I have been a bit curious about this for a while. I have used Mac OS 9 and Windows XP Pro and prefer the windows. But which one does everyone else like? Please include with your vote, a post containing why, how long you've used it, what other operating systems you've experienced, et cetera. Also, if anyone has a good comparison of specs of these operating systems, I would be very grateful. Thanks!

OS9 blew. I love macs now, but I wanted to burn them back in the days of OS 9. Comparing 9 to XP is unfair, since XP is recent and 9 came from ages ago. A better comparison would be OS9 to Win98.

I voted for Windows as well.

The main reason I don't like Macs is that there aren't that many people who know how to use them and can help you if you have problems.

For example, my aunt has a pretty old Mac. She is always asking me to help her with her computer, but I don't really know how to use a Mac OS.

So, personally, I prefer Windows. It provides a good OS, and if you need it, help is very easy to find.

Apart from that, Mac has a very nice-looking and functional OS, just so long as you know how to use it.

Mac OS X is THE best. It's very user-friendly and stable, versus XP (which was entirely writting in C++, which is by far not the most stable language).

I have OS 10.2 (Jaguar) on an old Snow G3 iMac that I got back in 2002. Unfortunately, I don't use it very much anymore for two reasons: 1) It's in my sister's dungeon, err, bedroom, and 2) a few months ago, our phone line was inexplicably disconnected (yes, I'm stuck with dialup). We later found out that it was because some workers installing Cable or DSL had accidentally screwed up our line. Ever since then, the phone line in part of the hosue has been kinda screwy, so it's way slower online than it should be, although it wasn't too bad when I used it today.

Also, I have XP Home on my PC (it's my main one, I'm using now), which I've had since August or September. At least it hasn't crahsed on me yet...

As much as I agree with you, C++ as the language has nothing to do with anything. Its as stable as any other language. Its the stability of what you write with it that matters. The language has is only relevant to the extent that it makes that easy(but there are usually trade offs for that).

For OSX, you could talk about things like universal spell check, color control, text quality/print consistency, consistent GUI behavior, lack of bugs, security, workflow improvements, or anything else really.


As for the grandma who can't figure things out, that is OS9 more than likely. It did indeed suck. Don't judge OSX on that, because they aren't related at all other than name. Also, there is always the internet. Finally, the whole point of Mac is to have things NOT go wrong. Which I think is the correct approach. That said, I find problems with OSX are much easier to fix than windows issues, and I have only used OS X a few months(versus years with windows).

OSX is absolutley gorgeous and really nice to use. in my opinion it also has the advantage of being based on BSD code so it is solid as a rock! XP isn't really a bad OS despite us all moaning about it. however OSX is far more intuative and has a GUI to die for. it really is the daddy.

True, C++ is by far not the most stable language, but its no worse than C.
C/C++ allows you to use memory directly (pointers)

any language that allows the porgramer to directly use memory opens up the possability of a programmer mistake resulting in a buffer overflow exploit.

ever wondered why there are never buffer overflow exploit in Java written programs, this is why.

however the kernel NEEDS this kind of access, its not possable to write a kernel is java.

anyways, can we PLEASE not start any more poll's or discussions on this kind of open ended topic when there are already several running.

and PLEASE read an entire post before replying yourself.

the other thread "Which OS is the best", every 3rd post is by yet anouther person informing the thrread starter that there is no *perfect* OS.

im using winXP pro.. im satisfied with it.. ok its windows but its stabil and my system is good im not good enough in programming to use linux and im also an gamer so windows is my choose.. i wanted to have linux but, i was too lazy to learn it..

You should definitely put Linux in your poll. We have that at school, it runs awfully, but this is mostly because they run it on the worst servers ever (since we have no money). I do love the idea of Linux, but for usability at this present moment Windows still beats it out, but in a few years I'm sure, with programs like Openoffice, the GIMP, etc. that Linux will rise to equal Windows in every way.

in what was would you say windows beats linux ?