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Kerrigan · Aug 12, 2005, 11:59 PM

Obviously everyone here prefers the Mac as their primary platform. But what do you prefer as your secondary platform? I'm curious to know, because while Windows may be Apple's arch-rival, Linux goes against everything that the Mac platform stands for (ease of use, stability, homogenous design).

rickey939 · Aug 13, 2005, 12:03 AM

Windows XP SP1.

KeriVit · Aug 13, 2005, 12:06 AM

Is UNIX considered something else? IT IS BY FAR our most stable platform in the office.

Kerrigan · Aug 13, 2005, 12:08 AM

Does anybody actually use Unix w/out a GUI? I didn't put it in the poll because I don't think anyone does.

tracemhunter · Aug 13, 2005, 12:39 AM

i use FreeBSD and gentoo when needed.

Link · Aug 13, 2005, 01:28 AM

FreeBSD

malvolio · Aug 13, 2005, 01:42 AM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

Does anybody actually use Unix w/out a GUI? I didn't put it in the poll because I don't think anyone does.

There are other Unix GUIs besides OS X, yanno. KDE immediately comes to mind.

Chuckit · Aug 13, 2005, 01:43 AM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

Does anybody actually use Unix w/out a GUI? I didn't put it in the poll because I don't think anyone does.

Eh? You put Linux, which is the most common Unix-like OS. I guess you could have put *BSD and Solaris too, but few people use either for a PC. I don't know what a GUI has to do with it, anyway…

wataru · Aug 13, 2005, 02:08 AM

If I were to stop using Macs, I would definitely switch to Linux. Probably Ubuntu.

Athens · Aug 13, 2005, 02:12 AM

Windows 2000, Simple, fast, reliable, stable OS with out all the crap XP has built in and only takes a bit longer to start up and shutdown.

parallax · Aug 13, 2005, 02:32 AM

FreeBSD by far

Scandalous Ion Cannon · Aug 13, 2005, 02:38 AM

Gee windows or Linux. Such options.

How about BE, Palm OS, Windows CE, Newton OS, NextStep, Unix.

For my fav is the Newton OS. Incredibly impressive for the day and even today.

Railroader · Aug 13, 2005, 03:43 AM

GEOS

Warung · Aug 13, 2005, 04:59 AM

I'd have to say Windows XP.

I've never used Linux and have no intention to, and in all fairness the biggest turn-off to me in regards to Windows are all the precautions one has to take because of viruses, hacking etc.

And that isn't really Microsoft's fault.

Hawkeye_a · Aug 13, 2005, 05:28 AM

Windows XP.

I'd rather wrestle with XP than try and glue my OS together(Linux).

XP is far more user friendly than Linux(any flavour) in my opinion.

Athens · Aug 13, 2005, 05:35 AM

Im wondering how many people have used Windows 2000

Warung · Aug 13, 2005, 05:38 AM

Originally Posted by Athens

Im wondering how many people have used Windows 2000

Been having to use it at work since 2001 from time to time...

Doofy · Aug 13, 2005, 07:22 AM

FreeBSD wins.
Windows 2000 is OK for when I have to do accounts stuff.
Atari TOS still gets a look in.

badidea · Aug 13, 2005, 08:05 AM

HP/UX ( <- it just works)

Railroader · Aug 13, 2005, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by Doofy

Atari TOS still gets a look in.

Atari had a great OS!

angelmb · Aug 13, 2005, 09:21 AM

Silicon Graphics IRIX

zizban · Aug 13, 2005, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by angelmb

Silicon Graphics IRIX

Same Here, though I don't have a Tezro, grumble grumble

I have an Octane and just waiting on a new monitor so I can use it again.

OreoCookie · Aug 13, 2005, 09:46 AM

FreeBSD. Period.

euphras · Aug 13, 2005, 03:47 PM

Win2000, decent OS, no fancy eye candy like default in XP, pretty stable

The others i played around with: OS 2/warp, Knoppix (linux derivative, nice GUI), Ubuntu (bad GUI), HP/UX and A/UX (GUI??

)

sek929 · Aug 13, 2005, 03:50 PM

Win 98 SE, its really the only Win OS I have used in the past 10 years that hasn't annoyed me at every turn.

Kevin · Aug 13, 2005, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by Scandalous Ion Cannon

Gee windows or Linux. Such options.

How about BE, Palm OS, Windows CE, Newton OS, NextStep, Unix.

That is what "Other" is for.

Kerrigan · Aug 13, 2005, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by Scandalous Ion Cannon

How about BE, Palm OS, Windows CE, Newton OS, NextStep, Unix.

For my fav is the Newton OS. Incredibly impressive for the day and even today.

This poll is geared towards normal people who have a secondary, non-Mac computer at home, which is most likely Windows or Linux. For all you people out there who use Windows CE (

) or BE when you can't use your Mac, you can vote other.

itistoday · Aug 13, 2005, 04:25 PM

Debian all the way.

Scandalous Ion Cannon · Aug 13, 2005, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

This poll is geared towards normal people who have a secondary, non-Mac computer at home, which is most likely Windows or Linux. For all you people out there who use Windows CE (

) or BE when you can't use your Mac, you can vote other.

Really? I can?

What else would I have selected

Kevin · Aug 13, 2005, 04:31 PM

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

jcadam · Aug 13, 2005, 05:03 PM

What's better than Amiga Workbench???

