Which Operating Systems Do you Use?

[DarthBrady]

This is a voting poll, so we can all share which Operating System(s) we all use on our Machines.

If you like, feel free to post any comments on Why you use that OS you do, or ask questions about other Operating Systems you may see here, but are not Familiar With.

This is an open discussion poll. Just stay on topic, and be nice!;)

-No spamming this thread.:nono:
-No "bashing" operating system of any kind. :nono:
-This thread is to discuss and learn about operating systems, Nothing Else ;)

And with that said, let it begin!:D

[DarthBrady]

Here's what I use, and Why:

Windows XP - I use XP as My Primary Operating System.

Linux - I am trying to Learn about it it right now, I use the Knoppix Version. (Debian-Fedora Based)

MS-DOS - I use DOS version 6.22, on my Old PC, to play my old DOS games.

ProDos - I still use Apple IIe ProDos sometimes, to play my old Apple IIe games.

[Iconoclast]

Well, I use a bootable floppy disk to enter DOS mode, which I can still do even after my PC shuts down, so I'm not sure if that counts as using the DOS operating system. It's fake, after all.

But if you're not an administrator, MS-DOS is BETTER than Windows XP for what I have in mind. Except you can't use internet and all that stuff, or at least I don't think you can.

[DarthBrady]

yes, it may work for you. But No, I doesnt count. :(

I mean MS-DOS as a Primary operating System, Full version. Not on a PC that runs Windows, or any version built after the release of windows. DOS 6.22 or older. FAT-16 versions.

Sorry I should have been more clear on that, but I didnt want to cpnfuse anybody.


But hey, at least you can use DOS! Props to ya' for that!

[Iconoclast]

yes, it may work for you. But No, I doesnt count. :(

I mean MS-DOS as a Primary operating System, Full version. Not on a PC that runs Windows, or any version built after the release of windows. DOS 6.22 or older. FAT-16 versions.

Sorry I should have been more clear on that, but I didnt want to cpnfuse anybody.


But hey, at least you can use DOS! Props to ya' for that!Yeah, that's it. As you know, my dad installed software that shuts my PC down at 10 PM. And when I turn it back on and try to log back in, it won't work. But I can still use a bootable floppy and play some DOS games beyond 10 PM, like Galactix and, if I ever find a way to cram it onto a floppy disk, Wolfenstein 3-D.

But it would be better, I suppose, if I had any MS-DOS emulators, so I could play video games in DOS mode. I tried NESticle for NES emulation in DOS, but the problem is...you need a ****ing mouse to control the game! I tried typing this in to play the game without the need of a mouse:

A:\ROMs\NES_Game.nes A:\NESTICLE.EXE

And then Nesticle opens the game properly, and I am able to play it in DOS mode. But the problem is, I can't configure the controls, resolution, take screenshots, or ANYTHING because I can't use a mouse in DOS. Idiots who programmed NESticle should have given me a configuration file to toy around with in Windows.

Anyway, that's my problem with most DOS emulators, which I want if they work, though. That SNES emulator for DOS, ZSNES, is pretty good. I may, again, not be able to use a mouse in DOS mode, but I can configure ZSNES by running it in Windows, so that's OK.

Outside of playing games, there really isn't much else worth doing in this disabled artificial version of DOS.

Just recently, I used by brother's PC to try and copy the file C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\SAM to a floppy disk (which I needed to be in DOS mode to do), but I was greedy and took a shot at looking in it for passwords. Dad caught me, and ripped my PC's power cord out. After a load of talking, I have it back now.

[Panda]

I use Windows XP and Linux at home, and I use The Mac OsX at school.

[Crazed Dragon]

I think alls I use is XP at my house, 98 at my moms and school

[pizzaman]

I have an XP, and my dad has a old 98 with only 1 GB drive. So no one uses it that much.

[the master 123]

I use XP. However I use virual pc that has 98se installed.

[pizzaman]

Linux - I am trying to Learn about it it right now, I use the Knoppix Version. (Debian-Fedora Based)
I use Windows XP and Linux at home, and I use The Mac OsX at school.
What's Linux? Doesn't Xbox have a Linux sytem thingy?
Can I ask here?

[Fierce Deity]

I use Windows XP SP2 Media Edition. I have the version where it is basically the same as professional, but with Media enhancements. I don't know much about Linux, but I heard you can edit it and change anything you may not like about the operating system, so it can fit your own needs. I know nothing about it's file compatibility, or how to change the OS. I am assuming you need to know C++ or something.

Glad to see you are well, DarthBrady.

[DarthBrady]

What's Linux? Doesn't Xbox have a Linux sytem thingy?
Can I ask here?
Yes, you can ask here. That's what this thread is for, to discuss different operating systems.

