NationStates Jolt Archive

I got a new computer about a month ago. It came with Windows Vista. I hate Windows Vista. I can't tell you how many times it arbitrarly bailed me out of what I was doing to install updates. It did it this morning, when I was logging on to NSG. Why couldn't it have been programmed to warn you when this was going to happen and give you the option of rescheduling it at your convenience.

I also dislike the McAfee Anti-Virus. Viruses, Trojans, spyware all get past it with the ease of water going through a seive. I finally removed it and installed the Trend Micro anti-virus. McAfee may be free with AOL, but it's not worth losing your computer to some Trojan.

Ok, rant done. Any comments? Can I get rid of Vista the way I got rid of McAfee? What's your latest computer gripe?

Buy a Mac.

Buy a Mac.

This would work.

I have XP, because my sound card didn't work with Vista. I didn't have any complaints about it other then that. Anyway, my gripe is my computer only has a 1.4 Processor.:(

I dont mind vista I just have no reason to switch to it really ...

That having been said I agree with your choice to move away from Mcaffee I have liked Trend Micros stand alone scanner for a long time so their full blown (PCcillian based) product should be pretty good

Sure - you can dump Vista and replace it with something else. XP if you like windows and are willing to pay money, a *nix flavour if you are willing to spend some time learning a new system. Linux, freeBSD and so on can all be downloaded in various flavours for free.

Other, more esotheric operating systems for the pc do exist and can be fun to toy with, but are not really useful for day to day work.

Buy a Mac.
I can honestly say that that's the worst advice I've heard in years. You can hate windows all you want, but in the end, it's all just jealousy.

There is a setting (I don't know where it is!) that changes the update procedure to where it asks you first, which is also annoying as shit, and then another setting where it tells you as you shut down that it wants to update and then you can tell it to. Hubby made it do that last one, it's awesome!

Most of the annoyingness of Vista can be turned off.......you just have to find the tic box.

I've never had a problem with Vista. In fact, I've seemed to grow more accostomed to it than I have to XP. Also, I've not had problems with installing updates, as my unit only installs them when I feel like it (aka only when I want to shut down the computer). I also have Norton antivirus, which has worked for me for the past few years.

Perhaps you have a good load of bloatware on your computer? If anything, I've had more updates come from third-party vendors and the stuff the computer was loaded with than updates from Microsoft...

Start > control panel > security > turn automatic updates on/off

What's your latest computer gripe?
#1 The fact that my laptop's hard drive whirrs and crackles for about twenty minutes while my laptop turns on, and is slow to the point of being unusable while doing so. My parent's desktop has the same specs, no less software, doesn't do this, and doesn't have Vista. I therefore blame Vista.

#2 What, in the name of everything holy, were Microsoft thinking when they decided to redesign Office into the most irritating and obscure user interfaces. I like my menu bars, but can get them back for everything but this.

We reluctantly installed Vista as a second OS on one of the flat computers, purely for DirectX 10 and all it's shiny graphics goodness.

Other than that, I wouldn't touch the OS.

Roll back to XP or take the plunge into Linux, IMO.

Buy a Mac.

ASD has brand new hardware. The only problem with it is Windows Vista.

Your solution: throw out the hardware.

Think different. No, that's too in-the-box.
Different! No, that's too close to the truth.
Buy a Mac! Yep, that's our new slogan.

Buy a Mac.

Thats a rather un-reasonable suggestion without more information

This would work.

How do you know? Not nearly enough information about his computer needs to make this sort of evaluation

ASD has brand new hardware. The only problem with it is Windows Vista.

Your solution: throw out the hardware.

Think different. No, that's too in-the-box.
Different! No, that's too close to the truth.
Buy a Mac! Yep, that's our new slogan.

"And in other news, Microsoft has changed it's motto to: 'If you don't like us, but a Mac'. Apple a short boost in sales before Microsoft essentially wiped the Mac of the face of the Earth.... "

Most of the annoyingness of Vista can be turned off.......you just have to find the tic box.
I can't remember where or what it was, but I did manage to find (read: get google to find for me) an obscure Vista configuration program that had a list of tick boxes, all of which were next to an annoying feature I could turn off!

