Quote from: Tristan H. on November 21, 2009, 09:36:29 PM
You could just get Windows 7. It's better than Vista and is a really reliable OS.

The problem with Linux is that it isn't the casual user's OS and you'll also find yourself using a lot of freeware alternatives for programs. So it's more of a OS for people who like to tinker around with their computer, but not very good for work.

Ubuntu = a more "user friendly" linux

Anyone still using Windows Me, likely isn't going to be able to handle a Linux install.
Sorry people.


Anyhow,
Currently, Windows7.

Mac Apple but I run LINUX on it :-)

OSX snow leopard and occasionally Ubuntu. I want an operating system that actually works!

Quote from: Sandy on November 21, 2009, 11:06:11 PM
I am NOT going to get into a religious fight about which operating system or what hardware platform is best.

I am a grade A software guru geek girl.  I've been around since the days of wood burning computers.  I started working with big iron and it was considered a breakthrough in pricing to have a megabyte cost less than a megabuck.  I worked on supercomputers then that are far outclassed by the simple desktops of today.

I've worked with virtually every operating system that you have heard of, and some that you haven't.  I gave up my religious bigotry of IBM large general purpose computers with MVS SP2.

I work with someone who is as much of a guru on windows platforms as I am on *nix systems.  We joke with each other constantly about the foibles of each others platforms.

These days the computers are so fast and sophisticated that virtually any operating system will work equally well.  You may not want grandma to have to figure out the intricacies of installing Red Hat on her laptop and you may not wish to have all the user safety features of W7 or Snow Leopard.  It all comes down to what ever is best for you.

Kind of like us.

-Sandy(regex rules!)

WOW Sandy You and I must be around the same Youth !  Been there done that ! I learned on some of them wood burners ! Even wired up some of them sorters and collators ! 
My kids really think it's funny when they go to the Museum of science and industry and see equipment on display I worked on !
Anyway I've graduated from IBM 360-20's to Laptop / Destops with XP Pro.

Jamie

My trusty XP laptop.

My new computer that arrived today with Windows 07.
Andrew

"Once Mac, never back."

PC is for people who want an overwhelming amount of frustration in their lives... and to have to buy another computer every couple of years.

Rachel

Quote from: jamie lee on December 02, 2009, 10:28:35 PM
Even wired up some of them sorters and collators ! 
My kids really think it's funny when they go to the Museum of science and industry and see equipment on display I worked on !
Anyway I've graduated from IBM 360-20's to Laptop / Destops with XP Pro.

Jamie

I didn't mention the 407 I wired because I thought no one would have even believed it.

The first time I went to the Museum of Science and Industry and saw the display of hardware in the IBM exhibit I about cried when I saw a 360/40 of the vintage I used in collage.  I was very nearly expelled when the dean of the department caught me and my other geek friends hacking DOS.  The only thing that kept us from getting thrown out was that we did it so well that even he had to admire it.  Had we been any less slick in our hacking he would have thrown us out on our collective ears.

My kids say that when I die that they'll have me stuffed and mounted in the IBM exhibit next to that 360/40.

My first job as an operator was on 3rd shift running a 360/30.  And I know what the LP red light means.  That was the only machine that had morning sickness.

-Sandy

iMac 24", Mac Book Pro running leopard at the moment.

Oh, and there is also a dust collecting Vista PC sitting over there.

PC with windows something. Limited by what the IT people at work will allow on the Network.

I have Vista on another laptop, which I seldom use (don't ask) How easy is it to replace Vista with W7 and will that make it usable by a person (not me) who has VERY basic knowledge and has a degree of brain injury, so things have to basically be point and click.

Cindy

Quote from: Sandy on December 02, 2009, 11:18:34 PM
I didn't mention the 407 I wired because I thought no one would have even believed it.

The first time I went to the Museum of Science and Industry and saw the display of hardware in the IBM exhibit I about cried when I saw a 360/40 of the vintage I used in collage.  I was very nearly expelled when the dean of the department caught me and my other geek friends hacking DOS.  The only thing that kept us from getting thrown out was that we did it so well that even he had to admire it.  Had we been any less slick in our hacking he would have thrown us out on our collective ears.

My kids say that when I die that they'll have me stuffed and mounted in the IBM exhibit next to that 360/40.

My first job as an operator was on 3rd shift running a 360/30.  And I know what the LP red light means.  That was the only machine that had morning sickness.

