Why partition large HDD?

[TheFaQQer]

Ability to run Windows software?

The only software that I use that requires Windows is the Oracle development client. For that, a VMWare installation of W2K Pro with a 20GB hard drive is plenty.

Apart from that, I can't think of any Windows software that I need, either for work or home use.

[Spacecadet]

The only software that I use that requires Windows is the Oracle development client. For that, a VMWare installation of W2K Pro with a 20GB hard drive is plenty.

Apart from that, I can't think of any Windows software that I need, either for work or home use.

You call windows bad?
Apart from SQL*Plus (and obviously ignoring the actual RDBMS engine) I can't think of a single bit of Oracle software that I've actually thought of as enjoyable to use.
And the more recent stuff is horrible nasty java tulip
And why they insist on the annoying net config wizard thing is beyond me.

[VectraMan]

The only software that I use that requires Windows is the Oracle development client. For that, a VMWare installation of W2K Pro with a 20GB hard drive is plenty.

Apart from that, I can't think of any Windows software that I need, either for work or home use.

So you admit that you do need Windows. Look at it the other way: what can Linux do that Windows can't? Why arse about with virtual machines on top of a different OS when you could have just installed the OS you need in the first place.

[scooterscot]

Why? Because it's a windows thing....

[stek]

So you admit that you do need Windows. Look at it the other way: what can Linux do that Windows can't? Why arse about with virtual machines on top of a different OS when you could have just installed the OS you need in the first place.

Not get infected by viruses?

For me the crux is the architecture, PC-style just doesn't scale, I know there are super-Linux PC-style machines out there but in the enterprise it's Solaris on Sparc, AIX on IBM POWER, HP-UX on RISC-PA, and, with these enterprise-class outfits, u have only one throat to choke, no blaming PC drivers, IRQ's, crap like that - just works. Worth a lot at this level.

And I understand re GUI installs for windows, but the GUI is bloat, and Windows was never designed to be multi-user, it's so obvious with Citrix, huge boxes, 20 users brings it down. Compare with Sun (sorry, Oracle!) Secure Global Desktop, scalable, secure, doesn't collapse under load.

[s2budd]

what can Linux do that Windows can't?

Stay up and functioning without requiring a re-boot. Yes it's below the belt, yes it's old but yes it is true and you all know it is.

[Cliphead]

Unix boxes are generally set up by more technically competent individuals and hence work well.

[TheFaQQer]

So you admit that you do need Windows. Look at it the other way: what can Linux do that Windows can't?

Run for more than 24 hours without crashing. Yes, I know that your instance has run since forever with no problems - great. Mine did not, both on XP 64bit and Windows 7 64bit.

Why arse about with virtual machines on top of a different OS when you could have just installed the OS you need in the first place.

Because when I used the previous OS, it was unreliable crap.

[d000hg]

Not get infected by viruses?

If you're getting viruses more than once in a blue moon, you aren't running it right.

[VectraMan]

And I understand re GUI installs for windows, but the GUI is bloat, and Windows was never designed to be multi-user, it's so obvious with Citrix, huge boxes, 20 users brings it down. Compare with Sun (sorry, Oracle!) Secure Global Desktop, scalable, secure, doesn't collapse under load.

Maybe, but you're talking about a very different type of system that isn't relevant to 99% of users, or even 99% of businesses. GUI bloat on a hosted webserver sitting idle 99% of the time makes no practical difference whatsoever, whereas having to employ a team of geeks to configure a command line Linux system does make a difference.