Thats a rather un-reasonable suggestion without more information

He was complaining about the annoyance of antispyware programs. Macs dont need them. He was also complaining about problems with Vista. Mac doesnt use Vista. Ergo the best way to avoid a headache is to not need the programs at all that are causing the problems.

I can't remember where or what it was, but I did manage to find (read: get google to find for me) an obscure Vista configuration program that had a list of tick boxes, all of which were next to an annoying feature I could turn off!
Yeah, that's what we've done.

The Vista install we've got is now pretty much a shiny XP with DirectX 10.

EDIT> Use MSConfig to turn off certain features and, as long as you've got relatively new hardware, Vista isn't too much of an annoyance.

He was complaining about the annoyance of antispyware programs. Macs dont need them. Ergo the best way to avoid a headache is to not need the program at all that is causing the problem.

While there is far less spyware aimed at the Mac, it does exist.

#1 The fact that my laptop's hard drive whirrs and crackles for about twenty minutes while my laptop turns on, and is slow to the point of being unusable while doing so. My parent's desktop has the same specs, no less software, doesn't do this, and doesn't have Vista. I therefore blame Vista.

I'm curious... what are your specs? I've heard of people having problems similar to this (Vista running slow, blah blah blah) but they are generally fixed by adding RAM...

He was complaining about the annoyance of antispyware programs. Macs dont need them. He was also complaining about problems with Vista. Mac doesnt use Vista. Ergo the best way to avoid a headache is to not need the programs at all that are causing the problems.

While there is far less spyware aimed at the Mac, it does exist.

And the reason that there is less spyware/viruses/etc. aimed at Macs is that the infrastructure of most of the world is Microsoft based. Why waste time trying to crash 5% of the world when you can crash 95% of it with the same amount of effort. That's how hackers/crackers/general miscreants think. Macs aren't any more virus resistant than anything else. They just don't matter as much.

He was complaining about the annoyance of antispyware programs. Macs dont need them. He was also complaining about problems with Vista. Mac doesnt use Vista. Ergo the best way to avoid a headache is to not need the programs at all that are causing the problems.
Which is completely irrelevant if the OS does not do what he needs it to DO
In the end giving up functionality in favor of security is useless if it goes past the point of core functionality for the task

So like I said rather un-informed suggestion

And the reason that there is less spyware/viruses/etc. aimed at Macs is that the infrastructure of most of the world is Microsoft based. Why waste time trying to crash 5% of the world when you can crash 95% of it with the same amount of effort. That's how hackers/crackers/general miscreants think. Macs aren't any more virus resistant than anything else. They just don't matter as much.Why would someone want to crash people's systems. Where's the money in that? I'd probably write a spyware/virus for a Mac if I wanted. EVERY windows user has a virus scanner a spy checker, with huge companies dedicated to halting my malware in its tracks. Whereas Mac users seem to think their immune and so don't bother so much with these defensive programs. Much easier. Sure there's a smaller audience, but that also means there are less people looking to spot my new malware. ;)

I run Debian Linux. I have a 1GHz processor and 512Mb of RAM, and I don't need any more; all of the programs I need run fine. I installed a game yesterday, and using apt-get it took a couple of minutes. Try doing that on Windows; Debian (or Ubuntu) is the way to go.

I run Debian Linux. I have a 1GHz processor and 512Mb of RAM, and I don't need any more; all of the programs I need run fine. I installed a game yesterday, and using apt-get it took a couple of minutes. Try doing that on Windows; Debian (or Ubuntu) is the way to go.

Another debian person :) yay

http://www.youdontevenrealize.com/pictures/computers/work_performance.png

This was just taken ... just shy of 300 mb of ram being used and I am running a full server 2003 virtual as well as a nessusd that is being used and samba

But it works for what I want it to do ... it would not for everone

I got a new computer about a month ago. It came with Windows Vista. I hate Windows Vista. I can't tell you how many times it arbitrarly bailed me out of what I was doing to install updates. It did it this morning, when I was logging on to NSG. Why couldn't it have been programmed to warn you when this was going to happen and give you the option of rescheduling it at your convenience.

