A Microsoft XP Geek switching to Ubuntu 7.10 Gusty Gibbon

[IRONHORSE]

Why don't you get a Mac?  I have a Mac and have been very happy with it.  (Unfortunately, I have to use Vista for grad school, as the school's system doesn't work well with Mac).  So, I use both.  I can tell you that I use my MacBook much more often than my other laptop.

For people who are Unix fans, a Mac running OS X is great system. For people who could care less about Unix, it's still a great system because the Unix underpinnings aren't shoved into your face unless you want them to be.

I use OS X, Windows and Linux variants daily. OS X is by far my favorite and the system I run at home.

Right now, it's mainly a financial decision. I'm going to put a little more money into upgrading my system to (hopefully) keep it viable for a few more years. When this system is no longer viable, I will begin looking hard at the Macs. The one drawback I see right now (Yes, I've been peeking at Macs already  ) is that the Macs cost considerably more than a comparably equipped PC. But yeah...they're on the menu

[tomgallagher]

For the life of me I can not understand why Microsoft is pilloreid as the bogeyman by some even though the vast majority of the planet uses their products. I just don't get it and really don't want to hear some convoluted technical replies showing me how I and 90% of the rest of the world are wrong.

[TheSlyBear]

Hackles down, Tom. No one said you are wrong. If a tool is working for you, it's the right tool for you.

However, a large percentage of that other 90% is not having the same stellar experience as you are. For them, an alternative would be a better tool.

A computer and an operating systems is just a tool, not a religion. When one doesn't work for you, you find another.

[IRONHORSE]

For the life of me I can not understand why Microsoft is pilloreid as the bogeyman by some even though the vast majority of the planet uses their products. I just don't get it and really don't want to hear some convoluted technical replies showing me how I and 90% of the rest of the world are wrong.

Whoa, Tom... I certainly didn't mean to offend. I am certainly not saying you, or anybody else, are wrong in any way. In fact I don't even consider this a "right or wrong" scenario. It's more a matter of taste.

As far as Microsoft is concerned, and without turning this into a "what's wrong with Microsoft" forum - I've followed the progress of Vista since it went by "Codename: Longhorn" and my main concern is with the anti piracy software that is an integral part of the programming of Vista.  The information is out there for those who care to research this. In the end, why it prompted me to make the switch is: I don't believe it is Microsoft's right to police my computer as to what programs I choose to run - legal or otherwise. I believe that choice should be mine  

[tomgallagher]

Hackles down, Tom. No one said you are wrong. If a tool is working for you, it's the right tool for you.

However, a large percentage of that other 90% is not having the same stellar experience as you are. For them, an alternative would be a better tool.

A computer and an operating systems is just a tool, not a religion. When one doesn't work for you, you find another.

That makes a lot of sense Bear. The problem that frost my butt are the zealots. Anti-Microsoft just for the hell of it.

[tomgallagher]

For the life of me I can not understand why Microsoft is pilloreid as the bogeyman by some even though the vast majority of the planet uses their products. I just don't get it and really don't want to hear some convoluted technical replies showing me how I and 90% of the rest of the world are wrong.

Whoa, Tom... I certainly didn't mean to offend. I am certainly not saying you, or anybody else, are wrong in any way. In fact I don't even consider this a "right or wrong" scenario. It's more a matter of taste.

As far as Microsoft is concerned, and without turning this into a "what's wrong with Microsoft" forum - I've followed the progress of Vista since it went by "Codename: Longhorn" and my main concern is with the anti piracy software that is an integral part of the programming of Vista.  The information is out there for those who care to research this. In the end, why it prompted me to make the switch is: I don't believe it is Microsoft's right to police my computer as to what programs I choose to run - legal or otherwise. I believe that choice should be mine  

OK, I also have been dealing with "Longhorn" since it's debut on the R&D think tank boards. Everyone has a right to their opinion but I wish that they would qualify their remarks by saying something like, IMO MS yada yada, not just issue a blanket statement like they are speaking for everyone.

[IRONHORSE]

Errr... I'm an opinionated S.O.B., and seldom hesitate to add my 2 cents on things (except politics and religion - I avoid discussions about those with all except my nearest and dearest) but I generally try to make it clear that my opinion is only mine, and I certainly wouldn't presume to speak for anyone other than myself... Sorry if you misunderstood 

[tomgallagher]

Maybe we should start a club...Opinionated Son of a Bitches International.

[TheSlyBear]

I'll remain a walrus. 

[IRONHORSE]

Maybe we should start a club...Opinionated Son of a Bitches International.

I'll remain a walrus. 

Errr...Opinionated Entities International?

[tomgallagher]

The time has come the Walrus said to speak of many things.

[Alexander215]

This thread has been quite an insight for me.  I have been out of the direct software world since retiring from CA in 2004. But I will tell you that I am getting ready to dual boot my Sony Viao laptop with WinXP and either Ubuntu, SimplyMepis or PCLinuxOS. I have not decided which one yet and am downloading the .iso's for them as we speak.

Being a former IT Project Manager, I am completely done with MS. The flaws an lack of adequate support  boggles the mind. So thanks to this thread and the opinions of some others, I have decided to, if nothing else, create a dual boot system and test drive the latest, user friendly distro of Linux. If I can get everything converted, one way or another. MS is HISTORY in my life.

Thank you.

I would recommend Ubuntu, it was much more support than SimplyMepis or PCLinuxOS

[IRONHORSE]

I have the .iso file for the 64 bit edition of Ubuntu downloaded and sitting on a disc, in my CD ROM drive. I'm having some issues with being able to boot from network, due to some hiccups in my system, which I am trying to iron out so I can get it installed. FR8TRAIN has been awesome from the get go with help, advice, and encouragement.
I will post more about my experiences after I'm able to finally get it installed.

[IRONHORSE]

Update:
Well, despite FR8 and myself giving it our darnedest, it seems Windows is having some sort of issue letting me into setup, so I am temporarily stymied. All is OK, though. I just ordered my new video card and cooling fans/controller yesterday. When the parts get here, I am taking the computer back to the place that built it for me to get everything installed and running, and I will have them fix that dratted Windows problem so that I can install Ubuntu when I get the computer back.

[skiking]

The biggest problem I have with ubuntu hardy, is that it doesn't like yo stay connected to a wireless network.  It lets me connect to it, and i can start using the internet, but 10 minutes later, it cuts me off, it is like clockwork.  other than that, I love ubuntu.