 things:

1. Defrag may not be a chore, but it IS TOTALLY UNNECESSARY on a competent file system! That's my whole point - MS have had 2 decades to get their filesystem right and it's STILL the worst of the bunch (except POSSIBLY ext2). Had they done their job, it would be a thing of the past. Scandisk also is slower than the equivalant sanity check on an ext3 or (particularly) a reiser filesystem.

2. Linux people tinker not because they have to, but because THEY CAN! It's entirely possible to install a stock distro and never touch the details (like my mom does)

3. The expression is COULDN'T care less. Sorry to be pedantic but it's a pet hate!! Don't put linux and mac users in the same boat...I'm a linux user but I can't stand mac! They've taken a rock-solid OS (freebsd) and made it something that crashes more often than a newbie nascar driver.

4. How is windows more productive than any other OS? I did all my college and university work on linux, I now prepare all of my lessons and create all of my resources on linux. I have fewer problems with linux than I ever did with windows, plus everything I use is open source and free - most of it comparable with its commercial equivalent.

I find that the people who are most vehement in their opposition to linux are those who couldn't use it themselves. I'm not saying that's their deficiency, just that they didn't have the patience to learn a new tool. It's easy to say "Linux is less productive because you have to learn how to do everything" but let's remember that the first time you shelled out for MS's new toy (and that's what it is ) you had to learn how to use it. Linux just gives you far more choice about how you use it.

There are many good reasons that not just individuals but whole countries are switching to linux (or in some cases BSD) and it's not just cost. Freedom is a huge issue - look at the recent cases in Massechusettes (sp, sorry). Market share is increasing, and market share for servers of Unix and Unix-like OS's has surpassed windows for a few years now. There's a reason for that, and it isn't just cost. More and more hardware vendors are taking linux seriously and producing drivers for us...that will help boost linux acceptance. I don't think linux will ever topple MS, but then that's not the goal - to get dominance in the market the fundamentals of the OS would have to change to allow every idiot to use it, and there are good reasons that we don't want that

 

[neptoon]

how would i know? i only go to ebay, talkbass and outlook...yep, that's about it...i don't even know what linus is...i don't even really know the difference between apple stuff and pc's, other than ipods are pretty cool...i know...i'm weird...but i'm in the navy...we're still using 70's technology

 

[westland]

The only reason most people stick with windows is because most of programs they own are for windows. Sadly this is the case for me... Also buying a mac is exspensive compared to a pc.

You've put your finger on the marketing coup of the century (actually two of them).

There is one basic fact about computers that everyone should know: the only thing that matters is your Application (Word, Excel, MatLab, etc.) and its associated datasets.

The operating system and the CPU are irrelevant. You don't see them, and at any particular time you have several alternatives that offer exactly the same functions and performance. So deciding between them is irrelevant ... just choose one at random.

But the computer industry has stood that on its head, and made you believe that the operating system and CPU are the only thing that matters .... listen carefully

... draw your hands away from the computer slowly, and then look around the box and the keyboard ....

.. what do you see? 99% of people will see two stickers (the other 1% obsessively picks at labels) ... 'Designed for Windows' and 'Intel Inside'...

Why should I care? I don't. The marketing coup is to get me to think that either of these is important. Well it's not.



Because Windows, or OSX or Unix or Linux or Powerpc or SPARC or Pentium don't matter at all, I have taken the road most travelled ...

I use Windows on a Dell laptop, and then whine a lot when it doesn't work ... That's the American way

 

[westland]

 

[Komakino]

You've put your finger on the marketing coup of the century (actually two of them).

There is one basic fact about computers that everyone should know: the only thing that matters is your Application (Word, Excel, MatLab, etc.) and its associated datasets.

The operating system and the CPU are irrelevant. You don't see them, and at any particular time you have several alternatives that offer exactly the same functions and performance. So deciding between them is irrelevant ... just choose one at random.

But the computer industry has stood that on its head, and made you believe that the operating system and CPU are the only thing that matters .... listen carefully

... draw your hands away from the computer slowly, and then look around the box and the keyboard ....

.. what do you see? 99% of people will see two stickers (the other 1% obsessively picks at labels) ... 'Designed for Windows' and 'Intel Inside'...

Why should I care? I don't. The marketing coup is to get me to think that either of these is important. Well it's not.



Because Windows, or OSX or Unix or Linux or Powerpc or SPARC or Pentium don't matter at all, I have taken the road most travelled ...

I use Windows on a Dell laptop, and then whine a lot when it doesn't work ... That's the American way

Very true.

That said, although I use an AMD chip with linux on this computer, and a SPARC box with linux on the other, my laptop has an intel chip in it because it best guaranteed compatibility with linux because intel makes linux drivers for its own chipsets (inc. wireless cards). I'd stuck with AMD for ages for no real reason...I notice no difference in performance and no real benefit of either!

 

[Dave Grossman]

3. The expression is COULDN'T care less. Sorry to be pedantic but it's a pet hate!!

The expression is "pet peeve".



- Dave

 

[MJ5150]

The only reason most people stick with windows is because most of programs they own are for windows.

Oh come on with that. Windows keeps millions of people productive everyday. MS makes some powerful tools that allow people to be successful. Does it have problems? Sure it does. The problems come far from out weighing the positives.

-Mike

 

[Bassic83]

Besides, if Windows wasn't so buggy, I might be out of a job!

 

[MJ5150]

Besides, if Windows wasn't so buggy, I might be out of a job!

Which is another point. Think of all the jobs MS has created, some of which are a direct result of the problems with their OS's.

