"Wouldn't be better to see the corporations be trashed in High Court instead of now..."
Perhaps, but I wouldn't bet somebody's quality of life over it. If he loses, it's midly bad for us, but for him it's the shits. Can't say I'd feel good about him serving jail time or paying fines for the rest of his life. I'd rather a deep-pocketed corporation be the defendent.
"I think this should just make the Linux and Microsoft and whatever communities be more humble and stop some of these flame wars."
It's a little hard to resist the urge to say "See! Linux has problems too!" when every story involving Microsoft on Slashdot is spun out of proportion.
"Is this just more proof that Linux was built by amateurs? Or wait - I know - that Linux can't be trusted because the source code is open... Now, for those who think I'm serious, think about it for a moment. Slashdot hypes up every single MS vulnerability as "proof" that MS systems are inherently insecure. And I wouldn't disagree that MS systems are insecure. But discovering a single (or a few) vulnerability doesn't make an OS insecure."
So doesn't it stand to reason then that the 'Microsoft Trolls' are simply giving you a taste of your own medicine? If Slashdot weren't out to sensationalize Microsoft at every turn, you wouldn't have to deal with 'Microsofties' forcing you to eat a bit of humble pie when these things come along.
"If this happens, it will only reinforce the fact that Intel has lost it's leadership position in the x86 compatible market."
What?
Leadership is determined by who's got more out there, not by who's following whose standard. By your definition, AMD could never ever achieve leadership position because it's usinng Intel's instructions.
AMD may be a threat, but it has not ousted Intel, not by a long shot.
"Windows XP ist just the successor on windows 2000, nothing else. So why didn't change all the users to windows 2000 when it was released ?"
Microsoft was more focused on making 2000 a professional/workplace OS than a consumer oriented operating system. Logging on, for example, is not something Windows 98 users have had to worry a whole lot about. The concept of 'administrator' would have been foreign to them. XP was 2000 + consumer friendliness built in. Since MS didn't design it to be a consumer OS, they didn't market it that way. That's why it didn't completely replace 98.
"By the way, those people are also the ones losing data by viewing emails and getting harddrives formated by viewing web pages (so using OL/IE)."
I don't remember recent worms causing loss of data.
"Surly it would be a lot easer then for sailers to sail around the world in the 1500s in comparison today."
Imagine sailors in the 1500's having to build a submarine that cannot surface during the entire trip. Then, think about how it would be propelled, how they'd support life, and the fact that they didn't have the right materials or engineering know-how to do any of it.
Maybe I'm just out of touch, but it doesn't feel like we've had a slew of new 'hit' albums released this year. Even music trading is based on influx of new content.
"Most people are just awe-struck the first time they see a Knoppix CD boot. Probably the thing that blows them away is the hardware auto-detection. There is really nothing to configure - just boot the CD, and two to three minutes later you have a beautiful desktop system. This is remarkable, given the lack of standards (and lack of driver documentation) that exists in the PC world."
I ache for Linux to be this way in general. I'm a Linux newb. I get nervous mucking around with conf files. (i.e. typos, formatting, and upper/lower case...) Knoppix was the first time I booted a Linux distro and got the right video mode. I was so happy with that. It just found everything. Makes one wonder: Why even go through a lengthy install? Why not copy the disc, boot, and auto-configure? Guess I'm just frustrated after spending a VERY long time installing Redhat.
"I used a knoppix cd at best buy when looking for a new laptop. The salesman told me that I would not be able to run a linux distro on the toshiba Satelite p25-s607."
Back when Pentiums first came out, I went to a Circuit City and wrote a quick little Quickbasic app that drew random lines on the screen as fast as it could. This was a test I did at home as well, just wanted to get a feel for how much faster this would be than my 486. A salesman came over and told me to get away from the computer. He thought I was up to no good.
Have times changed? Maybe... But I would urge caution when going to a computer store and booting up Knoppix, maybe go grab a salesguy and say "I'd like to do this, cool?" I imagine stores that show computers like this have had to deal with their fair share of people trying to break the system.
