I doubt that many people would ask about open source at a computer store. If you don't know what it is, you won't know to ask, but if you do know about it, you will download it. (unless it is relitively large, like OpenOffice.org, and you have dial-up)
Microsoft wouldn't include free software. The most likely thing that they would include (and should include) is Office. A full install of Office takes up 450mb on my computer (I don't know about the ISO size). $400 is too much to pay for software like Office, especially when OpenOffice is free. If you really want MS office for some reason, you should get the "student and teacher" edition (I don't know if they check to make sure you are really a student or teacher), which is only $15o and can be installed on up to 3 computers. MSRPs
Windows XP can't be considered consumer-ready until it has driver support for common LCD monitors during its installation and bootup procedure, especially if those monitors are easily and routinely recognized by popular Linux distributions.
I've never had a monitor problem with windows XP.
I could not get Windows XP to detect the HP Compaq d220 microtower's onboard Broadcom NIC. I used another computer to download XP drivers from HP's site, and burned them to CD for installation on the d220, but still no luck.
This same NIC was detected and automatically set up by MEPIS, Knoppix, and Mandriva Linux during their installations. I was surprised that Windows XP was not able to do the same.
But Linux won't detect my USB wireless network adapter!
Yes, Firefox, the Thunderbird email suite, GAIM, GIMP, and many other well-regarded open source programs are now available for Windows XP, but each must be downloaded and installed individually. They are not included in the base Windows XP install. This makes no sense. If you pay more for Windows XP than for a typical Linux distribution, shouldn't it come with the same -- or better -- software on its installation CD?
Windows is bloatware, so nothing else will fit on the CD, and when it was released, not enough people had DVD-ROM drives.
Although Windows software is not included (reminds me of "batteries not included"), it is (usually) easy to install, configure, and use. You almost never ust the command prompt.
I have not yet gotten any viruses or worms on my Windows XP computer, nor have I experienced nearly as many system crashes as I did with pre-XP Windows versions.
No viruses!? I guess it is because the the internet would not work. It is true that XP crashes less than ME (I hated Windows ME).
Given Microsoft's current development rate, it's entirely possible that within a few years Windows may be almost as good a choice for most users as Linux,
Microsoft's current development rate? What rate? Longhorn will come out 6 years after XP (7 or 8 if you include the inevitable delays), and it is only incrementally better. It looks almost the same, and the only new feature is the search, and if it is anything like the indexing service, it is all hype.
and if you must use Windows XP you should try to get a computer that has it preinstalled rather installing it yourself -- unless you are a hard-core techie/nerd instead of an ordinary user.
I doubt that most users would put up with this problem. I suspect that most would simply return their copy of Windows XP to the store where they bought it and go back to familiar, user-friendly Linux.
You can't return commercial software. You would have to call Microsoft and pay $35/call (or is it $35/minute?)
You buy one of their monitors! They charge an extra $160 for a 15" CRT! You can buy a good 17" for around $100. I got one at a yard sale for $5 (The color red is broken. Sometimes it goes off and everything looks cyan, but it still works.)
I have broadband, but their website is SLOW. Configuring a PC, it reloads every time you change an option. It must be hosted on one of their $70 computers as a server.
It doesn't seem like an accident. Google image searches for "customize", "customize it", "customize it green", or "customize site:dell.com" don't have it as a result. They have it as a atatic GIF image, but dell has some kind of dynamic image (/img.aspxs?p=)
Windows may have twice as many Mhz as apple, but that doesn't make it faster. AMD chips always have a slower clock speed than Intel's, but they can be just as fast (or faster).
"It's just really really difficult. We've had so many heated debates about it. We want people to linger at the cafe. We're not a fast-food coffeeshop. We want people to feel comfortable staying here as long as they please," Strongin said.
But how would it siphon? If you put a pipe in water. the water will not "magically" come up, even after pumping it. Unless you used the water below sea level, but that might not work either. I thing the pump would be powered by the energy from the cold water. I will have to try to make a siphon with a hose and a pool.
My mouse is labeled. I couldn't remember which button was left-click and which one was right-click. It also has weighted buttons. The left-click one is 55 grams, but the right click one if 60 grams.
Or scratch off all the labels, Unless they leave a sticky residue. Or get a desk with a broken keyboard drawer that doesn't come out. That should cost about the same price, and if you use a wireless keyboard, you can keep it!
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I doubt that many people would ask about open source at a computer store. If you don't know what it is, you won't know to ask, but if you do know about it, you will download it. (unless it is relitively large, like OpenOffice.org, and you have dial-up)
If you got Windows with a computer, the OEM should provide support. I think Microsoft also has free installation support.
