Am fed up of Windows but have to keep up with it cause of my professional needs.
So I have Windows running on my desktop & plan installing some Linux platform Or Mac OS?
Once tried Ubuntu8, initially had difficulty understanding & than with utility softwares/messengers, caming softwares & drivers etc.
For windows I use AV, ASW, 7 Zip, VLC, MS Office07, CCleaner, Defraggler, Snagit, Yahoo, Windows Live, G Chrome Browser, Image Burn, Logitech Quick cam Pro 9000 webcam, Secunia, Live streaming Video capture & conversion tools like WM Recorder Replay Video Suite etc.
But now things must have improved.
To sum it up in a nut shell which flavor of Linux or Mac, which would you experienced members recommend, keeping in mind that I have bearded windows for 18 yrs & would like something that is a bit user friendly & less of a headache at the same time.
Some may disagree with this(they are lying to themselves), but linux is 100 times more frustrating than windows to do some of the most basic tasks. Try getting flash to be functional and not a blurry mess on linux, its a huge pain. Not to mention getting all of your hardware to actually work up to its full potential(especially wifi and graphics cards). You mentioned you wanted something user friendly, 99% of the time linux would be a step down in this department compared to ANY version of windows. You will find a lot of linux fans on the internet praising it as the best thing ever, but theres a reason windows has 90+% market share and linux doesn't.
On the plus side for linux though its free and you can give it a shot with little to no risk. I've always thought linux mint was the best version there is:
Macs would require a new computer and they are pretty expensive. The hardware is overpriced compared to a comparable pc and the software choices can be somewhat limited compared to whats on windows(if your ok with having everything apple, than go for it).
Have you tried windows 7? I have been using it since it came out and couldn't be happier with it. You can get it off newegg for less than 100 and would be your cheapest uprgrade(apart from linux, but I think most will find that its not a real option for everyday use)
I couldn't agree more with rridgely. Windows is great! If you have used Windows for over 18 years... you should be well aware about how to unlock its full potential! Let us know what problems you're facing and also consider upgrading to Windows 7. Its the best version yet.
Linux, even though great for programming, etc. isn't up to Window's standards when it comes to user friendliness, and whatever has been said above.
Yeah Windows 7 is beast. Its not perfect, nothing is perfect but its way better than Vista. Its the best operating system I have ever used. Give it a try.
I think its a wrong concept to think that just because Vista sucks, its successor, Windows 7 is also bad or worse.
Same as Linux. Some of you may think that Linux is hard even for simple tasks but the newer versions I got such as Linux Mint 9 are good to some level, although not perfect. I am getting used to it over time, in fact I use Linux Mint 9 everyday.
If you want an option between Mac or Linux, I'd say try Linux first because on the bottom line, its free, its customizable, you can even run it from a USB and using a program called Wine, you can install and use Windows compatible programs with it.
I didn't try, but I saw people saying Office 2007 (which the OP uses) doesn't work on WINE
Linux often comes preinstalled with Open Office which the open source counterpart of MS Office anyway so less worries.
There are different Wine versions. There are some that are compatible with MS Office 2007 and there are those that are not. But there is a video on Youtube on how to get MS Office 2007 work with a specific Wine version on Ubuntu.
I use the Software Manager on Linux to install programs so I don't go through the complicated task of assembling packages to install a program. I installed my version of Wine through the software manager.
One day, I was on a hurry and since I was being frustrated with Open Office, I decided to install MS Office 2007 and it did work to save me some time. It worked as it was supposed to although, it soon fails because it is said that it wasnt available for all users on that computer, so I removed it. I guess I have messed up with something in the registry before that since Wine comes with its own registry and I used a registry cleaner before that initial program misalignment. MS Office 2010, however will not work with my existing Wine version.
Linux or Mac?.......if you have never tried any other OS in 18 years, stick with what you've got or upgrade to Windows 7. What don't you particularly like about your current OS?
From one who uses Windows XP Pro for business, Windows 7 (32 bit) & Ubuntu 10.10 on a test PC (Dual boot), I own and use an old iMac running OS X Tiger and enjoy all four OS's I would love to buy a top-end Desktop Mac if I had heaps of $$$$$$ as I could then run Mac & Windows on the same box, BUT I do not have the amount of cash required for both hardware & software, I would choose Windows 7 if I had to pick my most favored OS
If you have a "spare" PC and you have some time on your hands "to play" give Ubuntu a go as it and accompanying software is free.
Let us know how you get on when you make your decision and should you experience any issues with you new OS I am sure you will get all the assistance you require from the many members of this forum.
