As regular readers of this site are aware, I test a lot of different operating systems both new and old. On the new side it’s almost 100% GNU/Linux distributions and on the old side it’s almost 100% older editions of Windows. The goal is always the same – to try to see which OS can do the most in the most efficient way. For example, recently I...

Every now and then, I find it interesting to delve into the server logs for PCMech and find out what you guys are using in your system. The PCMech audience is pretty representative of the “normal” computer-using audience. We don’t have an uber-geeky crowd here. We have what I think is a normal cross-section of the computer using public. So,...

We all know that the OS wars will wage on until the end of time. You’ll have the Windows guys unenthusiastically entering the battlefield in their suits and ties. The Apple guys staggering into the battlefield in rainbow gear smelling like hemp. And the Linux guys will be tripping over their pocket protectors. OK, see, I just fueled the debate. Again! And...

There are numerous choices in operating system to run on your computer. Most use Windows. Others use Linux. Others (like myself) use a Mac. However, one thing is abundantly clear: our computing lives are moving online. Speaking for myself, it is my web browser (Firefox) which is always open. It is the first program I start when I boot up. I use Gmail for my...

I must admit when I read this headline, I was thinking "About Frickin’ Time!". Windows is a bloated mess (as Vista proved) and I have been of the opinion for awhile now that Microsoft needs to get back to basics and stop trying to simply build more crap onto an already huge pile. But, let’s not get too excited quite yet. Microsoft’s...