What flavor OS?

[RACKnRAIL]

What are you using these days for an OS? Have you been using Win7? Do you like it? What about Linux? What flavor Linux, and why? Maybe you're still using XP...or maybe even Win98. LOL.

I will make this a poll, so I see what the masses are using, but I would like to know if you're using Linux and why. I'm also curious about Win7 users. What do you like about Win7? If you're still using XP, I'm curious why? Is it lack of finances or simply because if it ain't broke, don't fix it?

[mountain_rage]

Windows 7 amd vista

[RACKnRAIL]

Windows 7 amd vista

Do you like Win 7? What are the pros and cons so far? No need to explain about Vista. I personally tried it and hated it. My problem was lack of drivers. I couldn't use my cordless Vtech Skype phone, no TV tuner card, as well as several other issues. It certainly sucked up a lot of resources too. I'm sure Vista has inproved in time, but too little too late for me.

[Signa]

Running 7. I don't know what is really so good about it, but it just feels clean and nice. Drivers have not been an issue, and XP feels like win98 now because of getting used to 7. Also, I'd be a fool to run XP on this machine because XP is getting too dated to handle new hardware efficiently.

[Boomer The Dog]

Windows XP and Ubuntu Linux.

I might have more machines with Linux, but since XP is on my constantly on computer, then by the hours XP gets more use.

I had to recently set up two more XP machines for video editing and processing. I have an exact set of programs for video and a workflow on Windows that can't be duplicated in Ubuntu so far. I'm barking about Vegas, Virtualdub, AutoGK, SD Copy, Mp3 Trim PRO, and on top of that, using XP makes sure there's compatibility of the videos with other Windows systems.

All of my laptops and netbook use Ubuntu though, it's just excellent for the road and connecting to USB, and the video format support is top line for anything that you want to play back.

I could use Ubuntu on my daily computer, but I just haven't switched it yet.. ;)

Great timing for the post too, Ubuntu 10.04 is almost out, 2 days from this post.

[drtoker]

Running 7 since the beta. Love it. All the driver issues were sorted out with the whole Vista fiasco, so no worries there. Anything that works on Vista *should* work on 7, or it has for me so far. No crashes yet, only issue I've had so far is the recycle bin going a bit funky, not emptying or opening until a restart is done. NBD for me since I rarely delete anything without using Shift Del.

7 has a very clean feeling to it, I even recommend it to anyone who didn't like Vista. It even runs great on my older laptop, which wouldn't run Vista at all.

[RACKnRAIL]

Great feedback!

I am really liking Win 7 myself. I'm quite disappointed that it still won't read all 4 gigs of ram though. Yes, I'm running 64 bit Win 7 on a 64 bit chip, but the problem I've learned is the Intel chip itself. Unfortunately, I built this computer a few years ago and the Intel 945 chipset just won't read all the ram. None of that has anything to do with Win 7. I like Win 7 enough that I doubt I will go back to XP any time soon.

[moneoa]

Do you like Win 7? What are the pros and cons so far? No need to explain about Vista. I personally tried it and hated it. My problem was lack of drivers. I couldn't use my cordless Vtech Skype phone, no TV tuner card, as well as several other issues. It certainly sucked up a lot of resources too. I'm sure Vista has inproved in time, but too little too late for me.

As dtoker pointed out Driver support this time out is robust compared to Vista as MS worked with theier partners to ensure the circus that happened with Vista didnt happen again. Further Vista on netbooks is a big fail as a netbook is about as powerful as a PC re: 03-04 and it would lag and be pretty brutal. I too have gotten a 5 year old Toshiba A70 with only 512 megs of ram to run Windows 7 smoothly albiet minus Aero, I tried vista on that notebook and it almost melted into the table on boot.

My Acer Aspire One Netbook Model D150 was an XP rig until I upgraded to 7 and as an expample of how much better it runs than vista on cpomparable hardware my netbook runs full speed with all transparancy effects on and areo enabled. It can still do 3d and some games. It plays multimedia with no lag or issues and just looks and feels really really polished.

