I like the idea of standard C, python, java etc. tests - we could also do Ruby tests, which run on all three platforms. I bought one of the Dell Ubuntu PCs and really like it. I converted another Dell over to Ubuntu without any problems, thanks to the generous help of some Ubuntu MA folks :) Maybe they could also interview some people - get their sense of comparative experiences on all three platforms. <div>On 8/28/07, Martin Owens <<a href="mailto:doctormo@gmail.com"> doctormo@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">I find it hard to believe that their benchmarking for Mac OSX is done through a windows emulation; talk about crap data. To do any sort of benchmarking fairly they will have to develop platform neutral tests; although what benchmarking is to be done is a little moot since Linux and windows both run on the same hardware and linux will be faster than kernel32 at any io cat-cal you care to do. I don't suggest you mention this Cam, I'm just posting this as a personal response. As for extras, I recommend developing some C, python or java based tools for testing all 3 platforms fairly. I'd mention that it' unfair to exclude other operating systems because of lack of benchmarking ability when the  playing field is so uneven. Perhaps theythought you would want a hardware comparison from the standpoint of the ubuntu dell machines? On 28/08/07, Cam Cope <<a href="mailto:maccam94@gmail.com">maccam94@gmail.com</a>> wrote: > Here's my draft reply to the e-mail response I got. Read the messages from > the bottom up, and then let me know if you think I should make any > additions/revisions. I'll send the message tonight around 10:30. > ----------------------------------------------- > >  Hi, thanks for the fast reply. > > I have a couple of suggestions. You can do a basic feature comparison, since > it isn't really numbers that people care about. People care about > functionality. What setup does it require? What maintenance does it > require?. How well does it handle office formats? How well and how easily > does it perform day to day tasks (internet, email, listening to music, etc)? > I think that's what most of your readers care about. > > If you really need benchmarks, there are some cross-platform options. You > can use the fps rate from cross-platform games like the Unreal Tournament > demo for hard numbers (It might do well to compare the games running in > Linux to the games running in Windows in both the OpenGL and DirectX modes). > > On 8/28/07, Cheng, Cisco <<a href="mailto:Cisco_Cheng@ziffdavis.com">Cisco_Cheng@ziffdavis.com</a> > wrote: > > > > > > > > > > Cam , > > > > > > > > You have a good point. The problem from my end is acquiring and > formulating benchmarks that are comparable to Mac and Windows systems. With > the Mac, at least it runs Windows, which is the platform I use for all my > testing. We can certainly review it from an anecdotal standpoint, but I > rather have a viable testing suite in place. I'll address this to my team, > and hopefully we can furnish an Ubuntu laptop and desktop review shortly. > > > > > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > > > Cisco > > > > ________________________________ > > > > > From: Cam Cope [mailto:<a href="mailto:maccam94@gmail.com">maccam94@gmail.com</a>] > > Sent: Tuesday, August 28, 2007 12:41 AM > > To: Cheng, Cisco; Berline, Gary; Rubenking, Neil > > Subject: Linux > > > > > > > > > > Hi, > >   I've been a subscriber for over 5 years, but one thing I've seen PC > Magazine practically ignoring the whole time is Linux. Especially in the > last year or so. > > > > You cover Windows, you cover Macs, heck, you even cover things like phones > and cars. I know that it may not be as popular as Windows yet, but Linux has > had a huge growth spurt in the last couple of years, and is no longer the > "hackers-only OS" that it used to be. > > > > Please, please, PLEASE cover Ubuntu 7.04 and/or some of Dell's Ubuntu > lineup. Do you need to be sent the CDs/PCs or what? > > > > I would really like to see Ubuntu either compared to Vista, analyzed as an > alternative to upgrading to Vista, or comprehensively reviewed. > > > > A recurring section on Linux would be great too. It would, at the very > least, be far more relevant to Personal Computing than cars and phones. > > > > Thanks for your time, > > > > Cameron Cope. > > > -- > Ubuntu-us-ma mailing list > <a href="mailto:Ubuntu-us-ma@lists.ubuntu.com">Ubuntu-us-ma@lists.ubuntu.com</a> > Modify settings or unsubscribe at: > <a href="https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-ma">https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-ma </a> > > -- Ubuntu-us-ma mailing list <a href="mailto:Ubuntu-us-ma@lists.ubuntu.com">Ubuntu-us-ma@lists.ubuntu.com</a> Modify settings or unsubscribe at: <a href="https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-ma"> https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-us-ma</a> </blockquote></div> -- Brian