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Microsoft Sends Linux Survey
GnrlFajita writes "According to Newsforge, Microsoft is sending Linux users a survey asking why they use Linux, and what can be done to make Windows better. The article suggests taking the survey (or surveys, one for business users and one for home users), then sharing your answers with others in the community." Newsforge and Slashdot are both part of OSDN.
...and what can be done to make Windows better.
Mr. Gates taking a long walk off a short pier?
--
...how about fully documenting all protocols and formats used (under a nice license) so that people can make products interoperable?
Last four options in the "rank the reasons you like Linux for the home" section:
The satisfaction of not giving Microsoft more money.
I don't trust Microsoft.
I don't want to use proprietary software.
I don't want to use commercial software.
I was almost taking the survey seriously until I saw those options.
like when the retarded kid at school asks you how to become more popular..
Still, the biggest advantage I can think of is the open source model - the industry has been working for years on ways to increase reuse, but commercial licensing and patent issues get in the way of that.
First they were insulting Linux and saying it has problems bigger than windows, and in the last week they seem to have shown interest in learning from windows. this is like an admission that their software is worse than linux. just my $.02
Investing forum
That would make Windows better for customers.
Oh, you wanted to know how to make it better for MICROSOFT.
If we were all really non-hypocritical, and truly interested in security, and usability, and not just microsoft bashing, this is a great opportunity to help them out and point out their flaws.... NAH!!
But seriously, we all complain about MS's problems, now we've actually got a outlet to complain to. If you don't speak up now, you really have no room to speak later!
I find that most often I end up learning from necessity, rather than for enjoyment.
They apparently don't plan to release the results of their surveys...
They just don't get it, do they?
Otherwise, I agree with some of the respondants on NewsForge - don't do the survey. It's just free marketing etc. info for Microsoft. They're not worth it.
People say I'm crazy, I got diamonds on the soles of my shoes...
I use linux because..
[ ] I am a communist
[ ] I am a terrorist
[ ] All of the above
It's the licensing, pricing, and force-fed dependencies that suck. None of these are technical issues.
i'm not trolling,
... we all remember the 'viral GPL' attack
but i think this may be a way to find out the most popular 'features' of linux so MS knows where to attack next
Marge, get me your address book, 4 beers, and my conversation hat.
Could this possibly be a fake? You would think Microsoft would plaster the website with TMs, and legalese.
Also is it common practice for big corps to use SurveyMonkey. If they are being so open about it, why didn't they have it someplace on Microsoft's site?
Just a thought..
Why did MS choose to use surveymonkey? This seems like a hoax.
scott
Dear Mr MS Marketing,
I use linux because
1. I expect to own software I pay for
2. I expect software I pay for to work as advertised
3. I expect not to be foreced into downloading other components I don't want of said software to keep my machine secure. (IE media player has to be downloaded to make explorer secure)
4. I expect to not be forced to give up all and any reasonable legal rights when I open the package.
5. I do not want to deal with software that guarantees via the liscence agreeement that the publisher can remotely look at my computer at will.
As soon as the law makers get their opposable digit out of their anal orpheus, and restore a modicum of protection to consumers I don't have any faith that any of the points that I have outlined above will be addressed. Lets face it, you pay for the software, break open the box, and you have no legal expectation that the software will work, in any way shape or form.
AngryPeopleRule
"Science is about ego as much as it is about discovery and truth " - I said it, so sue me.
number of CPUs
please select from:
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8
anyone saw a mobo with 5 CPU slots?
#
#\ @ ? Colonize Mars
#
We also worship caffiene and you have done bad things to Java.
"Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival."
--Dr.W.Edwards Deming
4) Why do you use Linux? (check all that apply)
( ) It's not Windows
( ) It's not Windows-like
( ) It's not a Microsoft product
( ) It doesn't crush innovation with its monopoly
( ) It doesn't need a security patch every 15 minutes
5) How can Windows be better? (check all that apply)
( ) By being Linux
( ) By being Linux-like
( ) By not being a Microsoft product
( ) By not crushing innovation with its monopoly
( ) By not needing a security patch every 15 minutes
--Rick "If it isn't broken, take it apart and find out why."
Dear Rebel Alliance
Why don't you like me anymore?
Love
Palpatine
1) Stop violating the law and pay restitution to each and every company that has been damaged and run out of business by Microsoft's immoral business practices.
2) Rescind the patent for the "long file name."
3) Have Bill Gates and the current management team resign from the company.
4) Drop your prices for your Office suite and OS to zero dollars and zero cents (plus or minus zero) to make it competitive.
5) Do not release your code until it's done, so security can be improved (like some open source projects are able to do).
6) Remove the requirements enter authentication codes and product keys. (Many open source products don't require this.)
7) Use open protocols and stop trying to sabotage everything to make a buck.
8) Try and improve your dismal reputation for shoddy work.
9) When making a charitable contribution cease donating "in-kind" the value of software given just so you can fleece the taxpayers of the tax deduction.
10) God forbid, pay some federal income tax you dirtbags.
11) In short, there is nothing you can do. Have a nice day.
The baby's fine -- please stop sending business cards.
I always looked at stuff like this as helping some executive somewhere in the marketing deparment get a huge bonus.
Give me some!
They're simply using this list to round up all the Linux users and present them to SCO on a silver platter (like Spiderman!). Then, when SCO wins the suit, Linux will be destroyed!!! MUAHAHAHA!!!!
--Stephen
Did you ever notice that *nix doesn't even cover Linux?
That would be interesting, but you do realize that the other applications that Microsoft produces would go up in cost, with the exception (iirc) of MS Office and MS Flight Simulator. Somewhere I read (about a year ago) that Microsoft's development and research are basically bankrolled by Windows and Office, and that a good portion of the rest of their products are sold at a loss.
Michael C. Hollinger
Why is "Don't want to help hegemonic evil spread across the face of the Earth" not one of the options?
This makes me wonder about the integrity of their claims, because it's hard to imagine that anyone at Microsoft believes that the best way to reach their customers is via Linux Users Groups. So, if that's not really their intention, what ARE they trying to do?
One of the guys in our local user's group, Anthony Earl, suggested that we give them some ideas that will slow them down, like strict security on the desktop. James DeWitt suggested "Clippy, only MUCH BIGGER!" Sean
Maybe we should do a survey similar to this one so that we can learn from Windows users as well.
They already monitor the BSD email lists and know what all 25 of you think. :)
- Robin
(ducks and covers)
A. More evil
B. Less evil
C. Microsoft is just the right amount of evil right now.
Question 2: Concerning how much the next version of Windows should steal from Macintosh OS 10.3, Windows should:
A. Steal more from Apple
B. Steal a lot more from Apple
C. Still every single element of OS 10.3
D. The current crappy, half-assed ripoff of OS X is currently sufficient for all my computing needs.
Question 3: Next year, how many Windows-specific viruses would you like to receive in e-mail:
A. The same amount as now
B. More
C. A whole lot more
D. I have a Windows box still sending out copies of SoBig at this very moment.
Question 4: How large would you like the next Windows security hole to be?
