operating systems

[TomS]

Hey guys, I was just wondering what kind of computer operating systems everyone uses.  I assume the answers will mostly be windows, but I'd like to know which version of windows it is.  I'll start it off.

I mainly stick to Linux, Ubuntu mostly, and I dual boot windows xp on my desktop because I haven't gotten around to making the full switch. 

[SLYinKC]

Just plain old windows XP, here.

[Cam]

Ubuntu Linux for me. I have XP set up dual boot on my laptop, but I rarely ever use it. After getting used to Ubuntu, Windows just seems so... bad. 

[Tyler]

I have one laptop with SuSe Linux and one with XP.  I use the XP most often because of work, but I do really like using Linux now that I'm used to it.

[TheSlyBear]

Well, for my job I need to deal with all of them. But for my personal needs it's Mac OS X all the way.

[joergHH]

Good old XP.

In work Windows 2000 professional.

J

[PBurke]

smoke signals!

[mindfungus]

  Windows XP Pro on desktop and laptop, God save me!!

  I played around with Unix back in the 90's and I think I've an old copy of Redhat somewhere but don't use it.
  I'd love to switch and give windows the big not so Sly finger, but I've a couple of programs that don't run in Unix (World of Warcraft), and it's such a hassle to go through a format and reinstall just to try it for a week, get stumped and then have to undo it all.
 
mindfungus

[Cam]

  Windows XP Pro on desktop and laptop, God save me!!

  I played around with Unix back in the 90's and I think I've an old copy of Redhat somewhere but don't use it.
  I'd love to switch and give windows the big not so Sly finger, but I've a couple of programs that don't run in Unix (World of Warcraft), and it's such a hassle to go through a format and reinstall just to try it for a week, get stumped and then have to undo it all.
 
mindfungus

I have seen WOW being run under Ubuntu Linux with the help of Cedega.

[mindfungus]

  Cedega? I will have to look into it. I would really love to make the switch, but I'm unwilling to mess with my current setup.
  A friend of mine had a version of Unix that he could boot from CD and was fully functional, but that was years ago. I'll have to do some checking, you've sparked my intrest.

mindfungus

[SonOfKrypton]

It's funny, if you woulda asked me this question a year and a half ago the answer woulda be Windows.  But then I bought a Mac and threw Windows XP on there just in case the learning curve for OS X was steep.  But it wasn't.  So now, I'm running a system that triple boots OS X, XP, and Ubuntu.  My bro just recently installed Ubuntu on it for me so I haven't played around with it at all but considering how much time I spend away from XP now, I doubt Ubuntu can get me to stop using OS X.  OS X on the computer, OS X on the phone.  Gotta say I love OS X.  

Bootedbear, what kind of Mac are you on?

[Cam]

  Cedega? I will have to look into it. I would really love to make the switch, but I'm unwilling to mess with my current setup.
  A friend of mine had a version of Unix that he could boot from CD and was fully functional, but that was years ago. I'll have to do some checking, you've sparked my intrest.

mindfungus

you can run almost all distros of Linux via liveCD now. I suggest trying Ubuntu, I love it.

[TomS]

  Cedega? I will have to look into it. I would really love to make the switch, but I'm unwilling to mess with my current setup.
  A friend of mine had a version of Unix that he could boot from CD and was fully functional, but that was years ago. I'll have to do some checking, you've sparked my intrest.

mindfungus

It's easy to try out different flavors of Linux through the use of live cds.  You just boot up the cd, try out the operating system, see if you like it and it doesn't affect your current setup at all.  Some have installers that can help you set up a dual boot without much trouble. 

Here's a link to the Ubuntu download page.  If you download it and burn it onto a cd it will run like I've stated above.  There are other distributions that have live cds, so you can test out a few to see if you like any.

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download

[Sgt. Pate]

I'm still using XP.  The wife's new laptop has Vista Premium. 

[TheSlyBear]

Bootedbear, what kind of Mac are you on?

At work, I use a MacBook Pro. At home I have a G4 iBook for sitting on my ass in front of the TV, and a PowerMac G4 in the office as a server and for video editing and web development.

Oh, and an old (but still kicking) G3 iMac in the kitchen for looking up recipes and surfing while sauces reduce.

It's true what they say: once you go Mac, you never go back!

For those wanting to experiment with Unix as an alternative to Windows, OS X is the most successful Unix implementation ever. You just gotta buy Apple hardware. If you want to use PC hardware, Ubuntu is a good bet, but nowhere near as friendly as OS X. (And before anyone starts, Apple hardware is not more expensive than PC hardware if you talk equivalent power and capabilities -- especially if you compare with Dells).