Software: Why Microsoft Bashing is Counter Productive

Fanboyism and opposition bashing does nothing for anyone's cause. When making a decision about which product to use, whether it be hardware or software, it really should come down to which is the best product for you. Putting up with a sup-par product just so you can stick it to the “big mean opposition” does nobody any favours and certainly doesn't further future development.

If Linux is to be taken seriously, then depicting it as an alternative OS, merely to avoid using Microsoft products, is frankly stupid and tars Linux as the Microsoft hater's OS of choice. Which in turn suggests all Linux users are idiots. Not that I'm suggesting for one minute that the average Mac user is any better, who generally appear to suffer from a minor superiority complex.

If I'm playing a game, or I want to get some video editing done, I'll boot up Windows XP. I'm not ashamed of that, it's merely the best tool for the job – right now.

I've had Windows XP running flawlessly, naturally with no trojans or spyware – which is more than can be said for the other 99% of Windows machines I find myself stuck on. Is that the operating systems fault, or the user who can't set it up correctly? Granted, I still get a lot of the annoying bugs in XP that are inherent to the system - but no operating system is perfect.

Not all Linux distributions are the same, and the sheer number of distributions and different packages for the same task is as much a problem as it is a feature. Designing software for Windows is a fairly easy task as you know pretty every machine will be the default install out of the box. As there is no “default” install of Linux, it makes things a little trickier. Perhaps as complex as designing a web site that is compatible with every browser. A simple task if the site is simple, but the more complex you get – the harder things get. Ubuntu has a huge coverage, being the most widely used and supported distribution, almost to the point of defining itself as the desktop Linux. In my opinion this can only improve Linux's foothold.

The more convergence there is, and the closer the PC comes towards being a single function appliance (like a toaster), the better. Everyone on a single web browser, would be heaven. Then we would be free to develop web applications – which are without a doubt the future of applications, full stop. Who could possibly argue than an OpenSource solution where anyone could implement new features, is anti-competitive? The operating system will very soon become irrelevant for every day tasks – if there is a web browser, you'll have IM, Office Applications and E-mail, without having the install a thing. Getting closer and closer to a web thin-client scenario.

Scarily, Apple does seem to be the closest to this ideal right now. By locking both the hardware and software down to what they choose – they have control, ultimately – quality control. If the machines were more reasonably priced, I might even consider one myself.

Microsoft has done very well with DirectX and Xbox, primarily because of its developers support and working closely with GPU manufacturers (Vista development excluded from that last comment..). Microsoft's future lies in gaming and Vista is a great example of their struggle to improve other areas - as it offers nothing XP doesn't except DX10.

The Asus EeePC is a step closer to how I see the average home PC being in 5 years time. With FireFox, ThunderBird, OpenOffice and Pidgin it has everything needed for most daily tasks. Nothing can go wrong, everything just works and with the click of a single button you can restore it to factory defaults. The PC will become a toaster – a cheap to manufacture, locked down Linux device that will cost under £100.

Coming back to why I originally started this post - I like Linux because it's free, fast, secure and does everything I need. I also like to get my hands dirty occasionally and work out how things are going, instead of being given error messages that mean nothing and have no option but to reinstall It's a developers dream, but equally, I've put quite a few family and friends on Ubuntu and they love it too.

So think twice before you start bad-mouthing Microsoft for the wrong reasons. If you have something to say, back it up with a reason, or nobody is going to listen

Why not? I'd be interested to hear other people's point of views

I'm not talking about everyone. But 90% of people could probably get away with one. And my point is that pretty much all expandability will be available through the web browser. So although it's a toaster, it's still easily extended, without the core OS being touched.

Coyote, your comments are spot on. The point I was making was that Microsoft bashing with no just cause doesn't help as at all. Next time someone asks you why don't like Microsoft - point them to your post.