"Yeah - I considered Linux, but then I considered retraining costs, application problems and general user resistance and decided it wasn't a battle worth fighting at this point. (not that I WOULDN'T like to get MS out eventually)."
" Windows 98SE upgraded and patched does everything they need. It also runs reasonably fast on today's hardware, and there are a lot of "ain't broke, don't fix" people out there. There's really no compelling reason for people to switch, so they won't until they get a new PC."
Yes, there's a very compelling reason, stability. XP was built on a much more stable foundation than 98 was, and it's apparent to nearly everybody who uses it. This is why BSOD jokes make the joker sound like he's in the wrong decade.
"Anyone who is happy with Windows 98 should not be required to upgrade just because Microsoft can't be bothered to support a product they created and sold to end users."
If they're happy with it, then where's this force thing you're talking about?
"The point of/. is to provide news. Discussion is secondary. For those of us running Windows 98 who didn't know it would be phased out, this is useful information (far more so than, say, SCO story #694)."
So they post a link telling you to switch to Linux ?
Face it, this isn't news, it's a pitchfork sharpening party .
"Ok, the link for the word "switch" in that story is a link to Linux. Give me a fucking break!!! That's not the only option. I switched to OS X and have never been happier!"
Why even OSX? Windows 2000 or XP is MUCH better than 98. Those users would be quite happy, and their apps will work. They'd be pissed off if they switched to Linux.
Slashdot Mirror
DOH!
Sorry, got my windows mixed up. I thought I was reading about DVD-Jon, not the CD protection story. I apologize. Please mod as off-topic.
"Wouldn't be better to see the corporations be trashed in High Court instead of now..."
Perhaps, but I wouldn't bet somebody's quality of life over it. If he loses, it's midly bad for us, but for him it's the shits. Can't say I'd feel good about him serving jail time or paying fines for the rest of his life. I'd rather a deep-pocketed corporation be the defendent.
"So bite the bullet and stop buying. I did."
Sadly, they spun the sales drop as a result of your 'voting with your wallet' policy as "sales down due to piracy."
"I think this should just make the Linux and Microsoft and whatever communities be more humble and stop some of these flame wars."
It's a little hard to resist the urge to say "See! Linux has problems too!" when every story involving Microsoft on Slashdot is spun out of proportion.
"Is this just more proof that Linux was built by amateurs? Or wait - I know - that Linux can't be trusted because the source code is open... Now, for those who think I'm serious, think about it for a moment. Slashdot hypes up every single MS vulnerability as "proof" that MS systems are inherently insecure. And I wouldn't disagree that MS systems are insecure. But discovering a single (or a few) vulnerability doesn't make an OS insecure."
So doesn't it stand to reason then that the 'Microsoft Trolls' are simply giving you a taste of your own medicine? If Slashdot weren't out to sensationalize Microsoft at every turn, you wouldn't have to deal with 'Microsofties' forcing you to eat a bit of humble pie when these things come along.
In short: People in glass houses...
NFI what you're on about.
"I wonder what apple will do to counter Intel when they put their 64bit chip on the market?"
They'll introduce a new color of iMac and name it after a fruit.
"If this happens, it will only reinforce the fact that Intel has lost it's leadership position in the x86 compatible market."
What?
Leadership is determined by who's got more out there, not by who's following whose standard. By your definition, AMD could never ever achieve leadership position because it's usinng Intel's instructions.
AMD may be a threat, but it has not ousted Intel, not by a long shot.
"Don't put your email address online, period."
Doesn't help you with a brute force or dictionary attack. Those are popular these days.
"Just because it didn't happen to you, it is no threat ?"
Worms don't spread well if they kill the host. So no, I don't see a threat.
"Windows XP ist just the successor on windows 2000, nothing else. So why didn't change all the users to windows 2000 when it was released ?"
Microsoft was more focused on making 2000 a professional/workplace OS than a consumer oriented operating system. Logging on, for example, is not something Windows 98 users have had to worry a whole lot about. The concept of 'administrator' would have been foreign to them. XP was 2000 + consumer friendliness built in. Since MS didn't design it to be a consumer OS, they didn't market it that way. That's why it didn't completely replace 98.