Answering the Qusetion "What is Linux?" can be very simple, and yet very complicated.

Linux, is a Operating System, originally developed as a Unix Based operating System. It has devoleped and changed a lot over time, and in the past few years, has become very popular.

Unlike other Operating Systems, like Windows or Mac OS, Linux is developed on the idea that an Operating Systems code should be Free and Open Source to everyone, not just the company that makes it.
It is for this very Reason, that there are So many Popular versions of Linux. Linux can be ported to run on virtually ANY machine, from something as simple as a cell phone or a digital camera, or sometrhing as powerful as a large network or server system.
And as I said above, Linux comes in a variety of platforms, such as Fedora, Debian, SuSe, RedHat, Knoppix, ect. so you have a wider choice of which Linux operating system you can use, unlike Mac or Windows Operarting systems.

Linux is considered a Very Powerful Operating System, and is now starting to be seen as a Future threat to Other Platforms like Windows or Mac.

Let me give you an example or two:
-Unlike Mac or Windows, Linux does not need to shut down constantly and reboot to stay running smoothly. Which is why many internet companies and websites Use Linux as their operating system, so they can keep their sites and software running longer, and rarely have the need to reboot! (this is becoming a must on the internet world, as customer like a website that can stay up and running 24/7)

-Linux is now being used on Many more new machines. The NINTENDO WII, THE SONY PS3, and many new devices like cell phones and more use Linux as their Operating System!


But dont take my word of rit, TRY IT YOURSELF! you can download the Knoppix Live Linux CD, and boot a working Linux Operating system to PC, into your Machines RAM, and there is no need to install anything to your hard drive! you dont even have to worry about screwing up your PC, because the Knoppix Linux OS won't even write to your Hard-Drive (but it can if you want it to!) So, if you screw up something, just Shut Down your PC and remove the Knoppix Linux Disc, and your PC will never even know you Linux wa ever there!
Get the Basic Knoppix Linux CD, or the Full Knoppix Linux DVD, FREE form their official website, http://www.knoppix.org/

NOTE: Linux can be very difficult to use for begginer users, as this is a very complex and intelligent operating system, BUt there's only one way to learn an operating system, and that that's to actually TRY IT.

Hope you guys will give it a shot, I am using Knoppix Linux Right Now, and It plays MAME and other emulators quite nicely!

[pizzaman]

Holy smokes! So I can keep my computer running for a long time with this Linux CD? How much time can an average Windows XP computer stay on?

[Fierce Deity]

Holy smokes! So I can keep my computer running for a long time with this Linux CD? How much time can an average Windows XP computer stay on?
I can only keep my pc running for a few days, and then everything starts slowing waaaaaay down.

[Crazed Dragon]

I can only keep my pc running for a few days, and then everything starts slowing waaaaaay down.I turn mie off before I go to bed unless I'm downloading soemthing or deferaging and or scaning my comp

[Fierce Deity]

I turn mie off before I go to bed unless I'm downloading soemthing or deferaging and or scaning my comp
Well, Mine has been on for 4 days now, as I have been downloading the Venture Brothers torrent. It finished about an hour ago, so I should probably retstart it soon....

[DarthBrady]

Holy smokes! So I can keep my computer running for a long time with this Linux CD? How much time can an average Windows XP computer stay on?
Yes, Linux runs WAY longer without slowing down, when you install it on you PC.
However, If you are using a live Boot CD like Knoppix, it runs in your PC's RAM. So if you fill up your RAM, it's gonna slow down. I have 1GB or RAM, so it runs fine as long as you dont over-do it. If you know what you are doing, you can set the Live DVD to write to your regular Windows Hard disk so you dont have to fillup your RAM, but DONT try it if you dont know what you are doing yet.

Its a very powerful Tool, and can be installed, but installing Linux to a hard drive is not as easy as other operating systems, and is strictly for advanced users only.

So get the live DVD, and learn how to use it, and what works best for you before deciding to installing Linux on a PC comletely.

[pizzaman]

Yes, Linux runs WAY longer without slowing down, when you install it on you PC.
However, If you are using a live Boot CD like Knoppix, it runs in your PC's RAM. So if you fill up your RAM, it's gonna slow down. I have 1GB or RAM, so it runs fine as long as you dont over-do it. If you know what you are doing, you can set the Live DVD to write to your regular Windows Hard disk so you dont have to fillup your RAM, but DONT try it if you dont know what you are doing yet.

Its a very powerful Tool, and can be installed, but installing Linux to a hard drive is not as easy as other operating systems, and is strictly for advanced users only.

