Joshuaink: 2005 review: Operating systems

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2005 review: Operating systems

Thursday December 8, 2005

Well, another year’s just about gone scooting past and here I am older, fatter and poorer than ever before. No doubt at some point this month I will publish some highly reflective post (yes, indeedy, soon my blog will be made out of mirrors as well as smoke) but meanwhile I thought I’d do a series of simple questions, to find out what your year has been all about.

To start with, operating systems: because this was the year I moved to Mac and whilst I still don’t trust the hardware (I have had bad luck me thinks), OS X is the mutt’s nuts! The killer feature for me (though I have anti-virus installed as an ultra-precaution) has been the sheer joy of not having to be so paranoid about viruses.

So, which OS have you used most this year and how’s it been?

Here’s hoping even you lurkers will take part. I know you’re out there, I can smell you!

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dan davies

1730 days ago

This has been my first year, just like you using teh OS X. I purchased a Powerbook 12” as I thought I would just want to play around with the OS. However now I have the little beauty I can’t live without it. The way most (and I mean to say most) things work so well, and it is just so damn sexy. My crap of a PC has not been turned on in many a month. So if you didn’t already get the general idea of this post, OS X (in my opinion) is the dogs b’s!
Josh

1730 days ago

I’ve been using my copies of Windows XP (one home, one pro). They’ve done me finely, with no problems whatsoever, especially after I switched off every service, and then turned them on one by one as I needed them. Its the best I’ve ever had XP run.

This year, I also turned my work PC into a dual boot system with Fedora Linux, although I haven’t made too much use of it, just for getting to know Linux. I expect to remove it and try out Ubuntu next year, as I’ve heard good things about it.

Interestingly, the machines I’ve had most trouble with are my colleagues’ Powermac G5s, running OSX. I guess its because its a new operating system to everyone (up until June they were still on OS8). One guy has a 17” Powerbook, and it has been a bit lame, but I just found out they never added any RAM to it.
Max Roeleveld

1730 days ago

* OS X 10.3 and 10.4, on an ancient G4 and a Mini
* Win2K, on a laptop (an old one)
* Debian, on the same laptop, after said Win2K install went totally tits up after it turned out that the battery was not at the promised 45%, but closer to -3%, as was proven by the fact that said laptop shut itself down rather unexpectedly within 3 seconds of removal of the power cord. And all we wanted to do was move the damn thing around! It’s a laptop, for fuck’s sake!
* Debian, on several servers

I must say that Debian as a desktop OS was a rather pleasant surprise. Not that I’m even remotely considering defecting the MacOS camp, but… well, it’s still on the laptop. At the same time, my girlfriend (the actual owner of the laptop) kinda fell in love with the mini, and with iCal. So there.

Looking forward to more gloss! Don’t fear the gloss—Elle magazine does just fine with it.
lm

1730 days ago

on a side note – should we make a screenshot of the flowers till they disappear?
Ross

1730 days ago

Using Windows XP SP2 and not unhappy with it. I havent used a mac since OS 9.2 I think it was, but would love to try OSX when I get the money to afford a Mac.

I’ve given ubuntu a couple of whirls on my laptop and it worked beautifully except for a resolution issue. It’s an old laptop though, so I forgive them.

I also tried Vector Linux on the same laptop, but it had even more res issues than ubuntu.

I’ll stick to ‘doze till I can afford a Mac.
Richard Medek

1730 days ago

Oh man, OS X all the way. Apple is the shit.

I switched from a PC a few years back and for the first time I was actually inspired to sit down at the computer. Say what you will about the interface, the UI, the stability, the what-have-yous... in the end the thing is just damn sexy.

As far as hardware, I’ve been doing the ‚Äúfull time powerbook‚Äù thing for awhile with a 20” monitor, and ‚Äî aside from a brief period where I really really wanted a G5 and was forced to come to grips with my sad financial reality ‚Äî it’s been fantastic. The Powerbook has been all around the world and has held up pretty well.

As long as I do anything that requires some measure of creativity on the computer, it’ll be Apple.
James

1730 days ago

First used SuSE 9.2 & 9.3 Linux. I’m running a mail server off of one and a webserver off another. 0 complaints.
SePP

1730 days ago

Well the lurker thing made me feel guilty … so hear we go…

I’m a pc user and very happy with it. I never touched a mac, so I can’t tell you the difference. But never had the need to try it out. My windows XP laptop works fine, after some msconfig tweaking it stays fast. My windows is now almost installed for a year and half. So I consider it stable.

If I would try out a mac it will be because of its sweet and sexy look’n feel…
Hans Nilsson

1730 days ago

It’s OS X 10.4 all the way here in my little kingdom! Bought my Mac mini in february and hasn’t looked back once. The benefits and sheer joy of using OS X can’t be described in words, just do it damnit!

