Windows? Why would anyone run Windows?

[The Mad Hatter]

OK, so I get up, shower, eat, and open up my email client. Number 4 from the top is a Daniweb email telling me about the wonderful topics currently being discussed - here's the list:

* Prevent programs from saving to certain folder? in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Win7: To Migrate or Not to Migrate? in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Error Code 8024402c in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* connecting to localhost` in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Cant install any programs... Help! in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Windows 7 Regional Themes in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Hi every one in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* When I boot computer Error Appear. in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Add-on for Windows7 File Manager in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Laptop wont start.... in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Installing Ram Problem in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Hello everyone problem with audio on vista home in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Issues with moving from XP to Vista in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Vista + Fedora - Hibernate in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* windows 7 display driver in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* vista shared folders in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Ballmer Won't Call Google by Name in Interview in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* cd tray wont open.vista home basic in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Windows 7 Blue Screen in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* invalid boot.in file in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Icons on Desktop layered with another strange icon in ! Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Windows 7 Wallpapers in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* bad image in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* Is the FSF shooting the open-source community in the foot? in Windows Vista and Windows 7
* My Vista became incredible slow in Windows Vista and Windows 7

Now quite frankly, this list is enough to make me want to puke. This site is supposedly for geeks. Well, real geeks don't run Windows. Real geeks don't run any Microsoft products, because we understand enough about operating systems and application programs, to know that Microsoft products are total, absolute, pieces of garbage.

Microsloth (my pet name for them, because their product delivery dates are so often late) is probably the least competent corporation on the planet. Let's take a look at some of their products:

1) XBox360 - the most badly designed game console ever.
2) Microsoft Windows 1.0 - 5 years behind GEM and GEOS
3) Internet Exploder 3 - the only browser with a file size limit on downloads, curiously it was set low enough that you couldn't download Netscape with it.
4) Microsoft Outlook & Express - the most advanced virus transmission tools ever devised.
5) Internet Exploder 6 - Totally unable to render standards compliant web pages.
6) Microsoft Office 2007 SP1 - the only ODF "capable" application that can't properly write ODF files. This one is particularly note able because 20 other applications can do it - but the biggest software company on the planet was too incompetent to manage to do it right.
7) Security - let's face it - no other operating system on the planet has the security problems that Windows has, because they all use a proper security model, while Windows uses something that appears to have been designed by a drunken Zebra. Oh, and for all those who claim that Linux and OSX will suffer just as many virus problems when they get popular, well you're wrong. Linux and OSX were designed securely from the ground up. Even Microsoft admits that Windows was not designed to be secure.

I could continue - but you should have gotten the idea by this point. Windows is a total and utter piece of garbage, designed by an incompetent corporation, which wouldn't be able to survive if it hadn't managed to turn a clone of another operating system into a monopoly position in the market place.

What you have to ask yourself is, what are you going to do if Microsoft crashes and burns? Their year end financials were not that good, and if the first quarter results end up being what I think they will be, there is a significant possibility that this could happen. Don't laugh. Think. Where was General Motors 6 years ago? Did anyone think 6 years ago that General Motors would end up in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection?

Oh, I don't think Microsoft will die this year, or the next, but you should start putting together an exit plan just in case, and you this is a good option , it will run on damned near any hardware you can through at it, and even autodetected my wireless card, and ran it, with no need to search for drivers. You won't get that from Windows.

[R1pperZ]

Well said why do we trouble ourselves with such incompetant software?

Well the fact that you have to face is the majority of the computing public are tech lazy, they want things to work with little to no action on their part and look good doing it. Plus most people assume that Windows is the best OS out there and that Mac is the only alternative, not to mention the fact that all pre-built PC's come installed with windows and most people believe if it works don't screw with it.

I've only recently decided to go beyond just understanding the basics and learning hardware specs and customized software. I think I am finnaly ready to go with linux, what do I have to loose? My system is sitting here now full of countless bugs, malware apps and worthless software...