A. Large enough to accommodate a small dog.
B. Large enough to drive an SUV through.
C. Large enough to drive a Mack truck through.
D. You know that huge crawler thing NASA uses to take the space shuttle out to the pad? Yeah, that big.
Question 5: C'mon, be serious. How much for your soul?
A. Already sold mine.
B. An Xbox with the complete library of available games.
C. 10000 shares of Microsoft stock.
D. Natalie Portman
E. CowboyNeal
Lawrence Person (lawrencepersonh@gmailh.com (remove all "h"s to mail)
http://www.lawrenceperson.com/
- We are the slashdot. Resistance is futile. Prepare to be moderated -
Don't do homework for MS. After they GPL their OS i'll fill out any survey they wish; but until then they bite me. "no silly rabbit, trix are for kids"
Microsoft has these posters floating around with pictures of Tux on a milk carton "with a frown". It says "two down, three to go" Then it goes on to say if each MS employee converts 5 linux installs into Windows server installs, that MS could then "outsell" linux in the server market.
It's about the opensource philosophy for many people. Unless they decide to make windows truly open source, not shared source, many people will continue to use GNU/Linux. duh. Also, DRM and palladium will just convert more people over to linux. I like to decide what files can open and what programs can run on my computer. It's MY COMPUTER. I should be in control.
#include ihatemicrosoft.h
BUT
I don't think this disclaimer is saying anything outlandish. They HAVE to include it for the simple fact there are greedy douchebags who would sue Microsoft if they implemented a change to Windows that resembled something the person submitted via this form.
When you're a big target you need to keep your defenses up. So unless you really were planning on suing them for making a change you suggested, I don't think that NOT participating is accomplishing anything other than letting you feel righteously indignant.
This message brought to you by the Council of People Who Are Sick of Seeing More People.
Why? Because they don't want a free replacement available so no one can do to that like SAMBA did and is still doing to SMB/CIFS.
Want to see why they do this? Load up a Win2K/WinXP file server/domain controller. Measure its performance. Reformat the hard drives and install Linux/SAMBA. Measure the much better performance now.
I attempted to take the survey, and for one targeted toward Linux end-users, you think they'd make one that was functional with MozillaFirebird.
I tried clicking on all of the little radio buttons, which instead of being normal radio buttons, are stupid little images that are supposed to do something when clicked.
Well, I clicked and I clicked and none of them were selected. I submitted the survey anyway, and ended up with a blank page so I don't even know what will happen.
I used Firebird on Jaguar (my stupid KVM broke, so no Linux box for a few days). But, I don't think Firebird acts radically different on OS X than on Linux.
Guess they don't really want my feedback, eh?
1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21 -- Mathematics is the Language of Nature.
In 1999 or so, when I started using Linux for most time, Windows WAS a lot better for most purposes -- if you forget stability. For example, there was no decent web browser for Linux, only Netscape 4 which crashed all the time. Basically, it was really hard to get even basic desktop functionality.
Today, Mozilla Firebird is much better than IE, and in general, Linux has a good or at least useable solution for any need I have. In addition, it's getting better every month. Bad fonts were fixed with BitstreamVera and OpenOffice 1.1 is finally "good enough". Programming tools, etc, were much better for Linux back in 1995. On the other hand, MS products have mainly become slower, more bloated and even clumsier to use.
I would choose Linux over Windows based on merit and usability alone even in the case both were equally free.
Auferre trucidare rapere falsis nominibus imperium, atque ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant.
I am sorry, but I believe this to be the point which they continue to miss . . . and apparently you do too. Without a process being "Open" there is no accountability and no assurance that the process meets the claimed criteria.
What value is there for me to fill out this closed survey? So that MS can later make false claims about Linux users that I can never check because the survey was closed?
It is not a matter of MS being able to scrutinize the community through surveys. It is a matter of the community being able to scrutinize the claims MS makes that affect us. The goal is to attain the truth, which is impossible in a closed process.
Sdelat' Ameriku velikoy Snova!
I just want to read and write word, excel, powerpoint and access files without having to buy MS Office because it is so expensive.
Actually, that may not be far wrong. Think of it: Whoever answers this survey as if it were realistic may also be gullible enough to fall for an RIAA-like lawsuit from SCO.
All MS has to do is enter into some kind, any kind of "business partnership" with SCO, then they're free to share any data confidentially without the slightest fear of any taint or PR disaster.
OH WAIT - they're already business partners with SCO to the tune of $6 million for "Linux licenses".
PS: What kind of ActiveX crap does the survey download? What settings on Windows does it change? I'm afraid to even follow the link. What MS does to Windows machines, IMHO, is just as evil as anything done by virii / blackhats.
Pavlov wouldn't be so famous if he'd used a can opener instead of a bell.
All of my gripes are related to server use. You want too talk about desktop use, send the survey to OSX users.
From the Linux at work-survey: "How complete of a replacement for Windows do you feel Linux is?"
*sigh*
This is golden. Right off the survey, written by microsoft employee(s), suggested reasons you might not like M$!
foo mane padme hum
You have three choices: a) abstain, b) fill out the survey in good faith, c) answer disingenuously and randomly.
If this survey were actually going to be used to improve Microsoft's _products_, then giving them helpful advice might be fine. But Linux is just one small factor in their long-term product strategy, and your answers aren't going to turn that very large ship around. What this _will_ be used for is marketing. You might well see Linux-user-targeted marketing materials come out of this that mention the top three reasons people have given for being dissatisfied with MSFT products, even if the product itself hasn't been changed at all.
If you don't want their marketing efforts to combat Linux more effectively, then add some noise to their data. Make random choices from the multiple-choice sections, and write something inoffensive but inaccurate in the essay portions.
Did anyone have a problem filling out the survey with Firebird? Whenever I submitted it, it said that I hadn't answered all the questions. Then it highlighted almost all the questions, all of which were answered.
No, I don't mean Microsoft, I mean all the posts I've read here so far.
We have nothing to fear from the world's largest software maker paying attention to the needs and wants of the Linux community. Really. Honestly. We've loathed them for years because their software sucks -- why not help them do it better? If your answer is that they *can't* do it better, then fine. But that's not my answer. I can think of a number of things that I'd like them to do. I'll still use Linux, but I'm hopeful that those times I'm obligated to use Windows won't be as painful.
Or are you too afraid that Microsoft can beat Linux after all?
