Computers Discussions

ElizabethAnnR said…

I'm a PC user and have been for many years. I have XP on one computer and Vista on the laptop. Both operating systems have issues. Microsoft should get one operating system working before creating a new one. I would guess it's all about the money.

My son, on the other hand, has been using a Mac for as many years. He is a musician and many in the business feel their software works best with Macs. He hasn't had problems with all those trojans and viruses so it does cause one to think. I just haven't gone that route because some of the software I use isn't available for Mac use.

---

Elizabeth,

More often than not, in my experience-it is the applications sitting on top of the Windows that cause the OS to act, well, badly.  There is lot of poorly written code floating around the Windows world, not so much for the Mac.  And a lot of that has to do with programming platforms/languages the two OS's and resulting applications are written under. 

Not to mention that the hardware can also affect a given OS's performance.  All Mac's are designed and built by Apple.  Windows PC's on the other hand are designed and build by a large corss section of vendors, some using quality parts some, not so much.  

I have run Windows XP computers for months on end without a need to reboot.  Windows XP is the most stable consumer OS Microsoft release until Windows 7, so...Though I will readily admit that Microsoft missed the mark with Windows Vista; but having said that you can no doubt find those who have nothing but good things to say about the much maligned OS.

I am recommending Windows 7 to my customers because in my experience, the OS is stable, reliable, and just plain fun to use.  Add to the fact that Windows 7 uses less resources than Windows Vista, but also boosts performance, and you have an OS well worth installing. 

Linux and Ubuntu are fine alternative until you try to find commercially viable consumer-driven applications for them.  No other OS beats Windows for the sheer breath of applications written for it, nothing! 

Vincent   

cheapbastard said…
" In the past 20 years I have worked for or with over 20 major and minor corporations..." Um, so you can only hold a job for about a year or less on average? And, NOTHING has been the victim of viral attacks like Windows, regardless of installed base. Until the mid 90's windows was a laughing stalk in the enterprise (and it ain't quality that has ended the party lemme tell ya!) Windows has a GUI, but it sure as HELL is not ROBUST! That comment alone should disqualify you from serious consideration. If it were robust it would not be running in ring 0, able to BSOD the entire system! In UNIX, the X system is just another process, it does NOT run in kernel space, therefore even if your X process crashes (let alone a process running on top of X) the system is still fully functional.

---

CheapB.,

(Smiling), I can safely say that I jumped around so much because my services and talent were, and are in high demand!  You see, I know computers as well.  Those who champion UNIX/Linux are not the only ones in the computer field who can speak intelligently on the subject.  However, your observations about Windows and the way it operates mark you as a neophyte on the OS. 

In speaking about Windows-in all of its various forms-I take nothing away from UNIX and it various forms.  I have worked with enough Operating Systems, Network and Desktop-and I been working in the field long enough to know some of which I speak.  I can tell that you are passionate about your chosen OS specialization, but nothing is gained in a debate by disrespecting, undercutting, underestimating, or dismissing your opponent.   I would ask that you refrain from such behavior in the future.

Vincent

TBard, Instead of calling people names, perhaps you could maybe point out what marks me as a neophyte (in your mind)? "Vista's graphics subsystem, once codenamed Avalon now formally known as the Windows Presentation Foundation, will be pulled out the kernel because many lock-ups are the result of the GUI freezing, Microsoft infrastructure architect Giovanni Marchetti told us exclusively yesterday." (From tech world) Which means that, the move, even if completed, does not cover XP, which is tacit admission that the graphics have been running in kernel mode since the inception of NT (actually ALL consumer versions up to Vista) and are a major cause of lockups, pretty much exactly what I said. I admit I had not heard they were looking to address this, so that puts me about 18 months out of date, however, considering the situation persisted since the inception of NT ~20 years ago, I don't think that marks me as a neophyte. Looking at the stability of Vista (reported widely) I don't think that they got it right the first time anyway. Classic MS - always wait to the third release. BTW, I don't specialize in any OS. I use Linux at home, daily, and I use XP all day at work. I am very familiar with the shortcomings of the only OS you are certified in, both in day to day usage of the interface (there are no multiple desktops, and WHY oh WHY must I have the window with focus on top - covering the window I want to enter data in!? Don't bother telling my there are addons that will allow that, I have both functions, I've tried several different programs to enable both, and they all work like the DIY hack job that they are), and the configuration of the environment (multiple window managers depending upon what I want to do, even on a per log in basis, including no GUI at all if I want, multiple desktop environments again on a per log in basis, ect.)

I

Being a kid, I started off on a MAC in those days. It was quite impressive - it still is. Somehow, though, I have now started beleiveing more in the PC :)

I think Apples are great for the average user who just wants to get something done without considering the details. Everything Apple releases works smoothly and intuitively.

I use PCs because they're less expensive (configured with the same hardware features); because there is a larger selection of games, especially newer games; and because I already have a metric boatload of PC software—duplicating this for a new platform would take forever and be prohibitively expensive.

I prefer a PC just because that's what I'm used to.  My sister was used to PCs so she purchased a Mac just so she could get used to both.

PC all the way! Although I've been told once you go Mac you don't go back... so I wonder if that would happen to me!

PC is really good for gaming and advanced users, MAC is good for business and simple users. I prefer PC.