[saman]

About 5 years ago - just when the hype about having Linux machines on a desktop started to take off, I took the plunge and switched from Windows to Redhat hoping for a better, just and reliable operating system - only to find out that the Linux OS wasn't quite there yet for the average user. There were many problems with drivers (ISDN modems, USB devices,...), which I'm sure are all fixed now - but there were also incompatibility issues with software programs, etc. (no Adobe, Macromedia, etc).

In fact, it wasn't as rosy as the Linux geeks wanted to tell me...

anyway, to cut long story short - I finally found myself never touching my Linux partition again, and... switched back to Windows :-(
Before that time I couldn't believe that such thing could happen but later I found out that there were more that switched back than I though...

A month ago, in another desperate attempt to escape Windows, I bought a PB17" with OSX and now I can't EVER see myself going back to the sinister world of Windows!!

finally. I have personally found the right OS for myself...yay!

But now, I am very curious. Finding the right OS for oneself is a highly individual and relatively personal decision one has to make. It is different for every person - or is it?! Maybe there is just an "absolute" better OS - no matter what the relative requirements are?

Is there anybody who has tried Mac OSX and switched back to another OS like Windows? Or maybe there is someone you know who has? If so, what were the reasons? Please share your stories!

[IamBob]

A friend of mine switched from Windows to Mac to Windows.

She got a cheaper iMac when I told her to get the mid-range tower. She let everyone use her account instead of making them use their own (which I had setup). Basically, anything she could do to make it harder on herself and she did it.

She eventually traded it off to someone that could use it to run their business and she got a Dell.

Whatever, the mac wasn't for her. She was so used to Win-steps (right-click->stab yourself in the eye->[step 32]->click OK) that working on a Mac was too hard/easy.

[mitchell_pgh]

I tinkered around with Linux... and I will admit that for many things, it's AMAZING.

But for day to day use, no way.

1) You shouldn't ever have to see the command line on a consumer machine.
2) You should never have to compile anything on a consumer machine.
3) You should have a consistent GUI throughout the OS.
4) You should be able to install the OS without knowing much to anything about the hardware.

I'm NOT saying M$ or APPLE are perfect, but I've found Linux lacking in these areas (and some flavors of Linux do better then others).

[mitchell_pgh]

Originally posted by IamBob:
A friend of mine switched from Windows to Mac to Windows.

She got a cheaper iMac when I told her to get the mid-range tower. She let everyone use her account instead of making them use their own (which I had setup). Basically, anything she could do to make it harder on herself and she did it.

She eventually traded it off to someone that could use it to run their business and she got a Dell.

Whatever, the mac wasn't for her. She was so used to Win-steps (right-click->stab yourself in the eye->[step 32]->click OK) that working on a Mac was too hard/easy.

I think some people enjoy the misery of using Windows.

[saman]

I think mitchell_pgh hit the nail on the head! It is absolutely ludicrous to believe that anyone will want to go into command line and change some system config files, only to get his modem up and running. I am fairly internet savvy and earn my money designing internet applications and I would NOT be willing to do that sort of technical stuff.

How can the Linux community (more their distributors I guess) expect that from the average user, say my Mum?

Unless these points - many of which mitchell_pgh mentioned - Linux is not going to overtake M$ or Apple on the desktop - but maybe that is not even the aim (the focus being on the server).

I find it beautiful how OS X has taken that the unix platform and put on a GUI that really EVERYONE can use. As mentioned in the description above, this goes so far that it becomes TOO easy for some people, so they switch back to e.g. MS!

Any more stories on this topic? any other people turning their backs to OS X?

[Gavin]

Actually I kind of had fun digging into the guts of a computer to get my network card running. I learned a hell of a lot about computers by tinkering with linux. but tinkering is all it amounts to. My realization was that I was spending more time doing things TO it than WITH it.

I know several people who prefer windows who have tried both. Mostly it was because they were used to windows and the mac just seemed weird. A lot of people like the hand holding windows does, wizards, etc. It's always saying do this, do that. Certain people like the structure. Macs are way more loose, you have to design your own activity, I think that's one of the reasons it appeals to artists and creative types.

Some people don't pick up on the ease of use and consistency thing, it goes right over their head. They don't care and can't tell the difference. They just want their email and the computer is simply the thing that does that.

[powermacj7]

I have used Macintosh consistently since its start. In 1998 i bought an IBM Aptiva. Generally, it is a good machine, although my first experience with winblows 98. The OS froze, printer had to be recognized on lpt1 6 out of 10 times i used it. Another problem I had was when ever I had two apps running, and started a third, the frame of the window would open, and the middle would be the window behind it. I quickly gave up on windows.

Computer friends of mine in college told me about Linux. I got a copy of Mandrake and installed it. Sound card was not recognized, and video resolution was only 600X480. Learning the hard way, and help from my geek friends I was able to get the IBM-Linux to work somewhat consistently. Had Corel wordperfect for my word processor, and was able to get things done. Man did i miss the Mac.

After little over a year, I gave it all up to get another mac. I stopped using Mac when Jobs left, and started using them again when he came back. Although not purposely, it just seemed that Apple was going to die.

I have not turned back since. I have installed Yellowdog linux on my old G3 macintosh for fun. It was the same, video, printer, and sound problems.

I work in the education field. Syracuse NY schools use Macintosh computers, and honestly we never see the tech people. They machines work, in labs, classroom, etc. I am also surprised that many of the teachers have much Mac experience and usually solve there own problems.

Recently, i have swiched school districts, and they have this nightmare of a XP network. Everyday, something goes wrong. The IT guy is totally stressed everyday, and gets bitter toward people when we tell him something is not working. I would not want his job.

Lastly, I have an IBM on my desk at work. I unfortunately am required to use it for some file work. And yes, still the same issued prevail, the printer is shaking at best, the floppy drive freaks the system out, and has crashed it totally three times, and the windows still do that frame background thing, I have not used windows since 98, and XP appears to me to be the same.
Thank god I can bring my Powerbook to work, so I can get work done. I will never switch to any OS again.