So get the live DVD, and learn how to use it, and what works best for you before deciding to installing Linux on a PC comletely.
Okay, I got it. But using that CD won't make it run for a long time, or will it?

[DarthBrady]

Okay, I got it. But using that CD won't make it run for a long time, or will it?
what do you mean? please specify;)

[pizzaman]

what do you mean? please specify;)
If I get that CD from here (http://www.knoppix.org/) and burn it to a disk and use it, will I be able to keep my computer on for long periods of time? Or will is it just like a demo/tryout type thing?

[DarthBrady]

If I get that CD from here (http://www.knoppix.org/) and burn it to a disk and use it, will I be able to keep my computer on for long periods of time? Or will is it just like a demo/tryout type thing?

No, Its not a Demo. Its the Full Operating system.
As for how long you PC can go, it all depends on what you are running and your PC itself. Like i said before, a LIVE "bootable" Operating system runs on RAM memory, so you will run out sometime.

But Linux installed properly on a PC or server that is built to run non-stop; then yes,thoretically, you could run your system 24/7, 365 days a year. But like ai said, Linux is a complex system, so it's not going to be as easy as you think, by any means. YOu just have to learn a little at a time. And I am fairly new to Linux, so There's not a whole lot of tips I can give you, like in windows or dos.;)

Just burn the disc, and give it a go, it you cant figure something out, just shutdown and remove the disc, reboot, and all is like it never happened! Get on google, do a little research, and get back to it- that's about the most of what I can tell you at first.

[Fierce Deity]

I only of have 256MB of RAM, and, as you know, until I can get around to opening up my whole pc and taking the fans and things off, I can't get anymore. Would you recommend I try Linux, or would that be too large a strain on my pc?

Also, what are all those svchost.exe things running in my processes? There are like 4-7 of them. Why do there need to be multiple instances of the same process?

[DarthBrady]

I only of have 256MB of RAM, and, as you know, until I can get around to opening up my whole pc and taking the fans and things off, I can't get anymore. Would you recommend I try Linux, or would that be too large a strain on my pc?

Also, what are all those svchost.exe things running in my processes? There are like 4-7 of them. Why do there need to be multiple instances of the same process?


The First Question:
-If you were just going to play around with linux a little, using a bootable RAM version such as Knoppix Linux, you could probably try the smaller more basic CD version, instead of the more hefty DVD version, and you should be okay, the unofficial requirement is 256MB of RAM. Just dont try to bog it down doing a lot at once.
-However, with Linux installed on a PC, 256MB is just as good as it is in windows, if not better, depending on your skill.(so I've been told)
To can get both the CD and DVD "pre-built" versions via torrent, Look Here (http://torrent.unix-ag.uni-kl.de/) ("EN" versions are english, "DE" versions are Deutsch)

The Second Question:
The answer to this, depends on which OS you use. If it's windowsXP, than the svchost.exe file is programs use to host the opersating system's dynamic-link-libraries (dll's). As different types of programs use different dlls, windows XP enables your system to be capable of running more svchost files at once, to help keep the system running stable and smooth. So don't worry, this is Normal ;)
To get a more detailed explanation from Microsoft, Look Here (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314056)

[dukenukem155]

I use
-Windows XP- Well becouse my hard drive is 100 gb on that
-SuSE Linux-Use it to hack and well least i dont get hacked lol, and fun to use, and not pain in the @SS to use
-Windows 2003 Server- Well for a server
-Windows 2000, I donno why i still use this
-Windows 98, for my old computer
-Dos, I still love Duke Nukem 3D and Doom games in dos

[harger]

i have a Windows XP 512 MB,160 GB,3400+and AlthlonTM 64 processetrand a on board Video card

[Krusha-25]

I use an xp but i also have a 98+ in my room:D

[zolrak]

i have windows xp, but I´m thinking about try the vista beta versions

[DarthBrady]

i have windows xp, but I´m thinking about try the vista beta versions

If you want to go for it, but I must warn you, it is VERY unstable,

If all you want to do is see vista, fine, but if you want a PC that actually works, wait until it comes out, or maybe the next beta release. ;)

[chaos master]

Windows XP Media Center Edition :O

[BlueDragonMan]

I use Windows XP Home Edition. The linux intregues me, because I often have to shut down my computer because I "think" the RAM is getting used up. Course this usually happens after I have played N64 for a long time or played N64,GBA,& Snes in a couple of hours. I have 500ish MB of RAM I think. Not really sure where to find that.

[zolrak]

even if VISTA is launched will be a little bit akward to move from xp, because the programs compatibility is almonst none.....I have to wait even a year...I think