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What's Keeping You On Windows?
schnell asks: "Here's something I've wondered about for a long time. While it seems that the majority of Slashdot readers are no fans of Microsoft, recent polls show that 47% of Slashdot Users are using Windows as their main OS (and I bet that number is much higher in server logs). So I have a two-fold question: 1) Is it just the 'vocal minority' that favors alternate OSes over Linux and 2) if not, what's keeping you from 'putting your money where your mouth is' - why are you using Windows? My own situation is that I use an IT-mandated Win98 (ugh) laptop at work, but at home I'm Mac OS X all the way. While I did pay Microsoft for Office for Mac, I try to avoid filling their coffers whenever possible, so for all the family/friends who rely on me for computer recommendations I recommend Mac or Linux. Do people like using Windows? Are games the driving factor? Or is it just 'the right tool for the job?'" It's a perennial question, and one that is fitting to review every so often, if only to see how far Open Source has come, and how far it needs to go.
"I have found XP to be terrible both in general speed (crispness, responsiveness to clicks, etc.)"
Do you have any actual benchmarks on this? Any real stats at all?
"stability (especially in an environment where the machine is pushed hard)"
Well, I had 7-10 browser windows open, Winamp, IM, a few other small apps, and Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Fireworks open almost continuously for a good 24 hours over the last two days, and....No freezes. Not even an app crash. I would hope that would be considered at least a modicum of stability.
In fact, I haven't had anything bring the system down at all, in the month i've been using XP so far.
Don't get me wrong, I have a Linux partition too, but geez....I've had my system totally freeze under Linux for something stupid like my gamepad not being detected.
If Photoshop is what you use, why not try it out on MacOS X?
Is this slashdot or english class?
Has anyone else noticed that this question is now the number one active story on slashdot supassing the previous number one of 2722 comments by Pledge of Allegiance Ruled Unconstitutional?
|=====D = its almost about to erupt!
Nero-burning ROM for Linux!