Oh, come on. They're just saying that they may or may not use your input, and don't have to pay you for it. It's this little thing called COMMON SENSE. It's not even written in legalese!
What, in that agreement, specifies that you are restricted from doing something?
It's better to vote for what you want and not get it than to vote for what you don't want and get it.
- E. Debs
There is no option for "I prefer Linux over Windows", or "Linux suites my needs nicely and it's free". I don't know if its done on purpose or it's just arrogance but the question seems to assume that Linux is not very good and there must be some other reason for you using it home.
The question was posed as "What's wrong with commercial software?", not "What's wrong with MS?". Try to keep the non-sequiturs out of the discussion.
why run from Vincenzo?
It might be helpful if Microsoft would act like a real business instead of a government subsidized utility and do some real risk analysis of the security risks associated with Windows. Is there any reason to assume that ever major gang tjat conducts financial fraud hasn't infiltrated Micro$oft at this point? What audits of the security of Windows have been conducted that would mitigate this?
a good portion of the rest of their products are sold at a loss.
Correct me if I am wrong but didn't you just describe the classically illegal part of a monopoly?
#1 Stability - Windows 2000 fixes this, relatively speaking. Still, it wasn't even targeted to me, the home user. Figures.
#2 Webserver - I've been known to run a website off my cable modem, and while Windows could handle this, the 10 concurrent connections thing is ridiculous. They can't figure out how to license it to make money, without making is useless to me, that's their problem. And don't even get me started on IIS/PWS exploits.
#3 Command line - It's taken a few years for me to become competent with it... but I never want to go back to the control panel bullshit. I don't why they're so scared of it, short of being ashamed of dos.
#4 Developer tools - Let's face it, I'll never be a kernel hacker. The little coding I do, does suck, and that will never change. But I can, with so many languages, I couldn't even list them all. And for free. Compare this to $600 for a non-crippled Visual Studio. C'mon... something is wrong here. No provision is made for the hobbyist developer. Trying to wring money out of someone that is constantly broke like I am, or maybe even a teenager, just so they can write little doodad programs, it stinks. Hell, maybe even a crippled VS would do, if it were free. Even command line tools. The only guy I know who can honestly be called a guru, says that he might never have tried linux, if there had been some sort of hobbyist Visual C in win3.11/95...
#5 You never innovate. Ever. Just steal ideas... I can think of 20 things off the top of my head that windows could improve, if it cared to. For brevity's sake, here's one example: Why can I only copy/paste one thing at a time? I'd much rather have a queue-based copy, so that it doesn't overwrite the last clipboard object. To select which to paste, hold the control, and keep tapping V until my correct paste appears. This is so simple, so obvious, that a loser like me sees it. Why can't the geniuses at M$? And don't even start with the little graphical widget in Office, not only is it Office specific, but it's the wrong idea. Duh.
... how about fully documenting all protocols and formats used (under a nice license) so that people can make products interoperable?
15. List the top one or two possible improvements that you would like to see made to Windows.
./configure --disable-nls and not have the script ignore us. We don't want all the translations and some of us do notice and don't like it when we tell software to do something basic like this and it ignores us.
Nothing. You don't understand, your whole design philosiphy is flawed. You are presenting to the user little boxes that say "this far and no further" Such boxes do not exist with Linux. For instance, I can network every computer in my home, multiple firewire, multiple ethernet, SCSI if I want to, bond them all into one virtual interface, install openmosix, have a cluster, have it serve a webpage or my mp3s and I can do it from the internet cafe. From the command line. For free.
I don't have to worry about viruses. I don't have to worry about a document I write containing identifying information about me. I don't have to worry about what's the next thing that is going to attack my box, due to your screw ups. I don't have to worry about my computer doing things that you want it to do rather that what I want it to do. Free upgrades, for life. Don't like something? Change it. Would you like to have no bloat? Rip out X Would you like your apps to be optimized to your CPU? OK, change your $CFLAGS. Got old hardware? No problem, what do you want to do? Mail? Web? Game server? GUI overhead? What's that? You don't understand. Windows is a fisher price toy.
16. List the top one or two improvements that you would like to see made to Linux.
Gnome, stop trying to be another microsoft. Don't walk down the same road. Some of us don't want binary format registry file configuration files that can't be edited by hand.
GTK, some of us like to run
Glibc, modualize the security options. Let the user choose the level of encryption. There is a project that replaced the stock md5 with blowfish. This is a good idea.
SealBeater
-- Its survival of the fittest...and we got the fucking guns!!!
...to answer this survey would be, "we use Linux because it is Free as in Speech." Any other answer is just a cheap way of giving MS helpful tips on how to make more money. Too bad the survey does not really allow this kind of answer. But, I think, if everybody participating said that (GNU/)Linux is the single choice because it is Free, we could leave a good impression... at least I suppose RMS would agree.
/really/ use GNU/Linux (although, of course, I get all these reasons as a side effect). I use it because it is Free." I wonder what MS would do if everybody answered the survey like that?
So, if it is possible in any way, fill out the survey saying, "none of the given reasons are why I
True, but it also costs money, and Slashdotters are a bunch of commies who don't want to pay for anything.
Yes, you are a troll, but you accidently made an important, but incorrect comment.
I pay for linux. Every production machines I have that uses linux, has paid support. I have purchased every version of RedHat in the box, since 4.2 (except 9, which had no box set).
I use both windows and linux, in about equal quantities. I use windows where I have to use proprietary software on the desktop. I use linux where I need machines to be bullet proof reliable and dedicated to do one or two tasks at very high performance levels.
I AM trying to migrate to Linux fully, but not because of money. Its because of choices. I have an old dual cpu pentium pro 200 box that I run as a dedicated DNS server. Old, but still very good performance and incredible uptime. It is stripped down to a kernel, bind, sshd and a few utilities. This means very little CAN go wrong. I could do the same thing on a new box, or an old box, with the load being the deciding factor.
MS does not give me the option to do this, as you MUST install the gui, not practical to use BIND on, has 10x the amount of software to do the same task. Also, it is impossible to backup the entire OS with Windows (on purpose). MS does not give me the option of taking an old machine that is out of production, and installing the same OS and BIND, to act as a backup (unless I want to pay for a license I am not likely to use). Linux does.
I use Linux, not because its cheaper (its not for me), but because I am too lazy to keep up with the other 95% of the OS that is not necessary for any given task, AND I am too professional to NOT keep up with it if its installed. At the server, Linux is is just faster, easier to install, more reliable, more stable, faster, better supported, easier to customize, easier to maintain, easier to learn, easier to backup and restore, smaller, more flexible, and requires less manhours than Windows.
After previewing this comment, I realized I was wrong. When you consider all the costs, I guess it is cheaper then. Hmm.
Tequila: It's not just for breakfast anymore!
