Which OS are you using?

[Richard III]

Originally posted by starlifter
The massive database is pretty screwed up and the delays in approving your mouse clicks (via the internet) and reporting to Big Brother MS lag too much. You have to know Bill's history. He feels he should have the final say in all MS software that is run on your computer, not you. The next releases of Office, and supposedly the OS will not be "complete".... that is, the final keys or missing program segmetns will be downloaded upon each MS-authorized mouse click activating MS programs. Supposedly, this will stamp out all pirating, even in China, where Bill is particularly pissed.

All I can say is, once the US passes a decent national privacy law governing the private sector, sounds fine to me.

 

[TedG]

Originally posted by starlifter
The massive database is pretty screwed up and the delays in approving your mouse clicks (via the internet) and reporting to Big Brother MS lag too much. You have to know Bill's history. He feels he should have the final say in all MS software that is run on your computer, not you. The next releases of Office, and supposedly the OS will not be "complete".... that is, the final keys or missing program segmetns will be downloaded upon each MS-authorized mouse click activating MS programs. Supposedly, this will stamp out all pirating, even in China, where Bill is particularly pissed.

If MS goes to drastic measures such as these, there will definitely be a backlash. Everyone will flock to Mac/Linux and quit using MS software alltogether. Well, at least MS won't have to worry about piracy anymore! They'll cause nobody to want to use their software and therefore no need to pirate it.

 

[Lovro]

You wish.

Don't take it the wrong, as I wish it as well.

However, it's unrealistic. You cannot expect of begginers to use Linux or even bother with trying different OSes. Those same beginners might not even be aware of what's happening behind their backs as they innocently browse the Internet.

 

[TedG]

Originally posted by Lovro
However, it's unrealistic. You cannot expect of begginers to use Linux or even bother with trying different OSes. Those same beginners might not even be aware of what's happening behind their backs as they innocently browse the Internet.

Yeah, but you can bet that a "less geeky" version of Linux would appear if they saw that they were gonna have the new majority of users (and you'd also see a lot more software developed for Linux). Besides, it won't hurt people to learn a little more about computers, will it?

Personally, I'd like to see MS die and another OS become popular, but right now PC users are almost forced to use MS because of the availability of software. It would be nice if software companies developed for Linux to help make it a good alternative to MS (that's not to say it isn't already, but there still needs to be more software for it, esp. games, before it can really compete with Windows).

 

[Lovro]

One thing is missing in Linux business...

 

[watto]

mac sucks i use windows me but i want xp

 

[damunzy]

Originally posted by watto
mac sucks i use windows me but i want xp

Thanks for your contribution.

As for flocking to Linux....I don't think so. If I, a hardened veteran of loading computers, has a problem loading Mandrake Linux and using it effectively. I doubt that Joe Average User will be able. 'Besides, it won't hurt people to learn a little more about computers, will it?' No, but they won't. It is like pulling teeth to explain stuff to my wife and she is pretty good at using computers compared to the average person.

If there is going to be any flocking it will be to Macs....they have come down in price and have better gaming support than Linux....barely. Now don't take this as an endorsement of Mac from me, it is not.

And starlifter, I have a legal copy of Windows XP (finally) but there are ways of obtaining the Corporate version of it also. Also, there will always be a 'Corporate' version of MS products, or whatever they call it, as businesses don't want to have to check in with every PC they install the software on. That isn't safe for their network and product activation requires too much of their time. There will always be a version of MS products that MS can't keep track of.

 

[TedG]

Originally posted by PaleHorse76
Thanks for your contribution.
If there is going to be any flocking it will be to Macs....they have come down in price and have better gaming support than Linux....barely. Now don't take this as an endorsement of Mac from me, it is not.

The downside to that is the need to buy new (and sometimes expensive) hardware. That was why I mentioned Linux because, assuming MS "committed suicide," not everyone with a PC would be able to run out and buy a new computer (Mac) so Linux would be the only cheaper alternative, even though it would be a hassle. Now if Apple made a version of their OS for PC...

 

[Lostman]

I'm waiting to see how stable Lindows will be then convert. Depending on that, it could very well be the cross-over your all looking for.

Think about it, if Wal-Mart is selling computers with it pre-loaded for such a low cost, the average user will be more likely to use it. You don't get more Jo-Average than a Wal-Mart customer.

It could be the steping stone needed. Hopefully. I hate MS as much as you all do.

 

[damunzy]

Good point Lostman. I was thinking about Lindows when posting my last post but forgot halfway thru to say a word about it.

Good point to TedG also on the expense...but I am going from the assumption that people will use their old MS systems until they buy a new one.....how many Joe Users load their own OS? I would say not many...Joe User will go out and buy a new computer and will look at the easy of the iMac and grab that. they can be had for $1,200K now, very PC-like price

...I can't even get a friend to update his sound card drivers because he is afraid of having problems (the sound doesn't work for one of his new games, NWN, but it does for others - So he blames Bioware the maker of NWN....not the people that put a sound card in his system that isn't even officially supported by XP Home ) so I can't see Joe User updating his OS.

 

[TedG]

Good point Lostman. I was thinking about Lindows when posting my last post but forgot halfway thru to say a word about it.

I've heard about that Lindows thing but I don't know much about it. Maybe it will do well against MS...

Good point to TedG also on the expense...but I am going from the assumption that people will use their old MS systems until they buy a new one.....

Yeah, that would work. MS would try to get people to upgrade to a newer Windows version by "no longer supporting" their older OSes, but that would probably just cause more and more people to ditch MS alltogether.

how many Joe Users load their own OS? I would say not many...

I was a Joe User once, struggling with Windows 95. I did have some help, but I did a lot of it on my own, which helped me learn a lot more.

Joe User will go out and buy a new computer and will look at the easy of the iMac and grab that. they can be had for $1,200K now, very PC-like price

Now if they just started becoming more "gaming computers," Macs would look all the more enticing...

...I can't even get a friend to update his sound card drivers because he is afraid of having problems (the sound doesn't work for one of his new games, NWN, but it does for others - So he blames Bioware the maker of NWN....not the people that put a sound card in his system that isn't even officially supported by XP Home ) so I can't see Joe User updating his OS.

I know what you mean. I've had the same type of experience before, with a friend who would not (and still will not) delete 100s of MB of crap from his temp folder because of a MS warning that it might damage his computer. That's not the only time I've dealt with Joe Users, but it goes to show that there are a lot of Joe Users out there.