Os

[GoldenCojones]

Here's a question. Which Operating System do you use when you write:

1) Windows (XP, 7, 8, 8.1, 10)

2) Linux

3) Mac

4) IOS (I-Phone, IPad)

5) Android

6) Other?

I'm wondering because I've been a Windows user for years but I'm finally fed up with the crap and I'm seriously considering moving to Linux. I've used Unix and Linux for years in my job so it's not that big of a leap for me but it started me wondering what you guys use.

 

[sr71plt]

Windows. It's industry standard and I write for the industry. When I started editing mainstream books, I had both a PC/Windows and a Mac. I never received work in Mac and eventually tossed it.

 

[le_kitty]

Macbook.

Convenience really, since my PC is a desktop and I like portability.

Also the major software I use is Mac exclusive, which makes PC a little redundant to me.

 

[Hypoxia]

Windoze. (I've disrespected Apple since 1979.) I write on various laptops and desktops, yes, enslaved by MicroSoft, mostly on a small laptop that is, yes, sitting in my lap at this very moment as I recline lazily. I like my Windoze word, sound, and image editing warez. I have Linux on two little laptops but use those more as system monitors and stealthy browsers. I have Android tablets and a BlueTooth keyboard but I don't find such suitable for authoring. YMMV.

 

[jsmiam]

Download knoppix to a bootable dvd. Try before you "buy". Open office is pre installed, i think. That light approach is a super low stakes way to temporarily have dual boot before fully committing.

 

[SamScribble]

Windows - largely for the same reason that Pilot has already given. I'm currently using Windows 7, but I guess that one of these days I may give 10 a go.

 

[sr71plt]

I might add that having started writing on manual typewriters, I don't get irritated much by any computer system I get to use.

 

[NotWise]

Linux (Ubuntu). OpenOffice is standard and it's all free. Have used it for various purposes for 20 years.

I will point out that OSX, iOS and Android are all flavors of Linux these days. The Apple systems are modified from the standard Linux kernel, but Android is straight-up Linux. The systems that are usually identified as Linux are probably better identified as Gnu-Linux, and that includes Ubuntu, RedHat, SUSE, and others.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Mac. Occasional compatibility annoyances with MS-Word documents that don't come out quite the same on Office for Mac; it's mostly an issue with specialised stuff for tech editing.

The Mac increases my productivity immensely became a lot of the games that would otherwise be chewing up my time aren't Mac-compatible ;-)

 

[legerdemer]

Mac user (since 85 or 86). Occasionally write on my iPad, then transfer to my Mac. I would use Pages if I had my druthers, but use Word mostly.

 

[Carnevil9]

The OS you use when writing shouldn't matter nearly as much as what application program you use. That's pretty much in the background when you get down to the mechanics of putting words in order.

That said, I always use Windows. But I don't think it would matter if I sat down at a Mac or Linux machine or whatever.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Windows. I started using windows way back when... Windows 3.0, when you booted your PC to DOS 3.something then started Windows at the command prompt. So far...so far it's been all Windows. There was that one time when the company I worked for had me look at a Macintosh, back when the PC 286 was all the rage.

It sucked. It was twice the price as a fully loaded PC and only had a...what a 3" screen? I know it was bigger than that, but the PC's we used had 15" monitors. And we could buy two PC's, just the box, with all the software we needed, for the price of one Macintosh.

So...Windows. I can drive Windows very well. I can drive Word and all the other Windows compatible software very well. Now using Window 7...will never upgrade to 8 or 10, thank you very much.

 

[Handley_Page]

Windoze.
If I could do it, I'd go back to DOS or even DR/DOS.
Gimme Ventura and GEM, and I'd be well happy.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Windoze.
If I could do it, I'd go back to DOS or even DR/DOS.
Gimme Ventura and GEM, and I'd be well happy.

Loved Ventura, great page layout prog. if you didn't want proportional font printing. Xerox still held the grand trophy for that back then.

Actually, everything you use now came from Xerox oh so long ago.

Networking
Wisiwyg
Windows
The mouse
Almost everything...even the copier in the corner.

And the only thing they patented? The copier in the corner.

 

[jomar]

Windows 10...it's been fine.

