What operating system do you use?

[Miaplacidus]

I was just wondering that. I plan to write a couple of technology-related posts, so I would like to know, so that I can write specifically for the different platforms.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, you probably use Windows, or maybe Mac OS X.

There's a poll attached. Please vote. If you use another operating system, please detail in a post. You can choose more than one option: for example I chose Windows XP and Linux (I use both).

Fred.

[Steam Giant]

Windows 2k pro SP4 ftw!!!!!!!!1111111111zomg

[joeyconnick]

I use XP at work but at home I recently got a 24" iMac (which my boyfriend nicknamed "Computer-Zilla") on which I run OS X normally but I have Parallels so can also run XP at the same time as OS X (which is good for MSN because the Mac MSN client sucks!) and then of course I can use Boot Camp to boot into XP on my Mac if I want to do something like play a Windows-only game.

[Kimi]

Right now I use XP but I want to start OS X life...I heard it's great.
Though I'm too used to windows and it's gonna be my second pc if I bought a mac so it might be very likely not touched for long time...

Also it's too expensive for a high school kid:bang:

[joeyconnick]

Macs are worth the cost and the Minis are very affordable, really (you can just buy relatively cheap peripherals for it). The entry iMac would also be sweet, I'm sure. We have the G5 model of the 17" iMac at work and it's quite a nice little machine.

[Paul_UK]

I have just ordered a new laptop which comes with Vista Home Premium so I'll probably try that for a while and see how many of the programs I use work on it. I have several spare XP Pro licenses (from MS Action Pack) so I can put that on it if I have problems with Vista.

I would like to use Linux more, but some of the stuff I use doesn't run on it and there are no viable Linux equivalents yet. Plus OpenOffice (at least on Linux) has has performance issues (it gradually gets more and more sluggish until you have to close and reopen it).

[joeyconnick]

I have just ordered a new laptop which comes with Vista Home Premium so I'll probably try that for a while and see how many of the programs I use work on it. I have several spare XP Pro licenses (from MS Action Pack) so I can put that on it if I have problems with Vista.You will. Have problems with Vista. I've heard nothing but bad stuff, specifically due to the lack of drivers for anything 3rd party. Glad to hear you have spare XP Pro licenses.

I would like to use Linux more, but some of the stuff I use doesn't run on it and there are no viable Linux equivalents yet. Plus OpenOffice (at least on Linux) has has performance issues (it gradually gets more and more sluggish until you have to close and reopen it).Really? NeoOffice (OpenOffice for Mac) seems to work really well. Ah Java-based stuff... how to make things even more complex!

[Paul_UK]

Vista drivers shouldn't be an issue as the laptop (a Dell) will come with it all preinstalled as well as having the drivers on a CD. The only external stuff we use is a couple of printers on the network (direct TCP/IP printer port) which are supported with XP built-in drivers so should be fine with Vista, and USB memory sticks.

I use quite a lot of older software though (such as CorelDraw 7, Dreamweaver 4, ThumbsPlus 3 and Visual Basic 6) which is where I expect to see problems. Some of these will only run on XP with an administrator level login, so the new security stuff in Vista might get in the way. It'll be interesting to try it, though I suspect I will be installing XP within a week or so.....

[Jerr]

I'm looking into getting an Alienware laptop. Hopefully one to be my main computer until well... I have kids. lol.

[nisomer]

I'm on my mac powerbook right now, but also use XP on my desktop. My dad also just got me a dell laptop with vista for college...haven't done anything with it yet though.

[Miaplacidus]

Linux runs nicely on my Gateway MX6448 but I've had some hardware issues. And Windows XP doesn't show the computer's full potential, so...

Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686 (x86_64); en-US; rv:1.8.1) Gecko/20061023 SUSE/2.0-30 Firefox/2.0

[botanyboy03]

I use XP, I think. Fred knows, I am pretty computer illiterate.

Zac

[Miaplacidus]

I use XP, I think. Fred knows, I am pretty computer illiterate.

Zac

Yep, you use XP, love.

Fred.

[step49x]

I use Linux (xubuntu distro.). I have XP installed as well, though I hardly ever use it.

[Sanssouci]

I have Windows XP.. I REALLY want Vista Home Premium though - but only if its free :D

[Paul_UK]

I use Linux (xubuntu distro.). I have XP installed as well, though I hardly ever use it.

I understand Ubuntu (and Xubuntu) 7.04 is out now. Time for another look I think - hopefully it's more stable than 6.10.

I have Windows XP.. I REALLY want Vista Home Premium though - but only if its free :D

No chance then. :(

You'll need a very good spec to use it. I read somewhere that around 75% of the PCs currently in use can't run Vista. If your machine is more than a couple of years old it will probably need some sort of upgrade (more memory, different graphics card, DVD drive) for Vista. There is a upgrade advisor available for download from Microsoft which will highlight any problems with your PC.

[Negasta]

Windows XP Home, but hoping to switch to Vista soon so that I can use DirectX10 in my games.

I didn't buy an 8800 for nothing you know!:)