The WWII generation is the "greatest generation" the way that Guliani is "America's Greatest Mayor". Not so much because of doing anything great, but just happening to be alive during a period that certain events happened in the world.
A new PC certainly won't help you. The first thing you should do when you get a proprietary computer is reformat and reinstall the operating system. Really, the only important stuff that comes on a new PC (besides the OS, obviously), are your drivers, which your manufacturer should have on a CD somewhere or available free for download. Everything else that they put on there, no matter how useful or convenient, is only on there because some company paid top dollar for prime PC real estate. If you need or want a program functionality, you're better off finding a program that you like; not the one that they're trying to shove down your throat.
Also, the security industry is way overplaying the virus issue. If you're careful about where you go and what you do, getting a virus is very rare even without virus scanning software. Everyone is making it sound like you need virus scanners, but the bigger problem is (you guessed it), adware/spyware. 9999999 out of 10000000, if you do get a virus, it will be from the internet. But since adware and spyware are not illegal (don't inhibit the operation of your PC, yeah right), companies can integrate it into they're software, like Sony was doing with their CD's, and can prevent you from removing that functionality in the End User License Agreement (but who reads those, anyhow?). In my opinion, the best Spyware scanner is Spybot: Searh and Destroy from Safer Networking (http://www.safer-networking.org/), which allows you to immunize, removing the harmful portions of programs containing Adware or Spyware.
Anyway, nothing beats a good Spyware Scanner, a good firewall (think the Windows on protects you? Keep in mind it's made by Micro$oft; my favorite firewall is ZoneAlarm), a Virus Scanner if you're paranoid, and an education in computer security. As Junior J. Junior III said above, learn what you're doing. Nothing can beat that.
I know that this is all really cool, but aren't Flash Memory's days numbered? I mean, ever since Samsung made their 40-nanometer chip (http://www.physorg.com/news79719955.html), I've been waiting anxiously for the Flash memory hard drive replacements. I'd give up my vortex core for a more stable and reliable storage solution, and I know many other people who would, too.
I agree. Why would Microsoft care about a bunch of geeks and nerds (that know more than they do) protesting an operating system that they will have to buy with their PC anyway? Microsoft doesn't really care if you use their software, they just care that you buy it, whether you want to or not. Microsoft's goal is to not give you a choice in your personal life. They own us and all the stuff on our computers, whether you want to believe it or not. M$ has the world in its pocket.
The open source revolution is happening. Microsoft is worried, as they should be. What would happen if everyone started running a freeware os like Linux and using free office suites like OpenOffice.org? Micro$oft would be left out in the cold. This is their answer to the sudden emphasis on Open Source. Granted, it's not a very good one, and it will turn off more people like me than it would keep. Who would want to run an operating system that basically owns your data? That's the key - that's how M$ is going to try to keep everyone on Windows. It's just like a car. When you have to buy an expensive part for your car, you usually figure it's worth it, because it's cheaper than getting a new car. Well, it's the same with this. If you have to go buy another expensive license to access your data, you figure you might as well just stick with Windows because it's easier to use than Linux or Mac OS (since it's the only thing you know how to use) and then there's compatibility to think about. People want to make sure they can do their work on their home computer and bring it in to work. That's how Micro$oft will keep customers.
How will M$ get away with this legally? Easy. How many computers owned by the government run Windows? What would happen if Microsoft disappeared? All those pretty little computers won't get anymore security patches, terrorists will hack into them, etc etc. Something bad would happen. Hey, when about 98% of all computer in the world run Windows, you can't expect Microsoft to disappear because they won't let several million people access their data without paying for the os twice, can you?
By the way, I'm proud to be living during the Open Source Revolution. We ought to start a Crusade against Sir Bill of Gates in the Silicon Valley...
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A new PC certainly won't help you. The first thing you should do when you get a proprietary computer is reformat and reinstall the operating system. Really, the only important stuff that comes on a new PC (besides the OS, obviously), are your drivers, which your manufacturer should have on a CD somewhere or available free for download. Everything else that they put on there, no matter how useful or convenient, is only on there because some company paid top dollar for prime PC real estate. If you need or want a program functionality, you're better off finding a program that you like; not the one that they're trying to shove down your throat.
Also, the security industry is way overplaying the virus issue. If you're careful about where you go and what you do, getting a virus is very rare even without virus scanning software. Everyone is making it sound like you need virus scanners, but the bigger problem is (you guessed it), adware/spyware. 9999999 out of 10000000, if you do get a virus, it will be from the internet. But since adware and spyware are not illegal (don't inhibit the operation of your PC, yeah right), companies can integrate it into they're software, like Sony was doing with their CD's, and can prevent you from removing that functionality in the End User License Agreement (but who reads those, anyhow?). In my opinion, the best Spyware scanner is Spybot: Searh and Destroy from Safer Networking (http://www.safer-networking.org/), which allows you to immunize, removing the harmful portions of programs containing Adware or Spyware.
Anyway, nothing beats a good Spyware Scanner, a good firewall (think the Windows on protects you? Keep in mind it's made by Micro$oft; my favorite firewall is ZoneAlarm), a Virus Scanner if you're paranoid, and an education in computer security. As Junior J. Junior III said above, learn what you're doing. Nothing can beat that.
I know that this is all really cool, but aren't Flash Memory's days numbered? I mean, ever since Samsung made their 40-nanometer chip (http://www.physorg.com/news79719955.html), I've been waiting anxiously for the Flash memory hard drive replacements. I'd give up my vortex core for a more stable and reliable storage solution, and I know many other people who would, too.
I agree. Why would Microsoft care about a bunch of geeks and nerds (that know more than they do) protesting an operating system that they will have to buy with their PC anyway? Microsoft doesn't really care if you use their software, they just care that you buy it, whether you want to or not. Microsoft's goal is to not give you a choice in your personal life. They own us and all the stuff on our computers, whether you want to believe it or not. M$ has the world in its pocket.
The open source revolution is happening. Microsoft is worried, as they should be. What would happen if everyone started running a freeware os like Linux and using free office suites like OpenOffice.org? Micro$oft would be left out in the cold. This is their answer to the sudden emphasis on Open Source. Granted, it's not a very good one, and it will turn off more people like me than it would keep. Who would want to run an operating system that basically owns your data? That's the key - that's how M$ is going to try to keep everyone on Windows. It's just like a car. When you have to buy an expensive part for your car, you usually figure it's worth it, because it's cheaper than getting a new car. Well, it's the same with this. If you have to go buy another expensive license to access your data, you figure you might as well just stick with Windows because it's easier to use than Linux or Mac OS (since it's the only thing you know how to use) and then there's compatibility to think about. People want to make sure they can do their work on their home computer and bring it in to work. That's how Micro$oft will keep customers.
How will M$ get away with this legally? Easy. How many computers owned by the government run Windows? What would happen if Microsoft disappeared? All those pretty little computers won't get anymore security patches, terrorists will hack into them, etc etc. Something bad would happen. Hey, when about 98% of all computer in the world run Windows, you can't expect Microsoft to disappear because they won't let several million people access their data without paying for the os twice, can you?
By the way, I'm proud to be living during the Open Source Revolution. We ought to start a Crusade against Sir Bill of Gates in the Silicon Valley...