Actually haven’t had any trouble with the hardware. The little sucker has just been rolling along since day 1.
Devlin Palmer

1729 days ago

I’ve been using Windows all of this year. And all of last year. And before that. But I hope to install Ubuntu soon, I promise.

I’ve never used Linux or a Mac, so I don’t really have anything to compare Windows to.
Trevor

1729 days ago

OSX. Bought my first mac this year… Adios windows! you suck, you suck you suck you suck!!

Also, john – tabbing from input to input brings me to your logo :s
David Appleyard

1729 days ago

OSX, on a Mac Mini I purchased about 6 months ago. I haven’t looked back, and it’s amazing. It looks so cute, and it’s built like a tank.
Robert Wetzlmayr

1729 days ago

Windows XP with a dash of Ubuntu Linux hosted in a VMware virtual machine.

Actually, I was quite impressed on the simplicity of getting Ubuntu up and browsing.
Matt Robin

1729 days ago

For the most part…on a daily basis, I’m still using Windows XP Pro – I don’t own a Mac just yet (sigh)...although I am still hoping to get Mac Mini at some stage in future. I do have occaisional use of a Mac at work (the only person in the office who really goes anywhere near it!) and it’s running on OS X Tiger…which I’m learning to like and the novelty of using it makes it seem much nicer than XP for the most part.
Also this year is the first time I’ve really dared do anything with Linux (Fedora Core 2)...as I’ve now got that on my second PC…which is very nice except I haven’t got it connecting to the net at the moment – so it’s getting less use than it deserves.

Only using XP most of the time (still) is not giving me a fair comparison to judge the other two operating systems just yet but my initial thoughts in 2005 are this:
1) OS X is very slick…and stocked with tricks I still haven’t found out
2) Fedora Core 2 (Linux) is a fantastically adaptable OS – with obvious room to do loads of stuff….(again, that I haven’t found out yet!)
3) XP (Pro) is the best MS Windows OS that I’ve used so far….but it is just bloated with far too many processes and isn’t as sweet as Mac’s OS X.

I’m keeping the review short because anything too long on this blog is going to be ignored quickly anyway and….what am I…100th in this reply list or something by now?!! (Laughs)
Chris Griffin

1729 days ago

I recently switched to all Mac about a week ago. I bought my first Mac 9 months ago (12” Powerbook) and used it mostly to surf the net away from my desk.

What initiated the switch was my USB ports going haywire on my Dell. I can get it to work sporadically but decided this is a good opportunity start using my Mac for work. I hooked it up to my 17” monitor running dual monitors and the Mac is sitting on an iCurve to give it some elevation. If you saw my setup it looks kinda funny because I’m using a Dell monitor and a Dell keyboard but I intend to upgrade both in the near future.

I hated Windows anyway, it was clunky and insecure. So far I haven’t ran into anything my Mac couldn’t do that my WIndows machine could.

OS X all the way.
Kim Siever

1729 days ago

I’ve used WinXP the most this year. I’ve had no problems. Unless, of course, you count the hundred times Firefox has crashed since I downloaded 1.5.
cyberhobo

1729 days ago

I work mostly in XP, love the bits I do on OSX, and have a wonderfully reliable Fedora Core 3 server that does lots of things for me with very little maintenance.
Simon Job

1729 days ago

Lurker.

Win XP on an aging PC. I am suprised at what I can get this 900MHz machine with a very stale install of XP to do. But, it’s time for something a little more current. Who’s got time to wait for Vista, when OS X is available now.

So, I’m looking forward to a switch to Mac… just waiting to see what Apple + Intel will offer.
Ben

1729 days ago

Well, my main machine all year has been Windows XP. Originally Shi...Home Edition for some sick reason, but managed to get a license for Pro through Uni: I no-longer have to reboot to change file permissions! How professional. I don’t mind XP too much, I guess I’m accustomed to its quirks and limitations so I just ignore them now.

I got an iBook in the summer as I couldn’t resist OSX any longer. God it’s good. If it wasn’t for my commitment (through uni) to Windows software development, I would almost certainly have replaced by desktop box with a Mac of some sort (probably would’ve grabbed one of the 1.8Ghz PowerMac G5s just after they were replaced, they were going for only about ¬£800 iirc). I guess I’ve not really used OSX a huge amount for ‘work’ tasks, but everything I have done has been like walking on clouds.

