xkcd

by **crp** » Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:48 pm UTC

There is of course already the topic about which OS is best, and there isn't really any good place to post this(we need just a general computer discussion forum), so I won't be offended if this is locked.

Which OS do you use? Or more importantly, what OS do you WANT to use or find more practical to use? In a recent poll, most people use Windows, then Mac, then Linux, then others...

However, these are EVERYONE
Average joes make up majority of this poll in all likelihood, and probably use Windows because they don't know what an OS is or that there are others
I want to see what developers and other high-end computer users use

by **EvanED** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 3:21 am UTC

I voted for Vista and Other. I actually don't use Vista any more; I had reason to want the 64-bit version, and in the process upgraded to Server 2008. The Other represents FreeBSD.

I also have Gentoo installed, and routinely SSH into the RHEL in my university office. (It's summer and I'm doing an internship so don't really physically go there much.)

Edit: Oh, I also have an XP virtual machine. Which means I routinely touch five different OSes. ;-)

An a Win2000 one I haven't used for a while...

by **crp** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 4:02 am UTC

Lol who said butterflies?

by **Korandder** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:17 am UTC

Let us see: I have Ubuntu 8.04 and Vista on my laptop. On my desktop I have Ubuntu 7.04 and Windows XP. At work I use RHEL 9.
I have to say that I like Ubuntu the most.

by **NieXS** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:22 am UTC

Well, I have Ubuntu 8.04 on my main PC, and Debian and Windows XP on the other PC. I use Windows only for gaming.

by **JayDee** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:31 am UTC

Yay! I get to be 'other' twice! The Linux distro I normally use isn't on the list, but I've thrown Windows on my laptop to play some game. Laptop came with Win2K, so that's what I'm running right now.

by **hotaru** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:46 am UTC

i predict that this poll will be massively skewed toward "Other" due to the fact that none of the BSDs are listed as options...

my server:

Code: Select all: hotaru@olorin$ uname -a < ~ > FreeBSD olorin.thinkindifferent.net 6.3-STABLE FreeBSD 6.3-STABLE #0: Mon May 12 03:08:32 EDT 2008 root@olorin.thinkindifferent.net:/usr/obj/usr/src/sys/GENERIC i386

the machine i'm using for development now:

Code: Select all: hotaru@sol$ uname -a < ~ > SunOS sol 5.11 snv_91 i86pc i386 i86pc Solaris

is this "Other" or "Mac OS"?

Code: Select all: hotaru@atlantis~$ uname -a A/UX atlantis 3.0.2 SVR2 mc68040

oh, i almost forgot this one:

Code: Select all: hotaru@office~$ uname -a && uname -Ha Interix office 3.5 SP-8.0.1969.1 x86 Intel_x86_Family15_Model2_Stepping9 Windows office 5.1 SP3 x86 Intel_x86_Family15_Model2_Stepping9

by **Dobblesworth** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 8:47 am UTC

Both my home PC rig and office workstation are on Windows XP. My future laptop for Uni I'll probably get with Vista, and in future I might try out a Linux distribution.

by **enk** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:36 am UTC

Code: Select all: Erik@erikrw ~ $ uname -a CYGWIN_NT-5.1 erikrw 1.5.25(0.156/4/2) 2007-12-14 19:21 i686 Cygwin

I use WinXP on both my laptop and my desktop but I use Cygwin on them as well. I also dual boot Ubuntu and use it at work and on my test server.

Dobblesworth, you should really trim your sig!

by **Berengal** » Thu Jul 10, 2008 11:03 am UTC

So I'm dualbooting Ubuntu and XP, and I run Gentoo on my laptop. With only two choices I chose Ubuntu and Other Linux, since those are the ones I use the most. Windows is for games only (and the last few days for posting on xkcd, since neither linux is able to do that for some reason).

by **headprogrammingczar** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:34 pm UTC

I'm running Vista, just because I want Steam to work, and virtualizing Fedora for most other things.

by **John O)))** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 12:53 pm UTC

My desktop runs nothing but Windows Vista, while my MacBook Pro dual boots OSX and Ubuntu.

I voted for Windows because I use it the most.

by **protocoach** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:59 pm UTC

Mac OS X. Because I am a poli-sci major and when it comes to complicated computing, DO NOT WANT.

by **TheGZeus** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:04 pm UTC

protocoach wrote:Mac OS X. Because I am a poli-sci major and when it comes to complicated computing, DO NOT WANT.

