Why I run Windows

[anje]

What really amazes me is to hear people say that they have issues with Windows, especially Win7.  I have run every build of windows since before Win3, all of them heavily used in a technical business situation.  I have also run Macs for quite a while and taken care of Linux networks.  I have never found Win to be any more troublesome or difficult to administer than any of the alternatives.  I have no problems with crashing or viruses.  I have no doubt, based on what I've heard, that others do have issues.  My point is that it's certainly possible to have an efficient, trouble free system based on windows.

Windows Me wasn't that bad once I figured out that the switch on my power strip was the best method of fixing freezes.

/Running Xubuntu 12.10 now, only even look at Windows because I'm too lazy to bother figuring out how to run Moonlight so I can watch Netflix.

[a10t2]

So they blame windows for not being able to handle it when the problem is the new program is configured for an updated OS and nearly all of the RAM than they have installed.

It seems like most of the issues I've encountered, with family and in my stint doing support in school, are with the massive amounts of garbage that come pre-installed. I've used (and still use, when I have to cross-boot) *very* stable Windows machines, but they all started as fresh installs. That's something an "average" user doesn't even know to do - nor should they have to.

[mmitchem]

I like Win7 - alot. It was a real step away from the way Windows used to work. Feels more like a Mac or Linux OS in the sense that you verify changes being made. On domains this will usually involve credentials.

It is stable and works like a champ. The developer/engineer side of me really enjoys the flexibility of Linux.

Backwards compatibility is really hit and miss. It sucks most of the time. Just the way they get consumers to buy the latest and greatest hardware/software. Ugh - the never-ending struggle...

[denny]

I guess I should add that I'm a very experienced computer user.  I started programming before a lot of people here were born.  I either build my machines from scratch, specify exactly what goes into them, or strip all the preinstalled software from a commercial machine and reconfigure it the way I like.  Admittedly, not everyone has the experience or time to do that and I think that those are the people who can run into problems.

[anje]

So they blame windows for not being able to handle it when the problem is the new program is configured for an updated OS and nearly all of the RAM than they have installed.

It seems like most of the issues I've encountered, with family and in my stint doing support in school, are with the massive amounts of garbage that come pre-installed. I've used (and still use, when I have to cross-boot) *very* stable Windows machines, but they all started as fresh installs. That's something an "average" user doesn't even know to do - nor should they have to.

What's sad is that most pre-built computers that you purchase today come with "recovery" disks that have all that garbage still present. Makes doing a fresh, clean install that much more difficult.

[Joe Sr.]

So they blame windows for not being able to handle it when the problem is the new program is configured for an updated OS and nearly all of the RAM than they have installed.

It seems like most of the issues I've encountered, with family and in my stint doing support in school, are with the massive amounts of garbage that come pre-installed. I've used (and still use, when I have to cross-boot) *very* stable Windows machines, but they all started as fresh installs. That's something an "average" user doesn't even know to do - nor should they have to.

What's sad is that most pre-built computers that you purchase today come with "recovery" disks that have all that garbage still present. Makes doing a fresh, clean install that much more difficult.

With a few exceptions, I've found that you can get pretty much all the required drivers on line so you can wipe the drive and reinstall a clean OS.  Of course, with my wife's laptop I did not do this, used the recovery disks and it still seems to have some problems (though some of them are user malfunctions).  All other computers in our house are either custom builds or clean installs.  I have to admit I'm still using XP.  Works fine for our purposes and I know my way around it.  I'd move up to Windows 7, but I don't really care to put the time into upgrading anything.  I'd rather brew some beer.

[majorvices]

saw this this morning: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/04/16/windows-its-over-tech-site-declares/

It's not just me!

[Mark G]

saw this this morning: http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2013/04/16/windows-its-over-tech-site-declares/

It's not just me!

That about sums it up. Design an operating system geared towards a touch screen, when 99% of installations won't be on a touch screen device. Pure genius.

[nateo]

People have been calling Microsoft "idiots" and saying they're doomed for years. What's different about this time? I remember people saying all the same stuff about Vista and 7 too.

[theDarkSide]

Windows 8 is the new era Windows ME and Vista.  We'll stick with Win7 at work for the time being.  We sill have a ton of XP machines.

[mmitchem]

I guess I should add that I'm a very experienced computer user.  I started programming before a lot of people here were born.  I either build my machines from scratch, specify exactly what goes into them, or strip all the preinstalled software from a commercial machine and reconfigure it the way I like.  Admittedly, not everyone has the experience or time to do that and I think that those are the people who can run into problems.

Kudos Denny! I am beginning to wonder what you CAN'T do!

[denny]

I guess I should add that I'm a very experienced computer user.  I started programming before a lot of people here were born.  I either build my machines from scratch, specify exactly what goes into them, or strip all the preinstalled software from a commercial machine and reconfigure it the way I like.  Admittedly, not everyone has the experience or time to do that and I think that those are the people who can run into problems.

Kudos Denny! I am beginning to wonder what you CAN'T do!

Actually, that would be a very long list, Mike!  My wife would be happy to verify that!

[majorvices]

People have been calling Microsoft "idiots" and saying they're doomed for years. What's different about this time? I remember people saying all the same stuff about Vista and 7 too.

I don't think they are idiots nor do I think Windows is going away. But egads Windows 8 is a nightmare.

[yugamrap]

People have been calling Microsoft "idiots" and saying they're doomed for years. What's different about this time? I remember people saying all the same stuff about Vista and 7 too.

I don't think they are idiots nor do I think Windows is going away. But egads Windows 8 is a nightmare.

Since Windows 8 was released, I've been buying laptop PCs for our company through Toshiba Direct and pay a little extra to "downgrade" to Windows 7 Pro.  We've had really good results.

[majorvices]

I just realized, it's not Windows I hate. It's non mac computers in general. My laptop died yesterday. I hated that thing, but I needed it too. Now I'm screwed. Computer guy said the hard drive won't spin up. I will never buy an HP again. Screw you HP!

Here my old Mac I bought used in 2005 still chugs along....