Don't buy windows 7 yet.

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Originally Posted by jockeys

a valid question. let me ask you... if I had compared ubuntu 5 or 6 to xp, do you think my experience would have been different? i ask in all seriousness.


Different, yes. Better for Ubuntu, doubtful. Windows and Ubuntu have both come a VERY long was since then, but it's probably safe to say that in 2002/3 Ubuntu was really and truly not ready for the home market. While windows has quadrupled in size and bloat, it has only advanced slightly in terms of usefullness. Ubuntu on the other hand, still fits on a standard CDR, but has advanced by leaps and bounds.

The really interesting question, is what will the comparison be in another 6 or 7 years. Of course, neither one of us can answer that.



as I mentioned, a lot of the drivers I write are written in C or C++. none of the development tools I tried on linux (although to be fair, I hadn't heard of kdevelop so I didn't try it) came close to using visual studio to write C++ (which I do, and then compile it for whatever device with the appropriate compiler).

also, you mention using command line tools for the old-fashioned experience. it's old fashioned for a reason. professional developers haven't written code that way since the 80s, and for good reason, it's very inefficient. also, I'd still like to see some collaborative tools for linux development, but if all the FOSS coders are as cheerful and Linus or Hans i can see why that's not the case :)

(note: that last part is a joke. i expect i'll still have an inbox of angry pm from linux zealots, but i thought i'd put up a disclaimer anyway :))

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lol. I got the joke. With any luck, so will everybody else. Do try kdevelope if you take another run at linux. It's very sound. And there are many other options besides. As far as colaberative programming tools, I honestly don't have a clue. A little java scripting and web design has beent he extent of my programming.

I will say this however, basically all linux apps are developed on linux, and virtually all linux apps are developed in a collaberative manner. Perhaps it's all done with CVS servers, but the tools are out there, even if they are very very different from what you're used to.

To your initial tips I would add:

5. Consider getting a Mac. Depending on the purpose of your computer, they can be ideal. If you are planning on loading your PC with games, then dont bother with the switch but if all you are doing is email, internet browsing and pics/movies then a Mac is ideal.

I used to be a MS disciple, a slave to Microsofts latest Windows upgrade. This threads author is exactly right. New editions of windows ALWAYS come with flaws. These are quickly expoited and Windows gets covered in viruses. Since moving to my Macbook I have not had one. Not one. All popups are blocked unless I want to see them. Its simply perfect.

Now sure alot of these things you can do on Windows, but the thing you want to avoid here is what Windows is doing on your computer without you knowing about it. Trojans abound in the world of Mr Jobs. Stick to linux based OS's. Thats the future folks.

:soapbox:

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Originally Posted by sidneykidney

To your initial tips I would add:

5. Consider getting a Mac. Depending on the purpose of your computer, they can be ideal. If you are planning on loading your PC with games, then dont bother with the switch but if all you are doing is email, internet browsing and pics/movies then a Mac is ideal.

I used to be a MS disciple, a slave to Microsofts latest Windows upgrade. This threads author is exactly right. New editions of windows ALWAYS come with flaws. These are quickly expoited and Windows gets covered in viruses. Since moving to my Macbook I have not had one. Not one. All popups are blocked unless I want to see them. Its simply perfect.

Now sure alot of these things you can do on Windows, but the thing you want to avoid here is what Windows is doing on your computer without you knowing about it. Trojans abound in the world of Mr Jobs. Stick to linux based OS's. Thats the future folks.

:soapbox:

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I have to be honest--I have been a windows user for more than 15 years, and I have never had a problem with viruses. I've always had good security software, of course, but still...what's with the virus paranoia? Be careful, and there's no problem. Also, I never ever see popups either. I use Firefox. Not that complicated...

Nothing is perfect, mate. People keep saying that about Macs...and like the man said, if it was perfect they wouldn't have a Customer Service department.

Also, Steve Jobs is the Apple guy, isn't he?

