Ask dotTechies: What operating system do you use the most?

January 31, 2010 43 Email article | Print article

More often than not, when the subject of operating systems comes up, a war starts between Windows, Linux, and Mac fans. However, what does not hit the headlines quite as often is the fact that there is a huge spread amongst Windows users, in terms of what Windows version is being used. Indeed at my most recent job, it was very shocking to see that most of the computers in the building(s) were running Microsoft Windows 2000, even though – at the time – the Windows series was up to Vista. So now I am curious – what operating systems do most dotTechies use?

NOTE1: I understand that some of the choices below many have different “editions” (i.e. Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional). If your specific edition is not listed, just select the version that you use (i.e. Windows XP Home and Windows XP Professional users select Windows XP).

NOTE2: This poll is intended for the operating system of your computer – not your phone or other device.

[poll id="12"]

If you have any questions, comments, or whatever, feel free to post below in the comments.

43 Comments »

  1. RoseD1st January 31, 2010 at 11:14 PM (comment permalink) -

    Windows XP I wait a few years for Microsoft to work out the bugs.I saw too many friends in Vista misery

    1
  2. Ashraf January 31, 2010 at 11:15 PM (comment permalink) -
    Mr. Boss

    @RoseD1st: Not a bad idea at all.

    2
  3. Helmer January 31, 2010 at 11:31 PM (comment permalink) -

    I used XP for a long time after the Vista release, never really liked that OS. But after the service pack releases i started with Vista x64 and tweaked it to my likings. After that i went directly to Se7en x64 and i like that one VERY much!

    3
  4. Locutus January 31, 2010 at 11:47 PM (comment permalink) -

    What are we here, a whole bunch of early adopters? So far Windows 7 is the most popular.

    4
  5. RobCr February 1, 2010 at 12:06 AM (comment permalink) -

    I like to call the ‘early adopters’ ‘trail blazers’.

    In the Old Wild West, do you know how you recognized a ‘trail blazer’ ?
    He was the one with all of the arrows sticking out of him.

    My will states that XP has to be buried with me, just in case I come back.

    PS
    To the Vista ‘trail blazers’, MS apologizes, and wishes to give you a free copy of Windows 7 (less arrows).

    5
  6. RobCr February 1, 2010 at 1:03 AM (comment permalink) -

    OOPs,
    Forgot to tick the checkbox, below (the one that notifies me of subsequent user posts).
    Could you make it, so that the checkbox is ticked as a default ?

    6
  7. Doru February 1, 2010 at 1:21 AM (comment permalink) -

    I use XP Prof SP3 32.Why?.Here in East life is not soo good(we don’t have to much money and we use second -hand in principal),Xp is now a mature and stable.Even if don’t have a brilliant design,is very practical(it make a good job for a lot of domain).It is enough for me,for xp are many soft free or from Gaotd that work very well,but not soo good for Vista or Windows 7.Soo for a moment(maybe some years) i will stay with XP because is the most acceptable solution for me and I’m content with this solution.In final where are the differences?Only in speed in design and high price,but i can solve the same problems with XP.I don’t need for a moment another s.o.

    7
  8. Ashraf February 1, 2010 at 1:24 AM (comment permalink) -
    Mr. Boss

    @RobCr: If I made it checked by default, people would be at my door with pitchforks because of the spam they get after commenting.

    8
  9. RobCr February 1, 2010 at 1:30 AM (comment permalink) -

    @Ashraf:

    If those with the pitchforks are the same ones who won’t ‘FORK OUT’ for paid content, then it serves them right.

    Perhaps you could place it just between the text box (where we type our Comment), and the ‘Submit your comment’ button ?
    That way any absent minded old fools, will remember to tick it ?

    9
  10. Ashraf February 1, 2010 at 1:57 AM (comment permalink) -
    Mr. Boss

    @RobCr: Sure, I can look into it, although no promises.

    10
  11. Jeanjean February 1, 2010 at 2:19 AM (comment permalink) -

    I can’t vote !
    I don’t I see any place to vote, when others yes apparently!?
    Win XP Home

    11
  12. Jeanjean February 1, 2010 at 2:21 AM (comment permalink) -

    Oups.. at once, immediatly after posting I receive another list and the possibility to vote ?????