I find getting things like GNOME and OS X to do anything other than the defaults VERY complicated.
Defaults or editing text files. Meh.
I'll take something simple that doesn't feel like a toy any day.
Also, how do you feel about software freedon, as a poli-sci major?

by **protocoach** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:30 pm UTC

TheGZeus wrote:
protocoach wrote:Mac OS X. Because I am a poli-sci major and when it comes to complicated computing, DO NOT WANT.

I find getting things like GNOME and OS X to do anything other than the defaults VERY complicated.
Defaults or editing text files. Meh.
I'll take something simple that doesn't feel like a toy any day.
Also, how do you feel about software freedon, as a poli-sci major?

What do you mean when you say "other than the defaults"? As for software freedom, what context are we discussing here? Linux? Freeware in general?

by **TheGZeus** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 6:48 pm UTC

protocoach wrote:
TheGZeus wrote:
protocoach wrote:Mac OS X. Because I am a poli-sci major and when it comes to complicated computing, DO NOT WANT.

I find getting things like GNOME and OS X to do anything other than the defaults VERY complicated.
Defaults or editing text files. Meh.
I'll take something simple that doesn't feel like a toy any day.
Also, how do you feel about software freedon, as a poli-sci major?

What do you mean when you say "other than the defaults"?

...I don't know how to explain that without sounding like a smartass, or a dictionary... or both.

As for software freedom, what context are we discussing here? Linux? Freeware in general?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software

by **aleflamedyud** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 7:01 pm UTC

Mac OS X and Ubuntu, plus an obsolete, nigh unbootable copy of Gentoo on my other machine.

Long story, I tried to run a package update after having been away for 10 months and it decided to create a circular package block. New Python needs the New Portage, and New Portage needs New Python.

I might switch back to Gentoo for my laptop to get more customization capability when KDE 4.1 comes out.

by **qbg** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 8:59 pm UTC

I use XP and (K)Ubuntu.

As for wanting to use, I think it would be interesting to give a lisp machine a try...

by **Qoppa** » Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:35 pm UTC

I run Debian testing 99% of the time, but I dual boot XP so that I can play games without bothering with WINE.

So that's what I voted for.

by **tylerwylie** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 4:29 am UTC

Lack of Fedora option makes me sad

by **shieldforyoureyes** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 5:06 am UTC

OpenBSD on the desktop, which is basicly just an X terminal.
Solaris on the servers.

by **Game_boy** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 3:48 pm UTC

I run Vista/Ubuntu, but I wish I didn't.

I'm only on Vista because:

1) Windows Movie Maker. None of the Linux alternatives are usable enough.
2) Proprietary fast game making application. Luckily a bunch of random people are rewriting the whole thing from scratch with full compatibility and no cost. I love the free software mentality.
3) Games.

by **Materiality** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 3:55 pm UTC

Windows XP Pro on my desktop, Ubuntu on my server. I've tried FreeDOS on an old computer, but it didn't go so well, because of missing network drivers. Now it has Windows 98 on it, for the purpose of running old dos games.

I also have an Ubuntu installation on my desktop computer, but I mainly use it to compile applications for my Nokia N810.

by **b.i.o** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 7:37 pm UTC

protocoach wrote:What do you mean when you say "other than the defaults"?

Gnome has extremely few configuration options for controlling what your desktop looks like--you can change visual styles and a few colors, but if you're running Gnome it's almost always pretty obvious. OS X is about a thousand times worse. Apple doesn't even make an attempt to allow customization. Ever notice how every single OS X screenshot looks exactly the same? There's a reason for that. Windows has the same problem--although it's not nearly as bad because it's much easier to get rid of the default UI and use something else.

by **ash.gti** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:18 pm UTC

b.i.o wrote:Gnome has extremely few configuration options for controlling what your desktop looks like--you can change visual styles and a few colors, but if you're running Gnome it's almost always pretty obvious. OS X is about a thousand times worse. Apple doesn't even make an attempt to allow customization.

Hey at least you don't have to use Aqua if you don't want to, although stripping out Quartz + Aqua makes OS X basically turn into OpenDarwin but that is not really a bad thing if you really don't like Aqua. Just build the XFree86 then go change a few config files and your done. Its not much harder than doing it from Linux if you know where the config files are located. I guess the hardest part of that would be getting the GCC to build with, then downloading all the right stuff.

by **b.i.o** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 12:50 am UTC

ash.gti wrote:Hey at least you don't have to use Aqua if you don't want to, although stripping out Quartz + Aqua makes OS X basically turn into OpenDarwin but that is not really a bad thing if you really don't like Aqua. Just build the XFree86 then go change a few config files and your done. Its not much harder than doing it from Linux if you know where the config files are located. I guess the hardest part of that would be getting the GCC to build with, then downloading all the right stuff.

