Re:Ask HN: if you don't use Linux, why don't you?
by chessweb on Monday March 21, 2011 @02:10PM
(#2350887)
I used to use Ubuntu from 8.04 to 10.10 until a regular security update left the system in an unbootable state. Since I didn't feel like reinstalling my system from scratch I went back to Windows 7.
Re:Ask HN: if you don't use Linux, why don't you?
by shantanubala on Monday March 21, 2011 @06:18PM
(#2351909)
I was also quite disappointed when I faced the same problem, had to use the live CD to backup my files, and reinstall the entire operating system from scratch on a random weekday when I should have spent those couple hours working.
Aside from that, though, my productivity on Ubuntu is much better than Windows. Workspaces, Gnome Do, the Rhythmbox integration, the ease of installing applications, and centralized updates make the occasional pains and "free" pricetag a great deal. But it's still not at all ready for "prime time" unless the hardware configuration has been thoroughly tested -- the computer I used was one I configured from scratch.
Re:Ask HN: if you don't use Linux, why don't you?
by dave_sullivan on Monday March 21, 2011 @07:24PM
(#2352118)
I have 2 computers/2 monitors side by side w/ one keyboard and mouse via synergy. 1 computer is linux, other is win7. Linux doesn't have creative suite, and I'd prefer not to use VMWare or screw with wine for something like that. And no, linux does not have real replacements for creative suite applications. I also do a bit of flash/flex/as3 development, not recommended on linux unless you have lots of free time on your hands and want to fight an uphill battle. There's a handful of other stuff that works better/faster on windows.
For the most part, I use each system equally, but would have difficulty choosing just one. My laptop is windows. Never tried apple much for varied reasons I won't go into.
Re:Ask HN: if you don't use Linux, why don't you?
by _b8r0 on Monday March 21, 2011 @04:17PM
(#2351381)
PGP Whole Disk Encryption. Yeah, I hate my life too.
I do use Arch Linux at home for a server, heaps of Linux VMs for different things and almost all of our servers are Linux, a BSD or OSX.
But my main laptop runs Windows 7, and I'm typing this on a Mac Mini. The Mac Mini is just better plugged into the TV, Windows 7 is generally the best Windows implementation I've used and is good enough for everything I want/need to do.
Re:Ask HN: if you don't use Linux, why don't you?
by 2AM on Tuesday March 22, 2011 @10:33PM
(#2357672)
I think the main reason is that there is so much going on in Ubuntu, or Linux in general, with every release. I really like to run the latest stuff, but 6-month cycle is not good for development machine, the updates sometimes break the system and I can't concentrate on my work, so the development system is a Mac, I have Ubuntu on other machines.
Re:Ask HN: if you don't use Linux, why don't you?
by tompagenet2 on Monday March 21, 2011 @06:09PM
(#2351873)
Because I use Chrome, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Premiere and more and all of these run without the slightest problem in Windows 7, and all of my past Ubuntu experiences have ended with someone suggesting I edit ~conf.something and removing the number 7.
Re:Ask HN: if you don't use Linux, why don't you?
by protomyth on Monday March 21, 2011 @01:55PM
(#2350810)
I like OpenBSD for my server needs and use OS X on the desktop. I might start using Dragonfly BSD for some server stuff since I am very curious about how the HAMMER file system works in practice.
I do use Linux on servers and on my netbook.
Requires activities I am unwilling to engage in as a user of a system.
Less useful than competitors.
Uglier than competitors. Lack of uniformity in UIs. Large number of UIs that only a mother could love.
For servers though, I definitely use Linux!
Aside from that, though, my productivity on Ubuntu is much better than Windows. Workspaces, Gnome Do, the Rhythmbox integration, the ease of installing applications, and centralized updates make the occasional pains and "free" pricetag a great deal. But it's still not at all ready for "prime time" unless the hardware configuration has been thoroughly tested -- the computer I used was one I configured from scratch.
For the most part, I use each system equally, but would have difficulty choosing just one. My laptop is windows. Never tried apple much for varied reasons I won't go into.
I do use Arch Linux at home for a server, heaps of Linux VMs for different things and almost all of our servers are Linux, a BSD or OSX.
But my main laptop runs Windows 7, and I'm typing this on a Mac Mini. The Mac Mini is just better plugged into the TV, Windows 7 is generally the best Windows implementation I've used and is good enough for everything I want/need to do.
My laptop however, runs Ubuntu.
/shrugs