Microsoft wouldn't include free software. The most likely thing that they would include (and should include) is Office. A full install of Office takes up 450mb on my computer (I don't know about the ISO size). $400 is too much to pay for software like Office, especially when OpenOffice is free. If you really want MS office for some reason, you should get the "student and teacher" edition (I don't know if they check to make sure you are really a student or teacher), which is only $15o and can be installed on up to 3 computers. MSRPs
It seems like a bad connector on the back. The color red still appears on menus.
for everyday users, including a tedious installation procedure
Installation is something users (should) have to worry about only once. It is not an "everyday" problem.
This isn't news.
Windows XP can't be considered consumer-ready until it has driver support for common LCD monitors during its installation and bootup procedure, especially if those monitors are easily and routinely recognized by popular Linux distributions.
I've never had a monitor problem with windows XP.
I could not get Windows XP to detect the HP Compaq d220 microtower's onboard Broadcom NIC. I used another computer to download XP drivers from HP's site, and burned them to CD for installation on the d220, but still no luck.
This same NIC was detected and automatically set up by MEPIS, Knoppix, and Mandriva Linux during their installations. I was surprised that Windows XP was not able to do the same.
But Linux won't detect my USB wireless network adapter!
Yes, Firefox, the Thunderbird email suite, GAIM, GIMP, and many other well-regarded open source programs are now available for Windows XP, but each must be downloaded and installed individually. They are not included in the base Windows XP install. This makes no sense. If you pay more for Windows XP than for a typical Linux distribution, shouldn't it come with the same -- or better -- software on its installation CD?
Windows is bloatware, so nothing else will fit on the CD, and when it was released, not enough people had DVD-ROM drives.
Although Windows software is not included (reminds me of "batteries not included"), it is (usually) easy to install, configure, and use. You almost never ust the command prompt.
I have not yet gotten any viruses or worms on my Windows XP computer, nor have I experienced nearly as many system crashes as I did with pre-XP Windows versions.
No viruses!? I guess it is because the the internet would not work.
It is true that XP crashes less than ME (I hated Windows ME).
Given Microsoft's current development rate, it's entirely possible that within a few years Windows may be almost as good a choice for most users as Linux,
Microsoft's current development rate? What rate? Longhorn will come out 6 years after XP (7 or 8 if you include the inevitable delays), and it is only incrementally better. It looks almost the same, and the only new feature is the search, and if it is anything like the indexing service, it is all hype.
and if you must use Windows XP you should try to get a computer that has it preinstalled rather installing it yourself -- unless you are a hard-core techie/nerd instead of an ordinary user.
Good advice.
I doubt that most users would put up with this problem. I suspect that most would simply return their copy of Windows XP to the store where they bought it and go back to familiar, user-friendly Linux.
You can't return commercial software. You would have to call Microsoft and pay $35/call (or is it $35/minute?)
Tabbed browsing for IE has been around for a long time (2002). Maxthon is a shell for IE. I used to like it better than Firefox.
You buy one of their monitors! They charge an extra $160 for a 15" CRT! You can buy a good 17" for around $100. I got one at a yard sale for $5 (The color red is broken. Sometimes it goes off and everything looks cyan, but it still works.)
I have broadband, but their website is SLOW. Configuring a PC, it reloads every time you change an option. It must be hosted on one of their $70 computers as a server.
It doesn't seem like an accident. Google image searches for "customize", "customize it", "customize it green", or "customize site:dell.com" don't have it as a result. They have it as a atatic GIF image, but dell has some kind of dynamic image (/img.aspxs?p=)
I guess not hiring graphics designers keeps prices down. They could have at least changed the color!
Windows may have twice as many Mhz as apple, but that doesn't make it faster. AMD chips always have a slower clock speed than Intel's, but they can be just as fast (or faster).
This is just the opposite of the Microsoft Get the Facts campaign.
"It's just really really difficult. We've had so many heated debates about it. We want people to linger at the cafe. We're not a fast-food coffeeshop. We want people to feel comfortable staying here as long as they please," Strongin said.
I would be more likely to stay if there is Wi-Fi.
I've always wanted a way to break IE! If Windows won't let me uninstall it, I will break it!
What will happen if they run out of addresses?
But how would it siphon? If you put a pipe in water. the water will not "magically" come up, even after pumping it. Unless you used the water below sea level, but that might not work either. I thing the pump would be powered by the energy from the cold water. I will have to try to make a siphon with a hose and a pool.
It's not in order! what kind of list is that?! How an I supposed to know if ROTS is better than Finding Nemo?
I misread it to.
Microsoft will be the last to.
You'll never see ads online again, even if you are using IE!
My mouse is labeled. I couldn't remember which button was left-click and which one was right-click. It also has weighted buttons. The left-click one is 55 grams, but the right click one if 60 grams.
Or scratch off all the labels, Unless they leave a sticky residue.
Or get a desk with a broken keyboard drawer that doesn't come out. That should cost about the same price, and if you use a wireless keyboard, you can keep it!