I would pick MacOS. While I'm no fan of Apple (they're at least as bad as Microsoft) I like their philosophy. A computer is a means to an end. Their community (the mainstream part of it) tends to understand that better than the mainstream of the Linux community IMO.

I like polished professional quality software. I don't like having people tell me that I should use something because of some political reason (like it "open source"). I want to use the best software I can afford and I don't make a distinction as to whether it's free or not.

I also have more confidence in Apple to innovate MacOS than the Linux community. Why is it still not even up to Windows 95 in terms of usability? They're just now getting clipboard to work universally for crying out loud.

Do I think MacOS is better than Windows? Not really. I like customization (obviously) and MacOS is less customizeable. I find semi-transparent inactive windows to be bad UI design and I odn't know how to adjust that. I don't care for the dock. And the relative lack of software support is a downer too. But I still think MacOS is a pretty awesome OS and superior to Windows XP in many MANY ways. It's just in the areas that I particularly care about it's not quite as good.

But then again, if the best OS were to win, we'd all be using some version of OS/2 today.

Actually, I had DOS down pretty good. Never gave me any problems....then this whole new-fangled Windows thing came along.

Yes, why isn't Theodore's system list?

I had to chuckle when I saw some of the ages here ... and then gasped when one of you graduated in '99 -- I have grandchildren that were born in '99 But I'm a young grandma . Well, not THAT young .. haha. And as far as being older and having more time for hobbies and more cash -- ack!!! Not sure who that is in the 40-50 age group -- I can only speak for me, but I work 50-60 hours a week away from my computers and the only time I have for hobbies is late at night or the weekends. That is, after all my house-cleaning chores, etc. As far as extra cash to spend -- I'm putting my daughter through college -- that leaves me with exactly, ummmmm, 0 dollars to spend on hobbies -- lol. Anyway, I'm sure I have a point here ... let me find it ... oh yes, what operating system would you choose if Windows went away. I use a PC and a Mac both at home. I find them equally 'likable.' Just use each for different things. So the obvious choice for me would be OSX. I'm actually running Jaguar now on my Mac, which is quite an improvement. But, I do most of my 'computing' on the PC. Old habits are hard to break Okay, I'm rambling now, so I'll go ... oh wait, another point was made which I agree with totally, and that is that this site is not rude and crude like some others. I like it here; think I'll stay ...

The newer mac and pc OS's are heaven compared to the old stuff. Favorite cursewords:
- TRSDOS
- cp/m
_ Control IV ( General Automation )

Wise, I don't think you're alone there ... I know an awful lot of folks who had to put themselves through college. A good many of them didn't go because of that. It's not an easy thing to do. I made a promise to both of my children that I'd get them through college. My son, now 28 and the one who made me the proud grandma , went for awhile but didn't finish. My daughter is now a junior and, with fingers crossed, she'll actually graduate! What WILL I do with all that extra cash when she does ... hmmmmmmm, I think a new computer is in order

I have no complaints or regrets to date

That's my theory about most things

I'd have to choose a Mac, because OS X is simply hot. If I didn't have the money though, I'd settle with Linux.