Last four options in the "rank the reasons you like Linux for the home" section:
The satisfaction of not giving Microsoft more money.
I don't trust Microsoft.
I don't want to use proprietary software.
I don't want to use commercial software.
I was almost taking the survey seriously until I saw those options.
The best reply to this has been one that Jonathan Hutchins posted to our KCLUG mailing list:
First they were insulting Linux and saying it has problems bigger than windows, and in the last week they seem to have shown interest in learning from windows. this is like an admission that their software is worse than linux. just my $.02
The purpose of the survey is to identify the IP addresses of people, cross-referenced with their feelings about Windows and Linux. As an added bonus, they get a nice identity database of Slashdot users due to this article. They'll log the referer and the IP address along with the survey answers and then they've got a nifty database that includes the physical location and personal information of people online and their level of hostility towards Microsoft. Now the next time you run Windows update, your IP is also logged there, with more direct information on your personal identity. They cross reference this with the survey info and they know: a) who you are, b) where you are, c) if you're a slashdot user and d) how you feel about them and all the other details of the survey. It's a huge privacy issue if you don't have an anonymous IP from which to complete the survey from.
If we were all really non-hypocritical, and truly interested in security, and usability, and not just microsoft bashing, this is a great opportunity to help them out and point out their flaws.... NAH!!
But seriously, we all complain about MS's problems, now we've actually got a outlet to complain to. If you don't speak up now, you really have no room to speak later!
Dear Mr MS Marketing,
I use linux because
1. I expect to own software I pay for
2. I expect software I pay for to work as advertised
3. I expect not to be foreced into downloading other components I don't want of said software to keep my machine secure. (IE media player has to be downloaded to make explorer secure)
4. I expect to not be forced to give up all and any reasonable legal rights when I open the package.
5. I do not want to deal with software that guarantees via the liscence agreeement that the publisher can remotely look at my computer at will.
As soon as the law makers get their opposable digit out of their anal orpheus, and restore a modicum of protection to consumers I don't have any faith that any of the points that I have outlined above will be addressed. Lets face it, you pay for the software, break open the box, and you have no legal expectation that the software will work, in any way shape or form.
Question 1: Do you think Microsoft should be:
A. More evil
B. Less evil
C. Microsoft is just the right amount of evil right now.
Question 2: Concerning how much the next version of Windows should steal from Macintosh OS 10.3, Windows should:
A. Steal more from Apple
B. Steal a lot more from Apple
C. Still every single element of OS 10.3
D. The current crappy, half-assed ripoff of OS X is currently sufficient for all my computing needs.
Question 3: Next year, how many Windows-specific viruses would you like to receive in e-mail:
A. The same amount as now
B. More
C. A whole lot more
D. I have a Windows box still sending out copies of SoBig at this very moment.
Question 4: How large would you like the next Windows security hole to be?
A. Large enough to accommodate a small dog.
B. Large enough to drive an SUV through.
C. Large enough to drive a Mack truck through.
D. You know that huge crawler thing NASA uses to take the space shuttle out to the pad? Yeah, that big.
Question 5: C'mon, be serious. How much for your soul?
A. Already sold mine.
B. An Xbox with the complete library of available games.
C. 10000 shares of Microsoft stock.
D. Natalie Portman
E. CowboyNeal
The survey sites themselves are slashdotted but from people's comments here and on NF, I can tell Microsoft have tailored these surveys very specifically to make it easy for them to simply filter out all the zealots. For example, anyone who suggests Linux provides a superior gaming experience, better hardware support, or other things which are known Linux weak points is an obvious zealot and can be safely ignored.
There was apparently a section at the end of one survey asking users why they didn't want to use Microsoft - and the options included "don't want to use commercial software", "I feel satisfaction in not giving Microsoft any money", something like that. Another obvious zealot filter. And from the comments, people seem to be falling for it big time. Seriously, zealots do nothing but hurt the free software movement in taking every chance to ridicule Microsoft, no matter what they do. Eventually, someone will go too far, Microsoft will slam him/her with a lawsuit and it will be another HUGE PR fiasco for free software - even if the person was just a random zealot and not in any way involved with any free software projects.
What zealots don't realize is that by posting bogus and/or hateful answers to the survey, they will in fact be helping Microsoft - moreso than if they were to answer it seriously and professionally. When trying to persuade a company to use MS products rather than free-software ones, MS will be able to simply show them some survey results and say "look, these are the people you will be trusting your business with". And noone will be there to contradict them, obviously.
But if that's the way you want it, fine. Not my problem. I've always chosen software depending on what gets the work done, I don't care much about whose license says what or whose software is free as in speech or in beer. Being zealoty about software is useless. But being zealoty and accomplishing the exact opposite of what you're trying to do is ridicilious, and I laugh at those people.
Quality, performance, value; you get only two, and you don't always get to pick.
And have it standard equipment, not some overpriced add-on package.
Let us write software that is cross-platform.
The best reply I've seen so far, from any LUG member is the following:
At any rate, if they truly want to know why I don't like Windows and why I as a sysadmin would refuse to run it on any of our servers, here it is (again):
I'm not going to submit it to their damn survey. I'd rather do it this way. It's called an open letter. But then I guess they just don't like *anything* that's open.
"No problem. I have the capacity to do infinite work so long as you don't mind that my quality approaches zero."-Dilbert
...with one stone. If people answewred this this survey with the answers they gave here then Microsoft got you guys hook, line, and sinker. Now they can demonstrate to the business community that you guys are irrational morons with the intellect of a three year old. Congratulations.
If on the other hand you truly answered as responsible adults, which many of you don't seem to be, then they got some excellent advice on ways they can make Windows better and stem the adoption of Linux at home and businesses.
This has to be one of Microsoft's more ingenious marketing efforts to date.
I don't usually respond to *any* surveys simply b/c my time is more valuable than offering it for free to some company.
With that said, this is yet more evidence - along with the price drops in Thailand, Ballmer's world travels and all their other efforts to quell the tide - that Linux is slowly restoring competition to the marketplace.
Linux may one day supplant MS, it may not. It might garner a significant market share and co-exist with MS. As long as there is competition in the market, MS can't abuse their power and THAT is what is important to me.
I see lots of people posting their comments here; why not just fill out the survey? Are you afraid that MS might take your ideas and *gasp* build their OS better and more secure, adding competition to the market which benefits everyone?
I'd like to see all you armchair referees tell MS what you really think. MS is literally "asking for it", so tell them their OS sucks and why Linux is better. Isn't this what you always wanted to do?
The next reason has to do with "Michael Surkan". Do a google search on the name and you will find it synonymous with FUD, insult and cluelessnes. The most damning quotes atributed to him are:
Additionally, he denied official backing from Microsoft in his letter to the gslug list maintainers, "P.S. This report is a skunkworks project of mine, and really doesn't have anything to do with my "day job". As if any Microsoft employee were free say what they think. Such typical Microsoft.