You can do that with *any* (modern) OS.

by **Hyena** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 1:49 am UTC

aleflamedyud wrote:Long story, I tried to run a package update after having been away for 10 months and it decided to create a circular package block. New Python needs the New Portage, and New Portage needs New Python.

Normally when i come upon these things (there's one or two in the ubuntu repos) i just get the packs manually, stick them in a folder and go apt-get install <folder>/*. I dont know the equivalent type thing to do in gentoo, but it could work...? apt get is normally smart enough to do it, i'm not sure about what gentoo uses.

anyway, i put down windows XP and ubuntu (technically kubuntu, but i'm not too fussed) 8.04, and i tend to like kubuntu more, even if i don't have internet connected to that machine most of the time.

by **protocoach** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 2:21 am UTC

TheGZeus wrote:
protocoach wrote:
TheGZeus wrote:
protocoach wrote:Mac OS X. Because I am a poli-sci major and when it comes to complicated computing, DO NOT WANT.

I find getting things like GNOME and OS X to do anything other than the defaults VERY complicated.
Defaults or editing text files. Meh.
I'll take something simple that doesn't feel like a toy any day.
Also, how do you feel about software freedon, as a poli-sci major?

What do you mean when you say "other than the defaults"?

...I don't know how to explain that without sounding like a smartass, or a dictionary... or both.
As for software freedom, what context are we discussing here? Linux? Freeware in general?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software

Based on the definition of defaults given by b.i.o. above, I have to say that I really don't care about that. I can customize it to the extent that I need it customized. As for software freedom, I fully support it.

by **TheGZeus** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 5:08 am UTC

protocoach wrote:...As for software freedom, I fully support it.

You DO realise Apple does about anything it can to shove DRM into every nook and cranny of their software, and has some of the most restrictive licensing in the industry, right?
Vista is nothing compared to the iPhone, and OS X is pretty close, considering it includes iTunes (DRM on wheels) and an entire video/photo suite/window management system/scripting engine that are also under said licensing... or did you?

I was really asking about your opinion from a political science perspective. I guess it really is a subject most people have never thought about.
personally I hate that I use Adobe's Flash Player.
Gnash is not anywhere near perfect, and Flash Player's the only proprietary software I use.

by **protocoach** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 5:52 pm UTC

TheGZeus wrote:
protocoach wrote:...As for software freedom, I fully support it.

You DO realise Apple does about anything it can to shove DRM into every nook and cranny of their software, and has some of the most restrictive licensing in the industry, right?
Vista is nothing compared to the iPhone, and OS X is pretty close, considering it includes iTunes (DRM on wheels) and an entire video/photo suite/window management system/scripting engine that are also under said licensing... or did you?

I was really asking about your opinion from a political science perspective. I guess it really is a subject most people have never thought about.
personally I hate that I use Adobe's Flash Player.
Gnash is not anywhere near perfect, and Flash Player's the only proprietary software I use.

Yeah, I do, but while I support it, I don't live it. Meh.

by **TheGZeus** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:35 pm UTC

protocoach wrote:
TheGZeus wrote:
protocoach wrote:...As for software freedom, I fully support it.

You DO realise Apple does about anything it can to shove DRM into every nook and cranny of their software, and has some of the most restrictive licensing in the industry, right?
Vista is nothing compared to the iPhone, and OS X is pretty close, considering it includes iTunes (DRM on wheels) and an entire video/photo suite/window management system/scripting engine that are also under said licensing... or did you?

I was really asking about your opinion from a political science perspective. I guess it really is a subject most people have never thought about.
personally I hate that I use Adobe's Flash Player.
Gnash is not anywhere near perfect, and Flash Player's the only proprietary software I use.

Yeah, I do, but while I support it, I don't live it. Meh.

uuuuh....
"I fully support Obama, but I'm voting McCain."

Feel free to use whatever you want, I'm just trying to point out that what you're saying and doing have certain...incongruencies..

by **crp** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 10:29 pm UTC

From this poll and a similar poll elsewhere, it seems that Linux is the most popular OS among developers.

Elsewhere being a headquarter for Google close to my friend's house, with over 90% preferring Linux and 100% using Linux

by **TheGZeus** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 10:53 pm UTC

crp wrote:From this poll and a similar poll elsewhere, it seems that Linux is the most popular OS among developers.