    12
  13. Chindu February 1, 2010 at 3:48 AM (comment permalink) -

    Ashraf: “Indeed at my most recent job, it was very shocking to see that most of the computers in the building(s) were running Microsoft Windows 2000, even though – at the time – the Windows series was up to Vista.”

    Is it so hard for you to figure out why?

    “VERY SHOCKNG”, INDEED!! Well I’ve got news for you, Ashraf. I use Windows 2000 Professional; AND I LOVE IT! Of all Microsoft Operating Systems, Windows 2000 is THE BEST – very robust, very stable, very reliable, etc. And dare I say, Windows 2000 is a very smooth, and unintrusive, operating system. I guess You Did’t Know All That!!

    That’s Why, Ashraf, “…that most of the computers in the building(s) were running Microsoft Windows 2000, even though – at the time – the Windows series was up to Vista.”

    The women and the men behind those Windows 2000, understand TLC – the pricelessness of DEVOTION, BEAUTY, LOVE, FIDELITY, RELIABILITY. The secret behind UPS success!!!

    I rest my case.
    -Chindu.

    13
  14. Ryan February 1, 2010 at 3:53 AM (comment permalink) -

    Windows Vista Home Premium

    14
  15. RobCr February 1, 2010 at 4:25 AM (comment permalink) -

    @Chindu:

    I was working in the large Aust branch of a world brand company (hint they are also known for cell phones, but were mainly in the Telecommunications industry).
    They stuck with Win 2000 for a few years, after XP was released.
    ‘If it works why change it’.

    Chindu,
    Do all programs that work in XP, work in 2000 ?
    How about drivers ?

    15
  16. meanpt February 1, 2010 at 4:54 AM (comment permalink) -

    Vista home premium was preinstalled and have been in use. It’s better than XP, with much less hangs and crashes – in fact, a crash is a very rare thing in vista.

    Besides that, I have an internet vbox machine running with W7 starter edition, and a dozen of linux distros, from which a run most Xubuntu, the fastest buntu, Didn’t use Knoppix from the CD just because it’s been more difficult to adust to my keyboard and to install vbox guest additions.

    16
  17. Doru February 1, 2010 at 7:03 AM (comment permalink) -

    The next question it must to be:
    -Who is the best browser for you?:-Google Chrome
    -Shrware Iron
    -Firefox
    -I.E.
    -Avant Browser,etc…
    -the best player?etc.

    17
  18. Rocky February 1, 2010 at 7:15 AM (comment permalink) -
  19. jumbi February 1, 2010 at 7:25 AM (comment permalink) -

    XP is still the king after a decade !!

    (I use many operating systems, but when I am called to install a new one, XP is my choice too)

    Eventuall, as time goes by, 7 will come to first rank but this doesn’t lower the proven value of XP anyway!

    19
  20. Darthyoda February 1, 2010 at 8:04 AM (comment permalink) -

    Well, since I have 2 computer that I use it’s harder 2 answer. My laptop has xp and my desktop has 7. I’ll going to be trying 7 on the laptop when I get time, but since I use the laptop more I’ll have to answer with xp.

    20
  21. Ami February 1, 2010 at 10:24 AM (comment permalink) -

    i love my vista ultimate, its the ultimate.

    21
  22. kingpin February 1, 2010 at 1:08 PM (comment permalink) -

    win xp pro with sp2[32-bit]
    What do u think ashraf?

    22
  23. Pwnana February 1, 2010 at 2:38 PM (comment permalink) -

    7 just makes me cry its so amazing. And for whoever voted “other”, would you mind telling us what you use? O_o Is it Solaris or something?

    Why is the bar for “other” with 1 vote, shorter than all the ones with 0 votes?

    One last thing, isnt Mac OS technically a Unix distro?

    23
  24. Jon February 1, 2010 at 3:10 PM (comment permalink) -

    Win7 64bit here. I never thought I’d leave WinXP Pro & still have a partition with that on it but very rarely do I ever need to go back to it. I even got my HP scanner working via the free Windows Virtual PC program. As time goes on more & more companies are fixing the compatibility issues of the few programs that have had issues with it. Most of the issues I’ve run across haven’t been with Win7 so much as they have with the 64bit OS (if I had used Vista or XP 64bit I would’ve had the same issues).

    24
  25. calebstein February 1, 2010 at 6:33 PM (comment permalink) -

Leave A Response »