"By the way, those people are also the ones losing data by viewing emails and getting harddrives formated by viewing web pages (so using OL/IE)."
I don't remember recent worms causing loss of data.
"Surly it would be a lot easer then for sailers to sail around the world in the 1500s in comparison today."
Imagine sailors in the 1500's having to build a submarine that cannot surface during the entire trip. Then, think about how it would be propelled, how they'd support life, and the fact that they didn't have the right materials or engineering know-how to do any of it.
Maybe I'm just out of touch, but it doesn't feel like we've had a slew of new 'hit' albums released this year. Even music trading is based on influx of new content.
"1. 2003 has seen the biggest emergence of legitimate pay-per-song services to date."
It's surprising that the RIAA's actions haven't prevented the success of these services.
"I've been crossing my eyes for half an hour and I still can't see any damn beagle!"
Oh crap! My eyes are stuck! !kcuts era seye yM !parc hO
"Most people are just awe-struck the first time they see a Knoppix CD boot. Probably the thing that blows them away is the hardware auto-detection. There is really nothing to configure - just boot the CD, and two to three minutes later you have a beautiful desktop system. This is remarkable, given the lack of standards (and lack of driver documentation) that exists in the PC world."
I ache for Linux to be this way in general. I'm a Linux newb. I get nervous mucking around with conf files. (i.e. typos, formatting, and upper/lower case...) Knoppix was the first time I booted a Linux distro and got the right video mode. I was so happy with that. It just found everything. Makes one wonder: Why even go through a lengthy install? Why not copy the disc, boot, and auto-configure? Guess I'm just frustrated after spending a VERY long time installing Redhat.
"I used a knoppix cd at best buy when looking for a new laptop. The salesman told me that I would not be able to run a linux distro on the toshiba Satelite p25-s607."
Back when Pentiums first came out, I went to a Circuit City and wrote a quick little Quickbasic app that drew random lines on the screen as fast as it could. This was a test I did at home as well, just wanted to get a feel for how much faster this would be than my 486. A salesman came over and told me to get away from the computer. He thought I was up to no good.
Have times changed? Maybe... But I would urge caution when going to a computer store and booting up Knoppix, maybe go grab a salesguy and say "I'd like to do this, cool?" I imagine stores that show computers like this have had to deal with their fair share of people trying to break the system.
"Yeah - I considered Linux, but then I considered retraining costs, application problems and general user resistance and decided it wasn't a battle worth fighting at this point. (not that I WOULDN'T like to get MS out eventually)."
Didn't everybody here laugh when MS said this?
"But they still don't even compare to OS X in terms of stability, usability, security and plug and play compatibility."
And game availability...
"We use win98 because its NOT a multi user operating system."
Sorry to oversimplify here, but I do not understand. Why not just turn on the "log-in automatically" feature?
If it ain't broke, don't go fixing it now. Just saying your argument caused a question mark to materialize over my head.
" Windows 98SE upgraded and patched does everything they need. It also runs reasonably fast on today's hardware, and there are a lot of "ain't broke, don't fix" people out there. There's really no compelling reason for people to switch, so they won't until they get a new PC."
Yes, there's a very compelling reason, stability. XP was built on a much more stable foundation than 98 was, and it's apparent to nearly everybody who uses it. This is why BSOD jokes make the joker sound like he's in the wrong decade.
"Anyone who is happy with Windows 98 should not be required to upgrade just because Microsoft can't be bothered to support a product they created and sold to end users."
If they're happy with it, then where's this force thing you're talking about?
"The point of /. is to provide news. Discussion is secondary. For those of us running Windows 98 who didn't know it would be phased out, this is useful information (far more so than, say, SCO story #694)."
So they post a link telling you to switch to Linux ?
Face it, this isn't news, it's a pitchfork sharpening party .
"Ok, the link for the word "switch" in that story is a link to Linux.
Give me a fucking break!!! That's not the only option.
I switched to OS X and have never been happier!"
Why even OSX? Windows 2000 or XP is MUCH better than 98. Those users would be quite happy, and their apps will work. They'd be pissed off if they switched to Linux.
.. caveat emptor.