The future of Windows (had a huge argument with my bro)

[nilix]

http://www.reactos.org

An open Source version of Windows XP

opensource and windows compatible I WIN!

 :-D  :lol:

[Fixer]

For the ones who didn't understand the commercial Linux question, I only asked about that because it was one of my brother's drunken rants as a point for Linux not being a real desktop solution.

It's silly I know, but I think he just meant that only advertised products stand a chance in the real world. He clearly has no concept of the open-source market.

As someone mentioned earlier he prolly is a victim of FUD.. or just very narrow-minded.

[HenryCase]

If you want to try Linux straight away, there's one really great solution, install the OS on a USB drive (incidentally this can be done for XP too, should you decide you don't need it that much on your new machine).

I haven't tried doing this with Ubuntu (though a quick search indicates it can be done: http://www.pendrivelinux.com/2007/09/21/usb-ubuntu-704-persistent-install/), but I have put Slax on a USB drive (http://www.pendrivelinux.com/2006/09/20/all-in-one-usb-slaxzip), which was very easy to set up.

[stefcep2]

I have tried Ubuntu 7.04, Fedora, PCLinuxOS.

PCLinuxOS works best out of the box, and looks and feels very windows-like.  The best distro for ex-windows users.

Fedora not as user-friendly, but rock solid stability.

Ubuntu: stability issues, I dont like gnome.

It will be about 2 years before you can replace Windows with a Linux distro, if hardware vendors get on board (Dell already has). If you can't wait, the best Unix for home use is OS X, plus get console for games (Direct x 10 is worse in many ways than Direct X9 ever was)

Never had any problem with dual boot Linux and windows.
 The thing about Linux though is the way folders are laid out and named eg there are some really important useful files in a directory called "etc" WTF.  And it goes on.. eg fstab i mean there is no "libs" for libraries, startup-sequence or user-startup, unless you already know what these files are called.. it really is not all that user-friendly.

On the forums most Linux users often say stay away from 64 bit Linux as its unstable and often incompatible and not significantly faster.

[mdwh2]

Shamus_ wrote:

- Will Windows XP do for another 5 years?

Without a doubt. M$ still supports Win2k and it's 8 years old.

I use Windows 2000, but note that it's not just a matter of how long M$ supports it, but also how long other hardware and software manufacturers support it.

E.g., for ATI graphics cards, I couldn't the latest drivers for my Radeon 9800, and I don't think the latest cards are supported at all. I have a NVIDIA 8600 in the post, and I fear it's likely I will finally have to upgrade to XP to use it at all.

Also my motherboard complained a lot, in that the driver CD refused to work with 2000, but I eventually managed to do it by hand.

Quite annoying really - the OS is fine, but I have to pay the Microsoft tax just to use the latest hardware.

OTOH, I suspect that they will support XP for longer - 2000 was never a mainstream gaming/home OS. Also XP was around for much longer than 2000 was.

[downix]

-- Is 64bit Linux/Ubuntu a worthwhile alternative to use as a general use OS?

Have run 64-bit Linux for years, first on the Alpha, now on the SPARC and Athlon.  As it has been 64-bit for years, a lot more 64-bit support than I found under Windows.


-- Does Linux make a good secondary OS? (any dual-boot issues, for instance?)

No.  It makes a great OS, weither primary secondary or on a whim.


-- What is the future of Microsoft's Windows operating system?

They have to abandon legacy support within 3-5 years as it is now an anchor around it's neck.  The kernel is nice, but the user-land has so much legacy that you would never know.


- Will Vista be dominant, or crash and burn against competitors Linux/Mac?

Mac's sales are soaring against Windows sales.  Linux is also blossoming as well.  While Vista will not crash and burn, it will seriously hurt Microsoft in the long term.  I call it the {bleep} child of ME and Bob for a reason.


- Will Windows XP do for another 5 years?

Yes, but do not go past SP2.  SP3 is adding in Vista-like features.... read "hit the brakes".


- Is Leopard gonna kick their buts out the desktop market?

Leopard is showing itself to be the superior OS in both the desktop and server markets.  Apple has a winner on its hands.


- How big is the desktop Linux userbase anyway? What gaps in the market has Linux filled?

Estimates vary from tens to hundreds of millions.  Millions upon millions of people run it without knowing it within embedded devices such as the TiVO every day infact.


- How commercial is Linux?

Quite.


-- Is Amiga coming back to take them all out? Lol

It could if someone were to drag out all of the Amiga corporate guys (all corps involved in the lawsuits, and the Merlancia guys for good measure) and kick the to the curb.

[AndrewBell]

downix wrote:
- Will Windows XP do for another 5 years?

Yes, but do not go past SP2.  SP3 is adding in Vista-like features.... read "hit the brakes".

Warning: This advice is from someone who cannot tell the difference between a PCI connector and a Mac CPU connector, even when it's written on the web page he's looking at.

XPSP3 will contain around 80 security updates and hotfixes. Do not run without.

Details of the 3 Vista features that are added can be found here:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Windows-XP-SP3-Gets-a-Taste-of-Windows-Vista-68299.shtml
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