Do you use Linux to waste time/play around?

[Promit]

I've always used Linux because there are naturally so many things that can go wrong, that I can fix, that I can change, etc. that it never runs out of techie appeal for me. I can set up 20 different kernels and a dozen different DEs or WMs.

I don't use Linux for anything productive, because I have no particularly good reason to, and I'm wondering if any of you are the same way. So do you ever get anything done, or is it completely a game for you?

P.S. This poll is meant to be black and white. What is the real purpose of Linux, for you? Work, or play?
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Windows, Linux, whatever.

[kraylus]

[gwion]

what about those people who do both on linux? it is fun to fool around and get to know stuff, but i also do my work on linux...

[pranyi]

I use Linux at work (programming high performance CAD applications).

I use at home for programmming, for music playback, for DVD playback, for browsing, amailing and designing web pages. I manage my digital photos under Linux (gphoto+gimp).

[Promit]

[int2str]

Linux is my main (only) OS.

I use it for ...
... (web)development
... invoices, customer tracking++
... video editing (getting paid for it)
... image editing (getting paid for it)
... general computing (web browsing, document editing+++)
... goofing off

[gwion]

[uglyb0b]

linux is a way to make computing fun. I'm a student, so I have a lot of free time to learn this stuff. I do work with it, but I also screw with it.
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Blog.

Linux geek and Mac whore.

[Promit]

I have to admit, despite my generally cynical view of Linux, the poll at the moment is a bit depressing...
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Windows, Linux, whatever.

[syko]

I use Linux as my primary system, so to me it's both a toy and a tool.

As a tool, I use it to type anything that needs typing, and it's running my website.

As a toy, I'm sorta just playing with it and emerging stuff even though I should be studying for the diploma exam I have tomorrow.

On the poll, I voted 'toy.'

[Halcy0n]

Linux is the only thing installed on all of my computers. I use it to do all of my work for my classes and any side things that I might do. Sure, I screw around with it a lot as well, but that's not the reason I have it installed.
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Mark Loeser
http://www.halcy0n.com

[Ian]

Linux is a toy, as well as work.

Toy, I spent all night trying to get Gallery to work, because I couldn't find one setting. But now it works, I'm happy, and my friends think I'm amazing for getting something so cool to work.

Work, I do my school work, not much, on it, as well as any programming (not a whole lot) that I have to do.

[asiobob]

While the poll is "black and white" to me gentoo is not.
I started linux several years ago on mandrake, that was to goof around. My main OS remained windows at the time.

With Mandrake 9.1 I made a permant switch to Linux. It suddenly became a very power productivity OS for me. I arely used windows.

During my uni holidays I switched to Gentoo. Yes stuffing around with settings etc increased but it still remains the OS that I do every thing with.

web browse
word processing, spread sheets
email, games, video, music, DVD!
communication etc...

I'll prolly sick with Gentoo for a long while to come

[CheshireCat]

Argh, I need a "both" to vote, here.

Use linux for:
web browsing
email
PVR
P2P

Play with linux:
building new programs I don't really need, just to try them
upgrading things for whiz-bang feature #371, which I also don't actually need
gentoo forums == best time waster for my job @ the state

[andy007]

I use Linux as my main operating system because I'm a student.

I am learning programming language and Linux can absolutely provide what I really need.

When I use Linux, there is always something wrong occurring, so I have a chance to improve my ability of solving problems.It's a way of fun anyway(for me)

And the most important point is that it is FREE!

[foosh]

[superjaded]

Heh, I do use gentoo/Linux quite a bit as an excuse to "goof around," but that is by no means the only reason I have a computer dedicated to linux -- it's also my primary desktop and a small server.

I use it to code for my CIS classes (even though they recommend using textpad and Windows ) and do other stuff online -- I just finished taking a quiz online on this machine, for example. I'm rarely "productive" on my computer to begin with, so I'm hardpressed to come up with productive examples.

But of course, I'm sitting here typing this as I'm trying to get gstreamer-cvs to work with rhythmbox-cvs, so I can't say that I don't play around at all. -_-

As you say, I initially tried it out because it was something to play around with, but I wouldn't disregard it as a viable alternative for a productive workstation/desktop, atleast for someone who knows computers.

[Nicom]

I use it for both, but voted for the toy option before I read your clarification. Most of the productive stuff I do I consider fun anyway. Just because your doing something that has a purpose, or that must be done, doesn't automatically give it any negative connotation for me. Speaking of productivity, when I use fluxbox I am much more productive and tend to waste less time, but I mostly use kde because it's many distractions and eye candies make it a more enjoyable experience.

[georwell]

I use it as my desktop and at my old work it ran on all the servers (about 40). Now I use it to develop vector graphics in java.

I just feel better knowing that I can get under the hood if I need to. Not to mention since I switched I haven't had to take any software for testing purposes only.

[wysiib]

[GuidoJ]

Wintendo is my toy OS! I don't care if anything gets messed up in there, 'cuase I can always safely go back to linux.

[_Nomad_]

I've used Linux as my only OS for the last couple of years... And I get a lot of work done here... As well as a lot of toyin around
My girlfriend actually gets confused if she has to use windows at school hehehehehe...

[taskara]

where's the freekin both option!!!!??
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Kororaa install method - have Gentoo up and running quickly and easily, fully automated with an installer!

[dgt84]

I get a lot of productive things done using linux, which is now my only OS! Windows is no longer a viable solution to my computing needs, nor to my dwindling budget.

I've got a server system set up with apache, sshd, smtpd, imapd, and samba so it is also a fileserver for the entire household.

I've got a desktop system running GNOME that I use for browsing, checking mail, chatting, listening to music, watching movies, drawing icons and other graphics, programming [mostly python, but also C/C++], document editing like word processing and such and last but not least, I occaisionally kick a few people's asses playing Enemy Territory.

My girlfiend, who is not all that computer literate, also uses nothing but linux, and she does all her projects and browsing/mail checking/chatting in GNOME as well. She rarely has any difficulties, and when she does they are easily solved. She also loves to play frozen-bubble and atanks.

So there you have it. Server work, desktop work, and play all from nothing but Linux and mostly Free Software (I know et isn't, but at least it's free of charge).
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[trbecker]

my linux is either a productive enviroment or a toy, depending on what i have to do.
As a toy i use it for...
ICQ and MSN.
Webbrowsing.
reading e-mails.
IRC.
Watching DVDs.
playing NWN, UT2003.

As a productive envoroment i use for...
developing web apps and getting paid (or not) for it.
hacking arround (kernel, some gtk apps, web apps).
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