[scru]

Well said why do we trouble ourselves with such incompetant software?

Well the fact that you have to face is the majority of the computing public are tech lazy, they want things to work with little to no action on their part and look good doing it. Plus most people assume that Windows is the best OS out there and that Mac is the only alternative, not to mention the fact that all pre-built PC's come installed with windows and most people believe if it works don't screw with it.

I've only recently decided to go beyond just understanding the basics and learning hardware specs and customized software. I think I am finnaly ready to go with linux, what do I have to loose? My system is sitting here now full of countless bugs, malware apps and worthless software...

I can tell already that you won't have much luck with Linux.

[The Mad Hatter]

Well said why do we trouble ourselves with such incompetant software?

Well the fact that you have to face is the majority of the computing public are tech lazy, they want things to work with little to no action on their part and look good doing it. Plus most people assume that Windows is the best OS out there and that Mac is the only alternative, not to mention the fact that all pre-built PC's come installed with windows and most people believe if it works don't screw with it.

I've only recently decided to go beyond just understanding the basics and learning hardware specs and customized software. I think I am finnaly ready to go with linux, what do I have to loose? My system is sitting here now full of countless bugs, malware apps and worthless software...

If you are just leaving the Windows Microverse you might want to try Moon OS , I really liked it.

Not all pre-built PC's come with Windows, check out Naked Computers . Good luck.

[The Mad Hatter]

I can tell already that you won't have much luck with Linux.

I'm curious. You seem so sure, but you don't say why, and your assurance is totally at variance with my own experience. In fact I'll state straight out that Linux is easier to use than Windows.

[The Mad Hatter]

This is rather amusing. I posted a long, insightful write up on why I don't use Windows. And guess what - my reputation is instantly modded down. Now why would that be. Is it possible that Microsoft Trolls hang out here?

I think so.

[Grn Xtrm]

This is rather amusing. I posted a long, insightful write up on why I don't use Windows. And guess what - my reputation is instantly modded down. Now why would that be. Is it possible that Microsoft Trolls hang out here? I think so.

Maybe there are people out there who like Windows. Is that allowed?
There is a Linux lab at my school and those computers are slowest machines I ever used. Every other room in the school has computers that run Windows and they work much better. In my experience Windows is much better than Linux. But hey, that's just me. I'm sure others have had great experiences with Linux.
People are entitled to their opinions. Don't call people trolls because they like to use Windows.

[Ezzaral]

This is rather amusing. I posted a long, insightful write up on why I don't use Windows. And guess what - my reputation is instantly modded down. Now why would that be. Is it possible that Microsoft Trolls hang out here?

I think so.

Perhaps because your entire post comes across as a long troll? I didn't find much of it very insightful - just another anti-Microsoft rant.

/yawn at your indignation.

[The Mad Hatter]

Maybe there are people out there who like Windows. Is that allowed? There is a Linux lab at my school and those computers are slowest machines I ever used. Every other room in the school has computers that run Windows and they work much better. In my experience Windows is much better than Linux. But hey, that's just me. I'm sure others have had great experiences with Linux. People are entitled to their opinions. Don't call people trolls because they like to use Windows.

Maybe there are people who don't know very much about computers .

As to your Linux lab - I note that you didn't compare the hardware. I saw one lab like you are talking about, where all of the Linux machines were old P3 units, and the Windows machines all Core 2 Duo. And yes, people were wondering why the Linux computers were slower!

Oh, and a correction. I don't call people trolls because they like Windows. I call people trolls because of their actions.

[The Mad Hatter]

Perhaps because your entire post comes across as a long troll? I didn't find much of it very insightful - just another anti-Microsoft rant.

/yawn at your indignation.

Make that an accurate Anti-Microsoft rant and I'll agree with you.

[R1pperZ]

I can tell already that you won't have much luck with Linux.

Why because of my minor typos..?