It is what Vista should have aspired to be

[w31n3r]

this is going to start looking like a win 7 fanboi thread...

windows 7 on my main box now. it has everything one could need from scheduled backups, to a great antivirus (MSE), to driver support, to...you name it! my only grouse with it is that for some reason it can't play to all five audio channels. prolly a driver issue, i haven't been able to sit down and sort it out but it appears i'm not the only one with sound issues on win 7.

i still use XP on my other boxes though, like RnR said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. i've tried my hand with linux, but for the life of me can't get the hang of it.

[RACKnRAIL]

i've tried my hand with linux, but for the life of me can't get the hang of it.

I really liked XP way back in the day. Win 7 is a bit more exciting.

w31n3r, I was like you with Linux. I know many say ubuntu is really good, and I have yet to try it, but that's because I got hooked on SimplyMepis first. And w31n3r, you don't even have to install it to try it. Just download and boot to the CD...check it out! I liked it so much I installed it on one of my clunkers. I have learned lots and pretty much am able to perform all the same windows tasks on Linux. It definitely changed my mind about Linux.

Check out this review

[moneoa]

I really liked XP way back in the day. Win 7 is a bit more exciting.

w31n3r, I was like you with Linux. I know many say ubuntu is really good, and I have yet to try it, but that's because I got hooked on SimplyMepis first. And w31n3r, you don't even have to install it to try it. Just download and boot to the CD...check it out! I liked it so much I installed it on one of my clunkers. I have learned lots and pretty much am able to perform all the same windows tasks on Linux. It definitely changed my mind about Linux.

Check out this review

I don't knw why but I thought ubuntu was shit when I tried it on my buddies notebook. Was hard to navigate for me and I was taken aback by all the Command lines you have to get savvy with though I assume that is just linux in general.

Anytime I tried to install something I would forget to do it with run as admin command and get so mad....lol.

.....Mepis looks.....pretty....
I think I might toss that onto the hulking piece of crap generic PC I have in my closet. (still runs off of SDRAM)

[StormNinja]

I have 3 operational computers. 2 run everyday. 1 once a week. The main computer is a desktop running Linux Ubuntu 8.10, Intrepid Ibex. My laptop runs Linux, Ubuntu 9.04, Jaunty Jackalope. The once a week machine, a desktop, runs Windows XP Pro. I will be building a new laptop within the next 2 weeks and its OS will either be Ubuntu 10.4 or PCLinuxOS 2010.

[Boomer The Dog]

Well Rack N Rail at least in Simply Mepis they got rid of the tool bar at the top of the screen, something I have never been able to get used to in Ubuntu. It's a step I've always taken with U, delete the top tool bar. I prefer one tool bar with everything on it, more out of sight.

Monoea, it might have been the Ubuntu Netbook Remix on your friend's computer. The interface is very different and made for the confines of the small netbook screens, in three panes to have stuff right there in front of you, few menus, no start button. I got adapted to it pretty quick once I started to use it, in my HP 1010.

Oh, I did have to do some command line stuff after install to get some special drivers for the Ubuntu Netbook, but since then I haven't needed to use that. At install one of the big things needed is to get your codec packs for videos. You might have to paste some commands in, but they are working on making that easier, and once it's done, you have the codecs.

The cool thing about Linux and I think especially Ubuntu is how you can find info on most any problem on the net. It makes it easier if you have another computer nearby so you can search. One thing to search for is 'Ubuntu tweaks' there are whole pages of them that tell you how to do just about anything with your system.

[shango46]

I am running Yellow Dog Linux 6.2 via my PS3 as my main PC right now, but I have 7 on my backup machine. 7 is alright, but still can not beat the stability of a linux machine. To bad $ony removed OtherOS support from the PS3 Phat, but I never play online anyways.

[sygreenblum]

My main desktop runs Windows 7. I use Linux far more then Windows nowadays though in the form of android 2.1 Google phone.

I listen to Pandora several hours a day at work and drive time. Turn by turn navigation for homeowner bids as well the calculator app, scheduling, email and messaging. Books on tape (on phone anyways) for long journeys. Flashlight app for in the dark and the alarm to wake me in the morning. Google for random trivia facts, gstrings to tune my guitar, aloqa to find restaurants, Google maps, weather, camera, pictures and sometimes actual phone calls.

I never thought I'd say this but the appliance I can't live without is no longer my computer but my phone and it runs linux.