OS - What do you use?

[Ton]

I just switched to a Linux OS. I've been using Windows pretty much my entire life, but I decided to try out Ubuntu and so far I'm actually liking it. I think as far as home compatibility, if you own Apple products,  you have to go with Apple. For business, Microsoft is best. But so far, I'm liking Ubuntu. It seems like there is a lot of freedom, speed, and security.</p>


 </p>


What is everyone else running, and why?</p>

 

[roshinaya]

Main computer is a Win 7, for gaming. And a Ubuntu distro for my old ass laptop since they are ending the Win XP support. Use that for surfing and watching videos.

 

[The Count Dante]

Work: Redhat 6</p>


Home: Ubuntu (12 I think?) dual boot into Windows 8 but I dont use, Mac OS 10 something</p>


 </p>


Why? </p>


 </p>


Windows sucks. Plain and simple to me. *nix is organized much better, easier to work with, and open source. Mac OS and *nix of course play well together. *nix user communities are MUCH better, easier to code, etc.</p>


 </p>


The only thing that Windows does better imo is media streaming to other devices, if, as you mentioned, you arent using Apple Airplay. </p>


 </p>


Once you get used to Ubuntu, you wont go back. There are also a few people on the board that can help ya with geek stuffs if they break and what not. Welcome!</p>

 

[Ton]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="The Deadliest Man Alive" data-cid="222312" data-time="1393514876">
<div>


Work: Redhat 6</p>


Home: Ubuntu (12 I think?) dual boot into Windows 8 but I dont use, Mac OS 10 something</p>


 </p>


Why? </p>


 </p>


Windows sucks. Plain and simple to me. *nix is organized much better, easier to work with, and open source. Mac OS and *nix of course play well together. *nix user communities are MUCH better, easier to code, etc.</p>


 </p>


The only thing that Windows does better imo is media streaming to other devices, if, as you mentioned, you arent using Apple Airplay. </p>


 </p>


Once you get used to Ubuntu, you wont go back. There are also a few people on the board that can help ya with geek stuffs if they break and what not. Welcome!</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


Thanks! It's been pretty cool so far. I'm studying computer programming so it's been fairly easy so far, I think anyone with basic knowledge of using a terminal would have an easy time with Linux... but I can understand how the average user would find things to be daunting.</p>


 </p>


The only thing is, it's really not that great out of the box, but once you get the essentials installed, it's excellent. Is there anything you recommend installing? I've been looking all over for things to add for the past two days, mainly to the Unity Dash, but overall I'm looking for anything.</p>

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

Taintfox 6.0</p>

 

[supraman]

Win7 64 bit.</p>

 

[LordKOTL]

Win 8.1 on all of my systems.</p>


 </p>


The main 2 reasons for running Windows is that I have 2 people on my network and I don't want to try to administer devices running different OS's trying to make them talk to each other; and I'm too lazy to try and get *nix up and running.</p>


 </p>


My wife needs Office and Windows for her school and as such, her Surface pretty much has to be Windows.  8 & Subsequently 8.1 work great for her on it. The rest have good media integration and data sharing; even CableTV--both recorded and live.</p>


 </p>


That and I have an irrational dislike for anything Apple later than the ][e</p>

 

[The Count Dante]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Tony DeFrancesco" data-cid="222358" data-time="1393557653">
<div>


Thanks! It's been pretty cool so far. I'm studying computer programming so it's been fairly easy so far, I think anyone with basic knowledge of using a terminal would have an easy time with Linux... but I can understand how the average user would find things to be daunting.</p>


 </p>


The only thing is, it's really not that great out of the box, but once you get the essentials installed, it's excellent. Is there anything you recommend installing? I've been looking all over for things to add for the past two days, mainly to the Unity Dash, but overall I'm looking for anything.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


I was fortunate to catch Linux from the ground up. Candidly, I would say that Linux is the one of the only reasons I have a career today. The best part about Linux as an emerging geek, is that you will learn SO much just getting basic tasks done. Windows is terrible IT learning platform since you arent learning why and how things work, just how to get them to work.</p>


 </p>


In Unix? Everything is a file... </p>


 </p>


You will also find much more freedom with Linux over Windows. </p>


 </p>


Install Python, as I believe perl is there by default with ubuntu. If not, get Perl too. </p>


VLC (defacto linux player)</p>


I use Gnome as my desktop, but for no reason other than I am old school and dont learn other desktop mgrs. </p>


Conky, never a bad idea.</p>


VINE for your windows emulation</p>


Vmware, free. If you are a Comp Sci</p>


Postgres or mysql, Database learnings, both are ANSI and you are never wrong learning ANSI relational dbs</p>


TLP if on a laptop</p>


Use vi for your editor. Train yourself. It sucks to start but it is the only editor that is included in every *nix ever made</p>


