Your opinion - Two questions, with theory answers only.

[hellnoire]

My questions for you aren't questions that will have a right or wrong answer, and chances are good they'll never come to this, I'm just looking to start a bit of a debate about certain things. So the questions are -

1) If Microsoft releases Windows 8, exactly the way it is, with the Metro UI as the cross-platform, including desktop and laptop releases and enforced a global update, that is, no previous Windows OS will be supported, would you consider moving to Macintosh or GNU/Linux or some other UNIX-like OS? Why or why not?

2) The second question is basically the same, except the promise that every application you want has been ported to your GNU/Linux distro of choice, would you switch to GNU/Linux then? That means, if you like Mint and you need Office 2010 and Norton, Office 2010 and Norton now work flawlessly under Mint, without the need of Wine. Keep in mind, I say GNU/Linux. That means, there are still bugs in Macintosh that would prevent the programs from working there.

[Yes, these will be nowhere near reality, but I just ponder what people will say]

Now, as we know, I'm most likely the most vocal on the forum when it comes to open source software (OSS) and a supporter of reporting bugs and helping projects with code as well as possible ideas to use in their software. I'm not an expert programmer, and will never be, learning Java mostly for the cross-platform functionality I require. So I'm wondering what it would take for some people to give up Windows full time.


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Now, for my answers:

1) Even as a GNU/Linux supporter, I am still a PC gamer. While I don't play a lot of closed source games, I play enough of them that I would indeed miss playing them, but I could still live without, because there are the important ones I play daily that are OSS. In my case, Minecraft works in Linux, so does LostLaby, Urban Terror, and so on. The only games I'd miss playing are Deus Ex Human Revolution (original works in Wine, so I hear), Just Cause 2, and Borderlands. I do love Fallout 3, but seeing how far I got in it, beating main game, even with DLCs, I might not play again.

2) Now, this is where it gets interesting. If this could be implemented, GNU/Linux already has enough of a hold on me that I could switch without a second thought, but this working would make it the best of all worlds for me, and I wouldn't have to worry about downloading Wine or anything like that... removes all headaches and I've got an optimized computer for eons to come. So wonderful... haha.

[Bearcat]

1) If Microsoft releases Windows 8, exactly the way it is, with the Metro UI as the cross-platform, including desktop and laptop releases and enforced a global update, that is, no previous Windows OS will be supported, would you consider moving to Macintosh or GNU/Linux or some other UNIX-like OS? Why or why not?

It would certainly make me consider moving to GNU/Linux full time. In fact my old PC now has Salix as the OS and the more I play around with it the better I like it.

2) The second question is basically the same, except the promise that every application you want has been ported to your GNU/Linux distro of choice, would you switch to GNU/Linux then? That means, if you like Mint and you need Office 2010 and Norton, Office 2010 and Norton now work flawlessly under Mint, without the need of Wine. Keep in mind, I say GNU/Linux. That means, there are still bugs in Macintosh that would prevent the programs from working there.

If I could run all the Windows programs I use every day on Linux, it wouldn't matter if Windows 8 was the best thing since sliced bread. I would be running Linux on both PC's in a heart beat.

[sujay]

I can only say that I love viruses and that's why I won't permanently move to any other distros . Its not that those are immune to virus but there is a lack of viruses for those platforms...

[princeaniket]

For the question 1 : i have planned to buy Mac in year 2013 January.. its long term plan although but may be influence by Microsoft's yearly updates and then disable the services for old one in a rapid manner.. loved XP , liked Vista a little bit and " re loved" Win 7.. now no plan for forgetting those and loving another piece.. better to switch to another domain..( also the case is that my company is funding 60k INR worth buying Mac) never used any Linux based application .. so definitely will go for Mac..

second question is better understand by the newer Version of Office For Mac.. and about Norton.. uhh.. i have spent 60 odd days with Norton 360 version 5.. it shows 80 Mb in installation file and covers 400 mb + space..
Mac can be better option then Linux.. (at least for me)

[hellnoire]

Sujay, I think you'd be the odd one out then

Princeaniket, for the second part, I was referring more along the lines of 'If you use Office, CAD, Dev++, those work in Linux', basically, the applications you'd need daily, but if your daily stuff runs on Mac, then you're in the clear then. And you're fortunate to be getting a Mac... while I don't want one, I won't get one until someone buys it for me.

[Raymond]

I am a tech guy and very frequently need to help people fix their computers. So I guess I'll still have to stick with Windows 8 IF they are still that dominant over other operating systems.

[gery79]

you do not mean they will shut down everything else do you? unless this happens i would def go with UBUNTU

[tangomouse]

Id stick to windows exactly how raymond put it.

my personal opinion is win 8 will flop like vista

[JayCub]

Somehow i think that 8 will suceed, as for moving to Linux as my main operating system, no despite the changes Paul mentioned i would still want to keep up with current changes, after all Linux will be available to try out.

One reason i bought my first PC was not to fall behind or even not to know what it was for, may sound strange, when i first got one i switched it on and just stared at it, bit by bit i learned more everytime i used it.

Over all change is happening and although im happy with seven i wonder how long i would really hold out.

I maybe wrong but i still think Linux is second to windows, but that is a pc user talking rather than an adventurer.

As for a Mac if it was part of my Job i would change for that reason as i can't justify the expense.

[Student26]

Initally I was planning to move to Linux but with the release of Windows 7 I found that the vast majority of me needs were attainable. Also playing games on the side means that having a PC is very important. PCs are so much further along (hardwarewise) than their console breathren that I end up using it the most.

In terms of applications (not including games) freeware and open source projects have done exceptional jobs at providing useful products. So lack of compatibility may be a bummer at first but I can get over it.

All I can hope for is that Microsoft does not enforce a Draconian global update.