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Originally Posted by JimR

I have to be honest--I have been a windows user for more than 15 years, and I have never had a problem with viruses. I've always had good security software, of course, but still...what's with the virus paranoia? Be careful, and there's no problem. Also, I never ever see popups either. I use Firefox. Not that complicated...

Nothing is perfect, mate. People keep saying that about Macs...and like the man said, if it was perfect they wouldn't have a Customer Service department.

Also, Steve Jobs is the Apple guy, isn't he?

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I had problems with viruses when i was at school and downloaded lots of stuff over the internet...this was over 7 years ago...
as long as you know what you download you should be ok...

people who get viruses and Trojans and other stuff are people who dont know what the hell are they doing...

Also...why there is more virus for windows than for mac or linux?
Over 88% of the market belongs to MS Windows... (used to be over 90 some time ago).

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Originally Posted by pio

I had problems with viruses when i was at school and downloaded lots of stuff over the internet...this was over 7 years ago...
as long as you know what you download you should be ok...

people who get viruses and Trojans and other stuff are people who dont know what the hell are they doing...

Also...why there is more virus for windows than for mac or linux?
Over 88% of the market belongs to MS Windows... (used to be over 90 some time ago).

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Running as an administrator by default doesnt help. But with the latest versions of windows, they basically have a "sudo" like system.

You have to enter administrator mode to run a program that needs to access certain areas of the system. This is a big improvement. Though i'm sure people will bitch and moan about have an extra click.

More virusses for windows because there are more windows users. A person who programs a virus is going to target the biggest audience offcourse.

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Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

Running as an administrator by default doesnt help. But with the latest versions of windows, they basically have a "sudo" like system.

You have to enter administrator mode to run a program that needs to access certain areas of the system. This is a big improvement. Though i'm sure people will bitch and moan about have an extra click.

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Yup they will...
i do...and i removed it (on vista and plan to do so on 7)...
but then again...i'm not all over the internet downloading games or software...

if i need something I either buy or download open source...

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Originally Posted by JimR

Also, Steve Jobs is the Apple guy, isn't he?

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:gaah:

I still maintain my stance on Macs tho.

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Originally Posted by Slartibartfast

Though i'm sure people will bitch and moan about have an extra click.

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This quote made me think of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuqZ8AqmLPY

And it still makes me laugh. Its funny cos its true.

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Originally Posted by JimR

I have to be honest--I have been a windows user for more than 15 years, and I have never had a problem with viruses. I've always had good security software, of course, but still...what's with the virus paranoia? Be careful, and there's no problem. Also, I never ever see popups either. I use Firefox. Not that complicated...

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I have only ever been infected with a virus once, and I was asking for it (story for another day). I agree with you that intelligent computing practices combined with quality 'security' software is the best defence. For me the real seller is that because of fundamental differences in user handling in a unix-like system, such as MacOS or Linux, make it so that addition software is not needed. All that additional software does is use system resources and slows down your machine. Oddly enough that is similar to a virus . . . . just you chose to install this one.

Back to the point of the thread. I have not used Windows 7 at all yet and I understand that it is CONSIDERABLY better than Vista, I won't upgrade for one specific reason. I administer some 40 windows workstations and 3 windows servers attached through active directory. The benefits that I would receive because of an upgrade do not justify the costs to do so. Period. NO BANG FOR BUCK AT ALL.

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Originally Posted by undertakingyou

I administer some 40 windows workstations and 3 windows servers attached through active directory. The benefits that I would receive because of an upgrade do not justify the costs to do so. Period. NO BANG FOR BUCK AT ALL.

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Any remote users? I haven't had time to really drill down all the new features, but one thing that I do recall was called "DirectAccess".

Basically it allows remote users to connect via VPN without user interaction. Sounds pretty interesting. We have a VPN client which needs to be launched and then the user is prompted for credentials. If I can get the same security for my users with fewer steps, specifically the kind that require a password, then that's worth it in my book. :)