A86: Poor poor Windows users... :)

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A86: Poor poor Windows users... :)


Why in the hell has Windoze 98 become such a long thread on a calculator 
list?  It's just more bloated and poorly written software from the giant 
monopoly in Redmond.  150 goddamn megs.  For an "operating system" that 
uses an old and outdated filesystem (FAT) and still calls DOS system 
functions (GetPSP, SetPSP, date/time functions -- so it still relies on 
DOS as its core).  And it isn't even totally 32-bit either!  

Computer users deserve better but are too stupid to demand it.  You 
should be able to tell your computer what to do instead of it telling 
YOU what it can do.  Given more time to continue at their current pace, 
Microsoft will soon make it nearly impossible to be running a modern 
computer with anything but Windows software.  Can we say WinModems and 
WinPrinters (these are modems and printers that rely on DLL's to emulate 
microcontrollers and such normally found on the hardware.  In effect, it 
cuts away from your CPU to do these sorts of things.)?  I shudder to 
think of WinVideoCards and WinSoundCards.

And this DOJ case isn't going to do shit to Microsoft.  They're focusing 
on the web browser.  They NEED to focus on Microsoft's unfair business 
practices with OEMs.  However, I can see the point they're making about 
bundling the web browser with the "operating system".  Microsoft is 
playing on the average computer user's stupidity and laziness when they 
bundle it.  "Why should I download something if Microsoft gives it to me 
for free?"

And that damn IE 4 browser is slowly ruining internet standards.  
Already there's tons of IE-specific web sites using non-standard HTML 
extensions.  Sure, Microsoft is all for standardization -- as long as 
it's THEIR standards.

So what's the solution?  A free operating system such as Linux or 
FreeBSD.  They are the products of open collaboration with developers 
all over the world to produce a cutting-edge operating system.  FreeBSD 
is light years ahead of Windows NT in terms of features, stability, and 
hardware required to run.  Same with Linux.  Both allow access to nearly 
any filesystem under the sun (including FAT32, Microsoft's laughable 
attempt at making FAT actually work with large hard drives).  Both are 
truly 32-bit and support TRUE pre-emptive multitasking (which Windows 
does not do well).  Neither have that stupid "Y2K" problem (which 
Microsoft is trying to capitalize on with their Y2K patches).  And, you 
may crash the machine once every few months or so (as opposed to having 
to reboot 4 to 5 times a day in Windows).

Linux is rapidly gaining ground.  In 1997, it was the only non-Microsoft 
OS that gained any market share.  The current user base is estimated at 
10 million.  You can run nearly all your DOS software with DOSemu (at 
nearly full speed too) for Linux.  You can run most Windows 3.x software 
and some Windows 95 software with WINE or WABI.  

Sure, if all you do is play games, go play with a toy OS.  If you want 
to actually DO things with your computer, use a REAL OS.

Sorry if I rambled on, but I have to point these things out sometimes... 
:).

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