[Leaplist] Linux Advocasy: What they'll miss

[Dan Cherry]

On Wednesday 07 May 2008 1:49:13 pm patrick wrote:
> Derek Konigsberg wrote:
> > On Tue, 6 May 2008, Damien McKenna wrote:
>
> major snippage...
>
> > However, I have *never*, I repeat, *never*, had those problems on *any*
> > of the Windows machines I've regularly used.
>
> The 'average' Microsoft user has no clue to defrag their disk, so, two
> years later, they are being presented with a bill from the local PC
> repair shop for $180 (from a "nice" shop) or more, just to clean it all
> up and possibly get it running again.  Many shops my clients have
> visited saw them as easy marks for the huge, bloated, new system off the
> shelf. Some paid up to $1000 for a system on trade, and saw their old
> system up for sale for $500, a week later.
>
> That left a very bad feeling, and they started going for Mac or Linux,
> as a result.  The culture of monopolistic Microsoft strikes again.
>
> > I seriously think the problem is *not* Windows itself.  Rather, I think
> > the problem is careless "clicking on every stupid thing" and "installing
> > every stupid add-on" through the app known as MS Internet Explorer.  Its
> > the only browser that practically self-infects itself, and makes it very
> > easy for a dumb user (not us) to crap up their systems by browsing to
> > shady websites.  Oh, and MS Outlook, to some extent as well.  (though
> > I've never had problems with MS Outlook in a business environment, which
> > is the only place I've ever actually used it.)
>
> Also am in agreement with this statement...  and, "dumb user" is a good
> description of most Microsoft users.  They actually see Microsoft on any
> PC as a "Toy" or a "game" system, and treat it accordingly.  Just look
> up any of the blogs about onsite and remote service... The funny
> experiences cost the enterprise dearly in manhours, overhead, resources,
> and money.
>
> >---------------------------
> > Derek Konigsberg
> > octo at logicprobe.org
> > http://hecgeek.blogspot.com
>

Some XP installations have been extremely solid for me & mine - though we've 
essentially eliminated the need for them - but there's two more cents worth 
considering re: Windows.

In concert with what Derek & Patrick said about maintenance issues and stupid 
software/web site choices, 

Cent #1:  Most of the security deficiencies in Windows are a result of access 
restriction settings that default to the easiest to use - that is NONE AT 
ALL.  Most Windows XP Pro computers that I've used (or set up), were very 
stable, once you put a few days into properly locking them down (and 
defaulting to a few safer application choices such as Firefox).

Cent #2:  Ever notice that most of the real system damage done by viruses, 
trojans, spyware, malware, etc. can be dealt with by getting a paid 
subscription to some outfit who will play catch-up with your problems, so the 
user can remain completely clueless about what causes the problems.  As long 
as they'd rather write a check than read a book or manual, I'm sure there 
will be companies around that would like to receive that check!

my 2 cents...

(You ask why this is on LEAPList...  only to contrast the tighter security 
approach of Linux, and the preventive approach vs. the clean up approach to 
handling unwanted code, between Linux & Windows.)

-- 
Dan
Finding a solution to a problem doesn't solve the problem...
Implementing the solution, solves the problem