[amandabrookelipkin]

Hey Everyone! I wanted to find out everyones opinion on the best operating system. Just for everyday things like school, music, games, surfing the web, pics.. etc. What do you all think is the best operating system?

[jbking]

I think my short answer here would be whichever Operating System you have spent the most time on. In my case this would be Windows XP at the moment as if I tried to go back to other versions of Windows there would be the learning curve of things not being where I think they are, even in the case of a Mac. When I was in university I think my answer would have been the Unix that they had which I kind of got used to with X-Windows and having a few terminals going with reading news in one window, a browser in another section, etc. or those Wyse terminals where I'd use screen and not need a mouse or fancy graphics. Those were the days....

Regards,

JB

(Who imagines in a few years his answer could change to whatever they call "Vienna" when it comes out or Vista after some more kinks get worked out)

[KellieCM]

A lot of it depends on what those "everyday things" are. Some programs are only designed to work in one operating system, and that can influence which OS someone chooses. They all have their strengths and weaknesses. The question isn't really "which is best", but "which is best for you and your own personal needs?".

[techie4fun]

I'm thinking you'd be better off running Windows since you won't find many games on the market that support a free OS like Linux, and that might take a while. Windows is fully supported by MOST games, so I'd stick to that popular Microsoft name for now.

[smax013]

techie4fun said:

I'm thinking you'd be better off running Windows since you won't find many games on the market that support a free OS like Linux, and that might take a while. Windows is fully supported by MOST games, so I'd stick to that popular Microsoft name for now.

If games are a major consideration, then I agree with techie4fun...Windoze is the way to go.

For all the other things that were listed, then any major OS will work fine for browsing, email, etc. For that, I would second the recommendation to go with what you are most comfortable with.

[lilxkid24]

of course you get a windows if your going to game. Nearly everything supports windows. Linux is for people who just want to surf web and youtube. Macs you can game but you have to customize some stuff. So windows is the best.

[pizzaisgood14]

Go with xp. i think its the best right now simply because even a crappy computer can run it. i have a 1.50ghz celeron proccesor and 512 mb of ram and my pc boots in exactly a minute. its very fast. one tip though dont use norton but you probably already know that. but right now xp is definetely the best.

[Sparky735]

I would have to agree with the others on here. It is pretty subjective what works for you doesn't necessarily work for me. You might try going to a local library and trying different computers, most have apple and windows based, some may even have unix based ones. You could also go to a local dealer, or big box store and try the ones there. A smaller retailer would be able to help you set up a system that meets all of your needs, ie customize it for you so that you are a satisfied customer. They are also more willing to take the time to explain how to do stuff. Why, they know you will come back to them for future needs. While it is the most expensive of the options out there you really can't beat windows vista ultimate even with the bugs.