One common theme I see frequently throughout this thread is the constant assertion by linux users that MS products are fundamentally flawed out of the box and lead to all kinds of security and other problems for end users. However, when they make this comparison, they invariably take the non-computer literate windows user versus someone who has a fully tweaked linux box as their example. This to me is completely unfair on MS. The person who has the linux box is invariably far more PC aware and has done all sorts of tweaks and updates to get their box the way they want it. If that same, computer-savvy user were to apply themselves to setting up a windows box, they could achieve similar levels of reliability and security that they can on their linux box. On the other hand, if that joe bloggs, barely-knows-how-to-switch-it-on windows user was to try and install a linux distro, even one of the up to date ones, and I guarantee he will have an unusable comp and be looking at a re-install within a very short space of time.
I consider myself fairly computer literate and am running xp pro on my main box at the moment and have to say its the most stable, reliable os I have ever used and this includes several linux distributions. The box is up 24/7/365 with only occasional reboots for patches and so on. I run it behind a NAT router, use zonealarm, have up to date AV software and am up to date on all security alerts. These precautions couple with that most valuable of commodities i.e. common sense and I have never had a virus or security problem.
Its not that I dont like linux - I have been using it on a secondary pc which I like to dabble on - i have used RH 5.0,5.2, COL, SUSE 6.0, MDK 8 and currently RH 9. I went through the whole linux addiction, compiling apps and kernels like nobody's business but since getting married dont have the time to go and search for a new version of gcc or glibc because I want some plugin for xmms and have broken dependencies. Windows lets me get things done quicker and to me is more reliable - FOR THE AVERAGE USER.
So please people lets compare apples to apples in future when slating MS.
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One common theme I see frequently throughout this thread is the constant assertion by linux users that MS products are fundamentally flawed out of the box and lead to all kinds of security and other problems for end users. However, when they make this comparison, they invariably take the non-computer literate windows user versus someone who has a fully tweaked linux box as their example. This to me is completely unfair on MS. The person who has the linux box is invariably far more PC aware and has done all sorts of tweaks and updates to get their box the way they want it. If that same, computer-savvy user were to apply themselves to setting up a windows box, they could achieve similar levels of reliability and security that they can on their linux box. On the other hand, if that joe bloggs, barely-knows-how-to-switch-it-on windows user was to try and install a linux distro, even one of the up to date ones, and I guarantee he will have an unusable comp and be looking at a re-install within a very short space of time.
I consider myself fairly computer literate and am running xp pro on my main box at the moment and have to say its the most stable, reliable os I have ever used and this includes several linux distributions. The box is up 24/7/365 with only occasional reboots for patches and so on. I run it behind a NAT router, use zonealarm, have up to date AV software and am up to date on all security alerts. These precautions couple with that most valuable of commodities i.e. common sense and I have never had a virus or security problem.
Its not that I dont like linux - I have been using it on a secondary pc which I like to dabble on - i have used RH 5.0,5.2, COL, SUSE 6.0, MDK 8 and currently RH 9. I went through the whole linux addiction, compiling apps and kernels like nobody's business but since getting married dont have the time to go and search for a new version of gcc or glibc because I want some plugin for xmms and have broken dependencies. Windows lets me get things done quicker and to me is more reliable - FOR THE AVERAGE USER.
So please people lets compare apples to apples in future when slating MS.