Reminds me why I hate Windows....

[ufkacbln]

not to mention the endless "update virus definitions" that came up every other day

... unless you run XP

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Another long time Linux user here, started off with Ubuntu but when it got bloated I switched to Lubuntu, I've not yet had to compile anything, once its installed and set up it mostly just works and keeps on working, in the unlikely event that I hit a problem theres usually enough information on the net to find out how to sort it

 

[yello]

I like Linux because I can tinker and compile stuff. I was once in a previous life a programmer so messing around with, and even breaking, my set-up is just something I do for fun!

 

[Rouge79]

... unless you run XP

LOL that was the exact windows i ran!!!

 

[swee'pea99]

Surely it all depends on what you actually want to do. I don't do any fancy stuff, and I've certainly never (OP) found myself spending 40 minutes downloading/installing anything. Windows does everything I need, accommodates all the free software I need, and (fingers crossed) doesn't break down. I wouldn't try to persuade anyone in any direction, but Windows works for me.

 

[Learnincurve]

I like windows 7, however I despise windows 8 with the power of a thousand burning suns. I was happy when my nice laptop's fan (soldered behind the motherboard, also soldered) started playing up so I could give it to my daughter and buy a cheap PC with windows 7 on it. I also discovered that you know that thing where they say "oh well it's designed for touch screen PCs and tablets" is utter rot, my parents just bought a touch screen PC with windows 8 on it and it's just as freaking over designed and annoying.

For those who have yet to encounter it; take away your start button, move your mouse to the corner and imagine the whole of your screen filled with icons. Now also imagine a huge task bar that comes up every time you move your mouse into edges of your screen, if you have a second monitor then it happens on both.

 

[yello]

Surely it all depends on what you actually want to do.

Indeed it does. For some people and some situations, I'd suggest Windows (or more particularly staying with Windows).

I get called up for advice from time to time by neighbours etc who know my former trade and whilst I personally would wipe the PC and load a Linux distro, I'm aware this would not be appropriate for people that have spent ages getting to where they are, and still not really sure of what they are doing.

To force a new OS on them would be wrong.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

I like windows 7, however I despise windows 8 with the power of a thousand burning suns. I was happy when my nice laptop's fan (soldered behind the motherboard, also soldered) started playing up so I could give it to my daughter and buy a cheap PC with windows 7 on it. I also discovered that you know that thing where they say "oh well it's designed for touch screen PCs and tablets" is utter rot, my parents just bought a touch screen PC with windows 8 on it and it's just as freaking over designed and annoying.

For those who have yet to encounter it; take away your start button, move your mouse to the corner and imagine the whole of your screen filled with icons. Now also imagine a huge task bar that comes up every time you move your mouse into edges of your screen, if you have a second monitor then it happens on both.

I've got 8.1 on the laptop. Download Classic Shell and the start button comes back so it's just like the old Windows - except faster.

 

[MontyVeda]

LOL that was the exact windows i ran!!!

all in the past tense.... XP is great now MS have dropped support for it