How-To Geek

I run windows vista because it was preloaded on a new computer I bought. I can't seem to do anything without people telling me: "Switch to Linux, Switch to Linux!"
I am not a particularly savvy computer guy, not particularly technical, but the general thing I'm told is to use Ubuntu. I tried it, but didn't like it.
It seemed too...weak to me, too flimsy. So, can anyone tell me any reason why I should switch to Linux? (Not BSOD, I haven't seen that since Win98)

Give us a list of the primary applications you use and we can give you a yes or no.

Contrary to what the linux people say, it's not for everybody or every purpose. Personally I have linux, mac, and vista running on three computers next to each other... but I'm a geek. If I was going to recommend a non-Windows OS to somebody, I would probably suggest using a Mac, much more user friendly than linux.

That said, there's simply nothing wrong with Windows. If it works for you, don't feel ashamed of it. I'm well known as a geek, but I proudly run Vista and like it.

To condense down into a few points:

1) Heavy gamer - use XP
2) Mostly browsing, office and email - use Vista (if you have a PC), or a Mac
3) Running a server or an older pc - Linux
4) Programming - Programmers should already know what to use =)

I used to absolutely hate windows, but I now run Vista and love it (although it took months to get it running perfectly)

Hi chustar, I am presuming you mean what did I do with Vista. Is that correct?

I started off with just configuring to get maximum speed, functionability, and look nice.
Tried different "tweak" programs but found they caused too many many problems.
Now I just search the internet for as much information as I can find and make changes in the registry (for performance and functionability).
But also use various programs that are better than what comes with Vista

The registry is like the index of a book (but a bit more so)
It tells everything where to be, and what to do when it gets there
BUT.. it's very dangerous to mess about with it if you don't know what you're doing
Easy to kill your system
Learn Learn Learn

Viruses do that yes. But try to think of it more as a good place where everything can be arranged to make things better

Linux, Mac etc get viruses, it is just the percentages that change

So to get back to the original question, what do you want to use the computer for?

You should probably just stick with Vista then, it works quite well for those types of tasks.