I use LibreOffice for my MS Office</p>


 </p>


My advice is do things the hard way, it will pay off. </p>


If you do something more than 4 times, find a way to script it. </p>

 

[The Count Dante]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="LordKOTL" data-cid="222384" data-time="1393602137">
<div>


Win 8.1 on all of my systems.</p>


 </p>


The main 2 reasons for running Windows is that I have 2 people on my network and I don't want to try to administer devices running different OS's trying to make them talk to each other; and I'm too lazy to try and get *nix up and running.</p>


 </p>


My wife needs Office and Windows for her school and as such, her Surface pretty much has to be Windows.  8 & Subsequently 8.1 work great for her on it. The rest have good media integration and data sharing; even CableTV--both recorded and live.</p>


 </p>


That and I have an irrational dislike for anything Apple later than the ][e</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


HA! I had the same irrational dislike. Now? I have given my life over to the i<Life></p>

 

[LordKOTL]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="The Deadliest Man Alive" data-cid="222387" data-time="1393602990">
<div>


HA! I had the same irrational dislike. Now? I have given my life over to the i<Life></p>
</div>
</blockquote>


I refuse to.  For one, I find it intellectually draining using Playskool's "My 1st computer" (a.k.a: a Mac, which I grew to hate in my middle school years), and secondly the malware known as iTunes is not allowed anywhere near my home network.  For one, I don't own an I-anything so the integraion factor is moot, and iTunes has wrecked many of friend's audio libraries when they have anything *not* iTunes based--like old CD-rips.  This would be catatriphic on my home system since my wife has MP3 rips of Slovak/Czech sutff that's nigh-impossible to find anymore.</p>


 </p>


Even though Apple moved over towards *nix based OS's, I personally don't like the interface and the "over-the-counter" over-integration. </p>


 </p>


Unfortunately going forward I'm kinda at a crossroads.  As a near-dedicated PC gamer (I only putrchase Nintendo-products for the Zelda games, and I only go Sony/Microsoft for the NHL series since they stopped the PC releases), that means that the HTPC will pretty much have to stay Windows.  My wife hates Linux and needs Windows on her Surface Pro.  However, at some point my NAS will hit capacity and I'll need to go the Home-server route, and since Windows Home Server has gone by the wayside that's going to force a *nix route.</p>

 

[The Count Dante]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="LordKOTL" data-cid="222434" data-time="1393609973">
<div>


I refuse to.  For one, I find it intellectually draining using Playskool's "My 1st computer" (a.k.a: a Mac, which I grew to hate in my middle school years), and secondly the malware known as iTunes is not allowed anywhere near my home network.  For one, I don't own an I-anything so the integraion factor is moot, and iTunes has wrecked many of friend's audio libraries when they have anything *not* iTunes based--like old CD-rips.  This would be catatriphic on my home system since my wife has MP3 rips of Slovak/Czech sutff that's nigh-impossible to find anymore.</p>


 </p>


Even though Apple moved over towards *nix based OS's, I personally don't like the interface and the "over-the-counter" over-integration. </p>


 </p>


Unfortunately going forward I'm kinda at a crossroads.  As a near-dedicated PC gamer (I only putrchase Nintendo-products for the Zelda games, and I only go Sony/Microsoft for the NHL series since they stopped the PC releases), that means that the HTPC will pretty much have to stay Windows.  My wife hates Linux and needs Windows on her Surface Pro.  However, at some point my NAS will hit capacity and I'll need to go the Home-server route, and since Windows Home Server has gone by the wayside that's going to force a *nix route.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


I hear ya. I didnt have any Apple stuff until damn, like 4 months? But I needed my own phone. I liked the iPhone so that put me on the path. I also wanted to get into a tablet, and the Ipad Air is super sexy and my favorite toy right now. There is two I's. So said screw it and grabbed an air laptop too. I am a HUGE fan of Airplay. </p>


 </p>


I havent had any issues with my music library and iTunes (although i am not a fan either) but I also dont hold value on my music collection or the like. If I was to lose every song I had, I wouldnt care. </p>


 </p>


But really my greatest goal is to remove any and all windows from my being. To me, the biggest blight on the IT world is Windows based products. </p>


 </p>


I used bonus cash and had the means to just do a whole tech refresh. I also just loved the "Air" since I can stack all three devices and it is like an inch high. I tend to be a bit anal when it comes that stuff.</p>

 

[supraman]

Dante you hear about the SteamOS, linux based, might be the next big thing is PC gaming and then on the other hand probably wont amount to anything</p>

 

[The Count Dante]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Supra" data-cid="222437" data-time="1393611065">
<div>


Dante you hear about the SteamOS, linux based, might be the next big thing is PC gaming and then on the other hand probably wont amount to anything</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