 

[TxRad]

For writing, I use the windblows 7 side of my main computer with a copy of Word from Office 2000. I have the same setup on my laptop. This works well for Lit or my mainstream publisher.

I have Linux (Ubuntu) loaded on both also. I prefer Linux but my publisher likes Word. Yes, you can convert OO to doc but... Is it the same? I've done it a few times and had no problems but why take a chance.

I started with Works for Windblows, which was a cut down version of office. I wish it was still compatible because it was way more user friendly.

 

[Hypoxia]

I see nobody has recommended Google Docs or any other cloud-based editor. With such, OS matters not; the Web is the OS and your browser is the portal. You don't really *need* a word processor, and you don't *need* to even know the OS of your platform. If you don't bother with mass replacements, you can type directly into the text window on your LIT submissions page. Yes, it's a little clumsy -- but much better than the line (not full-screen) editors I used 'way back when. Imagine composing on a teletype; imagine making edits one line at a time. No LCD screen. Each line of text prints out on a big roll of paper, leaving plenty of excess hardcopy to throw at passing pterodactyls. Yow.

 

[Handley_Page]

Loved Ventura, great page layout prog. if you didn't want proportional font printing. Xerox still held the grand trophy for that back then.

Actually, everything you use now came from Xerox oh so long ago.

Networking
Wisiwyg
Windows
The mouse
Almost everything...even the copier in the corner.

And the only thing they patented? The copier in the corner.

May the Lord bless those guys at PARC.

 

[49greg]

I've used windows computers and laptops since it came out. At first at work when they graduated from DOS, then at home since my first windows home computer.

On my current laptop I keep getting urged by windows pop ups to upgrade to Windows 10. So far been holding off. I once upgraded to Windows 98 and that was a holy mess.

I plan on buying a Mac for my next laptop. That will happen when the one I have either dies or becomes so obsolete that I have to get something new. My wife has always used Macs, at home and at work, so I'll have a live in instructor to help me make the change.

 

[legerdemer]

I've used windows computers and laptops since it came out. At first at work when they graduated from DOS, then at home since my first windows home computer.

On my current laptop I keep getting urged by windows pop ups to upgrade to Windows 10. So far been holding off. I once upgraded to Windows 98 and that was a holy mess.

I plan on buying a Mac for my next laptop. That will happen when the one I have either dies or becomes so obsolete that I have to get something new. My wife has always used Macs, at home and at work, so I'll have a live in instructor to help me make the change.

In my experience, 90-95% of switchers to Mac love it. The other 5-10% want to throw their Macs against a wall. It all depends whether you want to fiddle with your system or make it work for you without having to think about it.

Whenever I find myself in front of a PC, I tend to freeze. When I thaw, I plon away at keys as if this was the first computer I've ever seen.

 

[HandsInTheDark]

I see nobody has recommended Google Docs or any other cloud-based editor

The problem being... it's in the cloud. Online companies have a history of claiming ownership of things you put on their machines (remember geocities? All your stuff is belong to us), and not caring too much if they leak your stuff to anyone (dropbox, anyone?). Read your user agreements - they're pretty funny. Don't get me started on government intrusion. Those guys eventually get anything they want.

The cloud is for stuff you aren't afraid to lose and don't care who finds.

If you don't bother with mass replacements, you can type directly into the text window on your LIT submissions page.

-stares at you- you can also eat shards of glass, by WHY?

 

[MagicaPractica]

Um, I find paper and pen really the best to write with, at least to start. The Os is my brain.


Oh, come on, somebody had to go old school.

 

[GoldenCojones]

For writing, I use the windblows 7 side of my main computer with a copy of Word from Office 2000. I have the same setup on my laptop. This works well for Lit or my mainstream publisher.

I have Linux (Ubuntu) loaded on both also. I prefer Linux but my publisher likes Word. Yes, you can convert OO to doc but... Is it the same? I've done it a few times and had no problems but why take a chance.

I started with Works for Windblows, which was a cut down version of office. I wish it was still compatible because it was way more user friendly.

Have you tried running Word through WINE on your Linux box?

 

[sr71plt]

I find it's best to combine my use of Word with wine.

 

[legerdemer]

I find it's best to combine my use of Word with wine.

I combine my use of Word with wine, spiced with a lot of whine...