I’ve messed with Linux in the past, but other than one unsuccessful install of Ubunto via Virtual PC, I’ve not toyed with it this year.
Justin Perkins

1729 days ago

I’ve been using XP, but it’s the worst fcking operating system ever. I’d be way better off with 2000 or even 98. I’ve re-installed XP at least 4-5 times this last month. Apparently XP doesn’t play well with SATA hard drives as the boot drive, especially after you install SP2.

I’m getting an iMac before spring time, that’s for damn sure.
gb

1729 days ago

It’s been Le Tigre for me… granted, I use OSX as much as humanly possible. However, the past few months have been marred by the fact I have to do all my design work at my new job on a rather crappy windoze PC. If this tells you how out of my depth I am in a windows environment, I actually changed the keyboard mapping on my windows machine at work so Photoshop would behave similarly to a mac environment. I mean, what nutbag decided to use Ctrl-S, and make the ctrl key so blasted far away from the spacebar?!

I guess it makes me have a greater appreciation of my time with my powermac at home. Or it will drive me insane, leading me to eventually come in to work dressed in camo and high heels, intending to destroy that vile PC.
Ree

1729 days ago

Shit, you can smell me? I thought I could last another day without soap.

I’ve been all Windows, half 98 and half XP—old compy bit it in June or July and the replacement came with the more modern Windows. It’s a hell of a change and I don’t adapt easily, but some of the XP features are handy. Built-in firewall, for one, though I run ZoneAlarm anyway.

I’ve poked a little at Knoppix, but don’t have a spare functional hard drive to house a Linux install, and I gotta have my custom settings saved just so or I can’t find a damn thing. Linux looks shiny though, and far more virusproof to boot. I plan to explore further in 2006.
Darren Wood

1729 days ago

Thanks for the lurker shout-out, I’ve been looking for an excuse to comment…;)

This year I moved to OS X at work. At home i’m still on windows.

I’ve never worried about virii. Yesterday I installed antivirus software, did the check and was completely healthy. Score!

I’m indifferent about my two OSes. I just wish they had the same keyboards…with the same keys in the same place.

Yes.
mike

1729 days ago

i’m just a passer by. Someone said your site looked cool, and I agree.

I too joined the White Fruit’s Ranks this year. I went all out on a iMac G5. I love the thing, and OS X. I keep XP around on an older desktop and laptop, but hardly use them.

OS X is the mutt’s nutts, as you say.
Jon

1729 days ago

Yep, you got me with the lurker comment too. Truth is I would love to switch to OSX, but it’s the apps that make the challenge. Since in a given day I may use GIS Software, Web Design Apps, Server Admin apps, among others, Apple is unfortunately not practical for me. Both my machines are XP Pro and I’ve toyed around with Linux for fun a few times.

I bought my wife a 12” G4 for her birthday, so of course I’ve played with it and love OS X Tiger (What is it about the design of the Powerbook keyboard that makes it the most comfortable thing I’ve ever typed on?). I’m waiting for the new X86 based machines to come out. Maybe then option of a dual-boot machine will allow me to make the switch.
Stefan

1729 days ago

I’m on a G5 with Tiger since June (at home) and it was fun the last few month.
At work I’m bound to some old Windows machine with W2K and ~300MB of RAM – this sucks. Really.
Matt Robin

1729 days ago

Jon: Which GIS software do you use? My background is in GIS!!! (And I wouldn’t dream of running any GIS software on a Mac!)
Dan

1729 days ago

I was using Windows up until around about September I guess and then I jumped on the OS X band wagon. It’s absolutely awesome I think. I can’t believe that no matter what I chuck at it, it gobbles up no questions asked.

Windows will moan, groan and blue screen on me if I try to force it into too many things at once. Also like you, I lived a life of paranoia as far as viruses are concerned. My windows machines now take about 20 minutes to start up because there is so much shit and rubbish on there. Shocking. One doesn’t start up for the best part of an hour.

OS X is far easier to use and seems to do a better job when I’m working. I find I am a hell of a lot more productive when using my Mac for work.

So for me it’s OS X all the way! There are some cool little apps available for it as well and it’s a dream to work with, fast and doesn’t ask any questions, just does.
Ben Williams

1729 days ago

OS’s for me are like wine- theres no such thing as a great wine, only great bottles of wine.

Its similar with OS’s- how well they function for me has always been about what hardware you have installed, which wacky drivers [i’m looking at you nvidia] bork the system and the unique to every system combination of installed trial versions of software that never did quite make the cut, or did what was needed once and then got forgotten about.

Personally I can appreciate the subtleties, depth and pleasures of other OS’s, as I would tasting a great wine, but I couldn’t drink them, er use them, everyday.

