OS Smackdown: Linux vs. Windows vs. Mac OS vs. Unix vs. Open BSD
 

What's the best operating system overall? Judging criteria should include: performance, security, usability, stability, compatibility, and any other bility you can think of.

If you can think of any other OS's then nominate them these are just what came to mind at the moment.

You can also choose a multisystem setup or say something like Linux with the ability to run windows virtually using VMware.

So really the only limitation is that you have to be able to run the system or systems on one computer (or server). Meaning you can't say: "well I'd have a windows computer set up for this and a mac set up for that and that's my ideal"

Well, I think the Tuxheads might push Linux home, but some find you can't get along without windows, and then there's always the Mac people.

So without further ado:

LET"S GET READY TO RUMBLE!

Windows for day to day stuff (I'm sorry, but I need my powerpoint and word - and Openoffice.org doesn't quite cut it yet in terms of handling all the features)

Linux (dual boot system) for everything else - development etc. Good range of development environments; I have a setup with mySQL/PHP/Apache - all free, and capable of a hell of a lot. Easy access to gcc and a whole lot of other stuff. And, I think, a bit more stable than even Win2k.

xp pro and FreeBSD here.

I'm using XP Pro for desktop and OSX for laptop.

The Fink project allows me to run quite a bit of UNIX software on OSX and more keeps coming.

XP Pro, as I am a digital artist.

And please don't give me any bullshit about Mac's being better. I do A LOT of 3d (Maya) and I've used Maya on the Mac. Its buggy, slow, and lacks many features.

I've only used Macs, so OSX is very nice to me.

I have no problems with Win XP pro it does everything that I ask of it.

The ONLY reason that I have any MS software on my computer is the fact that some specialized applications are proprietary and will only run on an MS operating system. For all day to day usage, I'm strictly Linux. As time passes, Linux matures; soon it will be able to run proprietary apps, no more MS crap then.

Plus you can only get Maya Complete on the Mac - Unlimited is not yet available.

XP at work for my desktop machine. FreeBSD and OSX at home.

OSX, Jaguar...and i can't wait for panther. Once in a while i bitch about what games don't always make it over to mac, but for everyday ease of use, i'd rather have mac, cause it's what i've used since forever.

I think the biggest step forward mac will take is when apple releases a complete office productivity suite...by the look of keynote, it's going to be a real competitor with the M$ suite. At less than half the price, too. Office needs real competition again, and if apple can work out interoperability of files, this could be it.

I think each OS has advantages over any other. I use several OSes
Win2K Server
Windows 2003 Server Standard
WinXP Pro
Redhat 7.3
Redhat 9
Mandrake PPC 7.?
Mandrake PPC 9.1
Mac OS X Server 10.15
Mac OS X 10.2 (Jaguar)
Mac OS X Server 10.3 (Panther) Dev Prev
Solaris 2.8 (although I can't point out any advantages here - but I don't really want to install linux on my SUN box)

did you guys hear that pixar is probably switching to macs (g5's)? I think OSX os well on its way to being an even better operating system, expecialy because its updated so often.

I'm a Mac guy, so I'm not trying to be mean, but if memory serves, Pixar is owned or managed (?) by Steve Jobs.

drawer: you got it. pixar's Jobs' "other" baby. ;)

I use personally:
WinXP Pro, Win2k Server, OpenBSD

I manage:
WinNT, Win2k Pro, Win2k Server, Win2k Advanced Server, WinXP Pro, Win2k3 Enterprise Server, OpenBSD, Redhat Linux, Solaris 8, Solaris 9.

Every OS has it's use. I prefer XP and OpenBSD, but everyone has their own tastes.

XP Pro, 2k Server and SGI IRIX mainly.

I prefer XP, its very stable and has all the apps and features i need for pleasure and work.

Though i use irix less and less, its my prefered *nix

Most people hate MSFT, but ya'll gotta admit WinXP is a fine OS. It does everything that most people need it to do. It's even great for media editing where Mac has the spotlight. MSFT makes great software, and will eventually buy out their competition and take over the world.

It all depends on what your needs are. XP and OSX are good systems for the average user. Linux is great if you know what you are doing, but it is not ready for the average user. Software installation needs to be made much simpler before it will be ready for the masses.

I use Linux as my primary OS, but still use Windows for gaming.

Mac OS 9.2, as OSX still has some things that need to be sorted out.

LOL - and OS9 doesn't?

Mac's ROCK :)

Well for different purposes different OS's
 

For a server box I go with SUSE all the way.

For gaming I of course have little choice but to use XP

And for my laptop? Well I could go either way, but I end up leaning towards OS X, It's hella expensive and not as blazing fast as it should be for the money I pay. But shiz... I just surf and surf and surf and surf and surf and surf... no problems.
Projectbuilder is also free, no frills, but free. The debugger is shite though, and I haven't found any alternatives in OS X

I actually develop on all 3 systems, I write mostly algorithmic system independent code right now, so I can move from one box to another with ease. The only hard part is maintaining current versions. But I have the CVS server on the linux box to take care of that :-)

When I develop graphical programs I usually go with windows simply because I want other people to be able to run them.
Also hands down there is no C++ IDE I enjoy more then Microsoft's. The only thing that comes close is KDE's IDE.

new IDE replacing PB called xCode, it's got a number of missing features which is nice. but there is always Code Warrior.

I run windows 2000, i have for a while now. Since SP3, it has been a great personal computing OS, as well as an incredibly stable os that won't shake unless you ask it to.

I've used XP in numerous personal computing applications, and i prefer 2k to xp. It just feels like XP is 2000 with a fancy t-shirt. That t-shirt by the way, requires 500 more megs of ram and a few hundred clicks on the cpu clock.

compatibility wise, i've never had any problems running software on 2000, which is what many folks are afraid of.

I like XP for the school stuff... but I am very much in love with Linux. Gotta make my next system a dual booter so I can have the best of both worlds :)

Win98SE was simple, relatively stable, and fast. Win2K is my current OS, and it's great. WinXP looks crappy, and I managed to destroy the OS in two days.

As for Linux... tried it, loved it, grew tired of it, tried it again, grew tired, tried it some more, etc. It's a nice, stable OS, but I simply can't get exited by it. It's too much work after using Windows.

What about OS/2 Warp 4????? hahahaha

Man, quite a few people chose OpenBSD. I'm surprised. I've never been able to get that system to work on my computer (although I know a number of people who swear by it). To the people that selected it, why OpenBSD? Security? Stability?

the old saying goes...

BSD for those who loves Unix, Linux for those who hate Microsoft.

I gotta write that down.

Latch is absolutely correct. OS/2 rules. End of discussion.

-- Boner, former TeamOS/2 member

Win98 was slow and got bogged down when you have a lot of programs installed. As for XP Pro, I hope you know you can set it to look like win2k or get skins. There's no reason to use the default.

When Warp 4 first came out, I loved it (I started on Warp 3).... Wish they would have kept going, but I can see how it wasn't really possible with M$ there.

I find it kind of ironic that my current favourite desktop setup (Ximian Desktop 2 on Redhat 9) has the main menu in the top right.. almost exactly where Warp 4 had it's menu (which I loved).

Win XP pro / Linux Mandrake dual boot -what i used to use


XP = plug and play ... heaven
Linux = plug and fix it yourself damnit ... more work

I cannot compute without my windows appz either :cool: