Should i get windows 7 or 8?

Next you're going to accuse me of communism for saying that open source software is good. I was commenting on how users don't have time to screw around with fixing an OS before using it, but clearly you have nothing useful to add.

 

Right......

 

That's a difficult question. I think interface design differences between Mac OS X and Windows are smaller than most people think, for instance Spotlight in OS X is basically the same as the Start menu in Windows Vista and later. However, I think user interface design needs to be consistent in order to be unobtrusive. The unfortunate truth is that Microsoft's problems with releasing a hybrid touch/desktop OS is not the first time its happened. They did the same thing with Windows Mobile when styluses gave way to touch screens; in an attempt to pivot towards new touch hardware, Microsoft added touch interfaces in a mobile OS that was still designed around the stylus. As a result, the inconsistency of the OS was very jarring and confusing to users. Windows 8 suffers from the same problem. Unobtrusive design is by definition self-explanatory, its what allows a user to learn an interface quickly and transfer his experiences from one area of the system to another (drag-and-drop behaviors are an example of this).

Without any tutorials or explanatory animations/behaviors, Windows 8 is a big turn-off for average users. Heck, I run huge models in my lab and have experience with all 3 major OSs but when I used Windows 8 for the first time, I couldn't figure out how to turn off the machine.

 

Linux Mint has been my longtime favorite followed by openSUSE. Those two are the best for out of the box experience with minimal tweaking. I'm currently ruining Mint 15 on a Live USB and it's pretty slick. A new version of SUSE will release in less than a month.

 

But i like tweaking. I never use the OOB setup. Ever.

Most of the time it is just sluggish.

Theres a reason Slackware is my top contender for Distros atm, with Arch coming in close second. (I prefer stable over rolling release).

Unfortunately i still need to wait for 14.1 to come out, as 14.0 does not support my hardware.

 

I agree, it would be great if you didn't have to do any work with an OS. Just install programs and be done. In fact this is the way my wife uses her computer. But for me, no matter the OS, I always find things to tweak to make it work better.

I find it hard to believe that most users in this forum didn't tweak and adjust Windows 7.

On a different note, I hope that Microsoft keeps going on the touch interface, as long as they fully support mouse input as well. Touch or tablet input was horrible in Windows XP, and only slightly better in Windows 7. It is nice to see it finally working in Windows 8/8.1, even though I don't use it.

 

Your argument is under the assumption that tech heads would stop learning how other operating systems work. The whole point of being a tech head is enjoying learning the different ways technology works. I know how to use a bunch of Linux distros, every version of Windows from me forward, and OSx 10.5 forward. I learned how to do this because I enjoyed it. I'm thinking there are many people like myself who enjoy it in the same way.

Also if someone is a tech head they will be more likely to find the answer to a problem that they don't know because they'll know of sites like this or have resources they can call upon. You're also forgetting about the massive amounts of software that Linux still doesn't support without jumping through hoops. Consumers want an OS that they can just install an application and have it work. This not only will keep the consumers away but also some tech heads that need programs like Photoshop--Gimp is a poor substitute as I've shown my fiancee countless times--and Linux still doesn't have the games that Windows does.

The only upside to consumers going to Linux is that I get paid more often for stupider problems. Which would be both a blessing and a curse. I currently refuse to even install Linux unless the individual can answer the simple question of "How do you login as root?".

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Not really an Android user are you Tanware? Jail breaking is only for iOS devices. Though, I do get where you're coming from because I am one of those android users that you're talking about. You have to remember that they're the minority though. A vast majority of users still run stock.

 

Agreed most users are stock, and yes I meant root, my bad. I won't root as I have no need, I seem to be able one way or another to deal with stock. Also since most users are not rooted, and those who are rarely need help, I figure stock puts me in their circumstance. I am admittedly fairly new to Android but I learn quickly.

My point on Android experts is they are out there and growing. This makes for the general consumer either knowing one of them or maybe one of them being in the family. This can be a huge boost to a fairly unknowledgeable consumer trusting in the tech. My point going back to Windows 8 is again alternate OS techies may grow again giving other consumers confidence to migrate as well............

 

If your new notebook has an touchscreen get Win8, if not get Win7

John.

 

That looks to be changing and rather quickly thanks to Steam which they have said they are committed to the OS. There are several current games in the Steam/Linux library. Gabe Newell mentioned that he wants to port the entire Steam library to Linux.

 

I think that's easier to say than to do.

 

Possibly but OTOH the new SteamOS is Linux based and the hardware they are promoting is with Linux in mind. There are already some really top notch games you could only find on Windows that are now in their Linux library and it's growing.

 

Linux is finally starting to get proper support from AMD and Nvidia. And there is no doubt that games for Linux are growing. We are seeing more AAA titles than ever before. Exciting times for Linux. Still, it takes time.

 

Well Steam better get ready for a buyout as most users are PC and I think he will think otherwise really fast. Unix isn't a easy language to learn and one should know where Linux came from UNix the original language of that program first before decide such moves.

Your not kidding...how many users around the world are PC - majority are and servers are combination of PC server/UNix servers but the software platform most used is PC so going Linux unless your ready for learning new command and controls one should think really hard about it. Those are two different O/S and one requires a deeper know how of the commands.