All Things Microsoft > Microsoft Hardware
why do some major computer co. support Microsoft
Brent:
Perhaps this is off the topic, but I would never purchase a ready made computer. I build my own and put what I want in it and install whatever OS I want in it. I am currently running an Athlon 1700+ GA7=dxr mobo with raid set up as ATA ide 100 giving me room to install the 5 OS's I currently have installed. I would never have a brand name computer in the house again after some of the experiences I have had with compaq, HP and Dell. I agree with you on the point that no OEM should ever dictate to me what OS should be installed. Im rather suprised that they wouldnt sell you one with NO OS installed!! If Microsoft has that big a hold on them, for gods sake lets get linux so that it appeals to everyone (including granny) and break Microsofts monopoly! Its not going to be done by bitching about them. If it needs pretty pictures and catchy little dittys playing when it starts up, lets do it. If point and click is what is needed, lets get it to be the norm. Command lines are time consuming and to most microsoft users totally foriegn unless they were around in the days of DOS. I would really love nothing better than to get rid of microsofts monopoly but its not going to happen in the near future unless someone (perhaps a linux oriented Bill Gates type?} takes the helm and marches boldly forward. I know zip about programming. C++ used to be my average mark in spelling (obvious) By the way, the reason I have so many OS is because I am constantly comparing different versions of linux to see if there is one that does have the potential of being my standard everyday OS
jtpenrod:
quote: Perhaps this is off the topic, but I would never purchase a ready made computer. I build my own and put what I want in it and install whatever OS I want in it. I am currently running an Athlon 1700+ GA7=dxr mobo with raid set up as ATA ide 100 giving me room to install the 5 OS's I currently have installed.
--- End quote ---
You call yourself an average PC user? :confused:
quote: I would never have a brand name computer in the house again after some of the experiences I have had with compaq, HP and Dell.
--- End quote ---
Nor would I. I've seen lots of pretty store-bought units at places like Circuit City, Comp USA, Best Buy, etc. However, under all the glitz, there were always some flaw: usually undersized power supplies. In this day and age, 250W just doesn't cut it anymore. I've yet to find a good one. One thing that Micron does have going for it is that their systems are at least built with Linux-friendly components. They can't say so, but these are definitely designed and built with multi-booting in mind.
quote: Im rather suprised that they wouldnt sell you one with NO OS installed!!
--- End quote ---
Not me. If an OEM ships these "naked" systems, Macro$uck, in its arrpgance, figures that the recipient of such a system is going to put a bootleg copy of Winders on it. When they audit the OEM and find that they've shiped more 'puters than they've bought Winders licenses, well, goodbye M$ contract!
quote: If Microsoft has that big a hold on them, for gods sake lets get linux so that it appeals to everyone (including granny) and break Microsofts monopoly!
--- End quote ---
I think you're asking the impossible here. If you build an OS any idiot can use, you probably have an OS that only an idiot would want to use. IMO that is exactly what XP is. YYeeeechhhhhhh! :D
The issue here really isn't which OS is better. There are lots of folks out there for whom XP is probably the best solution. They aren't tech-savvy, they have no interest in it, or may not have the time or inclination to learn. They'll never be ready for Linux, nor should Linux be remade in that image. The issue is Macro$uck and its dirty business practices. M$ could become the most ethical software company in the world tomorrow; all it would take is for His Gatesness to issue the order with the threat that, if they didn't straighten out, Gates would repudiate the company and sell all his shares in it. There is nothing keeping M$ from licensing Win XP under the GPL and taking it Open Source except for His Gatesness' hunger for power. There's your real issue.
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[ March 29, 2002: Message edited by: jtpenrod ]
Brent:
Thank you jtpenrod for clarifying to everyone why this forum exists!! Even though I do use windows xp simply because it does what I need to do most times easier than linux, I am appalled at the business practices of Microsoft. I would think that the main Purpose of this forum wuld be to express disgust with the company itself rather than windows xp. As with anything, OS or otherwise, some like it some dont. If you dont like it, dont use it. If you dont like Toyota, dont drive one. etc etc etc. I would love to see Bill and company finally put in their place. Its not going to be done by a bunch of bitching about thier products.
I do think its possible to make a distribution of linux that would appeal to the masses (windows users) and still have the distros that appeal to the hard core users. Isnt that what open source is all about? A lot of people may object to "linux for computer illiterates" but to my way of thinking, if a distro like that would help to erode microsofts monopoly, who cares? Think of all the millions he would have to spend in court fighting to hold on to his empire!!
Sitting back bitching about his distros and calling anyone that uses them "morons" as a lot of the less enlightened linux users do, is pointless, and childish. Nothing I would like better than to see Microsoft changed into an ethical company, that competes fairly with other companys in the field. Not destroyed, changed. Im certainly not an expert on OS's, but I am simply reflecting the opinions of a lot of my workmates and not suprising, they all say the same thing. "i would love to use linux if it were not so geeky and hard to use" In my age group, most know diddly about computers and use what is easiest to understand. Simple as that.
jtpenrod:
quote: I do think its possible to make a distribution of linux that would appeal to the masses (windows users) and still have the distros that appeal to the hard core users.
--- End quote ---
In that case, have you heard of Lycoris? I've been hearing lots of good things about it lately. It seems to have relatively few problems for a newly released distro. I haven't tried it yet, and I don't think it's something that would appeal to me. I prefer the "hard core" distros (if you can call Mandrake, Red Hat or SuSE that ;) ) I had no problems making the transition from Win 95 to Mandrake; it took may be a week.
quote: I am simply reflecting the opinions of a lot of my workmates and not suprising, they all say the same thing. "i would love to use linux if it were not so geeky and hard to use"
--- End quote ---
That was true at one time, and not all that long ago. However, I don't think it applies anymore, not with Red Hat, SuSE, or especially Mandrake. Perhaps if these folks could have the chance to see the KDE desktop for themselves they'd be willing to give it a try. Although that probably won't happen any time soon at the places where these folks go to get their systems: Circuit City, Best Buy, Costco, etc. Although Wal-Mart, of all places, is making an effort to defy the Borg by offering systems that come with Linux or even no software at all.
I find that even the "bitching" serves an educational purpose. Besides, it's good, clean fun :D Mostly, those who get called "morons" (or even worse ;) ) usually had it coming by making some rediculous statements.
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Calum:
well of course some people want to use windows! they should be allowed to!
i agree with basically all the opinions that you guys say here, about having a choice, and bringing out good software, but i think a lot of this stuff about linux users being fanatical and being a religious cult and so on is really out of place and out of proportion.
The fanaticism of an individual is not down to the products they choose to consume. If a given fanatical linux user had never known about linux, they would be just as fanatical about something else.
Linux users do not have to represent themselves well for other people's benefit. Many people talk to linux users as if they have a duty to behave well, like they are christians representing God, or something, but that is not true.
Everubody is an individual and can do what they like, and should not be judged on the basis of one or two largely invalid considerations.
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