7 Dec
2008
7 Dec
'08
11:27 a.m.
The p[roblem is that (a) I can't afford it, (b) I
can't afford to
maintain it, and (c) if/when it stops working, I haven't a clue how to
fix it.
You can have a windows PC with windows for free, just look around :) And
I'm not talking about pirated software :)
Indeed I do. My lathe, for example. But that came with
full exploded
diagrams and parts lists (oh, and a wiring diagram for the motor starter
box). I understand how that works. And while I certainly don't have the
skill to make many of the parts myself, I am capable of seeing which
one/ones are defective, I am capable of measuing run-out, etc and I am
capable of buying the right spares form the makers.
Why you would need that with windows? Everything I use just works, why
would that stop work?
For me a tool has to work, and it has to be pleasant
to use. If it isn't,
I use something else. And the few times I've used Windows, I've found it
to be extremely unreliable.
That is something I find to be VERY funny.
I think I'm one of the only people in universe that has a stable
windows. My windows installation NEVER breaks. I have no trouble with that.
Period. But:
- I know how it works sufficiently not to install things that will make
that uninstable
- I have a good antivirus, this is the first program I install when I
boot windows at first time
- I have a set of services to disable
- I use process explorer to see what is running and disable uneeded
programs/services
- I don't instal dubious programs (e.g.: I know what I'm running)
- I have an ORIGINAL copy of windows
- I NEVER EVER EVER install windows updates, automatic or manual
- I NEVER EVER EVER let outlook express download images or open
automatically attachments
- I NEVER EVER EVER let MSN open automatically anything, run things I
don't know or install "emoticon packs"
Tony, trust me. I have a WORKABLE and PLEASURE TO USE copy of windows
XP. Of course I have now a sizeable machine (Core 2 quad, 4GB RAM, Geforce
8600, 22" LCD) but it worked just as well with my old athlon 1800/512 ram.
It is a matter of KNOWING what you do with your windows.
I also have an aversion to using things I can't
fix when they go wrong.
Becuase they tend to go wrong at the most inconenient moment.
Make it work well and it will never go wrong. Trust me.
Well, at one time manufactuers of programmable chips
were very bad about
providing full documentation on how to program them. I have yet to find a
completely 'open' FPGA or CPLD -- meaning a device where I can get,
without signing an NDA or similar, full specification on how to send bits
to the device (what pins to wiggle and how, what are the critical
timings, what voltages to apply, etc) and also how to turn my design into
those bits. Microcontrollers do tend to be more open (the PICs that I've
used were fully documented), but I am not sure if this ICD system is.
And it is still this way. No FPGA or CPLD open docs. But take a look at
www.atmel.com and see for yourself how it works.
Greetings
Alexandre, your fan :)