Which Operating System do you prefer?

[Dead_reckon]

Which OS do you prefer? I thought I'd throw this out due to the diversity of users on CH. Post your experiences with any of the listed OS's, I'm a proud XP user. I hate vista, personally, I believe vista should be launched into orbit.

[Zylstra]

Well, you know my well argued opinion on mine

Vista.
I do use XP quite often, specifically in school, and on our other home computers...
My opinion is:
If your computer came with Vista, stick with Vista, if it came with XP, stick with XP. (And I think quite a few people here share that opinion)

If it werent for driver issues, and finding free antivirus,  I would use Windows Server 2003 on my primary computer... extremely stable, free to students, great OS.

And I use Ubuntu Linux 8.04 Hardy Heron (no GUI) for my server...

[!~*:.Pink Floyd.:*~!]

APB OS FTW!

But yeah I also use windows

[ChrisXPPro]

Well my newest machine came with Vista but it was not long before I became a "Vistaphobe"!!  I am sure as we see - it does of course suit some.  I downgraded, with some relief!

But XP Pro for me and as I have things set up as classic - am still in my familiar environment as was with Win2k several years ago.  In fact if you went back to about 1996 when I was on Win 95 OSR2c ... it doesn't look too different from that even!

Yep - old man who hates too much change at once!

[Zylstra]

In fact if you went back to about 1996 when I was on Win 95 OSR2c ... it doesn't look too different from that even!

I think I can disagree with that statement... If you switch everything to classic, many of the XP User interfaces are completely different, in different places, and re-arranged differently.

[ChrisXPPro]

Hmmm - well, of course some subtle differences but in the grand scheme of things the transition was gradual enough that it still feels like home. 

I dig deep when setting up XP and of course it has a boatload of extra frills and yeah - some things in different places but - superficially at least - were I comparing my Win Explorer and look of desktop then and now - not much difference.

No quantum leap here - just relative consistency plus the extras. 

[Zylstra]

I'm still trying to find a Windows 3.11 theme for Vista..

[ChrisXPPro]

I'm still trying to find a Windows 3.11 theme for Vista..

You go back that far HUH! 

I ran Workgroups on a DX4-66 for a long time - wish I still had the old filemanager - tho I believe there is a ''lookalike'' out there.  Used to Win Explorer now tho.

Would be nice tho if available themes did go that far back - mind you as I recall - best res I could manage back then (pushing it) was 1024 x 768 ...... plus IIRC best I could do with settings was 64k colors.

I remember when I (at HUGE expense) upgraded my RAM from 8Mb to 16Mb .....   

[patio]

Win2K...

[Dead_reckon]

The upgrades in technology almost make you wonder if cheaper is better.. Or if its best to stay with the trend that was years ago, everything costs a fortune if you do or don't want it to last.

[Broni]

Yeah, where is Win 2K in the list?

[Soviet_Genius]

If your computer came with Vista, stick with Vista, if it came with XP, stick with XP. (And I think quite a few people here share that opinion)

Agreed. A year ago, though, Vista was a nightmare and I switched to XP. I switched back to Vista recently and it's running much better now, a lot of the problems have been worked out and games run at pretty much the same fps as they did in XP.

[Dead_reckon]

Alright, alright, I'll add Win2k if at least five people vote for it, but I'm also resetting votes if I do.

[Zylstra]

Alright, alright, I'll add Win2k if at least five people vote for it, but I'm also resetting votes if I do.

You could add it, and also enable the option to remove votes...

[Broni]

patio's opinion is good for 4 people, plus me....you got 5

[Ivy]

HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THE SAME POLL!!!

Honestly guys find a new topic!!! Please 

I want a poll that doesn't include patio and OS.Pleeeeeassseee!!

[Zylstra]

I want a poll that doesn't include patio and OS.Pleeeeeassseee!!

Make one?

[Calum]

Windows XP X64, closely followed by Server 2003.  Both built on the same code base, would use the former on a 64 bit machine and the latter on a non-64 bit one.  If I could I would abandon XP, however some apps won't work with my two favourite OSes.  Also, I like Win2K for older machines, and NT4 for anything really old.

[squall_01]

You cant pick more then one???

