Broken Windows

Daring Fireball ^ | 6/4/2004 | John Gruber

[Nataku X]

Linux users would have all the problems as Windows users if they:

(1) Ran as root all the time
(2) Turned off ipchains/iptables
(3) Have a crappy browser like IE

And the reverse is true. I've never gotten spyware (aside from the normal ad-tracking cookies in IE that Spybot/Adaware counts as "spyware") or virus, and that's with a bunch of servers running and running as Administrator. Granted, the servers are all open-source, not MS crap.

[Military family member]

I'm running a G3 with OS 8.6 on it. I operate a business from my Mac and If I update, I want to update to the biggest I can, so I don't have to do it often.

Are there pop-up stoppers for a system as old as mine? Since it functions so well, I see little reason to change.

My business is graphics intensive, but for the print media. You mention Mozilla, but when I installed that once, it went through my system and changed every single image file to a mozillaJPG.

Suggestions?

[lawgirl]

I just switched to Mac and I love it. There are a few things I don't like, but I have found with Mac that it's usually a situation of not knowing the right shortcut- the command exists, you just have to find out what it is. I think Macs should come with a Windows translation book LOL!

[Leroy S. Mort]

why don't we put the Sony Vaio P4 2.7 GHz [Windows XP] machine by the curb, and let the TRASH COMPANY give us relief???

Freepmail me. If the distance isn't too far, I'll pay shipping for you to send it to me.

[Cultural Jihad]

Why are Windows users besieged by security exploits, but Mac users are not?

That's like asking: "How come banks are robbed when junkyards are not?"

If 95% of the computers out there were Macs, and only 5% were Windows, we'd be hearing the lamentations differently: "Why are Mac users besieged by security exploits, but Windows users are not?"

[B Knotts]

Also, pop-up ads seem to be a problem on any computer, any browser. I don't know what this guy is using, if he's not being inundated with them.

Not really; they're really only a problem for Windows users running IE. Other browsers have some measure of security against unrequested pop-up windows.

[jalisco555]

If 95% of the computers out there were Macs, and only 5% were Windows, we'd be hearing the lamentations differently: "Why are Mac users besieged by security exploits, but Windows users are not?"

The article explicitly addresses that issue. The author believes it is an excuse, not a reason for Windows' problems.

I have several Windows computers at home that I am gradually replacing with Macs. I've already done it with my laptop. Let me tell you, it is a pleasure to not have to deal with viruses, spyware and unexplainable slowdowns in performance. I can't wait until my finances allow full changeover.

[zeebee]

Netscape or Mozilla for either Mac or PC will block popups (without installing additional software). You only need IE for the Windows update. Use Netscape for everything else.

It's under Preferences-> Privacy & Security-> Popup Windows

[lawgirl]

I love Safari. I have only been a Mac user for about a month, and I have never ever had a popup window yet. LOVE IT! Although I don't like how the bookmarks are set up as well.

:D

[SwankyC]

Given Thurrott’s consistent record as a bona fide asshat

Anyone wanna tell me what an asshat is?

[amigatec]

I've had Macs destroy Zip disks,

This may not be a MAC problem. Iomega sold some drive with bad heads. The drive themselves were tearing up the zip disks.

See http://grc.com/tip/clickdeath.htm

[randita]

Re: Post 43. If you are comfortable with the Windows OS, but like the Mac for security and reliability, check into Virtual PC for Mac. When open, Virtual PC will allow your Mac to run exactly like a PC. It allows people in a PC based office environment to work in and translate PC based applications and files 100% correctly.

[MaryFromMichigan]

We've had iMovie and iDVD for a couple years, but for some reason,
I never got around to trying them out.
Well, this weekend I finally opened iMovie.
Wow.
I used some photos of my Mom (she recently passed away), added some music and burned it to a dvd.
Created a lovely montage. And I'm not known for my creativity.
Gonna work on refining it and then I'll burn some copies for my sibs and our Dad.

Appreciate the pings, Swordmaker, even though I only occasionally respond. :)

My hubby is the Mac fanatic in our house.
I'm just along for the ride.

[Woahhs]

I think Macs should come with a Windows translation book LOL!

Already thought of it. Try Apple's website under the "switch" tab...

[Woahhs]

If 95% of the computers out there were Macs, and only 5% were Windows, we'd be hearing the lamentations differently: "Why are Mac users besieged by security exploits, but Windows users are not?"

The article explicitly addresses that issue. The author believes it is an excuse, not a reason for Windows' problems.

When your only tool is a hammer...

[Woahhs]

If you are comfortable with the Windows OS, but like the Mac for security and reliability, check into Virtual PC for Mac. When open, Virtual PC will allow your Mac to run exactly like a PC.

True enough, but it's a bit like having your gold medal bronzed.

[Woahhs]

I've had flight attendants wander over to me and strike up conversations. They're attracted by the beauty of my computer (trust me, it's not my animal magnetism). This never happens to Dell users.

Oh, I don't know about that. I had to push our Shi-tzu off my mom's new Dell recently.

[antiRepublicrat]

I don't think Microsoft planned for the internet,

No, they didn't. Their operating systems were originally designed as standalone workstations. In 1994 Bill was calling this "Internet thing" a geek fad with no commercial use, and was staking its computer interaction paradigm on their competition to AOL (MSN). He woke up around '95 and decided he was going to take over this new Internet thing.

[antiRepublicrat]

I've had Macs destroy Zip disks, and I've seen a Mac crash so badly (for no reason) that the only way it was made functional again was by installing a new copy of the operating system.

1) Zip disks dying was a common problem on any platform ("Click of Death")

2) I can't count the number of Windows machines I've seen spontaneously combust.

[antiRepublicrat]

Might I suggest you try Mozzila, a Windows based browser that offers the same option?

I gave a Knoppix CD to an engineer friend (Windows user, light older *NIX background) because he wanted a package of network utilities and the Knoppix distro gives it to you all at one shot without having to set up a Linux box or worry about dual-boot. While giving him a tour he saw the Mozilla browser. He asked, and I told him about it and where to get a copy for Windows.

I got an email back the next day full of praise: so much faster, no more popups, etc.