Question: for those of you who said Windows, is it by choice? And if so, why?
I was a diehard Linux nazi until I got my first internship where everyone used Windows. Initially I was appalled; I had brainwashed myself with the spirit that `configurability is power' to the point that no one, not even I could get any work done on any system I touched. This philosophy carried over when I started using the work computer, which I plastered with ``productivity software'' on it in an attempt to morph the system into something more like my personal laptop. I became part of the ``Cult Of AutoHotkey.'' In retrospect it is absolutely absurd that there exists a subculture which revolves around changing the settings of computer software.
The first week of the job my boss had to do something on my computer, and within thirty seconds told me "What have you done to this poor computer." He was a Smart Guy; he is highly educated, has been working with for longer than I have been alive and adapted to modern standards, (sucessfully) administered company server farms, directed software projects (embedded, web and everything in between) and most importantly had a life outside of science and technology. It was at this point that I woke up. Obviously there was a problem with me. Now I leave every conceivable default untouched unless I absolutely cannot avoid it. I use Windows 8, IE (Firefox with no addons when that breaks), Visual Studio, Windows Photo Gallery, etc. Most of the less common software I must use is run out of a folder in my home directory. Now I and everyone can be productive on my system. The only thing I have lost since switching is the smug self-righteousness of Linux veganism and Lifehacker articles.
There is no default on Linux, so there can be no expected behavior. That is why I use Windows.
I also refuse to hobble myself with custom desktop toys. If my machine fails I want to be productive again as soon as I get another machine on my desktop. Forget all the imaginary gains of diddling with exotic editors etc. Truth is, you can get used to anything. So get used to the defaults, and leave the whole discussion behind.
I just could not live with a stock Mac or Windows setup (or Linux, though, to be fair, there's really no such thing as a "stock" Linux setup) and still feel productive.
Then again, regarding Windows specifically, I just cannot feel productive on Windows anymore, period. In the 90s I would have considered myself a Windows power user, but switching to UNIX-y systems blew away anything I could ever do on Windows. Perhaps things have gotten better, but I have zero motivation to go back when I already have the real thing right in front of me.
In the end, though, everyone is used to what they're used to, and switching costs can be pretty damn high.
Balanced against a feeling of productivity?
* I find their paradigm very bizzare. The nail(s) in the coffin for me were the inconsistent and incomplete patchwork of shortcuts and modifier keys. Even with universal keyboard access enabled, there is no way to do some very basic things via keyboard out of the box (e.g. move, maximize, minimize windows). Every time I use OS X I feel like I'm fighting the system. The only way I can get anything done on it is via CLI, which defeats the purpose of switching (at that point why not just ssh into it from windows)
If I had started out on OS X it would probably be great but as it is, the learning curve and opportunity cost is too steep for me.
(Oh god, remember Win32s?)
It's been years since I've ever been unable to do any task on OS X, and do it with the best tools available.
There's so much useful, quality, well picked stuff built into OS X that the "quantity" of software available is irrelevant.
- I simply prefer the experience. I feel like I can navigate around the environment more quickly. Also: not being tied down to mac hardware is freeing. I've found the HP ProBook to be a decent windows laptop. It shamelessly mimics a lot of the MacBook Pro form. In fact, the chiclet keyboard can use MBP silicone keyboard cover.
Macs just seem too low end hardware for the price and an 8 year old mac wouldn't run this well - i also couldn't get over the no right-click on the mouse. Linux is fine for the server side, but after years of MythTV I got tired of getting things to work.