-Sandy

Hmm we're of similar vintage then

I started using an early PDP-8 and a small Honeywell at school in 1974

I progressed to an ITT Modular-1 and PDP-11 before moveing on to a Norsk-data ND100 and a Vax Venus, on which I did some work for NASA.

I've also written (in 1983) a 32 bit multi-taking embedded operating system which controlled some test equipment that NASA bought from us.

Up until the late 1980's most of my personal computers were either self built, like a NASCOM80 or a tangerine, or they were hobyist ones like a TRS80 which I got in 1978.

I didn't get into PC's or Macs until quite late my first was a PC running an early version of os2, but I quickly got into macs as by then I was working in broadcasting at BBC television and not in computers. From then on I became progressively more non technical and today I'm strictly a user.

All good fun though.

Jenny x.

Macs are pretty sweet out-of-the-box for artistic types, but it's kind of a self-perpetuating stereotype at this point -- because arty types tend to purchase Macs, Mac tends to slightly tilt their specs toward arty applications.

On the other hand, it's fairly easy, and often cheaper, to build a PC oneself that can exceed standard Mac specs.  Macs also fail when one wants or needs to upgrade later but would simply prefer not to replace the whole thing.  Of course, Macs excell in space-saving design and, i admit, even my half-sized and ostensibly "portable" PC tower can seem rather bulky when compared to the current generation of Macs.

Macs, at this point, are pretty much a status symbol and more bourgeoisie than utilitarian.  They're essentially form over function these days when, at one point, their cost actually reflected quality.

Quote from: YoungSoulRebel on December 03, 2009, 02:56:15 AM
Macs are pretty sweet out-of-the-box for artistic types, but it's kind of a self-perpetuating stereotype at this point -- because arty types tend to purchase Macs, Mac tends to slightly tilt their specs toward arty applications.

On the other hand, it's fairly easy, and often cheaper, to build a PC oneself that can exceed standard Mac specs.  Macs also fail when one wants or needs to upgrade later but would simply prefer not to replace the whole thing.  Of course, Macs excell in space-saving design and, i admit, even my half-sized and ostensibly "portable" PC tower can seem rather bulky when compared to the current generation of Macs.

Macs, at this point, are pretty much a status symbol and more bourgeoisie than utilitarian.  They're essentially form over function these days when, at one point, their cost actually reflected quality.

Spot on analysis! All of it exactly why I use a mac. I'm one of those irritating ex-tech-neo-arty types. We're like ex-smokers

Quote from: rejennyrated on December 03, 2009, 03:02:33 AM
Spot on analysis! All of it exactly why I use a mac. I'm one of those irritating ex-tech-neo-arty types. We're like ex-smokers

As an independent musician, I feel I can say with confidence that my soundcard is superior to a Mac's.     And I've got a 1tera external with a sexy-blue-light underglow ($90 on New Egg).  And $250 harmon/kardon speakers found on Craig's List for $20.  Flatscreen 4:3 high-def monitor bought for $25 off my room-mate's father, who's a retired engineer.    Everything in the computer case itself totalled about $900, and the case was $60 on New Egg.  Still works out to be cheaper than a Mac of similar efficiency and specs.

A lot has to do with the difference between your computer being a tool or a toy - and it can be both.  I think that for a lot of people the ability to play with it, change all the stuff, the tinker-toy aspect of a PC has a lot of attraction as someone who is really in to X can go out and buy the state of the art Y gadget (sound card, graphics card) and get what they want.  For those who use these things more as tools, well when I want a hammer I don't necessaraly want to go out and forge it myself, I just want to bang a few nails and drop it back on the floor.

The PC is hampered in a lot of ways by the court cases that prohibited Window's from 'bundling' software, yet oddly, bundling software is exactly what makes an Apple so easy to use. That the various programs work so well together, all use the same basic interfaces, and are kinda generic gives the apple a much more mundane down-to-earth and easy to use feeling.

I think there are 'cultural' factors also - as in you tend to use what's around you the most.  If everyone at work is using Apples its just easier to use an Apple.

I'm a Mac girl.

right now PC, 20 minutes ago mac, yesterday *nix.

I hate mac vs PC flame wars... 

Happy Mac

I have a mac laptop. A power book G4, if I remember correct. And I also have an alienware PC that is my desktop. Both serve me well. There is a trade off to each system and I have debated in a similar discussion many times before since I go to a techy school and all my friends are geeks. so I wont bother going into detail if not for sheer laziness.