What Operating System do you use when writing?

[James Marinero]

I use a laptop for writing, for other non-writing tech work I do and also for navigation; Android/Nexus for writing and navigation, and now Android on a Galaxy smartphone. Smooth-ish networking between all 3. I use a lot of open source software which works well for me (including GIMP graphics, e-pub - and yes, navigation - much of which is unavailable on the OS/X platform and I couldn't afford anyway). It all keeps my brain sharp-ish...

Apples are good for cider.

 

[Stephen Drake]

I use a laptop for writing, for other non-writing tech work I do and also for navigation; Android/Nexus for writing and navigation, and now Android on a Galaxy smartphone. Smooth-ish networking between all 3. I use a lot of open source software which works well for me (including GIMP graphics, e-pub - and yes, navigation - much of which is unavailable on the OS/X platform and I couldn't afford anyway). It all keeps my brain sharp-ish...

Apples are good for cider.

LOL! Well said!

 

[Carol Rose]

*shrugs* I never had a stitch of trouble figuring out how to use my Mac after using Windows PCs for years. I find them very intuitive and easy to use, and a LOT less trouble than Windows PCs and their never-ending issues. *insert eye roll* If I was home writing full time I'd have a desktop computer and my laptop, but for now I just have my laptop and do all my writing on it because it's so easy to carry around. Different strokes and all that.

 

[David Steele]

Good thread. I subscribe to MS Office, so all my work is on Microsoft Onedrive.
I write at home on a PC laptop, and use a similar one for short stories at work. (Lunch breaks, honest!)
But - all my editing and re-drafting is done on the iPad, using Word on iOS because I can take it to which ever part of the house is quieter.

 

[Alistair Roberts]

I use Open Office for all my writings. Most publish on demand sites recognise it, and it also can save in any number of formats, from doc, docx to rtf etc., and costs not one cent. I'd never pay MS for nothing, or even anything lol

 

[David Steele]

I spend most of my waking life in one Microsoft application or another. I think I'm probably the last MS Access user on the planet!

 

[Meerkat]

I use Open Office for all my writings. Most publish on demand sites recognise it, and it also can save in any number of formats, from doc, docx to rtf etc., and costs not one cent. I'd never pay MS for nothing, or even anything lol

I used Open Office for several years. I like it, but for editing it's not as robust.

As for Word, I think it's utterly ridiculous of MS not to include it by default. And costs an utterly ridiculous price. (I have it, but my husband got it for me for free with his MS account.)

 

[Karen Gray]

I used Open Office for several years. I like it, but for editing it's not as robust.

As for Word, I think it's utterly ridiculous of MS not to include it by default. And costs an utterly ridiculous price. (I have it, but my husband got it for me for free with his MS account.)

It is a bit rediculous. I can share mines with 5 others as well as put it on as me on 5 devices, but it really should come as standard.

 

[Jason Byrne]

Aargh, ye mateys, now why yeh be payin for it in teh firs place?

 

[David Steele]

I've got this quirk about using genuine software. I never get anything illegally. Mind you I've always been the same with movies, music etc.

 

[Jason Byrne]

Damn good of you, Sir.

 

[Karen Gray]

I figured I could share it with close family etc. I do the same with Netflix and Amazon Prime

 

[Jason Byrne]

Well, you have all the legal copies which were allotted to you, with which to do as you please.

 

[David Steele]

Damn good of you, Sir.

Ha ha.! I don't think it's a morality issue. Not when big business is ripping half the people in the planet off for the fun of it.
I just ' like ' having legit stuff

 

[Emurelda]

I agree that MS word should come as standard and when I purchased my first laptop I was surprised it didn't. Although there is a basic one installed I believe.

What I hate about technology these days is that they don't make things to last anymore. It's a false economy. The number of times my iPad lead tore at the end...... I could have bought quite few books. Gutted at that opportunity cost.

 

[brendancody]

What I hate about technology these days is that they don't make things to last anymore. It's a false economy. The number of times my iPad lead tore at the end...... I could have bought quite few books. Gutted at that opportunity cost.

This comes back to another reason why people avoid Apple - proprietary & expensive hardware. Let's not even get into the ethics of how they manufacture them!