[Ancient Dragon]

I'm curious. You seem so sure, but you don't say why, and your assurance is totally at variance with my own experience. In fact I'll state straight out that Linux is easier to use than Windows.

I tried two different distributions of *nix (Fedora 11 and Ubuntu) over a whole week and neither of them worked the way I wanted them to. I have a 64-bit computer with 5 gig ram and 750 gig hd, I could not get the sound to work right nor would it play movies on dvd drive.

Eveything worked straight away when I installed Microsoft Vista Home Premium. There were no additional packages to install nor did I have to tweek the os to make it work with my computer.

I still have my computer dual booting with Fedora 11, but I have Vista set as the default os. The only time I boot into Fedora now is so that I can test compile some programs on *nix. Otherwise I won't bother with all the hassle.

[The Mad Hatter]

I tried two different distributions of *nix (Fedora 11 and Ubuntu) over a whole week and neither of them worked the way I wanted them to. I have a 64-bit computer with 5 gig ram and 750 gig hd, I could not get the sound to work right nor would it play movies on dvd drive.

Eveything worked straight away when I installed Microsoft Vista Home Premium. There were no additional packages to install nor did I have to tweek the os to make it work with my computer.

I still have my computer dual booting with Fedora 11, but I have Vista set as the default os. The only time I boot into Fedora now is so that I can test compile some programs on *nix. Otherwise I won't bother with all the hassle.

First off, I don't need an anti-virus program. I don't need to worry about Spyware. And, everything just worked. So I don't know what you did wrong, only that you did.

I did a comparison one day - Ubuntu vs Windows XP. Ubuntu took 25 minutes, and all the drivers were there. Windows XP took over an hour, and then I had to hunt for drivers. And then I had to install Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, a real Firewall (I don't trust the Microsoft one), an Office Suite (Windows doesn't include one), a good Video Player (Windows Media player is useless - Videolan is far better), and a decent music player (WinAmp). Total install time was close to two hours, as compared to 25 minutes for Ubuntu.

If you like Windows - that's your problem. I read an article a while back that compared Windows users to abused spouses who keep coming back.

[majestic0110]

Somehow I don't think my Grandmother would understand why she has to "sudo" everything, and I don't think a hardcore gamer would accept the limitations WINE offers... Windows is only vulnerable to nasties BECAUSE it is the most popular O/S. If Ubuntu had a larger user base than Windows, do you not think that it would be a target for malicious engineers? As far as drivers go, I use a dual boot, XP (for gaming) and Ubunutu (for development): I still have not found satisfactory drivers for my GPU under ubuntu, in XP the card performs wonderfully. I have seen many MS bashing posts, and this one is possibly the least informative.

[Grn Xtrm]

As to your Linux lab - I note that you didn't compare the hardware. I saw one lab like you are talking about, where all of the Linux machines were old P3 units, and the Windows machines all Core 2 Duo. And yes, people were wondering why the Linux computers were slower!

How would you know what kind of computers are in the labs at my school? They are actually all the same but nice try.Oh, and a correction. I don't call people trolls because they like Windows. I call people trolls because of their actions.
OK, then you are an Anti-Microsoft troll... because of your actions, of course.

[jbennet]

I tried two different distributions of *nix (Fedora 11 and Ubuntu) over a whole week and neither of them worked the way I wanted them to. I have a 64-bit computer with 5 gig ram and 750 gig hd, I could not get the sound to work right nor would it play movies on dvd drive.

its illegal to play copy protected dvds on linux in the US so fedora (as redhat is a US registed company) blocks you from easialy doing this.

[jbennet]

I tried two different distributions of *nix (Fedora 11 and Ubuntu) over a whole week and neither of them worked the way I wanted them to. I have a 64-bit computer with 5 gig ram and 750 gig hd, I could not get the sound to work right nor would it play movies on dvd drive.

its illegal to play copy protected dvds on linux in the US so fedora (as redhat is a US registed company) blocks you from easialy doing this.

