How many of you are in an alternative lifestyle?

[Drew Dowdell]

I imagine most here use Windows.

I'm curious what percentage of Mac and Linux users we have here.

Myself, I must use windows at work, but I dual boot into Ubuntu Linux when I'm at home. I just upgraded to Ubuntu - Intrepid over the weekend and it's great. Everything JustWorks™ and speed is great on this older machine.

[Robert Hall]

I use Win XP Pro at work. Have Win Vista Home Premium and Mac OS X at home (main laptops). Also have some older desktops back in Colorado that I don't use much with Win XP home, SuSE Linux/ Win 2k Pro dual boot, Red Hat Linux/Win 98 dual boot, and an old Sun Sparc Ultra workstation w/ Sun OS. Also, two ancient laptops--one Win 2k/Red Hat Linux dual boot, and one with Win 95. I'm a bit of a computer pack rat..never seem to get rid of old hardware.

Edited November 3, 2008 by moltar

[Drew Dowdell]

Do you actually use all of that?

My Ubuntu install is my main interwebs surfing machine. Now that Crossover Pro supports Quicken 2008, I may just switch to Ubuntu entirely. I already have Office 2007 running on it.

[Robert Hall]

Do you actually use all of that?

My Ubuntu install is my main interwebs surfing machine. Now that Crossover Pro supports Quicken 2008, I may just switch to Ubuntu entirely. I already have Office 2007 running on it.

Nah...I just use the two laptops (a Toshiba w/ Win Vista, and a Mac Book Pro). The others I used to use...some are in storage, some are still networked in my home office but turned off... I used the Linux boxes years ago to teach myself how to install and set up Oracle and app servers on Linux.

[FAPTurbo]

My laptop runs XP, the family computer runs XP, and the media PC which is connected to the main TV, and household audio system sports a dual boot XP/LinuxMCE.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Mac all the way baby!

[Z-06]

XP Pro mostly however dabbling into Ubuntu.

[PurdueGuy]

xp pro on my desktop, didn't want to pay extra, so I got stuck with vista on my laptop

[Robert Hall]

It's interesting how perceptions of OSes have changed through time. When I was in college and grad school 12-15+ years ago, UNIXes (Solaris, HP-UX, BSD, etc) were the only operating systems worth using--for hardcore folk like myself (2 degrees in computer science) it was the most serious way to go---the internet was built on UNIX after all (the routers, mail servers, etc all run/ran on UNIXes). Windows was garbage for the masses, the civilians. My Mom or brother could use Windows. Macs were for graphic artists and other artsy types.

Times have changed...Windows has become a lot better, and Macs gained tremendous cred amongst those of us in the life with the introduction of OS X, which has pure UNIX goodness inside with a pretty face. I'm much more likely to use a Mac than putz around with Linux these days, since most of my development is with IDEs w/ Java and Ruby, I don't have to be as OS-centric as it was back in the day.

[Drew Dowdell]

XP Pro mostly however dabbling into Ubuntu.

Have you dabbled with the new Ubuntu - Intrepid Ibex released last week? Works great.

Ubuntu + Crossover Pro = no need for windows.

[Robert Hall]

Have you dabbled with the new Ubuntu - Intrepid Ibex released last week? Works great.

Ubuntu + Crossover Pro = no need for windows.

I'm going to have to give Ubuntu a try...have used RedHat and SuSe the most as far as Linux distros go. I've been running Win XP on VMWare on my Mac this year (since there are a few things I have to run Windows to use,).

[Drew Dowdell]

I'm going to have to give Ubuntu a try...have used RedHat and SuSe the most as far as Linux distros go. I've been running Win XP on VMWare on my Mac this year (since there are a few things I have to run Windows to use,).

I have the free copy of Crossover Pro. Contact me if you'd like a copy of it. It lets you run Windows XP apps inside of Ubuntu.

[Z-06]

It's interesting how perceptions of OSes have changed through time. When I was in college and grad school 12-15+ years ago, UNIXes (Solaris, HP-UX, BSD, etc) were the only operating systems worth using--for hardcore folk like myself (2 degrees in computer science) it was the most serious way to go---the internet was built on UNIX after all (the routers, mail servers, etc all run/ran on UNIXes). Windows was garbage for the masses, the civilians. My Mom or brother could use Windows. Macs were for graphic artists and other artsy types.

Times have changed...Windows has become a lot better, and Macs gained tremendous cred amongst those of us in the life with the introduction of OS X, which has pure UNIX goodness inside with a pretty face. I'm much more likely to use a Mac than putz around with Linux these days, since most of my development is with IDEs w/ Java and Ruby, I don't have to be as OS-centric as it was back in the day.

