Just the Facts Windows Peeps

[Rootstonian]

And I've been a Windows person for many, many years.

For some reason, I just switched my quad core back to Vista 64 bit from Ubuntu. Not sure why. To quote AA prayer (or wherever the got it from):

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference"

On my Vista machine, it was a bare install. I tossed in Folding @ home. It was using 25% of each core (quad core). No big deal; it's all cpu based.

Fired-up Nero to burn a dual layer DVD; had to copy it from file server. I'm on a gigabit network in my house. THAT WAS ALL I WAS RUNNING. I thought my machine was going to die. CPU went from 25% down to nothing. Memory went from 1.2 gig usage to 3.99%...MAXED OUT on the Nero file cache. That's crazy. Hard drive was thrashing so bad I thought I was going to have to go buy new one.

New story...Ubuntu..same machine. 4 native Linux apps open. I'm remoted desktop'd into work with 64 bit VPN client and running a work machine. Nice and smooth. So I "slide" into another window (you can do that in Unix). Open up Sun's Virtual Box and start-up a WINDOW'S XP MACHINE!!. Yeah nice. Log into Netflix and start watching a movie. Not even a skip

Check the resource monitor. All CPU's under 50%. Memory at 2.2 gig out of 4. Temps all fine. Hit the Digital/Analog button on the monitor (I can do this with the Vista box too) and I'm playing my Xbox 360.

Thing is, there is no way Windows is handling what I was throwing at it in Ubuntu And I"m going to cover my ass here too; I'm not saying it's Windows fault; it's probably the software applications that are written under it; they just haven't been keeping up to speed with the new hardware (64 bit cpu's) and some of today's systems (4, 6, 8 gig memory or more!).

It's a shame, cuz I'm going back to Ubuntu on my quad core box BECAUSE there is software out there that WILL utilize it and let me do crazy stuff like I posted above. Hell, I probably still have the overhead to Fold@Home and burn a DVD on that Linux box session

EDIT: Really, I don't think Windows in it's current state is that bad, but dang it Software Vendors, keep up! Get some 64-bit, multi-core applicatioins out there and don't sit on your arses and code for the mainstream. You write it, I'll buy it!

Double Edit: On the Sun Virtual Box running XP, I swear to God, it was just as fast as running it on a NATIVE machine running XP.

Triple Edit: Please don't flame me Windows users, trust me, I've been around since DOS 2.0 and all instances of Windows. I EVEN like Vista. But the software apps just don't cut it, IMHO. On a quad core system with 4 gig RAM, I should be able to run applications out the whaoo without a slowdown and I just don't see that with my current software. Go to the store..see how many applications are SPECIFICALLY geared towards quad core systems with 4+ gig RAM? Not many. And yet, this is just about the entry point for home system today (I said "just about") LOL

[KarmaKiller]

Well I see your point. I've been going back and forth for awhile now myself. I even got most source engine games to work in Ubuntu, so I really don't have to go back to windows for games anymore.
But yet oddly, I find myself going into Win 7 more then I do Ubuntu anymore. Granted the main reason this PC is here is to game on, and when I'm not doing that it folds. I haven't found a way to get GPU folding to work in Ubuntu yet (although I've read it's possible) so I really think that's the main reason.
But I can't argue about the lack of support for multiple cores with most windows apps.

But really it comes down to the end user. You being the savy coder guy you are, your not scared by a terminal window. Most "average" users are, and that's why it is how it is.

Just thought I'd share my thoughts on the subject.

*Off topic*
Check out my fancy ubuntu desktop.


Also you should try Win 7. It's very sleek for MS.

[stroyal]

I've also used windows as a user and a hobby since DOS, but have dabbled in Linux as a challenge for years.

While I have always been able to figure out the commands when I needed to, I hate text.

Like Karma said you average user is not going to use a OS that deals in text as much as Linux "used to".
I reciently started using Ubuntu 9.04, And it is the first time I have thought Linux had a chance with the average user.
The only text I used (on 5 computers now) were for a Sudo launcher, and your average user wouldn't even have to do that.

I think even your average user could install it now.
I had to do less than an XP install.

[cksboy15]

I've dabbled into ubuntu a bit and I liked it as an OS for a smaller powered machine (like my wifes, yes she actually does like it) but I find myself going to 7 more than anything else for an alt OS. I still mainly use XP tho just cause I got used to it that linux and 7 just feel weird to me but it will all pass in time i think.

[stroyal]

I still use win 2000 and XP in my main computers. My next computer build, I'm sure will be Window 7, but it is nice to have Ubuntu for the older computers, I fix up and give away or, just want to test.

[KarmaKiller]

Not only that, but I've actually noticed 9.04 does a stellar job of picking up drivers on the install. The last couple times I've installed it on PCs, I just had to enable the restricted Nvidia driver, and that's it. Everything else just worked. Even had a lappy with bluetooth, wifi, all the devices that use to be a PITA installing in Ubuntu, it picked them up right from the start and worked great.
It's come a long way that's for sure.

Also if you guys ever get the itch to try another good distro, check out linux mint. It's very similair to Ubuntu.

[cksboy15]

So according to what you're saying me relentlessly searching the internet for linux drivers turned out to be a worthless cause. Karma I hate you (not really).

[KarmaKiller]

Well obviously I'm not gonna say it'll see everything on everyone's PC, but it's gotten A LOT better then what it was.

[stroyal]

I have to agree, with 5 computers, all drivers where load, I just had to upgrade a Gforce 4 card.
Old sound cards and network cards, all installed themselves.
Even a SoundBlaster card that was pain to find win 98 drivers for.

[SeanC]

I've had virtually no problems across 3 different computers with MANY different distros, from Ubuntu to Fedora to Debian to Arch to Mint to, you name it, it works pretty much. Aside from any esoteric stuff, where you'd even be hunting for drivers on the Net for Windows too.