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'eh, Windows isn't *that* broken

I run various version of windows AS WELL as Mac OSX, debian, other OSes. I left my family with windows 2k pro and xp pro because it works fine for them. Specially once I spend 3 hours 'fixing' it. They run perfectly stable, fast and have absolutely NO issues. But I'll admit that it shouldn't take 3-4 hours of work to get the system that way.

I let my sister try out ubuntu with crossover office and it was just too much of a hassle. She does a lot of graphics work and the programs she likes using for various things either have no *linux alternative or simply suck if they do.

I have BeOS, debian and XP Pro loaded on my tower and I generally boot into XP. It works and runs fine.

I hate it when people just blindly bash something (not you) and call its users stupid. It really makes you wonder who is actually 'stupid'...

ok, I'm done.

Edited 2006-09-30 14:51

I don't disagree with you, but it is long past time that Windows users stand up to MS and demand real fundamental change.

'eh, Windows isn't *that* broken

We need to realize that Windows isn't "fixed". It is patched and kludged. I have been working with Vista RC1 for the last week, and just removed it from my test machine. If we are truly honest about it, Vista is going to provide some very nice UI features, especially on newer high end machines. RC1 runs fine. I have An Athlon XP 2800+ and Vista is not slow. My video card is a Nvidia 6600 w/ 256mb, and Aero works very well. Drivers are a mixed bag, and my multi-media suites have some issues for now, but that will get resolved. My productivity suites work well, and the only game I play is 'Warbirds 2006' offline (I don't really play, just take an occaisional 10 minute break).

OK, all that is good. Here are the real problems:

Security is the same old problem. Windows "new" UAC is just a rework of the same old stuff. A bit of a new look, and some changed text in the dialogs. Users are not running as Administrator by default now, but to make things work they happily click their way to run applications as Administrator. This is simply a workaround that achieves the same state as previous versions of Windows.

MS blames users for doing things wrong, and developers for not creating good secure software. The problem is that MS created the environment for these problems in the first place. In effect it is MS that calls its users stupid.

We should reflect back on the malware issues we put up with today. Of course criminals are going to do everything they can to further their aims, but looking back at the roots of these problems they came to light because of 'kiddie-scriptrs', and the criminals found opportunity. We also find at times there is a fine line between 'legitimate business' and 'criminal activity', and MS profits from some of this grey area.

Vista should have been an opportunity to make things right, but what we are getting is simply new drapes and blinds.

Edited 2006-09-30 15:46

As long as people keep thing there is no alternative they will, thinking they need Photoshop to draw their stick men.

If you cannot find a alternative for doing graphics in Linux then people need to wonder if they can do graphics at all. People used to do Artwork on the Amiga in the 80's, are people reallt that stupid that they cannot find something in Linux?. Seriously, if people cannot then they best stay on Windows and miss out.

yeah right. and if microsoft (in your dreams) switches to some xml based system configuration you and your online friends will scream "look!!! look!!! they are copying apple again!!!1". oh well... imho registry is perfect. it just shouldn't be so abused by 3rd party developers.