In heavy duty Finite Element Modeling and AutoCAD 3-D analyses, XP 64-bit is pretty powerful. Macs used to be fast, but they are blown out of water by the XP performance. Linux is good, but there is no product support.

I have the free copy of Crossover Pro. Contact me if you'd like a copy of it. It lets you run Windows XP apps inside of Ubuntu.

That sounds good. I would like to have one. Put it on some FTP if it does not infringe copyright.

[Robert Hall]

In heavy duty Finite Element Modeling and AutoCAD 3-D analyses, XP 64-bit is pretty powerful. Macs used to be fast, but they are blown out of water by the XP performance. Linux is good, but there is no product support.

No doubt..I haven't worked with 64bit XP, heard it's good. In my work, I've found the production environments tend to usually be IBM, HP or Sun servers with UNIX or Linux because that's where the best performance for Java app servers (usually either Weblogic, Websphere, JBOSS) fronting Oracle tends to be found (OLTP, financial number crunching, data mining, etc). Though the day-to-day development work is usually done on Windows or Macs.

Edited November 3, 2008 by moltar

[Drew Dowdell]

In heavy duty Finite Element Modeling and AutoCAD 3-D analyses, XP 64-bit is pretty powerful. Macs used to be fast, but they are blown out of water by the XP performance. Linux is good, but there is no product support.

That sounds good. I would like to have one. Put it on some FTP if it does not infringe copyright.

A 64 bit linux distro will fry XP in terms of speed, but hardware compatibility is limited. There are a few CAD programs out there for Linux that get very good reviews and at least one that will read autocad files if you purchase the commercial version.

If you're just looking for a good, stable, internet surfer that will let you do all of your basic household tasks <Office suite, email, IM/Chat, photo editing, etc> then just use the 32Bit distro.

I would prefer to just email it to you. It's a rather small install. On October 28th, Crossover was giving away free copies all day to anyone who went to their website.

[Z-06]

A 64 bit linux distro will fry XP in terms of speed, but hardware compatibility is limited. There are a few CAD programs out there for Linux that get very good reviews and at least one that will read autocad files if you purchase the commercial version.

If you're just looking for a good, stable, internet surfer that will let you do all of your basic household tasks <Office suite, email, IM/Chat, photo editing, etc> then just use the 32Bit distro.

I would prefer to just email it to you. It's a rather small install. On October 28th, Crossover was giving away free copies all day to anyone who went to their website.

Yeah there are a number of CAD models that compete with AutoCAD. But we use the Civil 3D, the only thing comes close to it is Eagle Point. Due to the dynamic nature of Civil 3D, the program can become a resource hog. NVIDIA's FX series video cards are not that adept with Linux as you mentioned regarding the hardware problem. Email the Crossover to me. I will PM you the email id.

[CARBIZ]

Vista at home is good enough for surfing the net, writing the odd email, haunting C&G and occasional porn.

Reading the above posts I realize how much about computers that I DON'T know.

[mustang84]

XP Home at home, XP Pro at work. But I bought a new computer this weekend and will soon be running Vista Home here.

We have a 64-bit XP machine at work and it is lightning fast for 3D Studio Max renderings. It does double the work that the 32 bit machines can handle.

Edited November 3, 2008 by mustang84

[tmp]

XP at work

OSX at home

[Bimmer325]

I've had a Mac for a few years now.

I used Vista for the first time yesterday and will probably never go back to Windows after that.

[2005 EquinoxLS]

2 of ours have Windows Vista and 2 have windows XP. One of the Vista ones is a laptop the other an Acer desktop. The first Compaq bought on 2001 and the second Compaq bought in December of 2002 are the XP ones. Only trouble the Acer has is 2 times it has given me the blue screen. Very occassionally it locks up too.

[mustang84]

2 of ours have Windows Vista and 2 have windows XP. One of the Vista ones is a laptop the other an Acer desktop. The first Compaq bought on 2001 and the second Compaq bought in December of 2002 are the XP ones. Only trouble the Acer has is 2 times it has given me the blue screen. Very occassionally it locks up too.

I've never had the blue screen on my current Compaq (bought in 2003), but it's kinda pokey. It's a Celeron 2.4 ghz, but even after a fresh defrag and disk cleanup, it still doesn't run very fast. It only has 512 mb of memory though, so I'm sure that's most of the problem.

[Cory Wolfe]

Vista. It sucks.

[Drew Dowdell]

Vista. It sucks.

Are you a gamer?

If not, try Ubuntu. You can boot from CD and try it out without installing anything.

If you like it enough, you can then install it and it'll dual boot your computer.

[Paolino]

I had Vista, but too many things didn't work with it (add ons, like my camera, my cell, etc.)

