7/27 Article and Microsoft

Hey

I wanted to toss in my few cents. I'm a bit behind so I'm sorry my comments aren't as timely as they should be.

I loved the article for 7/27 about PC's favorite things concerning Windows.

I perceive the debate of the best OS in the world rather futile; no one OS *has* to be the best... each have their own strengths for different situations.

MS's market is home and small business, Apple's market is multimedia and desktop publishing, and Unix/Linux are networking and servers.

Even with that being said, I've grown very anti-microsoft as of late. It came when my mother wanted to install a CD burner in her computer running Win98 (first Win98, not 98se).

After two CD burners later and a $200 copy of WinME, we got the burner working. But then the ethernet conflicted with the modem causing the USB not to work.

I've got a question about Windows ME... the response from an 'expert' was "yeah, so does Microsoft."

Does anyone think that Mr Gates would reimburse me the stress and time spent on two consecutive weekends with no social life and 2 hrs of sleep? It's one thing if I'm wrapped in a programming problem, but another when it's forced on me by some 'philanthropist.'

In addition to my time, another thing Microsoft stole was TCIP/IP. Yeah, I know it's a non propriatary standard, but if Apple has AppleTalk, Novell has IPX, MS has SMB and Unix has TCP, why is our Windows NT network at work running NetBIOS over TCP?

Actually, if Microsoft is so good, why aren't well all using SMB for the internet? \ARPADOMAIN1NODE5426COMCODEWALKERS\WWWREDIRECTFORU MINDEX.PHP ?
(oh wait... DNS...never mind)

I do have several issues against microsoft. But yours dont make any sense to me (and probably every other geek in the world)

You not being able to install a cd-writer in windows 98 is not Gates his fault. Its you not having enough experience.
and using the correct CD writer software compatible with windows 98 would probably have worked. Next time bring it to an expert. He will probably install it within an hour, costs you a little money but saves you 2 weekends

Then your second point is really stupid. M$ stole IP ? well then so did linux apache enz... IP is just the internet standard. You cant just invent a new transport protocol and use it on internet. all routers, dial up points and servers would have to be adapted. And that is a lot to change (probably to much for you to understand)

Please leave M$ bashing to people who know what they are doing, and you start installing linux. I really don't think it would be easyer for you to use, but it might give you a better understanding of computers (something you really need)

i would kindly ask all participants in discussions like this to moderate their responses..

try not to push this too far into the flame war...

thank you,
you friendly neighbour admin,
zombie ;)

Marcel, I edited your post. I do not go for name calling here. Everyone has an opinion and they don't need to be slammed for. You are probally correct that downloading the latest drivers and a software update may have fixed it. BUt that is not always true... Case and point.

At work we had a linux box that was my play box. Our shipping puked (dead Motherboard) I had to bring down my linux box and install windows XP so they could have a system for shipping while the parts for a new one was ordered.

The install was somewhat painless the nic a 3c905b was reconized and installed, the network info was entered and I could not get out on the network. I played with it for about an hour with no success. I was pressed for time, the day was ending fast and stuff had to be shipped. I broke down and called MS support. They told me network issues I had to pay for support. I had no choice I gave them a corporate CC# and was connected to a support tech that actually knew what they were doing. We checked and rechecked settings I finally when to the second level. Same thing checked and rechecked settings still no net access. We went through every piece of hardware installed, everything was OK according to him. After two hours they informed me they could not help me. Yes they gave up. I then took another computer and installed XP and everything worked from from the git go A few days later I put the linux drive back in the computer that windows would not work in and everything came up fine with linux.

The moral of the story, sometimes there are problems with windows that Microsoft can't even explain. Plain and simple it should have worked! These unexplained things happen, even in the linux world too.

And bluephoenix I have felt your pain

Subject: Fw: Microsoft vs GM

A chuckle is always good. I hope you enjoy this chuckle . . .

For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way
computers have enhanced our lives, read on. At a recent computer expo
(COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the computer industry with the
auto industry and stated, "If GM had kept up with technology like the
computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00 cars that got
1,000 miles to the gallon".

In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release
stating: If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be
driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this
part):

1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.

2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have
to buy a new car.

3. Occasionally your car would die on the freeway for no reason.
You would then have to pull over to the side of the road, close all of
the windows, shut off the car, restart it, and reopen the windows before
you could continue. For some reason you would simply accept this.

4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would
cause your car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you
would have to reinstall the engine.

5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by Sun, was
reliable, five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run
on only five percent of the roads.

6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would
all be replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed An Illegal
Operation" warning light.

7. The airbag system would ask "Are you sure?" before deploying.

8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you
out and refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door
handle, turned the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.

9. Every time a new car was introduced car buyers would have to
learn how to drive all over again because none of the controls would
operate in the same manner as the old car.

10. You would have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine
off.

lmao That's great. Sounds exactly like windows.