What's your Windows woes?

[Spr0k3t]

We are all guilty of it. The question is... to what extent is your windows installation in your life?

I only use Windows where it's required. Work computers don't offer a way for me to use Linux at all. At least I have my laptop with me most of the time.

At home on the other hand... I have to debug my wife's windows pc from time to time.

[jbrouhard]

Gaming.

Cedega doesn't work with everything, and sometimes I get crappy performance out of it. So Windows for games, QUickbooks and when needed, Photoshop.

I'm slowly but surely moving away from Photoshop to Xara, Gimp and Inkscape.

[ts51]

Well, I had Feisty, and Dapper, and after a recent issue just windows. But, I'm adding Gusty once it comes out (not beta). So, when I have Linux, I use MS for iTunes, Office, and Games. I do boot into Linux sometimes. I wish the k-12 schools would start realizing the Linux would be a better alternative for them. They have XP with a plain background and classic theme. They only want us to use Office and the internet. It would probably be better if they used the Dell's with Ubuntu.

[erimar77]

I've got Wdindows at home for Money 2007, Battlefield 2, and Trackmania Nations.. Everything else including at the office is Ubuntu.

[yabbadabbadont]

I only use it for video editing and the occasional gaming session.

[speedingbullet]

Normally I just use a mac book for things I cant as well on a linux. Im talking about Microsoft Office and Imovie.


I'm guessing its not as bad if you use a mac, right?

[Penguinista]

My job requires the use of Windows XP. I have used Linux and Windows together for several years, but I am finally getting to the point where I can ditch Windows altogether. As a professional genealogist, most of the tools I have used for family history research have been Windows based, and as a result, I have several years of source documents and research results locked up in proprietary binary formats. I have begun the massive task of moving twenty years of research into Linux and open formats, which I hope to complete by January 1st. Once that happens, the only time I will see a Windows machine is when I need to fix my wife's computers (she is a militant Windows user) or access an IE-only website.

[yabbadabbadont]

My job requires the use of Windows XP. I have used Linux and Windows together for several years, but I am finally getting to the point where I can ditch Windows altogether. As a professional genealogist, most of the tools I have used for family history research have been Windows based, and as a result, I have several years of source documents and research results locked up in proprietary binary formats. I have begun the massive task of moving twenty years of research into Linux and open formats, which I hope to complete by January 1st. Once that happens, the only time I will see a Windows machine is when I need to fix my wife's computers (she is a militant Windows user) or access an IE-only website.

Since it sounds like you aren't into PC gaming, perhaps running windows inside of vmware or virtualbox would cover your windows needs?

[Penguinista]

I considered that, but I think the benefits of moving my research into open formats will greatly outweigh the work to convert them. Genealogy is a discipline that is never finished; research can expand over decades, and even generations. It is important to get it in a format that is useful today and readable tomorrow. Work will always be Windows-only, and that doesn't really bother me. I'm going to have to upgrade my wife's machine to Vista at some point (hopefully FAR in the future), but I don't see a reason to pay the tax on myself when I can do everything on Linux for much less. It does require more work on the front end, but once I'm converted, I think I will actually be more efficient in the long run. Besides, the conversion has its own reward -- I am refamiliarizing myself with old research, and have already discovered new connections and avenues for exploration.

Finally, I think it is important to run my "personal life" on Linux because I believe that the best way to lead is by example. If I can't manage to meet my needs on this platform, how can I credibly assure someone else that they can do it?

[nilihanth]

Gaming. That's it. Anything else is unforseen. I am of firm belief that Linux is perfectly suited for games, but greed stops high-budget games to be made for it since the userbase is much smaller than M$ has.

I also believe that if mainstream games would work on Linux just as well as Windows, there would be a TON more conversions to the light side. Most of the gamers I know have said they dont bother with Linux because they can't play their games on it. AND, even though Cedega has done great things, it seems the majority don't want to have to mess with it sadly.

[James Little]

Gaming. That's it. Anything else is unforseen. I am of firm belief that Linux is perfectly suited for games, but greed stops high-budget games to be made for it since the userbase is much smaller than M$ has.

I also believe that if mainstream games would work on Linux just as well as Windows, there would be a TON more conversions to the light side. Most of the gamers I know have said they dont bother with Linux because they can't play their games on it. AND, even though Cedega has done great things, it seems the majority don't want to have to mess with it sadly.
Unreal Tournament '99 works fine! :) I believe the later UTs work too, but 99 is the best :P

[swmiller6]

Gaming (Halo Addict) and my wife.... My laptop is linux only and I use it for everthing inclucding my work which requires IBM client access. It all works great!!!

[computerfreaq09]

games and music making :guitar:

i have Vista Basic and after the rsod i just had to install kubuntu. kubuntu was much more different than ubuntu cause of the different desktops, and whoever is wondering, i am accually in the ninth grade, but i am very experienced with computers.

[Gramps]

I still have one machine with XP on it. I use Photoshop Elements, Premiere Elements, and iTunes that is about all. Once in awhile I have to use it for a web site that thinks all computers run winders, they uselly get a nasty letter.

For what ever reason I just can't get my head around Gimp and just started looking at Inkscape. Tried elements under Wine, no go.

My wife is computer challenged and could barely turn on a Windows computer at work and I now have her using Ubuntu on one of my old laptops with no problem. He surfs and does email. Next step for her will be a web cam so she can talk to her grandkids.

[wyrless2002]

http://gimp-savvy.com/BOOK/

This is the homepage of the book "Grokking the Gimp" by Carey Bunks. It is available for free download (tarballed HTML) or purchase as hard copy. I haven't delved very deep, but it seems like a good primer at least. I have zero PhotoShop experience, and almost as much natural artistic talent, so YMMV.

So, I am freshly enrolled in junior college (again) for Computer Information Systems degree, and hopefully, some Computer Sci./Prog. (If I can hang with the smart people). This necessitated Windows (know thine enemy?) so I just finished a 3 day bender dual booting this Dell XPS M1530. Failed miserably at first shot, and had to start from scratch re-installing Vista, Media Direct (gutted XP cum Entertainment center), and finally Intrepid. Lots of tweaking (the lappy, not me), but, I'm extremely chuffed with the results already.

Media Direct is basically like having an embedded DVD/Music Player, with 30 sec. boot times. Vista is there when I need it for specific classes. So far, all of my homework for Computer Ethics, and Office 2007 web courses (noobie 101 classes this semester so I can get to the good stuff) I've done on Open Office and Firefox, and my Algebra text companion CD runs flawlessly in Wine.

Viva la Revolucion! LOL
-Aaron