I'm currently running XP.

I use XP at work.

I used to have a Linux box my friend built, but I haven't used it in years.

I enjoy MacOS X on my friends laptop, and I'd switch over in a heartbeat on my next purchase, but there are just too many things I'd have to buy to replace programs I need.

[gm4life]

I have a MacBook for work with a dual core processor (can't recall details) with OSX 10.4 and 2 gbs of ram and 160 gb hd. I have a 2004 HP Pavlion 630a with Pentium 4 HT and 160gb hd and 512mb of ram (should have done a gig) with XP SP3 Home. I have an older 2002 Compaq Desktop with XP home SP3 and 768mb of ram and a Pentium 4 processor and a 40gb hd. I also currently but will prolly be selling a Lenovo T61 with XP Pro SP3 with a 100gb high rpm hd 2.0 ghz of ram and an intel core two duo processor and two gigs of ram, with the CS3 suite. I love the size of the computer but kind of want something with a 15inch screen, a larger hd and an integrated webcam. I might just sell her to someone I know and get another one and take the CS3 suite off and move onto a new Dell Studio 15 with a 2.16 ghz intel core 2 duo processor and a 320gb hd and 4gbs of ram and a video webcam, a 256mb ATI graphics card and I think I'll try Vista Home Premium and I'll move my CS3 suite that I love so much along with my Microsoft Office Ultimate Suite. If not I can always downgrade to XP.

[§carlet §wordfish]

We've been a Mac family since I was 3. I currently have a 1 GHz eMac running 10.3.9. I am going to replace it with a laptop within the next year, but I'm not sure what to get.

[caddycruiser]

I've had Windows XP Pro for years on 2 desktops and a laptop, as well as Windows Vista on mom's laptop, and now also have Windows Vista 64-bit on a new HP laptop...interesting change, for me, after the XP.

I've always been curious about Linux and other systems, but am never enough of a programmer, etc. to care beyond the basics.

[loki]

2 xp machines here. one's a p3 450mhz mine is a XP3000+

planning on replacing it in the next ~2-7 months

[Z-06]

I've never had the blue screen on my current Compaq (bought in 2003), but it's kinda pokey. It's a Celeron 2.4 ghz, but even after a fresh defrag and disk cleanup, it still doesn't run very fast. It only has 512 mb of memory though, so I'm sure that's most of the problem.

Celeron and 512mb of ram - my guess is probably PC3200, are not a good company. You need at least 1gb for XP to function smoothly.

[FAPTurbo]

I had to reformat my laptop earlier in the day, so this thread kinda piqued my interest in doing a dual boot with Ubuntu. I already use another Linux distro so this one should be fun to check out.

[loki]

Celeron and 512mb of ram - my guess is probably PC3200, are not a good company. You need at least 1gb for XP to function smoothly.

it can't be that pokey... P3 450mhz with 384MB ram ... atleast it's not a P2 "minimum for xp"

at least your celeron is prolly P4 based...?

[Cory Wolfe]

Are you a gamer?

If not, try Ubuntu. You can boot from CD and try it out without installing anything.

If you like it enough, you can then install it and it'll dual boot your computer.

Nah, I'm not a gamer, I just like my PC to work like it should.

What's Ubuntu cost and what's its usability like?

[deftonesfan867]

Vista. I like it EXCEPT that it runs @ almost 1/2 memory all the time, even when I'm not using anything. Any suggestions?

[FAPTurbo]

Vista. I like it EXCEPT that it runs @ almost 1/2 memory all the time, even when I'm not using anything. Any suggestions?

From what I understand, most of that memory is taken up by small programs in the background that are part of the Windows environment, as well as any anti-virus, or firewall applications you have running. Also, a chunk of that memory will also go to providing video, even if your computer has a video card. There could even be a small chance that it's a virus that is eating up your memory.

The best bet is to first check what programs are running in the background, and see if you need them. With a little registry fiddling, you can have them not activate automatically, which will free some RAM. Adding another GB or two of RAM wouldn't hurt either, especially since DDR2 memory is pretty cheap these days.

[daves87rs]

Are you a gamer?

If not, try Ubuntu. You can boot from CD and try it out without installing anything.

If you like it enough, you can then install it and it'll dual boot your computer.

My wife sure is...

I've about had it with Vista myself, and have heard good things about it.

Is it as easy to use as Windows?

[Drew Dowdell]

Nah, I'm not a gamer, I just like my PC to work like it should.

What's Ubuntu cost and what's its usability like?

Free

If you can use Vista or XP, you can use Ubuntu.

I suggest you try out the Live DVD first.... and then install it as a dual boot if you like it.