The new Windows OS ?

[Cobertizo]

I dont understand this bit kernow, how can you run a PC with media player and internet explorer without Windows? I'm confused, are you saying you can run a PC with Windows Operating System???

I suspect he may be extolling the virtues of Linux... Which is fair enough. You won't be able to run IE as such on an alternative operating system on your PC (except via emulation...), but there are plenty of excellent web browsers available you can use instead. Like Firefox for example.

[vertigo]

Reason I use Windows is because it's more compatible with everything I want to use and doesn't involve having to recompile this and that, tweak the other, **** around with minutiae when I could be, you know, DOING SOMETHING FUN. Linux, etc, may work for you, but I simply don't care about it and don't have the time to cock around with back ends and have to takes ages to search for wait for some unofficial driver or workaround to fix something that generally works just fine under Windows. The best bit is when you go onto a Linux forum and ask if there's a driver or patch for something and you get told "Develop your own then share it with us, that's the point of open source". It may well be true, but I'm not a coder, have no interest in becoming one and would rather be able to use my computer to do what I want to do, taking the minimum time possible so that I can go and have fun with something else be it games, my g/f, going out, etc instead of sitting in front of a computer monitor buggering about with an operating system where there's already a working alternative. Sorry, but for usability and compatibility, unless you're absolutely obsessed with computer security, Microsoft make the best operating systems.

[kernow]

I'm not trolling, but there are the 'spyware/virus' threads you see on EVERY forum nowadays, you spend more time protecting your system and not learning anything, really.

reinstalling, virus protection, spyware, the inevitable winrot, all that ****e.

Reason I use Windows is because it's more compatible with everything I want to use and doesn't involve having to recompile this and that, tweak the other, **** around with minutiae when I could be, you know, DOING SOMETHING FUN. Linux, etc, may work for you, but I simply don't care about it and don't have the time to cock around with back ends and have to takes ages to search for wait for some unofficial driver or workaround to fix something that generally works just fine under Windows. The best bit is when you go onto a Linux forum and ask if there's a driver or patch for something and you get told "Develop your own then share it with us, that's the point of open source". It may well be true, but I'm not a coder, have no interest in becoming one and would rather be able to use my computer to do what I want to do, taking the minimum time possible so that I can go and have fun with something else be it games, my g/f, going out, etc instead of sitting in front of a computer monitor buggering about with an operating system where there's already a working alternative. Sorry, but for usability and compatibility, unless you're absolutely obsessed with computer security, Microsoft make the best operating systems.

[davesol]

I'm not trolling, but there are the 'spyware/virus' threads you see on EVERY forum nowadays, you spend more time protecting your system and not learning anything, really.

reinstalling, virus protection, spyware, the inevitable winrot, all that ****e.

Can't say I agree with that. I installed Spybot S&D (10 mins), anti virus software (10 mins) and Windows Update automatically installs any critical patches for me wihtout me doing anything. I've had my PC for about 2 1/2 years now running XP and haven't had to spend any real time protecting it. I've also never had to reformat or reinstall the OS.

Yes Windows might have more security flaws than Linux, but it's easy to use and everything works on it.

[kernow]

fair enough, some say its too easy to use though, and it doesnt really offer the tools or things I need

[vertigo]

Yeh, my experience mirrors davesol's really.

As long as you're not an utter spastic who'll click anything you're emailed (this bit may be a problem!) and you have a) a good third-party firewall and b) a good virus app that auto-updates and c) a spy/adware program if you really need it (I recently tried adaware after 2 years of this XP Pro install and it found absolutely nothing), it'll be extremely rare that you have a problem and can just get on with your life. I don't want to learn anything about security, I don't want to become a sysadmin or computer security expert, I want to learn things that I'm interested in.

Add to that the vast majority of places that use computers in their daily workflow have workstations that are Windows-based (although the back-end servers and security systems usually won't be) and it's not much of an advantage to have spent the majority of your evenings learning the minutiae of Unix/Linux, TCP/IP and all related topics unless you want to be a sysadmin or a coder who insists on using Linux.

I have similar feelings towards Macs really, yes their OS and hardware may be more powerful and better with resources but why would I want to purposely make my life difficult by buying a system that is less compatible with hardware and software than Windows?

I do think that all new PC package systems should be supplied by law with an automatically updating virus app to at least the quality of Norton AV and possibly a software firewall so that you don't have to use the **** that comes with XP though.

[kernow]

surely if XP's design were better it wouldn't need such virus checkers and such preinstalled?

I mean, even MS offer their anti spyware and malware tools

and the microsoft onetune service or whatever its called

why does it suffer this form of degredation over time ? other operating systems dont, really.

you can't really play the card about it being the most prevalent and vulnerable OS out there, as apache serves over 70% of the worlds websites and doesnt have the problems IIS does, despite the fact its 'prevelent' 'vulnerable' and open source.

all down to design, sure, if macosx and bsd/linux etc were more in the spotlight, they would have more exploits and whatnot, but they would be solved quicker, fixed quicker, but yeah, the end user has to be cleverer I guess.

swings n roundabouts, windows is always going to be number 1 really, although macos is loads better.

[Lyris]

I tried the beta, but it bored me - nothing really seemed new. Guess that's what we can expect from a) Windows (don't flame me, it's my favourite O/S by a long shot) and b) a beta.

[marcus]

although macos is loads better.

..and a complete pain in the arse to use, lets not forget.

[kernow]

why is it painful?

probably because everyone is brainwashed to MS usage

I wont use OS's you have to pay for on my own pc anymore.

imagine paying the price XP costs and it performing like it does, needing a reinstall every 6months to a year, etc.

[Lyris]

..and a complete pain in the arse to use, lets not forget.

You got that right...

I'm not brainwashed to MS usage, BTW. I've tried both of the most popular alternatives and gone back each time.

[kernow]

why is it 'vista' looks like macos did, only 5 yrs late?

they are always playing catchup, especially with 'urge' too.. its almost pathetic the rate they churn betas of software out just because someone else has, imagine having that many programming monkeys at your disposal.

crazy

[vertigo]

Microsoft may be playing catchup with the GUI, but the OS is compatible with more stuff and is more prevalent in the workplace, which is why it's my choice.

[kernow]

'more stuff'

?

lol

I dont care what 'my' computer is compatible with, it works for me, every day.

So you drive the same car as everyone else too? just with extra protection from those mines in the road, and car viruses.. yeah.. etc

(ignore me now)

[vertigo]

Heh I don't drive a car, I live in London
"I dont care what 'my' computer is compatible with, it works for me, every day." Well erm... that's good, it serves your purposes, but I do care what my OS is compatible with because I don't want to be limited to the apps I can use it with so that it serves my purposes too Still, if you don't care what your computer is compatible with, go and use some crummy old text OS then