Choosing your next OS
I've been using Windows 7 on one of my machines for a while now, and I'm still finding nice new features which make the Windows experience more enjoyable. I am definitely sold on it. As the Linux zealots are keen to point out, it isn't perfect, but then neither will the new Ubuntu be. I use and develop both open and closed source software and believe in using the right tool for the right job. The Vista experience is sufficiently different to XP (and there is no upgrade path) that the choice between replacing your OS with Ubuntu or Windows 7 becomes very real. Certainly I would argue there are pros and cons for both choices, and that simply accepting the latest Windows operating system because that's what new computers come with is no longer necessary.
For home users who are just interested in surfing the internet, writing a few emails, chatting on msn and sharing their holiday photos Ubuntu becomes a very tempting proposition. The TCO of Ubuntu for these users will be far less than Windows 7; the initial training may be a little more extensive, but that will be offset by free licensing and no return visits to clear up the inevitable viruses and spyware that all Windows home computers end up with.
Businesses, gamers and Windows tinkerers are however much more likely to be better off with Windows 7. It's fast, some users I've spoken to have described it as faster than XP (particularly in starting up and shutting down). It's compatible, anything which runs on Vista will run on 7 - well nearly anything, and software authors will be keen to tell you they haven't tested it yet. It has only a few different concepts to Vista, and Microsoft are advertising the new features on prime time national TV for us.
So although I am an open source advocate, I'm also an advocate of choosing the right tool for the right job. And although I may not admit this at my local LUG, Windows can be the right tool. I'm certainly looking forward to Ubuntu 9.10 though, and will be putting it on some machines as soon as I return from my vacation.
Comments
Herecy!
Really though, I use Windows XP for gaming and wonder how anyone deals with such a horrible OS day to day. It's mainly the 3-4 programs I have to shut down, the two "install new hardware" prompts for things that are already installed and the general way it treats clicking as more like a request than an order. I might try setting up a Windows 7 partition, I've had a few good reviews of it now. Anything special stand out?
Also, I can't find a definitive source but it looks like Virtualbox will support DirectX soon, which is very exciting for me!
It just all works so nicely!
It just all works so nicely! You plug hardware in and it downloads and installs the right software (yes that's right software, it doesn't just install the drivers it installs the correct software). You install software which supports the new task manager and Start menu and it all integrates nicely.
One thing I would point out though is you won't be able to upgrade to it from XP. Yes there's a theoretical upgrade path via Vista, but it's not going to work and you'll gain massively from a clean install. And that's the reason it's not suitable for business, with analysts giving ballpark figures of $1500 per desktop to upgrade when you factor in all the time and energy spent.
The advatage of market share...
I guess. I think the main thing Ubuntu/FOSS in general needs to do is get those "Certified to work in X distro" stickers. Without them hardware is always going to be more hassle than most people can be bothered with!
Also I'll be interested to see how quickly it degrades, compared to other Windowses. Thats the main thing that puts me off it, the slow slide into sludge computing...
The "certified to work with"
The "certified to work with" stickers are of absolutely no use what so ever, things change and hardware is incompatible with other hardware as much as it is incompatible with software. The amount of cursing a Windows certified thermal printer caused today when trying to set it up on a Windows XP desktop demonstrates that.
Degredation of Windows 7 will be interesting. It is likely to degrade worse than Ubuntu (unless you upgrade to alpha versions ahem) but other Windows? For the price and the hype, you'd hope it's much better - maybe I'll try some restore points tomorrow (I want to downgrade my version of Visual Studio anyway, but that's another story).