jake olsen

With Windows Vista released, I’ve been wondering if I would upgrade.

I’m quite satisfied with my Ubuntu install on my laptop, and the idea of embracing a FOSS operating system on my dev box makes me feel good. I am running FreeBSD, Linux, and all other sorts of open source software on my servers, but am I ready to use it ALL THE TIME…. AS A USER???

There are a few apps on Windows which are very nice, which I always run, or that I’m simply familiar with:

• Tortoise SVN client rules any GUI I’ve seen for SVN on other OS’es.
• Trillian Pro is excellent for all chat + IRC.
• KeePass password safe, neat little open source app for password management.
• WinSCP, using directory sync makes development painless.
• Internet Explorer, just to see what 80% of the world is looking at.
• Windows Media Player, hahah! Not.
• Ultramon, for multi-monitor setup.
• All the Office applications I have come to rely on, though I’ve been getting by with Open Office another machine.
• Outlook, meh, yeah, I know. Been using it for 10 years, so I’m used to it.

And that’s it. The replacements I’m looking at are:

• gSVN RapidSVN for Tortoise.
• Gaim for Trillian Pro.
• Revelation for KeePass.
• rsync + rsyncd for WinSCP.
• Multiple monitors, this will be a little harder.
• Open Office for Microsoft Office.
• Thunderbird for Outlook.

I have a friend who’s made the switch from Ubuntu to Mac… he said he “just needed it to work.” I’ve heard this from many a Mac user. I don’t know what their PC experience is, but I can tell you, most of my systems have always “just worked.”

Also, there is a MacBook sitting right next to me. I only use it to test sites in Safari. You Mac folks will cry “BLASHPHEMY, THE ANSWER IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE!”

But, IMHO, the Kool-Aid is way too strong.

–jake