[Dead_reckon]

No, I said which operating system, not systems. Singular, one, more than zero, less than two, but equal to one. Get it?

[squall_01]

yeah, just a little sad you cant pick more then one but I choose my fav. 

[BC_Programmer]

I only recently (< 1 year) got over my XP phobia, so it'll be a while before I welcome Vista with open arms. (and even then, it probably won't be open arms, but rather a grimace).

I managed to force XP onto my old machine, a AMD K6-2 350 Mhz- when I did, it only had 2GB of HD space, and a measly 96MB of RAM. needless to say I was kind of forced to disable themes). At the time it wasn't even capable of using OpenGL, what with it's ATI 3d Rage Pro 8MB (Why do I remember all this?). I slowly upgraded that computer to the max- 32GB drive, 512MB of RAM, Radeon 9250... then I realized  that I should probably just get a new computer. And I did, an empty shell (essentially) from a PC repair shop- I got it for 200$, probably wasn't worth that much, but oh well. What OS did I install? Why XP of course!




Although I still use PC-DOS 2000 on my Thinkpad 755CDV along with windows 3.1

[squall_01]

Has any one tried the new one yet???  Its going to be hard to beat xp since the vista incident.

[BC_Programmer]

I imagine the new version of windows is in beta, and is thus being distributed to the higher tiers of MSDN membership. (gold or platinum, or something). probably won't be long before a member leaks it onto the net, in complete violation of the non-disclosure agreement.

[squall_01]

yeah, well if its any good it will be evry where.

[quaxo]

Fedora 9 is what I prefer the most. The only reason I still use Windows XP is for games. Fedora handles all other tasks I need.

[squall_01]

yeah, havent seen you in a while.

[typhoeus]

Windows XP and MacOSX.  More things are made for Windows, but Mac has a really nice interface.  I still have a really old Imac, now good for word processing, but doesn't run too much else.  Especially since the CD drive bombed.  Good times.

[kpac]

I have used XP HE, and am now using Vista 32. I have Ubuntu as well, but never got the hang of it...

[ephemeridos]

after reading all your comments about vista i'm glad that i have bought my new notebook with xp pro.
however i remember when xp came out people have complained the same way as about vista now.
there was a huge security gap on xp and microsoft was so compromized. back then, at work i was using windows 98 or corel and i have needed time too to get used to xp.

[Zylstra]

I was thinking about just trying Windows 2003 on my laptop... I'm just worried about the graphics card...

I dont understand why, but, I really like 2003.
Probably has something to do with the fact that it works on my server EXTREMELY well. I couldent believe it... it was like XP, but, fast... really fast on my 900MHz computer with 314MB of RAM (somewhere around there...)
Anyone know how well nVidia Ge Force GO 7300 (or others in the similar series) work in 2003?

[computeruler]

no idea zylstra well anyways i love windows xp i also like linux

[Calum]

Zylstra, Server 03 is a very fast OS, I agree.
And don't worry, if you have XP drivers most everything will work in Server 03 too - I won't say it will definitely work, but XP drivers worked for all my hardware on all my computers, except my sound card.

[soybean]

I voted Windows XP but I agree with this:

If your computer came with Vista, stick with Vista, if it came with XP, stick with XP. (And I think quite a few people here share that opinion)

The poll shows XP far in the lead but that's not really a surprise, is it?  After all, XP has was released in 2001, so many computer users have now become accustomed to it as the OS with which they are most familiar.

[BC_Programmer]

I don't mean to go off topic, but what is different about Windows Server 2003 as compared to XP?


As it stands now, I have reformatted two computers that came with vista to work with XP, and they work fine, once I found the proper drivers. I'd have kept vista on it but my brother (the person who got the computer) said that they wouldn't give him an actual Windows CD, and he only got the recovery CD.

Since that makes troubleshooting difficult down the road in a lot of cases, I opted to instead put XP on the computer (he wanted it anyway)

[Calum]

BC: Windows Server 2003 has a newer kernel than XP, also newer driver databases etc and slightly more optimised code.  Whilst it does include more things which most people (if using it as a workstation OS) would never use, I can testify that it does feel a lot faster than XP on the same hardware, whilst also being more secure and stable.

