What OS are you using?

Many others agree with you. There are those who buy new computers and it comes preinstalled with Vista and you can turn off the Aero experience to have the computer run very fast... though not AS FAST as XP. I have also heard of a lot of people going back to Windows XP because of the system resources. Not only does it require a lot of RAM but also a fast processor (at least dual-core to run well), and a much higher end video card (if you want to run Aero) than what a lot of people have as well. There are rumors out there that there is a new operating system coming out in 2010 (which is really fast for MS) and that may spell the same type of disaster for Vista that Windows 2000 had. Thanks for the response Zelo

i use xp....and i thing what dont is a lot better what windos 95...i thing what ,if you quit some things....the old windows versions are better and faster.... and vista sucks

I really like Mepis and as long as Aero is off or you have 3-4 gig of Ram I can put up with Vista... other than that I use XP. Thanks Zelo

yes Mepis is a nice Linux !

There are a lot of great places to learn linux and there are tons of support groups. One place is: http://www.linuxboards.org (no I don't own it) XP still works great and for a 32-bit operating system with less than 3GB of RAM (most computers out there) that is the OS I recommend. Linux is based on UNIX and was written by Linus Torvalds. Those who are familiar with the UNIX operating system of the 60s and 70s feel very comfortable with Linux. Linux is open-source which means its users make it better and better and best of all it is free. Also most all Linux distros have their own GUI (Graphical User Interface) or Windows as we know it. That means for the novice who just surfs the net and does mundane tasks you will barely even know the difference. And of course on top of all that... Mac's OS is based on Linux. If you've used a MAC you have almost mastered Linux already! Thanks and hope the web site will help you out. Zelo

Ubunto is another great distro of Linux. There are so many out there and the learning curve is not as great as what so many people think. I do wonder if you have a hard-core PC person and you give them a MAC, would they have the same problems as being on Linux.... Thanks Zelo

Wow I have never heard of that distro (Linux Mint) Of course the battle rages on between KDE and GNOME (there is a poll at linuxboards.org [no I don't own the site]). Mepis I have used extensively and I can't get over how they put so much into such a small package (especially SimplyMEPIS). It might not be for the networker or the power user but it is great for those wanting to 'try out' linux. Thanks Zelo

Why do you NEED to have Windows? Is it just because you are unfamiliar with thet OS or that you are a programmer that has to use it for Windows-only features or?.... For a 7" laptop I see no need why you would NEED to have Windows. Thanks Zelo

I can't get into all the questions you ask of me unforutnately because the reason I am using Vista is I was forced into it. I bought a laptop with it on there and the compatibility with my 'main' computer was enough to when I redid the whole system I bought a copy of Vista Premium instead of sticking with XP. There are some things other than security I like about it but they are also things that can very well be done in Linux so.... Thanks Zelo

Yeah I think a lot of people are in the same boat especially if they only have 1gig of ram on their system or 2gig trying to run Aero. Microsoft is working hard to bring out a new operating system in 2010. This (Vista) looks like another flop just like Windows2000. Thanks Zelo

Well that makes sense to have a dual-boot. The thing that gets me when I hear people say they don't know how to use Linux is most of them are just surfing the net and there is a Linux version of Firefox out there... it is the exact same thing... it is like saying you don't know how to drive your neighbors car. The engine might be different but the steering wheel and pedals are the same. Thanks Zelo

That is a BIG thing with Windows... people are USED to it and that is the main reason people don't switch to Linux... not because of incompatibility or whatever but because it is just not familiar to them. Great answer Thanks Zelo

Well you know more than what you think right? You know what OS you are using and know how to get around the internet. That is 90% of it right there! Thanks Zelo

The Mac OS is based on a Linux core am I right on that? Thanks Zelo

MEPIS is what I am using right now... I have also used SuSE and a couple others. Thanks Zelo

SuSE is a great Linux distro. Thanks Zelo

yeah i think i might go for linspire, looks real nice what`s your favourite distro?? Regards Ramiel

Thanks for your response. Zelo