I have yet to look for Frank, but I imagine another blast of BS awaits anyone who does. Oh, hell, I'll look.
Don't waste much time on the survey. The answer is sure to be, "Remember to eat our dog food".
Friends don't help friends install M$ junk.
Couldn't resist the opportunity:
How to improve Windows:
Improve the company that makes Windows: Were we to develop a multimedia product for Linux, we could be far more certain that our Linux vendor would not eventually take over the whole market pie (like a Commie Dictator) by obscuring the API to Linux and using other draconian tactics.
You have embittered the very people who once rallied to your banner and helped you build a once great product. We don't fear Open Source for any reason; We fear Microsoft.
How to improve Linux:
Take over 99.9% of the consumer, embedded, laptop, desktop and server markets -- faster than it has been. Put the Destroyer of free and open computing markets out of business. BTW, this survey feels like being watched by an All Seeing Eye...
[end]
(Just felt good to get 5+ years of bitterness off my chest.)
Is this how SCO is going to find out who to sue?
Nobody's going to tell SCO directly that they are strapped for cash (can't afford licenses or lawyers) so they have a couple thousand linux boxen instead. So MS puts out this 'improve windows' survey to do that job. Then they 'publish' the results to 'select partners' , SCO being one of them.
Then SCO knows who will be a pushover for setting precedent. Maybe that or get the 'proof' that IBM is able to refute accepted by another judge in another venue.
In other words, don't fill out this survey unless you've got a few hundred million dollars laying around and the will to spend it on lawyers.
"Let him go, Ralph. He knows what he's doing." --Otto Mann (simpsons)
Please don't flame me for sounding pro-Microsoft until you think about what I've said for a few minutes.
Microsoft didn't get where they are today without having a few things going for them. They are a savvy competitor and ruthelss opponents. Like a good football team, they have a good offense, and a good defense. They have forward looking vision and they try like hell to react to the market place. They measure their success by both profit and marketshare. You can be sure that anything threatens either profit or marketshare they will try to beat it.
Linux alone has not been a real threat to Microsoft, it has been seen as too geeky, too limited, and too difficult to use. But other open-source projects have come along and helped fill in the voids (projects like KDE) and now, Linux and open source in general have risen to the level where they can no longer escape Microsoft's attention.
Product surveys are nothing new. Ford sends them to Chevy & Dodge owners. I don't really see much difference in Microsoft sending them out to Linux users. As a matter of fact, I think good things could come from them.
Most people who use Linux have used Windows, they know what they like about Linux and what they dislike about Windows. They know why they have changed and they know what it would take to make them change back to Microsoft's Windows.
Survey's cost money. Companys spend money on them to learn things about their products stengths and weaknesses. They use this data to make product and marketing changes.
What they are likely to hear from Linux users is that they like Linux's license, Linux's cost-to-performance ratio, and that they feel that Linux is getting close to Windows in the Look-and-Feel category.
They are going to also hear Microsoft Windows is too expensive, that the product has flaws that they find intolerable (security risks, crashes, and so on).
Then the marketing types will talk to the developer types and try to fix the product so that Linux users will consider returning to the fold.
This is a smart, good, and ethical business practice although I find it difficult to believe that they would take it far enough. I just can't see them writing extenstions for Windows that would run *nix compatible software. Nor can I see them giving away either Windows or Office.
Business history shows us that almost every company that has climbed to the top of the heap has lost its footing and slips. They usually fall because they are arrogent and ignore some basic solid business theory. In Microsoft's case, this is likely to be the case. They feel they have such a grip on the market that they can charge excessive license fees. By the time they finish milking this cash cow they will have dried her up.
1: Advanced.
.tar.gz is still the most reliable package format, as it works equally well - when it works, which is whenever you can satisfy the dependencies - on all distributions and well-made installs from scratch}.
2: > 2 years.
3: yes
10: everyone
15: Availability of the entire source code to all current and obsolete Microsoft products; either under a Copyleft licence {such as the GNU GPL or the Creative Commons Attribution / ShareAlike licence} or by placing it in the Public Domain.
16: Hardware vendors need to adhere more closely to published standards, or else provide full disclosure to enable the creation of open-source drivers; and to label products as compatible with Linux {and for that matter, the BSD family}.
I'm not sure the survey isn't a fake, but on the other hand I'm not ashamed of what I think. I honestly believe that the closed-source model, by the way it keeps victims beholden to a single entity, is tantamount to slavery. And I don't think Linux needs to change so much as other people's attitudes need to change. I'm -- to put it extremely mildly -- annoyed at the fact that almost every piece of hardware I pick up trumpets its compatibility with the latest Windows and MacOS, yet fails to mention Linux and the BSDs. Even things like keyboards, mice, network switches and USB hubs -- which are to all intents and purposes OS-independent. That sort of thing is exactly why Linux et al are considered to be "alternative" OSes.
In the meantime, what we -- as a community which values honesty and mutual assistance -- can and should do is twofold. Firstly, if we are ever forced to purchase an unwanted Microsoft product, we should exercise our right to explicitly decline the EULA, and make sure Microsoft knows; that way, we will not be counted as Windows users to inflate Microsoft's statistics. Secondly, we should let hardware manufacturers know that Linux/BSD users use their products, and post reviews of hardware we have used so that other Linux/BSD users -- and would-be converts -- can see that hardware they might like to buy is compatible with such systems. We must lead by example a little -- we can't expect anyone to help us if we aren't willing to help ourselves.
Once more hardware is seen to be compatible with Linux and the BSD family -- thereby answering a common, if not entirely undeserved, critisism often levelled at such operating systems -- then it will be feasible for non-specialist retailers to offer family-friendly, matched packages of PC, video-in, printer, camera and scanner, with a GNU/Linux or BSD operating system and appropriate drivers already installed. Bye-bye to the criticism of difficult initial installations. Supply a recovery CD which allows you to boot up, login as root and set up user accounts {in case someone forgets their root password}.
To answer the criticism of software dependencies, I propose for someone to distribute a series of CDs which contain the source code for an application and, crucially, all the libraries it requires, so dependencies can be met from a single place. {IMLE
Je fume. Tu fumes. Nous fûmes!
Just reading their questions makes it abundantly clear to me that they don't understand the potential of Linux:
2.What best describes your involvment with Linux?
