(Mongoose Software) What Computer OS do you use?

[EDG]

So, from the Mongoose Library Data Software thread... what OS do you as a Mongoose Traveller player use?

And by "use" I mean, when you sit down at what you consider to be your main "home computer" that you spend most of your computing time on (be it for email, gaming, or whatever), what OS is it running? The assumption is that if you bought any software from Mongoose, you'd most likely be running it on that, right?

And note that this is not "what OS what would you most like to be using?" And also, if you have more than one OS in your home (e.g. a Windows PC in one room, a Mac in another etc) then pick the one that you'd spend more time on and be more likely to do things on.

If you use anything other than the big three mentioned here, then uh, just mention it here in the thread. (does anyone really still use DOS only, or OS2/Warp or BeOS?!)

The poll itself will run for 7 days.

(and yes, I know online polls are pretty meaningless. But it's still interesting to see the distribution that results)

 

[rust]

This is purely anecdotal, but from my experience Mac OS is mainly used
by professional artists (graphics designers, layouters, etc.), and Linux is
used by many university people and by some computer specialists - eve-
rywhere else I do only very rarely encounter those systems.

The huge majority uses Windows XL or Windows Vista, probably because
this is the OS pre-installed on their computers when they buy them, and
it is the one where it is easiest to find someone able to solve a beginner's
typical problems - just ask your neighbour (or better ask his twelve year
old son ...), he uses the same OS.

 

[AndrewW]

If you use anything other than the big three mentioned here, then uh, just mention it here in the thread. (does anyone really still use DOS only, or OS2/Warp or BeOS?!)

Actually yes to two out of three but not as primary these days.

The poll is fine but really only represents those using this forum, which may or may not be representative of the majority of Traveller players.

 

[AndrewW]

The huge majority uses Windows XL or Windows Vista, probably because
this is the OS pre-installed on their computers when they buy them, and
it is the one where it is easiest to find someone able to solve a beginner's
typical problems - just ask your neighbour (or better ask his twelve year
old son ...), he uses the same OS.

You can get computers with any version of that preinstalled. And I believe you meant xp not xl.

 

[EDG]

You can get computers with any version of that preinstalled. And I believe you meant xp not xl.

All the big laptops nowadays only come with Vista preinstalled (with XP Pro as a possible downgrade option if they have Vista Business). Netbooks mostly come with XP Home, but some are preinstalled with Linux.

Most new big box desktops nowadays come with Vista pre-installed, it's hard to find ones with XP preinstalled now (certainly not as a default option anyway).

Some of the smaller stores can put any OS you like on systems that they build for you, but out of the box you're most likely to get systems with Windows on.

The only way you can get Mac OS preinstalled is to go to Apple or an Apple store and buy a Mac.

 

[AndrewW]

All the big laptops nowadays only come with Vista preinstalled (with XP Pro as a possible downgrade option if they have Vista Business). Netbooks mostly come with XP Home, but some are preinstalled with Linux.

The notebook I bought came directly from HP without either of those preinstalled.

 

[rust]

You can get computers with any version of that preinstalled. And I believe you meant xp not xl.

Yes, of course XP - this happens when one changes subjects between cars
and computers ... :lol:

And no, not really - the big companies, which offer the best deals, ship
their computers with Windows only. If one wants to have any other OS
pre-installed, one has to buy from a local computer shop, where one al-
most always has to pay significantly more for exactly the same compu-
ter.

 

[Anonymous]

And of course October 22nd we have Windows 7, while its similar to other Windows OS versions there are changes that programmers would need to consider.

 

[Anonymous]

And to add to the confusion we will have Google OS in late 2010 IIRC, its based off of open source coding so I guess a Linux or Unix based system.

 

[dreamingbadger]

And of course October 22nd we have Windows 7, while its similar to other Windows OS versions there are changes that programmers would need to consider.

True, but, if you are writing code against Vista, there is almost nothing that needs to be changed for 99.99% of apps, and even if you write against XP the only thing you need to worry about is virtualisation, which they would in this type of app (two ways of tackling that, don't install in Program Files\ or don't write allow user writeable data to be placed in Program Files\)

 

[Anonymous]

Very good points, Windows 7 will have XP Mode in some versions and so easier for dual use coding.

 

[Anonymous]

Having beta tested Windows since XP there are always some issues with older version migrations of code in particlar with the Xp to Vista changes (security screening of the user file locations).

 

[dreamingbadger]

And to add to the confusion we will have Google OS in late 2010 IIRC, its based off of open source coding so I guess a Linux or Unix based system.

Yup it is another Linux distrubution FWIU

 

[dreamingbadger]

Having beta tested Windows since XP there are always some issues with older version migrations of code in particlar with the Xp to Vista changes (security screening of the user file locations).

That is virtualisation/UAC essentially, the premise is this, a user mode application has no business writing to a place where code could run, if it did that would mean a user mode process could patch code... which would be... bad

But virtualisation is an overloaded term and also covers the "virtual machine" ala' XP Mode virtualisation as well as the virtualisation of the file system.

 

[Anonymous]

Yep, as Vista would be the OS standard to program for i would suggest user data/files be stored outside of the program files or documents locations (as you said because of the UAC protections)

 

[EDG]

Yeah, I can't wait for Windows 7, it looks so much better than Vista (which I'm skipping completely - I'm going straight from XP 64-bit to W7 64-bit)

I've got W7 RC running on my media box and it's pretty sweet.

 

[Anonymous]

Same here, Im running a Windows 7/LinuxOS2009.2 dual boot now and pre-ordered today.

 

[EDG]

Argh, dammit, I've been meaning to preorder it for a while and the buggers have stopped the offer now!

 

[AndrewW]

And no, not really - the big companies, which offer the best deals, ship
their computers with Windows only. If one wants to have any other OS
pre-installed, one has to buy from a local computer shop, where one al-
most always has to pay significantly more for exactly the same compu-
ter.

Guess you don't consider HP / Compaq a big company then. And they aren't the only ones.

 

[Anonymous]

The pre-orders in the UK are only £65, I really should have ordered it when I got sent an email from Microsoft it would have been only £49 - thats for Home version.

Argh, dammit, I've been meaning to preorder it for a while and the buggers have stopped the offer now!