I also dislike the McAfee Anti-Virus. Viruses, Trojans, spyware all get past it with the ease of water going through a seive. I finally removed it and installed the Trend Micro anti-virus. McAfee may be free with AOL, but it's not worth losing your computer to some Trojan.

Ok, rant done. Any comments? Can I get rid of Vista the way I got rid of McAfee? What's your latest computer gripe?


Download Ubuntu. It runs with much lower requirements than Vista, and with compiz and wine, it's just as pretty as Windows, and it can run the same software.

I got my new computer just before they stopped selling them with XP alone (you can still choose to "downgrade" for extra most places -_-). I'd transfer your files and settings to flash memory or something and then buy XP and reinstall it. Granted, I don't know exactly how to do this, but I know it can be done.

Re: anti-virus software, I use AVG (free) and the free version of Ad-Aware and they both seem to do fine by me.

My current gripe with XP is Microsoft Works Word Processor. It's just gross.

#1 The fact that my laptop's hard drive whirrs and crackles for about twenty minutes while my laptop turns on, and is slow to the point of being unusable while doing so. My parent's desktop has the same specs, no less software, doesn't do this, and doesn't have Vista. I therefore blame Vista.

That sounds like your HD is going bad. To my knowledge, software doesnt cause your hard drives to malfunction.
I'd make a backup of any data you dont want to lose on something external pretty quickly.

My current gripe with XP is Microsoft Works Word Processor. It's just gross.

...why in the world would you use Microsoft Works?

...why in the world would you use Microsoft Works?

To avoid paying for Microsoft Office. A legit license is quite expensive, especially if you are not going to use all of its functionalities.

To avoid paying for Microsoft Office. A legit license is quite expensive, especially if you are not going to use all of its functionalities.

There are much better free utilities in that case ... Night and day better free choices

There are much better free utilities in that case ... Night and day better free choices

Probably. But the problem is availabilty and customer visibility. Most people dont know those options exist and neither how to get them. Thats why they prefere to use the product they know or the one they have even if it doesnt covers all their needs.

...why in the world would you use Microsoft Works?

OMG, DO I HAVE A CHOICE?

Seriously, I've only had this computer for like a month. I looked for Word, this was all I found. I want my old Word back! GIVE IT BACK TO ME!

Probably. But the problem is availabilty and customer visibility. Most people dont know those options exist and neither how to get them. Thats why they prefere to use the product they know or the one they have even if it doesnt covers all their needs.

With the full blown office suite I agree but it is works ... not only is it practically unusable but it also is the black sheep low market share productivity software Open office is in its range of works

OMG, DO I HAVE A CHOICE?

Seriously, I've only had this computer for like a month. I looked for Word, this was all I found. I want my old Word back! GIVE IT BACK TO ME!

if you want word youll need a Micro$oft license. You can find some word processors for free to download from the web. There are plenty.

OMG, DO I HAVE A CHOICE?

Seriously, I've only had this computer for like a month. I looked for Word, this was all I found. I want my old Word back! GIVE IT BACK TO ME!

Give open office a try it is a fairly solid substitute ... specially compared to works.

To avoid paying for Microsoft Office. A legit license is quite expensive, especially if you are not going to use all of its functionalities.

You can just buy word seperately then. Or excel. Or both. It's more expensive because it doesn't suck.

You can't say that about Microsoft Works.

OMG, DO I HAVE A CHOICE?

Seriously, I've only had this computer for like a month. I looked for Word, this was all I found. I want my old Word back! GIVE IT BACK TO ME!

World, Excel, and Powerpoint (http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Office-Home-Student-2007/dp/B000HCZ8EO/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1215722816&sr=8-1) All in one package. You save $200+ from buying them seperately.

World, Excel, and Powerpoint (http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Office-Home-Student-2007/dp/B000HCZ8EO/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1215722816&sr=8-1) All in one package. You save $200+ from buying them seperately.

Also if you go to a university check there I know many universities in the united states comp part or all the price ...
I have seen them at some universities down to 13 bucks or free for a copy of the entire office Suite

if you want word youll need a Micro$oft license. You can find some word processors for free to download from the web. There are plenty.

