[ Win32 shells - alternative OS poll ]

So what's this all about then? Another one of those internet polls you see popping up left and right? Well, yeah... I guess so, heh. Anyway, a recent post on the lokai forums with regard to the slowing rate of interest in Win32 shells sparked a few answers related to other operating systems. It seems Litestep made it easy for a lot of people to make the switch to an alternative OS. Some people we've talked to have changed all their systems completely, others are setting up a second system (keeping the old windows installation as a security blanket).

Some popular LiteStep/Shell sites have even gone as far as posting other OS shell related news. Rootrider from shellfront.org fame and Shadowline, who posts on www.pimpin.info have both shown an interest in broadening their news base.

So what's this poll for then? Well, we would like to get an idea how many people have actually made the step to an alternative OS or are thinking about in the short term. Did shells like LiteStep, Bluebox and the Blackbox port for windows help you in doing this? Are you comfortable with maintaining your Linux system and does text- based configuration file editing, which is common in these Win32 shells, help you in your daily quest on the alternative OS.

Of course we're not only talking about GNU/Linux-based distro's. Anyone who is using something besides Windows is welcome to participate in this poll. The more information we get, the better (duh!). Thank you for taking the time to help us out!

1.	Did you have knowledge of any alternative OS's (GNU/Linux, *BSD, etc) prior to using Win32 shells? yes no
2.	What Win32 shell are you currently using or did you use? LiteStep geOShell sharpE Blackbox Bluebox other:
3.	For how long have you used that particular shell? <6 months 6 - 12 months > 12 months
4.	What's your current situation in regard to alternative OS's? no plans to use an alternative OS, yet planning to try one out in the near future (<2-3 months) already using one, but still using Windows too completely switched to an alternative OS, Windows is bye bye!
5.	Did your use of Win32 shells encourage you to test out non-Windows OS's? yes no
6.	If you are using an alternative OS, did the Windows shell make the switch easier? yes no I've never used an alternative OS
7.	What alternative OS are you currently using? none GNU/Linux *BSD QNX MacOS X other:
8.	What windowmanager are you using on this alternative OS? none Afterstep Blackbox/Fluxbox Enlightenment KDE's Kwin Sawfish Metacity Windowmaker other:
9.	Would you like to see a port of your favorite Win32 shell to an alternative OS? yes, LS yes, geOShell yes, sharpE no, that's ok
10.	Would you like to see more coverage of alternative OS shell news? yes, but only on the general news sites Windows shell news sites should cover more of it too no, it's fine