The network of MS machines I oversee has no problems, but I spend plenty of time doing work on the side for people who don't take care of their PC's.

-Mike

 

[Josh Ryan]

Which is another point. Think of all the jobs MS has created, some of which are a direct result of the problems with their OS's.

The network of MS machines I oversee has no problems, but I spend plenty of time doing work on the side for people who don't take care of their PC's.

-Mike

What Mike said.

 

[Bassic83]

Yup. +77!

 

[Komakino]

Something's just occurred to me...a few years ago (ok, say a decade) a thread like this wouldn't really have cropped up. Even 5 years ago it's unlikely on a bass site. I think that does say something for the current state of affairs - people really do see linux as an alternative to windows these days and numbers will only grow.

 

[higgi]

Are there any good music production programs for linux? Something comparable to protools?

 

[wilser]

Are there any good music production programs for linux? Something comparable to protools?

Link Removed


runs on macs too!

 

[westland]

Very true.

That said, although I use an AMD chip with linux on this computer, and a SPARC box with linux on the other, my laptop has an intel chip in it because it best guaranteed compatibility with linux because intel makes linux drivers for its own chipsets (inc. wireless cards). I'd stuck with AMD for ages for no real reason...I notice no difference in performance and no real benefit of either!

I've heard very good things about the new AMD chips, and I think their CEO, Hector Ruiz, is really one of the top CEO's in the nation.

 

[bassmutant]

I use gentoo/win2000pro on my p4 box, solaris/gentoo on my ultrasparc 10, and am getting a powerpc ibook with my tax return that should be coming in by the end of the month. I prefer *nix's to windows any day, even the extremely bloated solaris, simply because I can make the system do what I want, when I want, more often than not. Windows, a great platform for games, but it is weird. Too many things happen in that special environment behind the scenes that I can't change if I want to. Now before someone goes and says, "Mac's are more like that than window's pc's" or whatever, I'm getting the mac for both college and as a mbox2 portable music rig, simply because of their proven stability running certain hardware combinations, and the fact it runs a *nix that I can load x11 on and fink and download thousands of app's. I've had the pleasure of running a friends g4 powerbook for the last 2 years with a digi002, and it has never crashed once. I've never seen one application error, ever, it just does it's job and shuts on and off. To me, the mac is almost like getting one of those hermetically sealed hard disk recorders, that given you follow the instructions, it will just work until it blows up one day far down the road. I know about 10 people who are mac people, and have only had very minor problems compared to the hordes of people I can recount to you that have had huge problems with windows. Unix is better, plain and simple, for security, power of applications, and face it, availability of free, non-pirated applications. Free compilers with free utilities, some crappy, but most are very usable. I always feel shackled when I go to run networking tools on windows, not to mention the command prompt is clunky. None of my *nix boxes have every had any malware on them, ever. I've ran numerous spyware and cleaning tools on my windows partition, and now finally get the point that I need to check for security updates every night and only use Opera to browse the web. I'd start moving to mac if I were you folks, at least after they start introducing their intel based home systems this summer, wait until they iron out whatever bugs are going to be in these launch systems.

 

[Tsal]

Perhaps we should start a Mac clan in TB..

Anyways, I think right now, Mac is trying very hard to be that "simple everyday OS for everyone" you guys are talking about. And, it does deliver too, as it is very user friendly and easy to use OS. Plus, the hardware is just bjootiful and loaded with small design innovations that makes it all the better. Also the Mac prices are down, so the switch is even more tempting.

Windows is the standard in PC world, but there are some things like hardware installation and working with different kind of settings that make it a bit difficult for a beginning user, especially when something becomes a problem. OSX attempts to minimize the fuzz.

I gave my mother a older iMac, and she's had no problems using it for web browsing etc. - and she's not exactly the most knowledgeable person when it comes to computers.

 

[anonymous278347457]

windows-games, and stuff "works" with it(at least its meant )
Linux/mac- surfing the web,professional work



thats just my general summary of the 3 OSs.

I had a dual boot of xp and suse 9.2

that was until something screwed up my MBR......
SUSE was pointless for me since i couldent get the internet working on it...

 

[Fire-Starter]

I like XP, but I hate the drama that sometimes comes with it, or windows period, and I am pretty computer savy when it comes to Windows, the one thing I really hate with XP is the fact that I cannot install it on a different/new computer without going to register it again with MS, yes I have went through the calling MS or doing it by internet or phone, but to me, its just so uncalled for, and they did this to cut down on the people who pirate software, not sure how much good it has done??? but like I said I still like it, but getting fed up somewhat..............

also for Unix, like Redhat, Mandrake, and Mandriva (who replaced Mandrake I believe) you most certainly get MORE OUT OF THE BOX as far as applications goes, i.e spread sheets, word proc..etc,,,where with windows you have to buy those seperatly, as if you are not spending enough already.

Oh yes, I have tried the DUAL BOOT thing and to make a long story short, from my experience..UNIX AND MICROSOFT DO NOT PLAY WELL TOGETHER ON THE SAME HARDDRIVE...PERIOD

As far as security of the operating sys compared ....I was informed that the Internet servers are Unix machine and they withstand hack attacks much better than a Windows box would, I am not sure how true that is, but I would not be surprised either.

 

[MJ5150]

......they did this to cut down on the people who pirate software, not sure how much good it has done???

From what I have seen, not too much. I still get calls all the time to work on peoples machines who have pirated copies of Windows. I won't touch them. Part of the MCP code of honor.

-Mike