Give open office a try it is a fairly solid substitute ... specially compared to works.

You can just buy word seperately then. Or excel. Or both. It's more expensive because it doesn't suck.

You can't say that about Microsoft Works.

You are lovely, lovely people.

You are lovely, lovely people.

Thank you.... why?

iv had no problems with vista. Everything works smoothly

iv had no problems with vista. Everything works smoothly

Ooh, well...We can't have anyone approving of Vista here on the internet, you know. If you'd just like to come with us for a moment...

Why would someone want to crash people's systems. Where's the money in that? I'd probably write a spyware/virus for a Mac if I wanted. EVERY windows user has a virus scanner a spy checker, with huge companies dedicated to halting my malware in its tracks. Whereas Mac users seem to think their immune and so don't bother so much with these defensive programs. Much easier. Sure there's a smaller audience, but that also means there are less people looking to spot my new malware. ;)

It's not always about money. The hackers I know like to try to crash systems just to see if they can do it. The money comes when the government hires them to make sure it doesn't happen again. Virus scanners can only protect against viruses they know about. If you were to write a new one, then obviously the database wouldn't know about it and couldn't protect against it. I'd only bother writing a virus for a Mac if I could be there when the users head explodes when his new MacBook starts opening furry porn sites in Starbucks. :D

Why would someone want to crash people's systems. Where's the money in that? I'd probably write a spyware/virus for a Mac if I wanted. EVERY windows user has a virus scanner a spy checker, with huge companies dedicated to halting my malware in its tracks. Whereas Mac users seem to think their immune and so don't bother so much with these defensive programs. Much easier. Sure there's a smaller audience, but that also means there are less people looking to spot my new malware. ;)

If I were to write a personal details stealing trojan, with the hopes of selling the information to spam companies and marketing firms, I would send it to 95% of the world, rather than 5% of the world which uses Macs. The law of averages works out in my favor there. The same with the use of zombie programs for DDOS work. I can catch more with a net in PC networks as opposed to Macs.

If a fairy came along and waved her magic wand turning Macs into the dominant computers, Steve Jobs head would explode from the sheer number of viruses and exploits that would flood them.

If I were to write a personal details stealing trojan, with the hopes of selling the information to spam companies and marketing firms, I would send it to 95% of the world, rather than 5% of the world which uses Macs. The law of averages works out in my favor there. The same with the use of zombie programs for DDOS work. I can catch more with a net in PC networks as opposed to Macs.

If a fairy came along and waved her magic wand turning Macs into the dominant computers, Steve Jobs head would explode from the sheer number of viruses and exploits that would flood them.

Yeah, but that doesn't take into account that there are bound to be SOME peolpe out there who want to do stuff like that just for the fun of it... it would COMPLETELY screw up most Mac 'superiority' if someone did that. And it would be HILARIOUS!

OMG, DO I HAVE A CHOICE?

Seriously, I've only had this computer for like a month. I looked for Word, this was all I found. I want my old Word back! GIVE IT BACK TO ME!

Use Open Office.

Funny anecdote: While I was with SUN, we were explicitly warned NOT to use any MS products. We cannot even send excel/word attachments using their email servers. We had to get open office installed and use. But SUN did not have an alternate for MS projects (more like our PM refused to change from his habit of using MS projects for project tracking)...so SUN would have two machines with MS projects in a locked room that only a few people had access to.

Added Later:

Also, is not MS stopping the sales/licensing of XP like..already? Thought I saw that somewhere and some pleads/petitions to keep XP alive.

Also, is not MS stopping the sales/licensing of XP like..already? Thought I saw that somewhere and some pleads/petitions to keep XP alive.

They might not be but the makers aren't. Dell have kept millions (possible exaggeration) so that they can keep selling XP rather than Vista.

They might not be but the makers aren't. Dell have kept millions (possible exaggeration) so that they can keep selling XP rather than Vista.

Ya, its true. I got a shiny new XP machine just a few days ago (I LOVE IT! So cheap and good and loverly and fun and happy...)

I really can't stand the PC world. I wish I could get a Mac, but it's too expensive.

You always could try Ubuntu...:)