(April 5, 2012 at 7:42 pm)Tiberius Wrote: The Windows command line is pathetic. I have to install Cygwin in order to make it tolerable. The point about Mac OS X is that they have GUIs, but they also have the command line if you want to do it that way. You can do far more using the command line (the default shell is bash). Better IMO to have both, and have good versions of both.

This.

Even the Windows "Power Shell" is weaksauce, let alone the standard command shell - even when compared against 20 year old versions of sh/ksh/csh, let alone bash.

Granted, most people aren't going to give a rip, and may not even know a command shell exists.

As you said, Cygwin makes it tolerable.

Oh God, don't get my started on the Power Shell. My shell of choice is actually zsh, but of course nothing can beat bash scripting. GUIs are great for a load of tasks, but there is still a need for the command line in this day and age, especially if you want to easily use a remote machine, or unlock more OS options.

I mean, the server this site runs on doesn't even have a graphical display manager installed; it's just a massive memory and processor hog. I do everything over SSH.

Thanks, Tiberius. How would you rate Windows vs Apple OS in everyday use? (Stuff like office suites, games, internet, etc...)

Mac OS X wins out for me in terms of general use. Gaming is OK, I mean, it's better than Linux, and it supports Steam. Gaming companies are starting to realise that Mac OS X is just as good for gaming as Windows is. It'll take a few more years to catch up though.

But yeah, I don't game on the computer, so it's perfect for me. Much easier to use, and far more powerful.

If you want to play new releases 3 years after PC gets them, get a Mac.

Not true with a lot of new games, especially on Steam.

I personally prefer linux, however most companies don't support linux.. Hardly any games for linux, and the ones that are cost $10 extra due to porting it etc. I use windows for some stuff such as: Developing java, Photoshop, Video Editing. Anything that i need to do with pure performance.. I boot up linux. Linux is lovely, and is easy to use if you know how to deal with terminal. (:

I don't play games on the computer - except for things like you find on pogo.com. However, I do surf the web a lot and I use a spreadsheet program to keep track of bills, outside of occasionally editing photos, that's the bulk of my computer use. Is one OS really all that much better than the other for such mundane uses? I ask because I've only ever used Windows units, but I will soon have some money to spend on a new computer.

(April 5, 2012 at 5:34 pm)Minimalist Wrote:

Quote:Apple computers are PCs.

Only SOCIALISTS would buy Apple.

Whoa!
Are you saying Apple is un-American?
Watch your step there, bro!

OTOH... Steve Jobs was a Syrian of course...

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(April 5, 2012 at 1:48 pm)libalchris Wrote: apple computers tend to be higher quality overall, but they're also way more expensive, so I tend to prefer PCs. You can usually get roughly the same power for a lot cheaper.

"Cheaper"? Ha! That PC is redundant within a year, while a Mac lasts you 3, 4, 5 years (my mom's is 6 years old and swinging). I.o.w. while you eat through 3 PCs, I putter happily on with my one Mac.
Now which type was the more expensive one to own again?

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(April 6, 2012 at 2:51 am)Sciwoman Wrote: I don't play games on the computer - except for things like you find on pogo.com. However, I do surf the web a lot and I use a spreadsheet program to keep track of bills, outside of occasionally editing photos, that's the bulk of my computer use. Is one OS really all that much better than the other for such mundane uses?

Yes, especially for such mundane issues! Since you're not a hardcore gamer or a nerd who likes to screw and tweak hardware and software the Mac is for you, Sciwoman. It'll give you years of reliable use (no BSODs ) and only 116 malwarez versus Windows' 150,000+...
You can run every spreadsheet or wordprocessor you like on a Mac, and Macs are of course dream machines for editing graphics (photo and video).

Hey! And if you miss your old Windows... install it on your Mac too! Easy-peasy! And run it alongside and simultaneous, on screen, with OSX (and even Linux) if you like. So your Mac can be 2 machines (even 3) for the price of one!
You can do that on a Windows box too, but only if you're a deep fried nerd...

Now, which one was the more expensive system again?

(April 6, 2012 at 4:08 am)BoyWonder Wrote: "Cheaper"? Ha! That PC is redundant within a year, while a Mac lasts you 3, 4, 5 years (my mom's is 6 years old and swinging). I.o.w. while you eat through 3 PCs, I putter happily on with my one Mac.
Now which type was the more expensive one to own again?

Macs age at an identical rate. Worse than that Apple cares nothong for compatability. And mac fans are snobs who have to upgrade every year. Residual value is a joke too, no one wants a 5 yr old mac.