Hi Folks,

 

This has probably been debated about a thousand times already, but I'd thought I'd start it again to get your view on which operating system is best for web development and design.

 

I am currently a Linux user, in which I use Ubuntu - purely cause I like it, even though a lot of people say it's crap, but it has grown a lot recently. The only thing I can't stand is Photoshop not being available unless it's through wine and the lack of software support. I know we have Gimp and Inkscape, but in work I'm use to Photoshop and know all the shortcuts and how to work it, seems like relearning it all is a waste!

 

I have been debating to switch over to a Mac sometime in the near future, after hearing good feedback from friends at work.

 

So which operating system do you use and what do you recommend for Development and Design.

 

Linux or OS X ?

 

( Windows is near enough out of the window, hate it! unless someone can persuade me! )

 

Cheers : )

Depending on your Ubuntu setup, you'll probably find OS X second nature to you. Last time I looked, a lot of the OS X UI was being replicated in Ubuntu distributions, so a number of UI elements and core patterns will likely already be familiar to you.

 

I've used OS X for nearing 8 years now because (all subjective, of course):

 

1. Software updates are rare, but new OS releases are consistent. My #1 gripe with Windows is daily updates

2. Leaps and bounds ahead of Windows for multi-tasking, especially since Win 8.X

3. Unbelievably - and I mean unbelievably - reliable. I've had 1 big crash (kernel panic = BSOD equivalent) in 8 years

4. Usability is second to none, as with iOS. Simple, and geeks hate it, but for day-to-day, it's damn slick

5. Let's face it, part of buying a Mac is...well, they look and work bloomin' beautifully

 

If you live in a world of iPhone and iPad, then I can tell you now that the synchronisation is excellent, and it's only ever further converging every update.

 

That said, they come at a price that isn't to be overlooked.

 

Edit: That said, I've never had the patience to give any Linux distribution a real chance. The lack of Adobe suite hit the nail in the coffin for me very early on, and I felt like I was spending all my time 'setting up' my environment/patching missing functionality, not using the computer. This was an early version of Ubuntu Lucid Lynx that I tried - long time ago now.

Edited March 4, 201412 yr by andy9l

According to me, Linux is best for website development and design.

If you are a minialistic user not looking for a bells and whistle machine stick with Linux, and get open-source alternative such as GIMP; Photoshop seems like a natural choice but you may not be using all the features, even as a photographer/designer I would say I use around 25% of what is there.

 

If you have the cash get MAC and load linux in a partition so you can keep the best of both worlds.

 

BTW which version of CS are you using?

GIMP is good, has lots of 'hidden powers' if you can find them. Inkscape is much more a freestyle creative environment. Has all the function of a package you'd pay for, all you have to do is remember where to find them. Plus Inkscape is available for Mac, win, and linux.

 

My only gripe I have about the Ubuntu I installed - There is no professional Landscape Design package available that will run on it without using a wine install! That is the only reason I have been forced to keep a windows partition to run Vectorworks Landmark on. I even put the problem before the community but despite linux being based on an opensource community, nobody was willing to step up to the challenge of starting such a project

seems pretty obvious if you want to use Photoshop but not through WINE then buy a mac. you still have your linux machine to play with too

 

otherwise stick with linux

Incoming Windows user, though I'm not at all opposed against Macs - heck, I had one at work. But when all is said and done, if you really want the ability to use Adobe CS/CC products and you're on a budget, just run them on a PC (specifically Windows). It's not like Windows is lacking all the innovative proprietary software... just most!

Linux

According to me, Linux is best for website development and design.

 

Yh untill you need photoshop or something useful Linux was never designed for desktop. Although it does the trick its no more useful to me than a LAMP setup...