What OS do you run?

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What OS do you use?

Windows
16
57%
Distribution of *nix
9
32%
Mac OS 9/X
3
11%
 
Total votes: 28

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Chris Corbyn
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Post by Chris Corbyn »

The internals of XP and 2K are practically the same anyway aren't they? I always got the impression they just re-skinned it and added a few new features.
Roja
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Post by Roja »

d11wtq wrote:The internals of XP and 2K are practically the same anyway aren't they? I always got the impression they just re-skinned it and added a few new features.
There are non-trivial differences. XP is more stable, and handles security better (at least post SP2). Those aren't available on 2k. Not to mention IE7, which will be available on XP, but not on 2k. There is also the performance issue (XP needs roughly double the ram of 2k), and things of that sort.

There are definitely differences. All tempting you to move to it from 2k, but in my case, its not a sufficient tradeoff for product activation. The principle is just dead wrong. People legitimately paying for their software should not have to phone home to prove they aren't pirates. I won't pay for a product that will treat me that way.
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a94060
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Post by a94060 »

i use windows,it seems good,but i think there is a way you can prevent it from checking if your product is legitimate(WPA_KILL anyone?)
Roja
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Post by Roja »

a94060 wrote:i use windows,it seems good,but i think there is a way you can prevent it from checking if your product is legitimate(WPA_KILL anyone?)
Not legally. (WPA_KILL and things of its ilk are illegal). I paid for the legitimate and legal use of the product, I shouldn't have to break the law to avoid being treated like a criminal.
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jayshields
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Post by jayshields »

Being fair to Microsoft, can you think of a better method of activation?

If they don't check against your MAC address, what will they check against?
Roja
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Post by Roja »

jayshields wrote:Being fair to Microsoft, can you think of a better method of activation?
Yes. Don't do it.

Millions of applications do perfectly well with a one-time license key check, ranging from Photoshop to even Microsoft's older software (Windows 2000, Office 2000..). They felt that the risk of piracy was great enough that they needed to treat all customers as likely criminals.

Let that sink in! They felt their software was being stolen so often, that they want legitimate customers to PROVE they are not stealing their software multiple times.

Being fair, thats simply an unacceptable way to treat customers. I try to do the right thing, pay for my license, buy the software, and they want me to prove - despite doing all that - that I'm not a criminal. I don't understand how anyone can accept that, or justify it.

There really isn't justification for that behavior. It would be different if their profit margins were frighteningly slim, but its just the opposite - Windows and Office have been the majority of their profit across *all* segments of their business for the last ten years consistently.

They aren't hurting due to piracy. They are doing exceptionally well. And yet, they need to treat paying customers as a criminal?

No thank you.
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a94060
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Post by a94060 »

i think :lol: microsoft :lol: should go open source. Thats like syaing houses should be free now. I know that it is good software,but since we cant do anythnig legally to stop it from checking,we can only use it or use open source. i dont think there are any other choices.
Ree
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Post by Ree »

Roja wrote:If you find you like it, you could use VMWare (the server package is now FREE!) to build a Linux machine that runs as a window - just like it was a game or another application!
That would make Linux apps open in new windows in that Linux window? :)

Would I need to install any hardware drivers (video card)?
Roja
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Post by Roja »

Ree wrote:
Roja wrote:If you find you like it, you could use VMWare (the server package is now FREE!) to build a Linux machine that runs as a window - just like it was a game or another application!
That would make Linux apps open in new windows in that Linux window? :)

Would I need to install any hardware drivers (video card)?
No, it makes a "container" (window), which contains Linux. In that container, Linux is running, and when you open windows on Linux, it occurs inside that container. Its hard to explain better. Couldnt find a solid screenshot either. Sorry.
Ree
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Post by Ree »

Roja wrote:No, it makes a "container" (window), which contains Linux. In that container, Linux is running, and when you open windows on Linux, it occurs inside that container.
That's exactly what I was asking.
Will have a look at VMWare.
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RobertGonzalez
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Post by RobertGonzalez »

75% / 25% Windows XP Pro SP2 / Fedora Core 4. I am just getting into Linux but I am liking more and more each day. For my Windows machine I would be using Win2K (I have that on 2 other machines at home and it's what I use at work) except that Best Buy only sells laptops with WinXP preinstalled. In order to get the development environment I needed I had to upgrade to Pro SP2.

I believe that I am going to continue using Windows primarily because, unlike the development community, people everywhere are "forced" to use it. I can't seem to do business with anyone without being able to use some form of MS application. Although the apps that are installed with FC4 come very close to offering the same functionality as my windows machine..
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nickman013
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Post by nickman013 »

I used to use Windows, but I got into video editing and ive been working with macs for over 3 years now.. I love them! It just sucks when there are some things you cant do on it. :cry:
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John Cartwright
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Post by John Cartwright »

I've always been a stone cold windows user, unless of course we are talking about servers.
timvw
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Post by timvw »

I started with TRS - DOS... Currently i'm running Windows XP Pro and GNU/Debian on my desktop machines..

There used to be a time that i really wanted to switch to a Linux only environment but every time i make the switch i have to use an application that simply doesn't have a Linux version.. Or doesn't run with emulation software..

I do have a couple of webservers running OpenBSD and a couple of VMWare images of FreeBSD, W2K3 and Solaris X86.
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neophyte
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Post by neophyte »

Roja wrote: People legitimately paying for their software should not have to phone home to prove they aren't pirates. I won't pay for a product that will treat me that way.
TRUE;

No one else on the planet who provides consumer products would be able to force a program like this with out mass exodus to a competitor. The fact that they can do it is proof that there is no true competition in the home pc market. Here's to Linux breaking the mold!
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