Poll: Best OS?

[Zacharine]

I used XP for the longest time, had only a brief one-night stand with Vista (couldn't stand it) and now have Windows 7 on my newest computer. And it actually seems to be working as advertised. Surprising considering it's a windows and no Service Pack is out yet (at least to my knowledge / have not installed it).

But really, it depends on the use. For a common, non-computersavvy user I'd say Windows 7 or XP. For an older comp, XP works nicely, Linux is an equal contender.

For a server, you can never go wrong with a Linux. Red Hat ftw

And a former colleaque of mine proclaimed eternal love to the Mac once he switched from PCs. And I definately can see where he's getting that attitude, Macs have a lot of things done better.

Personally, its a tie between Linux and Windows 7. I'll go with 7 as it looks like Microsoft might have actually delivered what they promised.

 

[Voodoomancer]

Whatever isn't Vista. I'm running vista and I cat testify that on a list of "worst programming entities ever", vista probably lands lower than some viruses...

 

[Trivun]

I thought 7 actually took up less space?

I chose vista because I've had it and it's never caused me problems. Unlike many others, it seems.

Exactly this. My family uses XP on their home PC and it's always crashing (in fact, my mother is at PC World right now getting our PC back after she had to take it in to be reformatted on Christmas Eve). I use Vista on my laptop, have done for almost one and a half years, and it's been perfect (touch wood) in all that time. I've also heard some pretty bad stories about Windows 7, suggesting it isn't the godsend everyone seems to think it is. So yeah, I reckon Vista's the best one so far (since I don't know anything about the other OSs...).

 

[Icecoldcynic]

The one good thing I can say about vista is that the layout is easier to use than XPs, or at least for me.

 

[Assassin Xaero]

XP. The thing that turned me off of Windows 7 (on my desk top at least), STALKER Clear Sky wouldn't work.

 

[AkJay]

I use Windows 7. It's fast, easy to use, and it hasn't crashed on me once since I got it.

XP. The thing that turned me off of Windows 7 (on my desk top at least), STALKER Clear Sky wouldn't work.

Works just fine for me, and I run Win7.

 

[Vordark]

I hate nearly all operating systems, but hate Linux less than most.

Windows - Great for PC gaming, hardware compatibility and running the software 90% of the world uses. Alas, the dev tools available are shit, the security is shit and I haven't been able to keep an MS box up for more than three days since I was running DOS 6.22.

Linux - Never met a better set of development tools and it's the only OS on which Emacs just works. Forget application compatibility. Things like Wine are a cruel joke that at best give you Windows apps that "mostly work, most of the time". Running Linux also increases the likelihood that you'll need to deal with the occasional Linux/open source cultist, which can be annoying.

Mac - I hear tell it's a real OS now, but the day I spend $1,500 for what's actually $800 worth of PC hardware is the day I take a tack hammer to my nutsack. Mac cultists also suck more than Linux cultists.

Honestly, though, it's just not about the OS to me anymore. So long as I can do what I want with my computer, when I want to do it, I'm happy.

 

[Phenakist]

I have no problems with Vista, until I got W7, just everything is better about it.

 

[number2301]

Linux, because I choose to define 'best' for this thread as performance vs £. So the free one wins out everytime

 

[zerzxes]

Windows 7 because games on any other OS than windows is a pain in arse, Vista is 3x slower than 7 and xp is actualy slighty slower than 7(if you do like me and turn viasual effect off/down as they are just a waste)

 

[Lordmarkus]

I have had Win 7 for less than a week now and I'm satisfied though nothing can beat the simplicity of Mac OS X.

 

[Kilo24]

For me, Windows, though it's because almost every game is designed for it and not because of good design on Microsoft's part. Otherwise, I'd probably favor Linux (and know it better than I currently do.)

I currently have XP, though I've heard only good things about Windows 7. XP works well enough and nothing else is really useful in the later Windows.

Historically I'd say Windows 95 though.

 

[matsugawa]

I'm platform agnostic, I've used all of the above with equal time spent, but I think there are some qualifications that set some above the others. It all depends on what you want to do.

Web-Browsing, networking, e-mail, basic office work: Linux
You've got Firefox and Opera as well as OpenOffice for all your desktop publishing needs. Plus, given that Linux is fundamentally free (or at least, pay what you think it's worth via donations), it's entirely possible to build your little networking machine for less than 300USD (That's what I did). There's also some decent media players, and GIMP is a pretty cool photo-manip program.

Video editing, gaming: Windows and Mac
Yeah, it's a tie, but before you cry cop-out, I'll qualify that I'd have to give the slight edge to Windows for the sake of accessibility. Variety is the spice of life, after all, and if you want to edit videos, you've got at least a half-dozen good options across a broad spectrum of prices. On Macs, however, if you want to edit video, you choices are more or less iMovie, Final Cut, or bugger all. So, if you don't like either of those programs (or can only afford the lesser one) you're pretty hosed. Pinnacle and Vegas have middle-of-the-road entries that run just above triple-figures, whereas all Apple's got is Final Cut Express, which is a pretty hefty 300USD. I'm not going to bother talking about games except to say that adventure games may be easier to develop on the PC and have a broader market, but the true audience is almost squarely in the Apple camp.

 

[The Infinite]

I picked Vista because I've had absolutely no problems with it on my laptop and I've had no problems getting games to work, or random crashes or the like.

 

[Souplex]

We have had this thread several thousand times. It breeds controversy and animosity. The mods lock each one after it turns into a flame war. Edit this thread into an apology and the mods might spare ye.

 

[cold killer pov]

i put down vista, i personally have had no problems with it, i think it looks nicer than xp and is has a few coooler features. never tried most of the others, not really arsed about my OS as long as it works + it came on my laptop easy peasy

 

[TelHybrid]

I chose Windows XP.

I have relatively little experience with Unix based operating systems, Windows Vista I found demanded way too much in terms of system resources needlessly. Windows 7 I have yet to try.

Direct X 10 or 11 are not good enough reasons to get me to upgrade. I'll stick with XP while it still runs smoothly and does everything I need it to.

Also shame on you for not including Windows 98 on your list!

 

[mayney93]

i have had 2 vista machines, 1 xp and a linux, out of all them i have enjoyed the vista the most probably as im not quite savvy with tech whereas i wasnt when i had the previous machines, im gna get windows 7 soon, from amazon