[BC_Programmer]

BC: Windows Server 2003 has a newer kernel than XP, also newer driver databases etc and slightly more optimised code.  Whilst it does include more things which most people (if using it as a workstation OS) would never use, I can testify that it does feel a lot faster than XP on the same hardware, whilst also being more secure and stable.

Thanks, I think I'll give it a whirl- this comp smashes the XP requirements, but just barely squeaks by Vista Minimum requirements, so I guess Server 2003 will be a safe middle ground.

or, I could experiment with my current XP install, see what happens when I swap out system files for the corresponding files in 2003.

[rock_lee_96]

First, I like Vista, but it's well known that Vista needs a new GPU, so I'm getting one for Xmas.
Anyways, some of my games had bugs too, so It will be good

Still XP PRO is the best, and for now most stable OS that doesent need awesome PC specs. I think that the Windows 7 (maybe coming in 2010) should not come so early, because Microsoft need to learn MUCH MORE about some of the mistakes they made in Vista.

I still will buy the Win7 when it comes out, but first I'll ask if friends have it, and is it good.
 

[computeruler]

ya windows 7 sounds like itll be better cause i think that vista was just a temporary thing they realesead cause windows 7 would take so long

[Zylstra]

ya windows 7 sounds like itll be better cause i think that vista was just a temporary thing they realesead cause windows 7 would take so long

Thats not quite the truth there....
Windows 7 will be using the same kernel architecture as the Vista kernel... (Architecture is an important word there...)

So far, Windows 7 hasnt impressed me yet... but, still waiting for more information.

[patio]

So far, Windows 7 hasnt impressed me yet... but, still waiting for more information.

And where did you get it from ? ?

[Zylstra]

So far, Windows 7 hasnt impressed me yet... but, still waiting for more information.

And where did you get it from ? ?

From what I have read from people who have gone to conventions, from Microsoft, and all that other information...
I've been somewhat watching its development. (Havent looked into it in a while...)

[BC_Programmer]

So, what your saying Zylstra, is that Windows 7 will be to Vista what XP was to 2000? (or something along those lines?)

because Microsoft need to learn MUCH MORE about some of the mistakes they made in Vista.

their still learning from mistakes they made in MSBASIC, probably. they should have based it on .NET.

[Zylstra]

So, what your saying Zylstra, is that Windows 7 will be to Vista what XP was to 2000? (or something along those lines?)

Yes, I know. It wont receive my final judgment until I try it out for two weeks at the minimum.
I don't see Windows 7 being any different from Windows Vista... the new feature-sets just haven't impressed me yet.
All I have heard is the improvement of touch technology support...
I havent tried out touch screen technology, but, I really dont like the idea of touching my screen. I use the keyboard a lot, since its the input I want to give.
I also dont like the idea of this "connected PC network" thing where your applications and files appear on other computers when you log in... Yeah, sounds pretty cool, but think of the security issues that will develop through such an interface... I'd like to hear more about that specifically, so I can understand better what and how it will work.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqDQ0wUcSPQ << "Official" Windows 7 video
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7 << Wikipedia, has some of the feature
http://windows7news.com/ << Site dedicated to Windows 7

It sounds interesting, but is it what it promises?
It will be great to find out -- Only a few more months, right?

[computeruler]

i cant wait! it looks soo cool! i better get a touch screen!!!!!! june 09!

[patio]

You're judging an OS you haven't even seen or used  yet ? ?

[computeruler]

i saw it in the video zylstra linked

[patio]

How do you judge an OS by a video ? ?

This was my original point that everyone seems to be missing so you guys just continue because i'm done here.

[Zylstra]

You're judging an OS you haven't even seen or used  yet ? ?

So, what your saying Zylstra, is that Windows 7 will be to Vista what XP was to 2000? (or something along those lines?)

Yes, I know. It wont receive my final judgment until I try it out for two weeks at the minimum.

Not quite judging it yet...
I'm just saying, so far, from what I have read, its failed to impress me.

[squall_01]

if a commercial is good your going to see people wanting to by that product.  You don't see three year olds advertising *censored*. 

[BC_Programmer]

if a commercial is good your going to see people wanting to by that product.  You don't see three year olds advertising *censored*. 

That's because pedophiles would comprise a niche market, whereas they want to go mainstream.