Let me preface this by saying that I am *mostly* a Mac fanboy. I started using computers when my dad gave me his old Dell equipped with Windows '98. I was not at all impressed and switched to Mac and OS X. I was instantly in love. I have been a Mac fan ever since...until the latest iteration on OS X, Leopard. I'll just say I don't like it and it doesn't work how I expect something I have to pay good money for to.
I have also gone back and dabbled a bit on the Windows side of things. I bought a laptop that had XP on it so I could run Windows stuff if needed. When Vista came out, I switched. Had Vista on my machine for about 2 weeks before I went back to XP.
Somewhere along the way, I came across Ubuntu Linux. I must admit that the whole "free" aspect of things piqued my interest. I quickly installed it on my Windows box.
This was around version 7.10 (I still have that Live CD) and I never could get my wireless working so, I put XP back on.
Well, now I am running Intrepid and I must say, AWESOME!!!
My whole deal is customization. I believe an operating system should conform to the user's will and way of working, not the other way around. I could modify OS X quite extensively...until Leopard. The problem with tweaking OS X is you run serious risk of breaking your system. I did and have broken it several times. Windows? Forget it!
Enter Ubuntu Linux. In the last few weeks since I permanently installed it on my Compaq Presario, I have done things I could never have done in the other mainstream OSs. *And, I haven't had to pay one red cent for the privilege of haveing an operating system do what I want it to!*
These boards and others have proved a wealth of information. Usually I can figure things out on my own but, every problem I've had that I couldn't, you guys have been there.
I briefly had Hardy on my second internal for a dual boot on my G5 PowerPC. I couldn't get the live CD to work but you guys guided me through it. I would have kept Hardy on my G5 but I was having dual monitor issues and no sound playback issues. I may give it another go in the future. Right now, I am thrilled just to have, in my brief opinion, the best OS I have ever used on just one of my machines! I have already decided to move completely away from Windows and would love to move completely away from OS X. The only lasting issues are lightscribe and Blue Ray support.
I've read some stuff on lightscribe and believe I can get that working with little effort. Blue Ray playback on the other hand may be a little more elusive. I'm sure eventually I'll have it.
As for now, I am really happy with how Ubuntu lets me do what I want. If I have to pay hundreds for something, I should be able to use it how I see fit. It amazes me that I get that with Ubuntu for nothing! Thanks!