Hobbyist
End user
Informal team computer expert
Front lines IT support
IT administrator
Developer of internally used applications
Developer of applications for sale
IT manager
Consultant
I'm focusing in particular on "Developer of internally used applications" vs "Developer of applications for sale". In Microsoft's world, those are the only two alternatives. In the world of open-source, there's a wonderfully happy medium in-between. What about the growing group of developers whose job is to take existing open-source software, improve it for internal use, then release it back to the community (like RedHat, Apple, AOL, RealNetworks, NASA, etc.)? What about developers who write free, open-source software to work with the hardware that their company produces (like Myricom)?
In Microsoft's world, the only reasons to develop software are for your own personal needs, or to sell to make a profit.
The purpose of the survey, at least the one for corporate users is not to get results, but to convince people that it's more reasonable to use Windows.
Just look at this question:
8. What organizations would you recommend use Linux?
Organizations that have good IT help
Organizations that want to send a message to the greedy computer industry
Only organizations that have a lot of patience
Organizations that don't mind doing things on their own
Organizations that only have limited computing needs
45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2
Microsoft could have crushed the Open Source movement if it had given away one of it's development platforms for free. If they had fostered a Java-esque or CPAN-esque software repository... if they had given free SDK's for windows out... if they supported or encouraged the development of free servers, browsers, desktop systems, and support utilities... THEN Microsoft could have crushed the Open Source movement when it was just beginning.
... would you? Many people say yes, many people say no. Are enough people that are lazy enough to "just stay with Microsoft" developers? Are they a large enough group that they'd cripple the OSS movement?
But, then... it wouldn't be "Microsoft" would it? If Microsoft does these things... will Microsoft keep "Microsoft-like" control over the software market?
People are lazy. If you could do everything you do now on Linux without having to learn Linux
I doubt it. But, I think that it's still early enough for Microsoft to do a complete 180 and hold it's market share virtually indefinately. Try this on for size: GNUM, GNUM is Not Unix by Microsoft. I'm sure they'll call it something different.
[signature]
What gives? there are a lot of slants in this survey. Look at #10 for the business side:
10. Rank the importance of server operating attributes to your organization. (1 indicates a preference for low product cost and more administive and end-user time. 5 indicates a high up-front product cost but less user effort)
What gives? I already use mutiple servers that are FREE: E-Smith AND Easy to set up. It takes, honestly, 15 minutes to set up (Includes formatting drives), and 15 minutes to install filters if it will be used as a web proxy. Then I leave it set for 6 to 8 months. It doesn;t get any freer withless effort.
Yes, you can have it both ways.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"First things first -- but not necessarily in that order"
-- The Doctor, "Doctor
100 megaton Hydrogen bomb on Redmond..
Sure, which is why TweakUI is so necessary and as opposed to clear-as-day MS operations like:
This will remove the shared document folders that show up at the top of the My Computer window. Navigate to: HKEY LOCAL MACHINE SOFTWARE Microsoft Windows CurrentVersion Explorer MyComputer NameSpace DelegateFolders Delete the key {59031a47-3f72-44a7-89c5-5595fe6b30ee}
(I'm sure no one will read this comment because I'm about 3 hours too late, but whatever...)
First, IAAMR (I am a market researcher.) I wasn't able to get into the survey, but a Newsforge reader posted the questions here.
I've seen a lot of consumer surveys over the years, and this looks fairly typical. Most surveys of this nature are proprietary -- the research results will be for internal use only and will not be released to the public, mainly because most companies don't want their competitors or detractors to find out about their product development or marketing plans in advance. Whenever possible, companies will try to prevent anyone from even knowing that they're conducting a survey. [1] Obviously, in this case, there's no way that Microsoft can prevent the (Linux-using) world at large from finding out that they're doing a survey, but I guarantee you that they do not plan to release the results to anyone outside Microsoft.
This sort of questionnaire is designed to find out:
The questions that are of the most interest to Microsoft will be those asking for the respondent's opinions:
The rest of the questions require factual responses, and the responses gathered from them will be used to see if there are any patterns in the opinion data. In market research data analysis, we're not looking at the opinions of any specific individual; only those of various groups (Linux novices vs. experts, dual-booters vs. non, etc.), so you needn't worry about any personal retribution from Microsoft. They won't care that John Doe in Nebraska likes Linux for the home because it's "More secure than Windows", but they will be interested to learn that in general, the people who dual boot (Question 14) are more likely than those who don't to say that they like Linux for the home because it has "Better command line" (Question 11).
You may have noticed the italicized phrase "in our target market" in point (c) above. Microsoft isn't going to try to convince the hardcore Linux zealots(TM) to switch to Windows. They're going after people who aren't totally committed to either Linux or Windows yet. People who have a strong preference for Windows are already in the bag; and it would be a waste of time and money to try to convert the diehard Linux advocates. Any product development or advertising based on the results of this survey will have only 2 aims: to make the lukewarm Windows users feel that they've made the right decision, and to make the lukewarm Linux users feel that they're missing out on something better.
[1] Case in point: While I was typing this, my phone rang. It was a market research company (one of my company's competitors) conducting a survey. I agreed to participate, and lied when they asked, "Do you work for a market research company?" (People in my field do this all the time to find out what contracts our competitors have been awarded. We like to call it "gathering competitive intelligence".) Unfortunately, one of my responses to another question disqualified me from the survey. But now I know that our competitor has a contract to conduct research about tooth whitening for a manufacturer of dental care products. I'll be checking with our sales department on Monday to see if we recently lost out on a bid for this contract.
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Participating in this 'survey' will assure your perpetual receipt of a flood of pro-MS propoganda.
And...investing in Microsoft is risking having your own money used against you in the marketplace.
Best advice...steer clear, there's no good news about dealing with the beast.
This survey does look rather unprofessional. The questions are a tad unbalanced and doesn't really seem well thought out. For instance the two cluster related questions limits you to 8 nodes in your cluster. Also I'm not sure what to make of these questions:
low price and greater complexity vs little easy setup and administration with high price
easy setup & lousy administration vs difficult setup and great administration
since both seem to imply that you can only get one or the other. I don't feel the questions really describes the current situation with Windows vs. Linux in more than a very superficial way. Also I take isssue with the comparison being against 2003 which relatively few people have any experience with yet.
The alternatives for desktop linux use look random as well.
My guess is that the survey is either a hoax or some department outsourced a request for information in linux vs windows.
Is there a particular reason you feel obligated to assist this very large corporation?
I always thought it would be neat to write something that would add a "Fuck you!" button or something similar - clicking on it would be the same as clicking on the "ok" button, but at least the user would feel better.
I completed the survey and was very honest.
1. Stop moving admin shit around!
2. If I deinstall windows sharing (for security) I
do NOT expect XP to reinstall it for me when adding an adapter.
3. Tell me how I can turn off your moronic services safely ( for security ). I hosed a machine by turning too much off.
4. There should be a single interface to install stuff. There should be warnings that you are doing it. Adware should be impossible to sneak onto a machine.
