Posted on 02/02/2009 9:29:54 AM PST by smokingfrog
They’ll bolt to other OS that *GASP* Have updates that need to be installed too!
And this is from a person that had almost all of my half-dozen machines running Linux because I though I would have fewer things to have to deal with, only to find unlimited headaches to the point where every one of those same machines either run XP, Vista or 7.
There is only ONE reason I no longer use Win98SE, which is because it is limited on file size manipulation to 1Gb. Years ago, I saw the end coming for the Windows OS, when they decided to retain control over the system after purchase.
If Microsoft cannot bring itself to selling a product that it then no longer owns, it is time to move to an OS where they still understand the principle.
Win7 may be a fine product. But I will only buy it, if when I have purchased it, it is my property, which I can use until it no longer fits my needs. Not Microsoft’s needs, but my needs.
OK, so it doesn’t force installation of the service packs, which is good. I work on XP with still just SP1 because it is unknown (and unsupported) if the embroidery software I run will work under SP2. I am planning on a trial installation of the program on another machine that’s running SP2 to see if it will work, but with a bunch of security codes and a hardware dongle it’s a PITA so I have put it off. However, as more and more other programs require SP2 I am really hoping it will work.
Does Windows 7 have all the DRM crap Vista has?
I am not real computer literate.
Anyone know what .Net Framework is for and would I need it? Update says I need a 200+ update. I just surf, email and play some games on our PC.
SpyBot, AVG8, ZoneAlarm, Ccleaner and Defraggler keep my system running fine.
Which I can turn off, wholly or selectively, without being "unsupported."
And this is from a person that had almost all of my half-dozen machines running Linux because I though I would have fewer things to have to deal with, only to find unlimited headaches to the point where every one of those same machines either run XP, Vista or 7.
The fact that you can't figure out how to admin a Linux box is no reflection on the state of the operating system.
And make no mistake, Linux boxes, just like Windows boxes must be admined regardless of what Microsoft has been telling people for twenty years.
Why would one not want to install the Service Packs (unless they interfere with your brain waves or something like that) [/tin foil hat]
FWIW, I have never experienced a single incompatibility with any WinXP service pack or update.
I have 3 desktops and 2 laptops on XP at home, 150 desktops administered at work.
It's been a very long time, WinNT 4 days, since I've seen anything break due to a Windows update or SP.
Which is exactly why 95% of PC users will never switch.
I personally I always find the Linux chest thumping amusing. I get paid no matter which operating system gets ****** up.
Vista sucks.
If Windows 7 comes with Windows Media Player then...yes.
2 of my 4 personal xp computers will never complete installing XP3. Is it possible this is the reason or would this blocker have been installed only by choice? It’s a real pain because automatic updates continuously tries to install the downloaded SP3, then says it failed, followed by a lengthy uninstall process.
I got a notice, this week-end that I had two critical updates for Microsoft software and Windows and several non-critical, but all they seemed to want to do was get in my computer and verify the software license. The language sounded threatening, and I just decided to turn off the auto updates. I don’t have any software that didn’t either come with my computer or was legally purchased, but the whole idea of them spending hours going through my computer and turning it off and starting it up numerous times, was really annoying.
If you are just in a strictly business environment, that is understandable. However, in the world of specialty software (tied to machines) the path of “progress” is slower and considerably more expensive. As an example the multihead embroidery machines I digitize for still use 720K formatted floppies. Which involves some creative work-arounds since the advent of 1.44 disks and then XP.
On the other hand my other work (Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel) requires being able to do the latest & greatest and having a machine stuck in time is quite a drawback.
SP3 gave my XP system a significant speed boost. That was a pleasant surprise.
Bleghhhhh!
The impetus for the non-geeks in our family to switch to Apple/Linux came last year when I finally became fed up with just how terribly slow and crashy Vista was. I bought a brand new, powerful computer last year, and it was balky under Vista, even though it is supposed to run just fine according to all of the specs. Instead, it crashed and crashed and crashed. I don't think I ever got through a day when it didn't either time-out or crash.
Plus, my desktop had XP, but Microsoft decided not to support that anymore, so then I had two Microsoft products on two computers, both bought and paid for with my hard-earned money, neither of which were or ever even could be optimized, one of which stalled or crashed daily.
At this point, even preschooler's desktop machine uses Ubuntu (Edubuntu). The computer I am writing this on is dual-boot, and it is the only holdout. As soon as I get time to back up all my files, wipe the drives and reinstall, it is going to Linux-only and that will be that.
There may be things I won't be able to run but that'll just have to be too bad. I haven't found anything yet that I need that doesn't have a Linux substitute, so far. I actually like a few things better - the word processor under Linux is awesome.
I don't need anything badly enough to give money to Microsoft and get nothing but a broken machine in return.
Just because you haven't seen them doesn't mean that they don't exist.
More importantly, since you haven't seen them you are unprepared to deal with them when they do finally show up.
Because problems with Windows Service Packs are a reality for thousands and thousands of users.
The Dark Side of Windows XP Service Pack 2
A university had to put up a web site to deal with XP SP2 problems.
Scroll down to "Known Bugs and Issuess"
Installing Windows XP Service Pack 2 can make your PC LESS secure.
Windows XP SP3 breaks Pagemager.
Windows XP SP2 disables FTP server.
Windows XP SP3: Beware the service pack!
Vista Service Pack Poses Some Pesky Problems
It's not limited to just Windows service packs either...
Office XP Service Pack 3 problems bite users.
In fact, service pack problems are so widespread that Microsoft even built a tool to stop them from installing.
Which they now say they're going to disable, because they know better than the people actually running the machines.
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