[Tom Gunn]

Well, real geeks don't run Windows. Real geeks don't run any Microsoft products, because we understand enough about operating systems and application programs, to know that Microsoft products are total, absolute, pieces of garbage.

I guess you can tweak your definition of 'geek' to mean what you want, but in my opinion a real geek would not limit his options by making generalizations. There are Microsoft products that are garbage, but there are also Microsoft products that are very good. The only company I know of that has been completely successful with every production so far is Pixar. ;)

Many of us 'geeks' are IT professionals, and banning Microsoft products would put us on the fast track to being out of work. Only hobbyists can afford to be extremist about these kind of things.Even Microsoft admits that Windows was not designed to be secure.
Windows was also designed in the mid 1980s, when OS security was not exactly the buzzword that it is now. Couple that bad decision with the good decision of maintaining extensive backward compatibility and it is easy to see the dilemma of securing Windows without breaking functionality. I am not defending the insecurity, just putting things in perspective.

Maybe Windows 7 will be their successful attempt to hit that mark. I have not tried it yet, but soon my PC will be upgraded at work and I will also move to Windows 7.I could continue - but you should have gotten the idea by this point.
I get the idea, but not the logic. If millions of intolerant rants like this over the years have not killed Microsoft or caused a mass exodus to Linux, what makes you think one more will tip the scales? People will choose the software and platform they want regardless of your hateful attacks on anything you do not like, so your post strikes me as a complete waste of time.

[The Mad Hatter]

Somehow I don't think my Grandmother would understand why she has to "sudo" everything, and I don't think a hardcore gamer would accept the limitations WINE offers... Windows is only vulnerable to nasties BECAUSE it is the most popular O/S. If Ubuntu had a larger user base than Windows, do you not think that it would be a target for malicious engineers? As far as drivers go, I use a dual boot, XP (for gaming) and Ubunutu (for development): I still have not found satisfactory drivers for my GPU under ubuntu, in XP the card performs wonderfully. I have seen many MS bashing posts, and this one is possibly the least informative.

First, since she would never have to use SUDO, she'd not need to understand it. My mother-in-law is about the same age as your grandmother - late 70's. She adapted to XUbuntu over a weekend, and had no problems after (on the same computer that was a disaster with Windows).
Second, since the 'Nix platforms are built differently than Windows, viruses are virtually impossible to write for them. Popularity has nothing to do with Windows vulnerability, rather the problem has to do with defects in the Windows design philosophy, which can't be removed with out breaking backwards compatibility (of course considering how badly Vista messed up backwards compatibility they might as well have just gone for broke).
Third, if you can't find drivers for your GPU blame Microsoft, they use contractual limitations to prevent hardware makers from writing Linux drivers.
Glad you think it was uninformative - but that you still responded.

[The Mad Hatter]

How would you know what kind of computers are in the labs at my school? They are actually all the same but nice try.

Usually, at least in the schools I've been in recently (graduated high school in 1975 - my youngest graduates from the same school this year) Linux is used most often on donated computers, where the school can't prove that they have a legitimate Windows license for the computer, so that if the BSA audits them, they don't get in trouble.

If the Linux computers actually are slower, that's a good indication that there's something wrong, just like I would think that there was something wrong if I saw an XP install on a Core 2 Duo run slow.OK, then you are an Anti-Microsoft troll... because of your actions, of course.

Heh. Of course I'm anti-Microsoft! I have seen the light children, and the light is FREE SOFTWARE! Protect us from the EVILS of the Proprietary Software Manufacturers WHO SELL US OUT TO THE RIAA and install SPYWARE (Windows Genuine Disadvantage) on our COMPUTERS!

Seriously though - do you trust Microsoft? Do you trust Apple? You shouldn't. They are working towards their own best interests, which quite probably are not your best interests.

Of course you can trust me, I'm a paragon of virtue, and would never mislead you.