And that's more than enough reason to install FireFox

I realise I'm probably asking the impossible. A stripped down version of XP or whatever that was made like a Lego set. you buy the raw O/S then add what you need from Microsoft, or other companies and tailor your own custom operating system. Linux I hear you all cry, well yes, perhaps, but what I'm talking about is something that works like the add ons in Firefox. The required extra bits could be bought, downloaded open source if you can and want to play, or Sharewhere. The important part is that they all work when installed so Mr. average can use it without needing to ask questions on forums trying to get things to gel together.

This could be a a singular universal software system for Mac's as well, you could use the best bits you need from O/SX, windows and all the other great programmes that are available. Would this make coding easier for web designers? I suppose a fair number of people would still go for the inevitable Microsoft all in one package, so I guess it wouldn't. Is that such a ceazy idea?. I imagine Linux will be like that one day, hopefully.

I don't care for Microsoft's attitude about their OS, one fit for all. I'm very happy to have installed Ubuntu, I realize that I've got a long way to go to be an effective user. I feel that I'd probably spend as much time on Xp, so it's a better use of my time to learn linux.
I think Coyotes idea of a lego style OS would be the best. Just install the basic system to operate the hardware, then add only what you need for what you do.

Oh Scopse, that's not good, I hope you get that sorted ASAP. The old saying I find amusing is; "MAC users all have ginger beards and smell of wee." Obviously Not true in general, but the people I know that have gone over to MAC have changed their attitude towards PC's and windows. They have now got off the PC roundabout? Windows sucks, I now have a MAC and an "I'm holier than thou attitude".

OK, fine, I like OSX and would like to be able to run it on one of my rigs, only because it's easy to use and really quite clever for the quick simple stuff we do everyday. Has anyone noticed how incredibly expensive MAC programmes are? I mean Apple's own stuff for MAC.

Too much money, yup, I have to agree there. I like to build my own machines, you can't with a MAC, they just costalotamoney for not very much machine, OK, very pretty, but that's tertiary to me.

A stripped down version of Windows, that's interesting Lolly, I will have to look in to that one.

Sorry, Mac as in Apple Mac not MAC as Media Access Control addresses. Thanks Spode, I will have a look at nLite and see what I can play with without getting too confused.

To add a little: Spode, I really cannot see that Ubuntu is like a Lego set, it seems to me a bit hit and miss, better than distro's where, but not yet semi idiot friendly. One just has to read the the posts here to see that. it doesn't quite fit together like Lego. Maybe to you it's not a problem, but just think how many people have endless problems working Windows, let alone sorting out a Linux distro.

You go and buy a car, then you add the extras you require. Easy. Although not the best analogy, but I think you can see what I mean.

Mmm, I will keep trying and am bound to get something working one day. I think I just lack the confidence to do it. What I really don't want to do is mess up my Windows installs. That's one of the reasons. I'm waiting to swap the new rig guts in to this case and transfer all the goodies I've collected. then I will have an empty machine to play with, I hope a dual core socket 939 will work OK with Linux?

As I probably said before, I need to get this damn gall bladder problem sorted first, then when I'm feeling more able to tackle a not so hard job I will get going on this. I'm starting to feel a little stupid where all this Linux stuff is concerned and I'm determined to grock it eventually. Sorry to be such a wet pain at the moment.

You may not believe this, but I'm typing this on Firefox, using Ubuntu via a Wubi install! How's that for effort. I've downloaded the updates and I think most of it is working. I don't think the nVidia drivers are working as the screen res is at a maximum of 1024X768. perhaps I need some Linux type drivers for the 8600 gt card. also the number keypad doesn't work. but early days, at least I've made a start.

I'm surprisingly impressed so far, and with a little time and understanding I will get it to run as I need it to. I assume I just Google to get Java, but I'm not so sure where to get the Windows fonts. What the etc's are, well? I suppose I will find out. Thanks for the faith Spode.

It actually put in a boot loader. I installed it on the other drive F as it seems I could from the loading instructions. I will see if I can find and Install the ubuntu-restricted-extras package. It can't be that hard to find.