Operating systems

[ArthurR]

I would like to know if any of the pro-photographers connected with PopPhoto use a Linux based O/S for their laptops or desktops? Do any of your photographers use GIMP to manipulate their photos?

Personally I am opposed to to using any program or O/S related to windows. The only computer meltdown I've experienced was with MS years ago. Since I've used a Linux Open Source O/S, for the past 15 years, I have had NO Worms or Virus attacks to my system and its FREE! For the past 5 years the desktop is usually left on and usually its connected to the DSL I would like a comparison if any of your people are familiar with both Photoshop/Lightroom and Gimp.

Thank you

[BobF]

I'm not connected to Pop in any way but I think I can say with a fair degree of confidence that the chances of a pro using The Gimp as his/her editing package is pretty small, virtually nil. The Gimp is a nice program but it's not Photoshop. It has serious limitations that are important to pro photographers. Two of the biggest are it's limited support for 16 bit editing and it's lack of colour management capabilities.

The Gimp simply can't be compared to Lightroom. The Gimp has no DAM functionality and that is a huge part of what makes LR such a popular program.

The Gimp is also not supported by third party plug in providers like PS and LR are.

The Gimp is a nice piece of software but it's not up to the task of professional level needs.

[Landscaper]

Originally Posted by ArthurR

I would like to know if any of the pro-photographers connected with PopPhoto use a Linux based O/S for their laptops or desktops? Do any of your photographers use GIMP to manipulate their photos?

Personally I am opposed to to using any program or O/S related to windows. The only computer meltdown I've experienced was with MS years ago. Since I've used a Linux Open Source O/S, for the past 15 years, I have had NO Worms or Virus attacks to my system and its FREE! For the past 5 years the desktop is usually left on and usually its connected to the DSL I would like a comparison if any of your people are familiar with both Photoshop/Lightroom and Gimp.

Thank you

I've gotta say, Arthur, your 1st paragraph is a fair question, and I suspect BobF has nailed quite well.

However, your 2nd paragraph seems to belie the straightforward inquiry of the 1st. It makes it look more like you're a troll looking to start a heated exchange.

There's much to commend MS and Windows, not the least of which is that many of the most powerful software products are written in support of it. That said, if you get more satisfaction out of using Linux and GIMP, more power to ya.

[ChanTran]

I agree with landscaper. Don't think that Windows is the best OS but there are so many software applications that I use simply don't have the equivalent in other OS including the Mac.

[Kewk]

Originally Posted by ArthurR

I would like to know if any of the pro-photographers connected with PopPhoto use a Linux based O/S for their laptops or desktops? Do any of your photographers use GIMP to manipulate their photos?

Personally I am opposed to to using any program or O/S related to windows. The only computer meltdown I've experienced was with MS years ago. Since I've used a Linux Open Source O/S, for the past 15 years, I have had NO Worms or Virus attacks to my system and its FREE! For the past 5 years the desktop is usually left on and usually its connected to the DSL I would like a comparison if any of your people are familiar with both Photoshop/Lightroom and Gimp.

Thank you

Gimp is... well gimp compared to Photoshop. I would never do any photographic editing in linux (I run Ubuntu).

Your "windows meltdown" was likely user error and even more likely had nothing to do with the operating system. Hating on MS is just another internet meme.

[juandresm]

Originally Posted by ChanTran

I agree with landscaper. Don't think that Windows is the best OS but there are so many software applications that I use simply don't have the equivalent in other OS including the Mac.

Sure Windows is not the best OS. And about those applications u use (for photographic editing, i guess), please tell me what i'm missing as a Mac user

[ghost762]

Have you tried to run Photoshop using WINE? WINE Photoshop Wiki

[Riepejer]

My nephew is completely sold on Linux and hates windows. He was demonstrating it to me one day and I have to agree it is very impressive. But no matter how good the operating system is the fact remains that there is not a Linux version of much of the desirable software.

Jerry

[ChanTran]

Originally Posted by juandresm

Sure Windows is not the best OS. And about those applications u use (for photographic editing, i guess), please tell me what i'm missing as a Mac user

May be nothing for you but for me I often use Autocad and it's not available for the Mac. Well there are other CAD software that for the Mac. More importantly, many softwares for industrial automation applications aren't available for the Mac. The types of softwares are the following.

Programming software for programmable logic controllers.
Human Machine Interface software.
PC based machine controller.
Vision system applications.
Programming softwares for servo drive and variable speed drive.

[Gochugogi]

Originally Posted by ChanTran

May be nothing for you but for me I often use Autocad and it's not available for the Mac. Well there are other CAD software that for the Mac. More importantly, many softwares for industrial automation applications aren't available for the Mac. The types of softwares are the following.

Programming software for programmable logic controllers.
Human Machine Interface software.
PC based machine controller.
Vision system applications.
Programming softwares for servo drive and variable speed drive.

Of course you can run them just fine on a Mac via Parallels or BootCamp. I've noticed most of my college computer labs use Macs because they can be configured to run both Mac OS and Windows. Kinda freaked me out early this semester when I fired up an iMac to run Powerpoint and it booted into Windows.

Of course some of our most important pro music apps like Bias Peak, Logic and Digital Performer are Mac only and so it goes.

Where is ArthurR?