-------------Original Message
Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 12:04:30 -0400
From: Dave McGuire <mcguire at
neurotica.com
Subject: Re: Is this slashdot or Classiccmp? Re: Microsoft bashing
On May 25, 2009, at 2:42 AM, M H Stein wrote:
Considering that many thousands if not millions of
folks are happily
using Windows and Microsoft apps 24/7 without any real problems,
That's just the thing, though: They don't. Some 88% of all spam
today comes from Windows machines being remotely controlled without
the knowledge of their owners. I fight it every day (I run a few
large mail servers for people) and see the OS fingerprints.
Further, I've reloaded several Windows machines for people since
my social contacts around home have begun to branch out to include
nontechnical folk. At least a dozen machines over the past year.
The half-dozen Linux people and the two guys with Suns don't have any
problems at all.
So, I say with respect, please know what you're talking about
before making big sweeping statements like that.
-Dave
-----------Reply:
Really? You can't imagine that even as few as 1 in 1000 or so of the estimated
billion-plus computers out there (including probably quite a few million not even
connected to the Internet) could just quietly and reliably be using Windows and
MS apps day after day to process documents, update spreadsheets, manage
doctors' and dentists' appointments, issue invoices, print reports, exchange
emails,
etc., etc. etc. without ever seeing a BSOD, rebooting or reinstalling Windows?
FWIW in my circle of friends and clients who look to me for advice and support it's
actually more like 8 out of ten, and 1.5 out of the remaining two are user-caused;
if any of my corporate clients' Windows servers and desktops were as unreliable
as some folks suggest, then heads would roll pretty quickly.
Sure, computers and software are not without problems, and Microsoft's
no doubt more than any other; spambots etc. are a PITA reality and in keeping
with today's mores of course it's Microsoft's fault for not making a foolproof
lock,
and not the burglar's or the homeowner who didn't bother to lock the door.
Let's just say we see the world through different perspectives shaped by different
experiences...
m