what is the best OS?

Question

what is the best OS?

Answer 1

Usually depends on what you are using it for.



If you need a server OS you would usually got for a unix/linux based OS. Something like Fedora, Solaris, Ubuntu...

You would also choose these for security purposes.



If you want flashy user/friendliness and productivity you would go with something like the MacOS.



If you want maximum diversity and compatibility with existing software you would use Windows XP.

I personally use Ubuntu, PCLinuxOS and Windows XP. I use Redhat Enterprise at work.



I think as long as you're not a gamer or running a server it's really a matter of what GUI you prefer

Answer 2

There is NO best OS

This is because different Operating System serve different purpose

I mean i will never pilot an aircraft with a Windows XP operating system for control except when the plane is in Windows

Quote from Windows:

"Where do you want go today?"

If the aircraft uses Windows i would probably go to heavens

The programs would have hung and before Window finished chkdsk to boot the plane would have crashed.

All aircrafts uses a real-time Operating System for functionality reliability and responsiveness

Another argument is user preference

For a guy who knows nothing about a Computer he would want a Windows or MAC or some idiot proof OS

For another guy who want to check out the CPU process scheduler Windows will not do because the underlying code is hidden and licensed

However if you ask me what is the best OS for a particular purpose there will be an answer

For a Windows Switching to Linux

OpenSUSE will be good because it has nice control panel and wizard for configuration

Ubuntu is also quite idiot proof except that control panel is not available

For Stable server OS FreeBSD and CentOS are known to be Stable and Reliable able to take high network traffic on cheap low cost hardware

Desktop OS differs on what the user prefer

If you are know the OS and is able to configure it to the point where it can run around you in circles and fetch a bone without getting bitten it is probably the best Desktop OS for you

Answer 3

The best OS is the OS which best meets your needs. There is a certain kind of person -- liberal or fine arts background usually, very interested in the appearance of things -- we used to call a MacFascist back in the early '90s around Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design. My brother was one. I just realized my new doctor shows all the classic symptoms (but I don't know him well enough for name calling). My brother has moved on and now swears only to use OSes which don't demand he take responsibility for what is on his computer.



We do not use computers the same way. We don't. I got this new laptop last week I tried to throw gentoo on. I gave up yesterday and found a Fedora Core 8 liveCD of uncertain integrity. I've been doing stupid Fedora tricks ever since -- Uncertain meant limited: I did have internet access and X-Windows with twm, but a yum update fixed the problem and gave me the KDE desktop I asked for, while I'm in the middle of using Yum to update to Fedora Core 9. Not bad when you consider in two weeks I can bring my problem to some masters of Gentoo and I might find it worthwhile to just wipe it clean again.



But I'm working with Inkscape and -- despite my revulsion -- gimp more than I have been. If I can do what I want there is no need to switch. I also have some FreeBSD LiveCDs around I enjoy playing with. I can't say my attitude towards OSes is the same as it was when I was an MS-DOS fan. The best OS is the OS which best meets your needs. Your needs. Not mine. There are certainly a lot of other people who think otherwise, but I think you'll be happier if you train yourself out of any tendency to be one.

Answer 4

It depends entirely on your needs really, however unless your familiar with open source coding and well any computer related coding linux is out of the question.



Windows : Gaming, never try gaming on a mac it's terrible, trust me i've tried. The most compatible OS by far, if you can't get something for windows you can't get it for anything else. 90% of people use windows in the world, so even though macs are windows compatible, 90% of people still use windows. For high spec machines, vista is the best, a much better operating system than xp, if your machine can cope with it, if not xp, is your choice.



Mac: No real advantages over windows whatsoever, a nice easy to use interface, not prone to virus' at all, compared to linux millions of software to download, compared to windows barely anything to download, can't game to save it's life. You can dual boot it with windows xp/vista for your gaming needs etc, also it's video editing abilities lie at it's appeal, also it's other media capabilities, ironic though that it can't play games. 6% of computer uses use mac osx, 4% of which dual boot with windows.



Linux: Personally I don't know much about it, but I know enough to tell you, if you don't know anything about it stay away from it, as I believe it requires knowledge in computer code to use to it's full capabilities. Advantage - it's free.



Personally I use mac os x dual booted with vista, however neither OS is better than the other, I use OSX as my primary OS, but windows for my games and what not, there is also nothing Osx can do that vista can't, whilst there is plenty vista can do which OSX can.

Unless you have the money to invest in a mac and a copy of windows vista/xp, i'd stick with windows, 90% of people use it as their primary operating system, and another 4% of people have it. I also spect you'd find anyone who knows how to use a computer, knows how to use windows.



My suggestion - Windows is the way

Answer 5

For me, GNU/Linux.



For people in graphics related industries, probably Mac OS.



For some high-end uses where cost is not important, Unix.



For other instances where the functionality of the software is more important than any rival considerations - such as in air traffic control - a completely unique, purpose-designed system is vital.



Then, there's Windows. The OS for people who don't know any better.

Answer 6

If you want a cheap OS that'll work on a low-budget computer, then XP. However I find Mac OS X is much more productive and buying a mac will allow you to use both OSX and XP or Vista

Answer 7

JPlatt is about spot on. Why do we even NEED operating systems, anyway? LOL! to use our software and resources in a productive manner! Determine what you need to do, versus what you want to do, then pick the one that works. I have my preferences, but hey... there is no magic pill for this. The truth is the one that works is the solution to our problems. OS's are like girlfriends. All nice and pretty, then they go and change on you.... needing updates, more ram, you know the drill.

Answer 8

Vista all day long, people moan about it but i reckon that's because they don't have a good enough machine for it to function properly. I've been using it for a year now, i've never had any compatibility issues, no BSOD's, no Explorer crashes, the only vice i think it has is it's bloody UAC and the amount of RAM it consumes (both are easily rectified though)

Answer 9

Windows XP

Answer 10

it depends what are you looking for in an OS

is it sufficiency and flexibility or ease of use... you want everything to be done automatically or compatibility..

you should search your needs to be able to choose the OS that suits you..

Answer 11

A couple of years ago my answer would have been Windows XP, but no more. Linux is the finest for me.



Linux distros. worth looking at



Mandriva 2008.1 Spring http://www.mandriva.com/

SimplyMEPIS 7.0 http://www.mepis.org/

Ubuntu 7.10 http://releases.ubuntu.com/7.10/ (My Preference)

Ubuntu 8.04.1 http://releases.ubuntu.com/hardy/

Linux Mint 5.0 http://www.linuxmint.com/



All are easy to install and easy to use.



LUg.

Answer 12

linux ubuntu or fedora 9 or open suse 11.3. then win xp then maybe a mac op sys.

Answer 13

What do you want from it? Gaming, work?