OSes - do you get bored?

[TDT]

Am I the only one who gets bored with its installed OS after some time? I think most of the people just install and use it and reinstall if the thing gets broken or to upgrade. Me, I get bored very quickly. For example, on this laptop that I'm using right now, I had XP installed at first. It "lasted" 3 months, then I had 7, then 8.1. After maybe a month, I tried to get OSX installed on it. Eventually, I did it, but the wi-fi wasn't working (and there was no viable solution), so I installed another OS again, this time elementary OS. I stuck with it till I found out about Deepin Linux. Formatted and installed that, only to give up on it after only half a day. Next, it was evolve OS, Fedora and openSUSE, all of them being used for a couple of days - not because I got bored, but because I didn't like them or had some annoying issues. So I got back to eOS - the one that I'm using right now. But as much as I love it, the thing is that the most interesting part, for me, is setting it up the way I like it. Then it gets boring. I'm constantly looking for themes and interesting apps to "get my fix", but there's only so much you can find.

 

So, anyone else feeling the same? Or am I the only weird freak who behaves like this? 

[greenwizard88]

Upgrade to Windows 10. You'll get a new OS every few weeks, each one with new and unique "features"

[Anibal P]

some of us have jobs and responsibilities, getting "bored" of an installed OS and replacing it with something else for "fun" is not an option 

[Tha Bloo Monkee]

some of us have jobs and responsibilities, getting "bored" of an installed OS and replacing it with something else for "fun" is not an option 

 

Sucks to be you, then.

 

As for me, I'm alright with sticking with Windows 7 for the time being.  Although years ago I remember playing around with Linux for a bit.

[TDT]

Upgrade to Windows 10. You'll get a new OS every few weeks, each one with new and unique "features"

I already have that on my desktop

some of us have jobs and responsibilities, getting "bored" of an installed OS and replacing it with something else for "fun" is not an option 

I'm sorry, but that's a ###### comment. What you're implying is stupid. I won't say anything else.

[Ian W]

Not really, no. I've had Windows Vista on the computer I am writing from since my birthday last year. Windows 8.1 was reinstalled about two months ago to replace the Windows 10 Technical Preview. Dual-boot configuration.

[tsupersonic]

some of us have jobs and responsibilities, getting "bored" of an installed OS and replacing it with something else for "fun" is not an option 

Agreed to a certain point. I used to love tinkering with computers when I was in middle/high school. I had the time for it. But now at 28, I don't have time to tinker with OS's and change them like my underwear. I like stability. Mobile devices also changed that up a bit. I also do a some benchmarking at work (think high end IBM pSeries and SSD SAN arrays). 

[+InsaneNutter MVC]

Why not just set-up virtual machines? you can then play about with any OS you desire and not format your main computer all the time.

 

I have loads of VM's for older versions of WIndows:

 

 

Personally I think formatting my PC is a right pain, I just want my main PC to be setup exactly how i like it and work for me these days. Any messing about will be done in VM's.

 

You should play about with Windows Server, you could configure that to do loads of different things, rather than just re-configuring / formatting your desktop PC as your bored.

[TDT]

Agreed to a certain point. I used to love tinkering with computers when I was in middle/high school. I had the time for it. But now at 28, I don't have time to tinker with OS's and change them like my underwear. I like stability. Mobile devices also changed that up a bit. I also do a some benchmarking at work (think high end IBM pSeries and SSD SAN arrays). 

It has nothing to do with age. I'm 32 (33 this month), so that's clearly not the issue. Also, I work full time (except on the weekend), but I'm a real "night person", I go to sleep really late and wake up quite early. So at night, for me, is when the "fun beggins". That's when I, as you say, tinker with computers. But like I said, I hate it when everything is done, because there's nothing else for me to do. I used to love the early hackintosh days, when it was quite hard to get it done, but these days it's a breeze... 

[123456789A]

The purpose of an OS is not to entertain me, so I don't get "bored" with it. If it doesn't help me stay productive, that's when I look at other options.

[TDT]

Why not just set-up virtual machines? you can then play about with any OS you desire and not format your main computer all the time.

 

I have loads of VM's for older versions of WIndows:

 

 

Personally I think formatting my PC is a right pain, I just want my main PC to be setup exactly how i like it and work for me these days. Any messing about will be done in VM's.

 

You should play about with Windows Server, you could configure that to do loads of different things, rather than just re-configuring / formatting your desktop PC as your bored.