Elsewhere being a headquarter for Google close to my friend's house, with over 90% preferring Linux and 100% using Linux

This is one of the reasons i think it will eventually be the real winner.
Some day the Linux installations out there will hit 25% and the developers will start feeling less motivated to write code for something they don't regularly use, and don't like coding for.

by **crp** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:33 pm UTC

Hold your ground - hold your ground! Sons of Ubuntu - of Debian . . . my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. The day may come when the courage of Men fails; when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship; but it is not this day - an hour of Windows and shattered applications, when the Age of OSI comes crashing down - but it is not this day!!! This day we program! By all that you hold dear on this good earth - I bid you stand!

[/couldn't resist]

by **hotaru** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 2:32 am UTC

by **protocoach** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:52 am UTC

TheGZeus wrote:
protocoach wrote:
TheGZeus wrote:
protocoach wrote:...As for software freedom, I fully support it.

You DO realise Apple does about anything it can to shove DRM into every nook and cranny of their software, and has some of the most restrictive licensing in the industry, right?
Vista is nothing compared to the iPhone, and OS X is pretty close, considering it includes iTunes (DRM on wheels) and an entire video/photo suite/window management system/scripting engine that are also under said licensing... or did you?

I was really asking about your opinion from a political science perspective. I guess it really is a subject most people have never thought about.
personally I hate that I use Adobe's Flash Player.
Gnash is not anywhere near perfect, and Flash Player's the only proprietary software I use.

Yeah, I do, but while I support it, I don't live it. Meh.

uuuuh....
"I fully support Obama, but I'm voting McCain."

Feel free to use whatever you want, I'm just trying to point out that what you're saying and doing have certain...incongruencies..

Riiight...except on the one hand we're talking about the guy who heads the most powerful nation in the world, and on the other, we're talking about computers. Specifically, a computing company that currently holds just 10% of the entire market. Feel free to think what you want, I'm just trying to point out that some things are actually serious and others much less so.

by **TheGZeus** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 6:05 am UTC

protocoach wrote:
TheGZeus wrote:
protocoach wrote:
TheGZeus wrote:
protocoach wrote:...As for software freedom, I fully support it.

You DO realise Apple does about anything it can to shove DRM into every nook and cranny of their software, and has some of the most restrictive licensing in the industry, right?
Vista is nothing compared to the iPhone, and OS X is pretty close, considering it includes iTunes (DRM on wheels) and an entire video/photo suite/window management system/scripting engine that are also under said licensing... or did you?

I was really asking about your opinion from a political science perspective. I guess it really is a subject most people have never thought about.
personally I hate that I use Adobe's Flash Player.
Gnash is not anywhere near perfect, and Flash Player's the only proprietary software I use.

Yeah, I do, but while I support it, I don't live it. Meh.

uuuuh....
"I fully support Obama, but I'm voting McCain."

Feel free to use whatever you want, I'm just trying to point out that what you're saying and doing have certain...incongruencies..

Riiight...except on the one hand we're talking about the guy who heads the most powerful nation in the world, and on the other, we're talking about computers. Specifically, a computing company that currently holds just 10% of the entire market. Feel free to think what you want, I'm just trying to point out that some things are actually serious and others much less so.

You've only succeeded in pointing out your ability to completely miss the point.
Something's always going to be more important than anything it can be compared to. That doesn't make the comparison invalid.

Stop quoting the entire discussion history... also, this thread of discussion should either circle back around to OSs very quickly, or stop.

by **enk** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 11:36 pm UTC

crp wrote:Hold your ground - hold your ground! Sons of Ubuntu - of Debian . . . my brothers! I see in your eyes the same fear that would take the heart of me. The day may come when the courage of Men fails; when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship; but it is not this day - an hour of Windows and shattered applications, when the Age of OSI comes crashing down - but it is not this day!!! This day we program! By all that you hold dear on this good earth - I bid you stand!

[/couldn't resist]

I can't stop wondering if [/couldn't resist] should be opened by [couldn't resist] or [can't resist] ...

by **Zoris** » Tue Jul 15, 2008 12:04 am UTC

Well, currently I have the following installed; Vista, Linux Mint 5, Zenwalk, and Sabayon. I haven't used Vista since about March, and I mainly use Mint 5, so I selected "Other Linux".

I started out using Ubuntu less than a year ago, but Ubuntu eventually bored me...

by **dclr** » Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:08 pm UTC

Windows XP on 2 computers.
I have Vista Business installed on one (the older one), but aside from 1 hour testing/playing around I never booted into it anymore.
I really would like to use a Linux (I had Fedora on my now dead laptop for a long time; I like Gentoo and Xubuntu), but I don't want to reboot everytime I switch from working/webbrowsing to gaming. And then there is the issue of a decent messenger and a graphical editor. I tried a lot of programs, but Miranda and PSPad are just the best for me.

What operating systems do you use(or want to use)?(2 max)

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