Hey Windows Users, Stop Being So Fucking Wasteful
Though I do use a Mac like any intelligent person does (not to be a wanker Mr. Paddy K), I also run Linux (just switched to the Ubuntu distribution thanks to Mike) running WINE, which can run native windows programs. I haven't tried it out yet, since I've been taking exams, moving and finishing up massive grading, but have heard good things. The stupid thing is the only reason I need a Windows operating system is to run Primer (for my research) and MEGA (for a class). I'm hoping with this open source option I can rid myself of the necessity of using the Windows platform. Though I love my Mac, I would love to be entirely open source, just like how I would like to have research published in open access journals.(CNN) -- True or False: Switching from a Windows-operated computer to a Linux-operated one could slash computer-generated e-waste levels by 50%.
The answer is: TRUE
A UK government study in late 2004 reported that there were substantial green benefits to running a Linux open source operating system (OS) on computers instead of the ubiquitous Windows OS, owned by Microsoft. The main problem with Windows users was that they had to change their computer twice as many times as Linux users, on average, thereby effectively creating twice as much computer-generated e-waste.
The report, titled, "Office of Government Commerce: Open Source Software Trials in Government - Final Report" reported the following:
"There are also potential Green Agenda benefits, through reducing the energy and resources consumed in manufacturing replacement equipment, and reducing landfill requirements and costs arising from disposal of redundant equipment.
"Industry observers quote a typical hardware refresh period for Microsoft Windows systems as 3-4 years; a major UK manufacturing organisation quotes its hardware refresh period for Linux systems as 6-8 years."
Hey folks, lets just get it all out in the open and stop being wasteful.
Glad you got a chance to try Ubuntu. One thing I am curious about is how it interacts with the Google Dashboard for your blog.
ReplyDeleteI've been too busy right now to mess with it. I'm running it on my Mac using parallels which means I can use application on the mac while running programs in windows or linux as a separate program window. Its really cool, but running win XP just to do a simple analysis was slowing down the whole computer majorly since it uses one of my dual-core processors. So I'm looking into boot camp which allows you to boot up in whatever operating system you have installed on your computer.
ReplyDeleteWhile this may be true, I suspect Macs are even worse in this respect. PC parts (even for laptops) are standardized and it's fast, cheap and easy to upgrade the RAM and HD and DVD drive - or even the CPU - and keep one running for another 2 years. Often you don't even need a screwdriver. I don't even know how to get inside the new iMacs.
ReplyDeleteAs for Wine, sadly, it is slow when it works, and it often it doesn't (it won't run Photoshop CS2 which is why I keep Windows around). I find that virtual machines and dual boot are still the best bet.