I have, I think it is a great idea. That is the beauty of Linux. You can change anything you want, call it your own. But you have to make the code available in accordance to open source. </p>


 </p>


My experience with Steam is limited, but I would think as a PC gamer, anything that was built around Steam is a positive, yeah?</p>

 

[LordKOTL]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="The Deadliest Man Alive" data-cid="222438" data-time="1393611793">
<div>


I have, I think it is a great idea. That is the beauty of Linux. You can change anything you want, call it your own. But you have to make the code available in accordance to open source. </p>


 </p>


My experience with Steam is limited, but I would think as a PC gamer, anything that was built around Steam is a positive, yeah?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


I've not been following it *too* closely.  But, If memory serves it should be what they're putting into the Steamboxes.</p>


 </p>


That being said it would almost be work a dual-boot HTPC-as long as I can find another system that records TV in the background.  the blight on that would be any content-protected channel, like NHLN.</p>


 </p>


My only dabblings with Linux were Mandrake 10.2 when it came out, and was less-than-stellar configuring everything, but I didn't have the time or inclination to tinker massively with it.  Other than that I use Gparted/Knoppix and a CD-bootable linux build for major partitioning.</p>


 </p>


However, some build of linux might be the "hope" I'd need for a dedicated home server--one that can record TV on any channel, stip any overly-restrictive content protection, save it down to a "usual-suspect" video file complete 1080p/i with full surround, and then keep it in the network so any device regardless of OS can access it.</p>


 </p>


As for Steam, I love it at this point.  The games that I have right now:  Alice: Madness Returns, Borderlands 2, Dark, Splinter Cell: Conviction, Arkham City, Rise of the Triad, Doom3 BFG edition (the one with all the other dooms), and hopefully tonight Shadow Warrior all run flawlessly on it/within it.  I'm also thinking of taking some older "disk-based" games when I recharge my funds and purchase them through steam so I don't have to use the disks (Wolfenstein, Silent Hunters 3 and 4, Quake 4, etc.).</p>


 </p>


Hell, when Wolfenstein: The New Order and Borderlands 3 come out I'll Steam them as well.</p>


 </p>


The only thing that would compare is any "store" like Google Play, Windows store, and apple's equivalent.  I've only used those for any "casual" games; like the Zen pinball games (360 & PC), and any "hidden object" games I play with my wife. </p>

 

[supraman]

Well with Windows going the way it is going and its stance toward 3rd party app/game sales I see the "in" for the SteamOS. But if Microsoft backs down from their stance I don't see SteamOS gaining enough momentum. Now if Windows continues on the trend of Windows 8 I can see gamers migrating to SteamOS. </p>

 

[The Count Dante]

I mean, wasnt it Steam that both Xbox and PS land built with in mind? My limited experience with it has been very positive. </p>

 

[The Count Dante]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Supra" data-cid="222449" data-time="1393615953">
<div>


Well with Windows going the way it is going and its stance toward 3rd party app/game sales I see the "in" for the SteamOS. But if Microsoft backs down from their stance I don't see SteamOS gaining enough momentum. Now if Windows continues on the trend of Windows 8 I can see gamers migrating to SteamOS. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


As a Windowless man, what does this mean?</p>

 

[supraman]

The gaming community in general does not like Windows 8. And Gabe Newell (CEO of Steam) spoke out against Windows 8. Mainly it boils down to Windows wanting to limit 3rd party applications from selling things. They want the sales going through the Windows Store which kinda fucks Steam and was one of the reasons behind the SteamOS. If Windows stays on that course and ultimately fucks steam over, you will see most gamers going to a dual boot system or SteamOS. If it does a 180 on it I dont see Steam picking up enough momentum to become a viable OS for gamers</p>

 

[The Count Dante]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Supra" data-cid="222456" data-time="1393616405">
<div>


The gaming community in general does not like Windows 8. And Gabe Newell (CEO of Steam) spoke out against Windows 8. Mainly it boils down to Windows wanting to limit 3rd party applications from selling things. They want the sales going through the Windows Store which kinda fucks Steam and was one of the reasons behind the SteamOS. If Windows stays on that course and ultimately fucks steam over, you will see most gamers going to a dual boot system or SteamOS. If it does a 180 on it I dont see Steam picking up enough momentum to become a viable OS for gamers</p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


Ah... so desu ka....</p>


 </p>


That makes sense then, because I was wondering why Steam would build out their own appliance when they really wouldnt need to and could stay away from end. </p>

 

[supraman]

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="The Deadliest Man Alive" data-cid="222457" data-time="1393616609">
<div>


Ah... so desu ka....</p>


 </p>


That makes sense then, because I was wondering why Steam would build out their own appliance when they really wouldnt need to and could stay away from end. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>


 </p>


Honestly I think the Steambox Idea is going to flop hard. </p>