5. Stop betraying your business partners you evil pricks. Nobody trusts you for good reason.
6. Ship media. We bought it and we should own it.
7. The registry is a frigging nightmare waiting to happen. Its insecure. Its unmanageable.
8. You have no taste.
9. You have no taste.
10. I cant tell what files belong to which package. I cant verify the contents of a package.
11. I want more UI flexibility
12. Stop trying to spy on your customers you evil fucking pricks.
13. Your terminal sucks
14. Inconsistant command line parameter handling
15. Give me a way to transfer files without running your damn insecure filesharing system. ssh.
16. Stop changing interfaces to murder your competition you evil fucking pricks!
17. Make file saves stay under Documents and Settings so I can backup easier.
18. Make c:\ unwriteable by lusers by default.
19. Your NT permissions system is completely incomprehensbile and dangerous. Misuse can force a resinstallation.
20. Dont put a button in an admin panel that takes you to a site to sell more software:
It shows you have no Taste!
> what can be done to make Windows better
Microsoft is not gonna like what they hear. Many IT managers are very nervous about the single-supplier issue. They HATE to be locked into a single supplier, they NEED a way out of that trap. That's gotta be issue #1, hands down. The only way out of that trap is to open up the Windows source.
Microsoft funds an idiotic site called "softwarechoice.org". The point of that site is to try to tell customers that the single-supplier issue (and other licensing issues) are "illegitimate" reason to choose their software solution. Given Microsoft's attitude about this, there's just no way that they intend to listen to what customers REALLY want.
Package Selection.
Make it easy, with options like in some of the linux installers (Anaconda, whatever slackware uses). Have a 'install all', 'install sets', 'expert (select individual packages)'. Divide everything up into logical sets, and make sure that you have to install required components (and I don't mean IE or Windows Media Player). Perhaps have an 'Express Install' option that will install all the basic sets. You should also have the ability to add/remove sets or packages after the install.
Just my $0.02,
Landrocker
There are just a few reasons to run Linux instead of Windoze.
1. I can back up and restore the entire box effortlessly. You can't do a full disk backup on Windoze that I know about. There is even a page on the M$ site that says it can't be done.
2. Security Security Security
3. Stability Stability Stability
4. I don't need to reboot after every little change with Linux.
5. Patches and upgrades don't render existing services and applications broken and require days or weeks to recover.
That's enough for me to keep using Linux/Solaris/*nix systems.
Banjo - The more I know about Windoze, the more I love *nix
1: asking why they use Linux
It's free, it works and does what I need it to (which is a lot more than 90% of computer users need)without crashing
and
2: What can be done to make Windows better
Make it free, make it work and do what I need it to without crashing.
Seriously, this is what it boils down to at base level. I have a free OS, free upgrades, I give and receive free support, submit bug reports etc. and I have not needed to use Win98 on my desktop or WinXP on my laptop for anything. People want documents, send them a PDF and I can say all I need to in spreadsheet with OO.org and no macros and it'll open in Excel.
For me to pay hundreds or thousands of pounds to do the same things I do now with MS would make me either so rich that I don't know what to do with my money or certifiably insane.
Hmmmmmm..... Deep fried and look like Squirrel.
Is it me, or does it seem weird that the URL has nothing to do with Microsoft. It is a hardcoded IP address. Yes it does use .ASP but not .ASPX or whatever the heck that .NET crap is.
I don't think this is from Microsoft.
On a somewhat related topic...
I was contacted by phone, from an outside company (not Microsoft) but sponsored by Microsoft to answer development questions. I was suppose to get $25 for their "brief" survey. I remember the last question.
"What could Microsoft do to get you to use their software?"
My anwer
"GPL all your software"
I never got my $25... Shocker!!!!
The more I learn about science, the more my faith in God increases.
It's the one thing they don't "get". We don't want a feature, or a frill, or any particular thrill -- just the source, the full source, unrestricted for all to use or see.
So in any future era, like the present one now at hand, when MS says goodbye to Windows [X] (current, 98), anyone can make the decision to transition based not on fear of no more security fixes or fear of being unable to keep up with new hardware -- but based on need or want for the new things in whatever
new Win OS delights!
That's the enduring process of open-source. The maker goes out of business and you aren't left stranded -- you have all the source code for your product. How many pieces of junk CD's have I tossed because the no longer ran on newer OS's and the companies no longer support them (assuming the company is still around). You get to a point when you want to say "STOP".
Even linux, I watch...was true with 2.4 and 2.6....the benchmarks showed
how nicely linux scaled under load with multiple processors...but the bottom end response time seemed to increase in both (just looking at
graphs). Yeah, 2.4 handles itself better under high load and might not lock up like 2.2, but under low load that my system is at 99.9% of the time...?
Does anyone still run linux on an i386? or even i586? aren't most at the Pentium-Pro/PII/PIII or better level? Does linux still run on a 386 or 486?
Anyway...seems like so much "growth" is by forced change...is that really growth -- the music industry thought the upspurt in CD sales in the 90's was. When it was just the public playing "catchup". Now they have to go and invent a new format (duh...it's not about piracy...)
-l
"10.Rank the importance of server operating attributes to your organization.
(1 indicates a preference for low product cost and more administive and end-user time. 5 indicates a high up-front product cost but less user effort)"
Note that this assumes that your two choices are "low cost/more administration" and "high code/less administration". In practice, Linus is both lower cost and lower administrative overhead, while Windows is higher cost and higher administrative overhead.
"11.Rank the importance of easy initial configuration and setup of a server operating system against easier administration.
(1 is easy initial setup and lousy administration and 5 is difficult initial setup and great administration)"
Similarly, this question assumes that you have to choose between "hard setup/easy administration" and "easy setup/hard administration". Linux is both easier to install and easier to administer than Windows.
Ah well, perhaps even by setting up false options, they'll learn something about what people consider important.
Enable 3D printed prosthetics!
15. List the top one or two possible improvements that you would like to see made to Windows.
The surveyor might want to put a little note at the top of this survey, pointing out that Javascript must be enabled for the form to work properly.
From a technical standpoint, I would advise Microsoft to continue working towards greater reliability and security.
But even if Windows leapfrogged far ahead of Linux in both those areas, I wouldn't switch. As I answered earlier in the survey, I don't trust Microsoft. I don't trust their business practices. I don't trust them to be open and honest about what is going on inside my computer. I don't trust them to do anything other than find ways to derive the maximum revenue from me personally.
It's nothing personal. Give Sun or IBM the same sort of complete control over 95% of the desktops out there, and the situation wouldn't be significantly altered. The thing is, Microsoft is forced to reconcile two orthogonal goals: Doing what is best for the users of Microsoft products, and doing what is best for their own bottom line.
