operating systems?

[Ichbin Der Ausgang]

just wondering about whether I should try out a new operating system on my computer
Ive heard Linux mentioned alot here and there by people who are supposedly 'in the know' with computers.
Whats the difference between windows and linux? Ive been under the impression that linux doesnt crash.
And what else is out there?

[Wingfan]

everything crashes, trust me.

Depends what you want to use it for, a server based computer would probably do better with Linux, but if you want to actually use software like photoshop stick with windows (unless there's a linux version, but I doubt it). I believe there's a windows emulator for it as well, but then what's the point?

[astrocity20]

you could always use Lindows... or something like that, it's like Windows and Linux in one.

[Inkthinker]

I thought Lindows was a Linux OS with a pseudo-Windows-type GUI.

[Dash Martin]

Lindows can also run SOME Windows software...but still not Photoshop...so Linux is useless to me. Also keep in mind a lot of games use Direct3D now...so they won't run on Linux or at least not smoothly. Personally, I'm really enjoying WinXP now that they've released SP2.

[astrocity20]

I've always liked Win 2000 but we took it off due to complications with a video card a while ago... Win XP is eh.

[Nitemare]

Dont forget that if you switch OS's you can kiss most of your pc games goodbye.

[Phil Clark]

If you have a large enough hard drive, you could always reformat and partition it so you can set up a dual boot system, and run two different OS's. That might be the best option if you want to try out Linux or Lindows.

Personally, I like Windows 2000 Pro.

[Carter]

Personally, I like Windows 2000 Pro.

You and me both, except for a few things. I've had some trouble before with things not running right or having the wrong driver since 2000 is the same as NT. Also, there are some big, scary security holes that made me jump ship to XP. (But really, it's like moving from one leaky ship to another leaky ship with holes in different places, I guess...)

I'd really like to try out a Mac so I don't have to use Firefox with the Google Toolbar and Ad Aware running all the time just so I can go on the Internet, but I'm not a millionaire.

[FD]

I just use the Win XP because most of my software just run under the Windows system... Anyways, in case you want to jump to Linux, you will no longer be able to use things like Photoshop, Painter, Paint Sho Pro and several others... On the other hand, you can always use GIMP...