VMs are not my thing, I find their performance low compared to my main hardware (obviously) and I don't like it. About Windows Server, I got that at work, I can't imagine what I could do with it at home 

[Tidosho]

Flippin 'eck! If you chop and change OS'es like you do, what do you do in terms of girlfriends? Change every few days?

[TDT]

Flippin 'eck! If you chop and change OS'es like you do, what do you do in terms of girlfriends? Change every few days?

I wouldn't mind  

[+InsaneNutter MVC]

VMs are not my thing, I find their performance low compared to my main hardware (obviously) and I don't like it. About Windows Server, I got that at work, I can't imagine what I could do with it at home 

Well you said "the thing is that the most interesting part, for me, is setting it up the way I like it." so I was thinking you could configure Active Directory, IIS, Setup a VPN or something like that with the goal been of learning something you didn't know already.

 

I took what you have said to basically mean "im bored of desktop OS's, i need something new to play with".

[TDT]

Well you said "the thing is that the most interesting part, for me, is setting it up the way I like it." so I was thinking you could configure Active Directory, IIS, Setup a VPN or something like that with the goal been of learning something you didn't know already.

 

I took what you have said to basically say "im bored of desktop OS's, i need something new to play with".

Hmmm, not quite. I'm not bored of them, I GET bored AFTER I set them up the way I like them, customize them to hell and back as much as they allow me. About the server stuff, I got a VPN with my workplace on my desktop, AD at work, I even had a web server and BIND at some point when I was hosting a website. So this is not really new to me, unless we're talking about more advanced stuff.

 

To be clear, I'm not just skinning OSes, or apply icon packs, I do these things also because I like to learn about new things (like in Linux, learn new distros). I love challenges, that's why I loved hackintosh so much. I'm also reviewing some apps and OSes and test a lot of apps for Crossover (I'm an advocate there).

[Max Norris]

My tinkering days are long gone, used to do that all the time but nowadays I need reliability and stability, no time to be constantly reinstalling and migrating a metric crapton of software and data, mouths to feed and a business to run and all that. I got over that "find me the perfect OS" cycle a long time ago, it doesn't end as there's no such thing, you just wind up with a different set of features and a different set of problems. Next week a new shiny thing will catch your eye and it starts all over again, I got off that train. Picked one that did what I needed and had the least amount of issues and stuck with it, when the mood hits to fiddle around I got a VM.. they're fast enough with the proper hardware to get a good experience out of it unless you're expecting to do some heavy duty gaming or something.

[TDT]

My tinkering days are long gone, used to do that all the time but nowadays I need reliability and stability, no time to be constantly reinstalling and migrating a metric crapton of software and data, mouths to feed and a business to run and all that. I got over that "find me the perfect OS" cycle a long time ago, it doesn't end as there's no such thing, you just wind up with a different set of features and a different set of problems. Next week a new shiny thing will catch your eye and it starts all over again, I got off that train. Picked one that did what I needed and had the least amount of issues and stuck with it, when the mood hits to fiddle around I got a VM.. they're fast enough with the proper hardware to get a good experience out of it unless you're expecting to do some heavy duty gaming or something.

There's no such a thing I'm well aware of that. 

For me, every OS does what I need, because I don't need much besides the basics. Windows has exclusivity on my desktop, because I have some music production apps that are not native on other OSes, but other than that I don't need anything special. I always keep a Windows installation untouched, that didn't changed since Windows 7 was launched, and I have all my stuff there. But, like I said, I constantly feel the need to setup, customize, tweak, update, install, etc. So a few hard drives and my laptop are lab rats

[binaryzero]

.....

 

How do you get bored of software that allows you to run other software? The OS is meant to be transparent.

 

Sounds like you should investigate learning a new technology - have you used the Server based products? Sharepoint, Exchange, actually configuring the OS to do something beneficial.

[TDT]

.....

 

How do you get bored of software that allows you to run other software? The OS is meant to be transparent.

 

Sounds like you should investigate learning a new technology - have you used the Server based products? Sharepoint, Exchange, actually configuring the OS to do something beneficial.

If I new the answer to that question there wouldn't be a thread for this  

Like I said, I'm familiar with server stuff. I never used Sharepoint, but Exchange yes, on a daily basis.

I'm not sure about "the os is meant to be transparent". The OS is made in the way that someone imagined it, based on feedback, requests, etc. But people have different tastes. I may like a OS's stability and security but hate the GUI, so I tweak it. I may hate the way the notifications look or behave, so I try to change that. And so on. 

