Vista, XP, Mac, Linux - Other?

[Reuben]

Hey guys, I was just wondering. I know most of you are probably using Windows XP.

Though now that I'm on Vista permanently (Dual-Boot XP Just in case)

I was wondering if any of you have jumped to any newer Operating Systems. My PC is getting old (It can still run Vista great though!!) I was just wondering what your opinions are on the best OS so far. I know Leopard just came out and if any of you have it, Let me or us know how it is.

Anyway yeah just want to make the right purchase on my next PC.

Thanks,

Reuben

[Ryan]

I've been using Vista since last November on my main PC. I was sent it by my dad's business to test for them. So I got two free Ultimate licenses there. Plus my school gave me a Vista Business license which I don't use.
On my Macbook I use Tiger. I bought Leopard the other day, but I'm waiting for delivery. I'm not sure whether I'll install it though, because I'm happy with Tiger and I haven't really heard that much good feedback about Leopard.
On my Thinkpad I dual-boot Vista Ultimate and Ubuntu 7.10. I don't often use Ubuntu though because I personally find Linux these days to be quite clunky compared to Windows.
Of the three I find Windows the easiest to use, and with Vista, also the fastest.

[Welsh-Angel]

I'm still using XP. I'm not really bothered about having Vista as i don't really need it.

[danty]

OK first things first - Make sure you go 64-Bit on your next purchase (unless more powerful processors are brought out by then) - OSes are processor-dependant too, so make sure you go for a 64-Bit OS.

"Why?" I hear you cry! Simply because the standard 32-bit Proc/OS/Application mix can only support up to 4GB of RAM, and most OSes are limited to 3GB of RAM to allow for other memory parts (Such as Graphics/Sound card). This is all well and good today, but could be a hella lot different tomorrow. There's no telling how much more power is going to be required for applications in 6 months time. 64-bit until 128-bit processing comes out

I told you that based on teh fact that  you want the BEST operating system. XP Pro (x64 Edition) would be fine with the correct combination of hardware (Quad core 3ghz Pentiums w/ 7GB of RAM, and dual 512 Nvidia (SLi) graphics for absolutely ownage gaming machine) Remember that SPEED is everything. Your OS can only work as fast as your hardware.

Saying that, the other OSes have their advantages over Windows, but Windows is the most supported and the most user-friendly

Mac - Practically NO chance of a virus. Downside: ONLY WORKS ON MAC MACHINES. You can't buy a PC and install Mac OS on it. It'll just laugh at you. MAC is good for GRAPHICS and image/video editing.

Linux - With many ports of the OS it's difficult to tell you which one to go for if you choose to, but Linux is designed for the INTERNET. Linux has uber fast responses to internet based stuff, and console based linux servers are so much faster, because they don't waste time on graphical output. Linux is good for the INTERNET.

Windows - Windows is a good all-rounder and is user-friendly. As it's something you would commonly use in educational institutes and at home you fit right in. XP is probably the most user-friendly version. Vista is much more annoying since they moved stuff around from where it was in XP, and actually got rid of some parts that I found more useful. However, if you like Vista, try and find a x64 edition of it

Hope this is of some use to you

[Welsh-Angel]

I didn't hear anyone cry why lol did you?

Oh forget Vista, too much to cope with it sounds like.

[Ryan]

I've got two points I'd like to make about your post Dantyboi. Firstly, there is a little bit of a problem in that I don't think 64 bit OS will ever catch on. Developers aren't interested, and consumers are indifferent. I wouldn't set up a 64 bit OS when I can clearly have a much better compatible system for a cheaper price.
Secondly, check out http://www.osx86project.org/. It is possible to install OSX onto a PC, albeit illegally.

[danty]

Ryan - 64Bit or higher OS will be a necessity as development increases, simply because 32Bit is LIMITED to 4GB of memory. Hardcore gamers in particular would benefit from this, as it allows double the limit of 32Bit (8GB). This memory number is an inclusive addition of System memory, RAM, Dedicated Graphics memory, Dedicated sounds memory, and dedicated physics memory. An extreme gamer Would absolutely love to have the full 8GB, but this just isn't possible with 32Bit processing.

As for the Mac on PC thing: If we wanted to break the law, we wouldn't BUY a new PC, we'd STEAL one. As a result, illegal versions of Mac are out of the question. Else we may slip back into the days of CG =x

[Reuben]

64 Bit will catch on, It's just going to take some time.

[Reuben]

Just wondering. It's Off Topic but i don't feel like making another thread.


Anyone know of a decent firewall that will allow me to block incoming IP's. I have looked around and haven't really found any proper answers. Does the Vista firewall allow you to do this?

[danty]

Why do you want to block certain IPs? The program that's responding on the port that's open should manage the IP blocking (such as a webserver package (Apache, Abyss)) should be able to block/ignore certain IPs. Other than that, Not sure of what can help, sorry.

[Reuben]

I just found out, It's Sygate Personal Firewall. It blocks any ip you want.

I have my reasons for wanting to block certain ip's

[Welsh-Angel]

Lol, yesturday i got to see and feel my new laptop! The funny thing is it has Vista! I think Vista looks graphical, and thats about it unless there are features i've yet to discover.

[Reuben]

I like Vista's documents setup. Better than xp. A lot of things need to be ironed out on vista though.

Anyway if you ever have some sort of glitch where you can't copy/paste or cut any file. I have the fix on my computer if you need it. Apparently one of the updates for vista makes it lock up like that.

[Welsh-Angel]

Interesting.....i haven't had any problems yet (touch wood) =)

[Ryan]

I like Vista's documents setup. Better than xp.

I don't. I think improvements have been made, but at an overview level I think that explorer in vista has gone backwards. It definately is a regression. I get random lock-ups all the time, especially in certain folders with lots of files. This never happened in XP. I also hate the way the file indexing system is set up; yes, it works quickly, but it's annoyingly hard on the processor. I preferred XP file search.