Oh, that's right, nothing

Chuckit · Aug 13, 2005, 05:16 PM

Where is the option for Neo OS?

dreilly1 · Aug 13, 2005, 05:24 PM

OreoCookie · Aug 13, 2005, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by dreilly1

Ay come on, if you want to post the pic of a cool computer, put up an Amiga

That was way ahead of its time. Multitasking, stereo sound, many, many colors (at once), etc.

andreas_g4 · Aug 13, 2005, 08:04 PM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

Does anybody actually use Unix w/out a GUI? I didn't put it in the poll because I don't think anyone does.

Pah - everyone who's familiar with the terminal is an ugly geek with no girlfriend...

Last login: Sat Aug 13 23:05:11 on console
Welcome to Darwin!
e178153079:~ aw$ uptime
2:02 up 23:58, 2 users, load averages: 1.08 2.11 1.58
e178153079:~ aw$

Ahh, I really need to go to bed now...

Lateralus · Aug 13, 2005, 08:14 PM

Nice poll. Terrible options.

MrForgetable · Aug 13, 2005, 10:18 PM

Windows ME. The big worms did not affect this version of Windows after Windows XP came out since none of the virus-makers believed anyone would use the "crappiest OS Windows ever made." All the better for me!

It was plenty stable for my uses. BSOD didn't really happen all that often. Never had to reformat or reinstall. I play some NBA Live 2004 occasionally and it still runs smoothly. Just have to be wary on the internet (as everyone should.) and use Firefox and a nice pop-up blocker if you must use IE.

i'm being about 33% sarcastic.

powerbook867 · Aug 13, 2005, 10:19 PM

Solaris is rock solid in my experience...I love 15k's.....

ReggieX · Aug 13, 2005, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by angelmb

Silicon Graphics IRIX

Yeah, PowerAnimator rocks!

DigitalEl · Aug 13, 2005, 11:13 PM

Symbian

budster101 · Aug 13, 2005, 11:15 PM

The Dead One.

DeathMan · Aug 14, 2005, 04:35 AM

Sega Genesis.

tgags · Aug 14, 2005, 12:58 PM

I use Win XP at work. I don't get excited about using it the way I do with my Mac, but I do REALLY like the "Thumbnail" and Slideshow preview. Is there any chance that will make it over to the Mac?

TG

Jacob · Aug 14, 2005, 01:03 PM

I prefer Windows 2000. I despise the overly large GUI (buttons, toolbars, etc), they are pointless and look like tonka toys. I don't know how Microsoft can say XP is 'professional' in any way, shape or form.
Windows 2000 is XP with a sleeker profile.

Works for me. And although you can easily switch to the classic interface in XP, I still prefer 2000. It keeps going and going...whereas XP keeps dyeing and dyeing...

tgags · Aug 14, 2005, 01:34 PM

I agree with the bells and whisltes factor, the first time I used XP my first sentements was that it's bloated and performance takes the hit.
But I will say, not being a techie, I was saved a few times by being able to go back to a certain point in time after getting a virus. That was nice.

TG

jcadam · Aug 14, 2005, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by OreoCookie

Ay come on, if you want to post the pic of a cool computer, put up an Amiga

That was way ahead of its time. Multitasking, stereo sound, many, many colors (at once), etc.

Many former Amiga users became Mac users when Commodore went belly-up (indeed, the mac moved into the Amiga's big niche, video editing). The Amiga was, IMHO, superior to the Mac at that time. And I mean both Hardware (with all those fancy co-processors) AND Software. Now of course, since the Amiga platform has stagnated (but never really died), other platforms have passed it up (PowerPC Macs with OS X, ok Windows hasn't).

The AmigaOne isn't really an Amiga, it's Generic PPC Hardware (not much different than a mac) running some kind of updated Workbench-zombie. Meh, I'll pass.

If only the Amiga hadn't been placed in Commodore's extremely incompetent hands, we might have another major consumer platform today (more is good, IMO, as it encourages cross-platform friendly development, and platform diversity is a good thing for the security of networks).

Gamoe · Aug 14, 2005, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by Kerrigan

Linux goes against everything that the Mac platform stands for (ease of use, stability, homogenous design).

I disagree. While there are some philosophical differences, mainly what you've stated-- interface design-- Linux and Mac OS X share an open-source core, and I think most users of both platforms are interested in getting far away from the M$ platforms.

If you had asked back in the Classic era, I'd have said there were more differences, but now there are many Mac users who are aquatinted and indeed, like, the terminal and Mac OS X's inner workings. So, yes there are differences, mainly in interface design, but Linux has been making strides in this matter with improving GUIs like KDE and GNOME. And, I think we all share an even more important concern-- not to allow the computing industry to be totally dominated by one platform or company, specially the likes of M$.

I have no problems with Linux, and I am not afraid to switch were it to come to that, though I'd prefer more viable OS choices out there, not less.

jcadam · Aug 14, 2005, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by Gabriel Morales

I disagree. While there are some philosophical differences, mainly what you've stated-- interface design-- Linux and Mac OS X share an open-source core, and I think most users of both platforms are interested in getting far away from the M$ platforms.

If you had asked back in the Classic era, I'd have said there were more differences, but now there are many Mac users who are aquatinted and indeed, like, the terminal and Mac OS X's inner workings. So, yes there are differences, mainly in interface design, but Linux has been making strides in this matter with improving GUIs like KDE and GNOME. And, I think we all share an even more important concern-- not to allow the computing industry to be totally dominated by one platform or company, specially the likes of M$.

I have no problems with Linux, and I am not afraid to switch were it to come to that, though I'd prefer more viable OS choices out there, not less.

I switched to the Mac BECAUSE of OS X. I used to be a Linux user (ok, I booted into Windows to play games). And before Linux I was an Amiga user