Er anyway- WinXP Pro for freelance development/Home for email and Win2k for work. Also messed about with OSx 10.something for testing. From my tasting it seems nice tho a little unusual in style- I dont have the time to get productive in my usage of OSX really, nor any real need I suppose.
Nathan Pitman

1729 days ago

This year I started on Windows XP Pro, moved to Mac OSX and then back to XP Pro. I guess I’m just not a Mac guy. :)
Rob Wilmshurst

1729 days ago

Was very close to getting a powerbook but then I ended up with an ubercheap thinkpad running windows. Works like a charm (at least in the few hours I’ve had it…). Bring on a mac any day of the week though; they’re just nicer somehow.
Craig

1729 days ago

A few years ago I moved to OSX then back to XP. I’ve been an XP fan ever since I tried using Dreamweaver and Fireworks for the Mac. I’m sorry Mac nuts, but being able to maximize my windows and have dockable panels that do not allow overlap is worth more to my productivity than any gimmicky search feature(I keep files organized to begin with) or candy-like buttons.

I just couldn’t seem to get anything done on my Mac. I sold my G5 tower and I’m waiting for the Intel minis. I still need a Mac testing machine so it looks like I’ll have to drop some cash on another. I’m not looking forward to it… I’d rather use QNX or Amiga OS 1.3 than OSX.
Jon

1729 days ago

Matt,
I have used both ArcGIS and MapInfo previously, but for the last 2 years I have been using Manifold GIS – largely due to the bang for the buck. I’m really impressed with how easy it is to script and customize. For less than half the cost of the basic Arc package, I have the ability to Geocode large datasets and do extensive surface manipulation.
I would love to see how the resizing of a large floating-point surface would work on a G5 compared to the Pentium, though, but there’s just not an option other than GRASS.
djn

1729 days ago

I must be the only one left. Windows 98 SE. Since 1999 ca. and still running smoothly. Plus OpenBSD 3.7 on the other disk, for when I feel in configure-make-make install mood
Sam

1729 days ago

Ubuntu, x86 Solaris, x86 OS X, debian and SuSE but I’ve always gone back to ma Windows XP 2005, Media Center Edition :)
Jon Leighton

1729 days ago

I started this year on Gentoo Linux, but part way through moved to Ubuntu Linux (out of a need to do something other than compiling with my computer). Ubuntu is the shit and I love it.
Matt Robin

1729 days ago

Jon: That’s interesting about Manifold as that’s one I haven’t used yet (does it feature as many plugin components as Arc? Is the scripting abilities similar to ArcSDE at all?)...cheaper is definitely a plus!
Me: I used MapInfo most during my degree, and I was using Arc for the majority of last year.

Yeah, I would love to see how a full-spec G5 handles large floating-point surfaces!!! (Geek – me?! Nah!!) Drop me a line – I think we’re going a bit off the ‘Operating System’ topic – although it’s good to discuss GIS with someone else who happens to comment on John’s site (maybe I won’t feel like such an outcast anymore…or…#thinks #...maybe I will?!) :D
Lowell

1728 days ago

I spent the majority of the year using Windows XP Home, but in late summer i switched to my 15” (or 1’ 3”) powerbook and have no regrets. Well, except three.

1. Single button mouse
2. Not being able to maximize the windows
3. Less programs for macs

But i still would take my mac over my old pc
Tony

1728 days ago

I’ve actually used a lot of operating systems this year, but for most of the year it was Ubuntu. To quote Jon Leighton… ” Ubuntu is the shit and I love it.” I also had hardware problems with my iBook in the past, and thought my harddrive had failed because it wouldn’t boot and it definitely was scratching and wailing that sounded something like the fight between a wolverine mother and a rabid fox. But a couple months later, it booted up fine and I haven’t heard even the slightest ‘tink’ out of the thing.
jacob

1728 days ago

I use Windows XP Prof, predominantly because I can’t afford a mac right now but also because I’ve been using windows for a long time and once you lived through Windows 95 and 98, windows XP really isn’t that bad. It’s nothing fancy but it really doesn’t have to be as long as my other software is.
Julian Schrader

1728 days ago

I’m running Mac OS X Tiger on an old PowerMac G4 (the machine to use) and have a Win XP Home machine with very good hardware standing around useless. The system is the point…

Additionally, I’m waiting for the Intel Powerbooks…
Stuart

1728 days ago

I run Mac OSX 10.4 on a 12” Powerbook for working in front of the telly – and for use out and about.

Windows XP on a desktop for Director, and when I need to concentrate.

The Missus uses Ubuntu for surfing and mailing.

When the new Intel Macs come out I’ll be putting windows and linux on one and using it triple boot with a external screen, and if the Missus is lucky she can borrow my 12” Powerbook : )

dan davies

mike

Jon

Rob Wilmshurst

Jon

djn

Lowell

Tony

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