[T3X4S]

Man, I am so glad you started this thread.

I go through spurts where I get so bored with my computer(s).  If I am not doing a build for someone, or fixing someone's computer - I get restless.

Back a few years ago, I had 4 OSes on my computer: XP 64, Vista64, Hackintosh, and ubuntu - because I was bored and wanted something new.

When Windows 7 came out, I loved it and got rid of all of the other OSes.

Win10 was cool at first, but so much see-saw back & forth, problems with VMWare and resolution & god awful GUI - I dont mess with that VM anymore.  I have tried maybe 10x to like ubuntu, but always just meh -

 

Try to learn new things - Powershell, blah blah blah....  Install some software, like it / dont like - I'll uninstall it.

The alternative is to build a new computer, but it gets expensive doing a $2000 build every 2 years when you consider all of the other costs of living (bills, fiance, golf, cars, etc)

So, to alleviate the boredom, I will buy some new accessory, or piece of hardware - but that "new electronics smell" doesnt last long.

Currently, if it wasnt for the training with my new job taking 100% of the very few brain cells I have left - I would be looking for something new right now.

 

[TDT]

Man, I am so glad you started this thread.

I go through spurts where I get so bored with my computer(s).  If I am not doing a build for someone, or fixing someone's computer - I get restless.

Back a few years ago, I had 4 OSes on my computer: XP 64, Vista64, Hackintosh, and ubuntu - because I was bored and wanted something new.

When Windows 7 came out, I loved it and got rid of all of the other OSes.

Win10 was cool at first, but so much see-saw back & forth, problems with VMWare and resolution & god awful GUI - I dont mess with that VM anymore.  I have tried maybe 10x to like ubuntu, but always just meh -

 

Try to learn new things - Powershell, blah blah blah....  Install some software, like it / dont like - I'll uninstall it.

The alternative is to build a new computer, but it gets expensive doing a $2000 build every 2 years when you consider all of the other costs of living (bills, fiance, golf, cars, etc)

So, to alleviate the boredom, I will buy some new accessory, or piece of hardware - but that "new electronics smell" doesnt last long.

Currently, if it wasnt for the training with my new job taking 100% of the very few brain cells I have left - I would be looking for something new right now.

 

Yey, I'm not the only freak here

[binaryzero]

I think you'll find if you work in IT, coming home to a computer is pretty boring.

 

Need to find a new hobby to keep you occupied so it doesn't feel like you're always working (and in front of a screen).

 

Yep, it's easier said than done, I know.

[tsupersonic]

It has nothing to do with age. I'm 32 (33 this month), so that's clearly not the issue. Also, I work full time (except on the weekend), but I'm a real "night person", I go to sleep really late and wake up quite early. So at night, for me, is when the "fun beggins". That's when I, as you say, tinker with computers. But like I said, I hate it when everything is done, because there's nothing else for me to do. I used to love the early hackintosh days, when it was quite hard to get it done, but these days it's a breeze... 

Ay, I also used to be a late night owl, but I can't do that anymore. I generally go to work anywhere between 7:30-8:30 AM, and I try to get 7-8 hours of sleep. Guess you're right - age isn't the only factor, but I still don't have a lot of time to dedicate like I used to back when I was in school. Deep down, I'm still a huge techie - love playing with new gadgets, software/hardware. 

[TDT]

 Deep down, I'm still a huge techie - love playing with new gadgets, software/hardware. 

Oh please, don't get me started on hardware I would need to be Bill Gates's son to be able to get all the stuff I want...

I think you'll find if you work in IT, coming home to a computer is pretty boring.

 

Need to find a new hobby to keep you occupied so it doesn't feel like you're always working (and in front of a screen).

 

Yep, it's easier said than done, I know.

You're right. That might be a factor. 

I do have a hobby, I make music since I was about 20 years old. But that's not something you can schedule, it depends on inspiration and mood, today I'm playing with my music software for 3 hours, tomorrow 10 minutes and so on. Yet, I always find myself in front of my laptop, doing the damn sudo apt-get update and dist-upgrade, only to see what's new

[binaryzero]

Hobby that doesn't involve a computer. Outside.

[+DonC Subscriber²]

I don't really get "bored" with an operating system. It's nice that Windows is getting more lean on every release, PowerShell has lost its interactive sluggishness, etc. but I don't have to have the latest version running everywhere. My desktop at work is still running Windows 7 because when I'm at work I am generally trying to do actual work.

 

What excites me more is the application software. That's the stuff that is actually relevant to people.