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 main workstation. It's supported by more and more applications and games 
 these days, and is user friendly in ways Linux isn't yet, and Vista could 
 dream of. My only problem is the "getting started" costs. I mean, for 
 $1500USD, I could build one heck of a computer. 
 Jay Talbot, Amarillo, TX, USA 
  
 Being part of Linux is being part of something bigger. You can participate 
 on what might be the worlds greatest concious cooperative effort. Ubuntu, 
 being the name of a common form of Linux, says it all meaning "humanity to 
 others". And best of all it is free, reliable and easy to use. It takes 
 about 20 minutes to take a PC from standstill to full operation with office 
 products, email and web browsing. Access to information and technology will 
 even opportunities in this world and Linux will be the way. I have the 
 utmost respect for the people making this possible. 
 Nigel Millar, Christchurch, New Zealand 
  
 I use Ubuntu Linux, because its a great OS, does everything I want, doesn't 
 crash often, doesn't require a reboot most of the time after updates, its 
 open and therefore can be tweaked to my desires, doesnt contain dodgy DRM 
 and anti trust mechanisms, its easy to use, and most of all it is open 
 source/Free Software, the way it should be! 
 Lee Tambiah, Birmingham, England 
  
 I used Mac OS 8, then 9, and now Mac OS X. It's robust, it's logical, it 
 gives intelligible error messages, it works fine on 5 year old computers, 
 and it's totally virus-free. So, no CPU-hogging anti-virus sofware, no 
 spyware, no need to reinstall every six months, which seems to be the 
 experience of some people on other OSs. And because the hardware and OS are 
 produced by the same company, no problems with compatibility, or drivers. 
 Stuart Bell, Southampton, UK 
  
 Ah, the good old Operating System War. I'm a linux user. And simply put, 
 for me - it has everything I need. I first started using it out of 
 curiosity, and eventually found myself using it more and more until I 
 eventually accidentally wiped my hard drive, couldn't find a windows disk, 
 and just used Linux. Since then, the only times I've looked back is when 
 I've missed my gaming. Linux for me, is the one, it's highly customisable, 
 and bringing the forefront of technology to the computing world. After all, 
 who can argue with something that's free as in speech and free as in beer. 
 Pint anyone? 
 Martin Meredith, Birmingham, UK 
  
 Windows wins hands down - Games, Hardware support, Ease-of-use, backward 
 compatibility, where do I end. I have been using Windows 95, 98, XP and 
 Vista RC1. Never had any problems. No Viruses. No Spyware. No Hacks. 
 Intelligent internet use and some common sense is all you need to stop 
 virus infections. Why would I move to MAC or Linux and lose my massive 
 library of games. Windows Rocks. January 30 and I am waiting to be Wowed. 
 Oh and Apple is going to charge extra to use their 802.11n, Haha. It sucks 
 when you are stuck with that kind of arrogant attitude from your beloved 
 computer manufacturer. 
 Kunal, Melbourne, Australia 
  
 I was raised on Windows (first 98, then XP) but I've been using Mac OS X 
 for several months and I've found it much easier to use (things simply 
 work) and visually appealing than Windows ever was. I don't plan to use 
 Vista for a year or two, if ever. The best alternative to Vista is not Mac 
 OS X, it's Windows XP. Windows XP is just as secure and just as functional 
 as Vista, is less of a system hog- and won't set you back nearly 200 quid! 
 Nate Darragh, Denver, USA 
  
 I use Ubuntu (a Linux distribution) now (after DOS, Mac, and Windows). I 
 chose it because Linux is more secure, reliable, open, and not tied to 
 vendor lock-in, and Ubuntu originally because it was free in terms of cost 
 as well as freedom. Since then, I have come to appreciate it because of the 
 community atmosphere for development, support, and promotion - all governed 
 by a welcoming and sensible community member code of conduct. I like the 
 responsiveness of developers, vast amount of software available, fast pace 
 of development, and enormous flexibility to do anything I wish with my 
 system. 
 Tony Yarusso, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada 
  
 linux for me--debian 3.1 currently. I prefer a multi-tasking multi-user 
 operating system; I like to set it up my way; I prefer having a command 
 line shell with command completion and a history mechanism. The C compiler 
 is a comes-with; firefox is available, also emacs. Have been using linux 
 since ver 0.13 
 tom lightbody, whanagrei, new zealand 
  
 I have started my own business and needed to choose a computing platform 
 for the office. Windows seemed to me to difficult to use and unstable. I 
 was also put off by the need to continually keep updating it - I haven't 
 got time for that. So I chose Mac for stability and ease of use. By and 
 large this has ! been the right choice. Two problem areas have been that 
 there is not the same selection of software available for Mac, also the 
 difficulty of finding good quality support. However I feel it has been the 
 correct choice- generally it has been very stable, I have not had to worry 
 about security issues, and the total cost over a number orf years works out 
 very reasonable once you factor in machine replacement, multiple licences 
 of everything you need for an office, etc. FInally, with Mac, very often 
 things "just work", which isn't my experience with Windows. 
 Luke, Bournemouth, UK 
  
 As an IT engineer for a large multinational I come accross all flavours of 
 OS's through my job. The answer to which is "the best" is : It depends on 
 what you want from it! For Gamers: Windows Vista, (DirectX 10! plus the 
 fastest turnaround for hardware) (reasonable expensive.) For Casual users: 
 Mac. Quick relaible and simple. (and expensive) For Techies: A flavour of 
 Linux, it's complex but the results can be stunning, for not a lot of 
 wedge. I currently own a Mac, a Laptop and a home built PC which dual boots 
 between XP, Vista and a flavour of Linux. 
 Steve Whipp, Burnley, England 
  
 >From tills to supercomputers, Linux is everywhere. It's free as in beer and 
 free as in speech € no nasty surprises, you're in complete control. The 
 Linux community is relatively instantaneous with security patches and 
 updates. It's the OS of choice for much of the internet and emerging 
 economies and as such represents the future of home and office computing. 
 Linux usually comes packaged as distros ranging from minuscule to 
 comprehensive, and include countless free high quality applications for 
 home, office, and enterprise. From command line to 3D effects the choice is 
 always yours. Its fast, secure, sexy, and free. 
 Llywelyn Owen, Mon, UK 
  
 Linux without a doubt is the future world dominant operating system, and 
 also my favourite. I love the fact that it is free in both senses. FREE as 
 in beer, almost anything you need may be downloaded legally for FREE. FREE 
 as in freedom, I have the right to use it in any way I see fit. Linux is 
 FREE to use, FREE to copy, FREE to distribute, and FREE to change. Linux is 
 almost entirely virus FREE too! Now that's FREEDOM, that's LINUX 
 Richard Cranium, London, UK 
  
 I have use Macs, Windows and Linux. As a programmer, I currently prefer to 
 use Linux for most things (on 4 machines), and windows occasionally for 
 games or the occasional project. Having 5 machines, it is also much more 
 affordable keeping up to date compared to having to shell out for 5 sets of 
  
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 --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05 
  * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)