They don't know me, and they don't know what is best for me or any other individual. With Linux, I can choose exactly what my computer does, to the extent that my own computer skills will allow. Under the Microsoft paradigm, I can't tinker. I can't experiment. I might be able to study the source under their Shared-Source license if I meet certain requirements, but I can't make improvements. Hell, the rumor mill says that even suggesting improvements can be an ordeal [I can't say I have firsthand experience].
I trust Linux and Open Source because I don't have to worry about other agendas. This isn't because everyone involved is agenda free, but because the process is transparent and no one agenda can dominate.
The big fixes cannot be made to Windows; they must be performed on Microsoft itself. They must stop trying to take over every market, eliminate every competitor, and control the direction of an entire industry. If they open their file formats, become more responsive to reports of security threats, and begin supporting open standards, they'll find they have a huge role in the future of computing.
More likely, I believe they'll stick with the same strategy that put them on top: Crush the competition, embrace/extend/extinguish any good ideas that come along, and do whatever it takes to "maximize shareholder value." If that's the case, I'll continue supporting Linux with my time and dollars, and watch as the world rejects their demand for total control.
16. List the top one or two improvements that you would like to see made to Linux.
More vendor support for hardware. Open source drivers often have to be written blindly because the manufacturer doesn't care to support it.
More application and game support. Especially game support. For example, Microsoft has Windows/DirectX, which is certainly a powerful game development platform. Unfortunately, we're never going to see DirectX ported to Linux, and so long as game developers target only that framework, I think Linux will have to be content with a few crappy ports long after the original.
Linux isn't without its problems. However, the biggest ones that I've mentioned aren't a problem with Linux per se, but with how others choose not to support it.
You want the truthiness? You can't handle the truthiness!
I Come Not to Praise Linux...
Claiming to be an "engineer", Mr. Surkan lures Linux people into responding either directly or to his survey. The information is then apparently used when discussing Microsoft products with companies that are using Linux or considering the use of Linux.
Mr. Surkan uses a similar technique for any market area for which Microsoft has a vested interest. Not just Linux.
You can read more: http://linuxtoday.com/news/1998111802110PS
The link I think is dead in the post... but look at the comments.
More...m l
http://slashdot.org/articles/98/11/23/2056205.sht
More... (guy really needs a psuedonym)a se/+0wo_qr+W_88Ks/zdisplay.html
http://cma.zdnet.com/texis/techinfobase/techinfob
(pay site link to original article)
Dig deeper and you find a lot more... a WHOLE LOT MORE. This guy has more titles than than the Library of Congress.
You can supposedly give input directly via email to lnq@microsoft.com or msurkan@microsoft.com
Let us have a short retrospect of a quotation of Mr. Mahatma Gandhi:
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win."
"It is not how things are in the world that is mystical, but that it exists." -Ludwig Wittgenstein
Sigh. Hotmail email. Surveymonkey hosting... Get everybody all fired up over something and in their rush to 'be heard' they'll overlook the fact that there is not one part of this 'survey' that directly links it to microsoft. Somebody somewhere is laughing their asses off about how they got the 'linux crunchies' to go ape over a pretend survey. Nice going, Newsforge. Whatever happened to journalists checking with sources... um, like Microsoft??
GCC is okay. Currently my main problem is that I've been having to use version 2.96 (The RedHat buggy version of 2.95) rather than the newer versions.
Yes, I use GDB, but normally with a frontend, kdbg or ddd. But it is slow compared the MSVC one and it often seems unable to understand or view some of the data structures and object in the code. Also, it's missing Edit-And-Continue, which is a boon when you're writing plugins for another program, which I do quite a lot of.
As for VIM/Emacs - feh. Gimme a GUI. The MSVC one is lovely - in Linux I use jEdit, which is nice, but not anywhere near MSVC levels. I miss stuff like the intellisense autocomplete stuff - although I hear there is something similar in Emacs, Maybe sometime I'll jst have to bend over and learn how to use it. As for the jibe about a crutch - whatever. You're welcome to feel macho with your non-GUI editor, but I'm not interested in feeling macho, I'm interested in working efficiently.
As for Make - I don't really like it but use it anyway. I had a look at various other systems like SCONS (which seems better), but stuck with make as at least everyone knows a little bit of it.
Follow Apple's lead (again!) and dump the 20-year-old DOS core of your OS, replacing it with one of the unix variants out there. Now, go rewrite your GUI and desktop API to work on top of it.
Make a legacy layer (MS-WineX?) to run "old" apps, and have a well-documented standard API -- just ONE -- no "magical hidden" parts for people with deeper pockets -- which all developers can use to write applications. If you need help with this, find an old AmigaOS kernel/intuition reference set and read it.
Force the hardware industry (and MS is the only one really able to do that) to get rid of the antique BIOS garbage, and adopt something more flexible like what recent Suns use. While you're at it, ditch ISA and let it rust in peace. Send the keyboard/ps2 moue controllers off with it and standardize on USB.
At that point, you'd have a solid stable environment which CAN emulate all the bugs of yesteryear, but doesn't have to. You'd also have nicely put yourself in place as the desktop linux solution.
One other tip.... listen to your customers. When they've been telling you your system is bug-ridden, unstable, and insecure for YEARS on end, and are CONSISTANT about these reports... maybe you should do something more than have Steve Ballmer run around on stage yelling about how great your company is?
And for the looks of it, people are falling on themselves like lemmings. Do you guys really need that much the attention of MS?
For once RTFA.
You will see that somebody replied to the given address
QUOTE
It was signed by "Michael Surkan," using the "Reply To" address lnq@microsoft.com
UNQUOTE
And what did they get as a reply? this:
QUOTE
From: frankwilliams291@hotmail.com (Frank Williams)
To: [name and email address removed]
UNQUOTE
So Frank Williams, via a Hotmail email address is helping out Mr Surkan from his hotmail account. Because arguably this Mr SUlkan is checking his own Inbox by hand? (look at the article, honest).
And the survey is carried out in webmonkey.com Mmmmmh?!?!?
It seems fake, it sounds fake, it must be fake and it seems like many people, on their eagernes (of what exactly?), felt for it.
Where is all that critical thinking so many people talk about around here?
I would not get involved with a survey I am not absolutely 100% sure it is what is says it is.
IANAL but write like a drunk one.
I just tried to fill out the business questionare honestly so they MIGHT actually use the data to improve Windows.
Upon submission, after a very long wait, I got back document contains no data.
I guess they should have run it on a Linux server.
This is a handy way for an IP address to be linked to a self-admitted number of Linux installations. I got halfway through the "at work" survey before I realized that I was quoting my company's assets and Linux installs to a web site on an IP address instead of a name. For all I know, that IP could be a guy on a cable modem, working for SCO or the BSA. No thanks. Not for me.
-j