[TWilliam]

Yeaaa I realize we've all been spoiled by the impression that Windows 'just works'. Funny thing is, the same kinds of hardware issues occur with it too if you're trying to build your own system rather than buying one with it pre-installed. Granted, relatively few people build their own systems, but the point that's made is simply that Windows really isn't much better in that regard. You just don't notice it because someone already went through all the work of getting everything set up before you bought it.

Another thing few people understand is that what makes Windows 'just work' (except of course when it doesn't) is exactly the same thing that makes it so vulnerable to virii. Contrary to popular mythology, it's not the ubiquity of the OS, tho' that does aid in rapid proliferation. The problem lies in the fact that MS takes an 'everything on, all doors open' approach with regard to the various processes that run on most machines. Granted, MS has increasingly been getting a clue in this regard, but it's still an issue. One must go in and 'close all the doors and windows', so to speak, in order to minimize the chances of system compromise. Not a simple task, especially when one considers that nearly any machine with a default Windows OS install is likely to be compromised within four minutes of first being connected to the Internet, long before one has even completed the registration process to begin downloading any security updates.

Linux takes the exact opposite approach, starting with everything 'closed up tight'. One has to deliberately pick and choose which doors and windows to open. Granted it can be a PITA to get everything working just right, but once it is, you can pretty much forget about it. I have three machines on my home network, all running different versions of Linux; two wired, one wireless, printer on the wireless accessible to all, shares mutually accessible, all three with net access through a Linux-based router. Took a little time and learning to set everything up sure, but in the two-plus years since doing so, I've never had to deal with annoying automatic updates, resource-hogging virus scans (not an AV scanner amongst them), forced reboots, system lockups, crashes or infections of any kind. It was rare that I could make it through a single day without some such issue arising when I ran 'Doze. For me personally it was worth every bit of the up-front aggravation of setting things up to have 2+ years now of worry- and hassle-free computing...

[AirlinePilot]

I have built my own machines for many years now. I have two fresh copies of XP sitting here for my next ones. Linux is cool, but I'll echo others experiences with it. I know what Im doing around computers but even i get frustrated with it now and again.

If you know how to set up Windows, with only the neccesary services and programs running, it works very well and very reliably. I dont even allow IE to connect to the net anymore. It gets disabled from the start here and I exclusively use Firefox as a browser and have had almost zero problems in 4 years now with malware or spyware. Its all in what you want to learn and how you let windows run.

Most folks really dont have more than a cursory knowledge of their systems and the result is what we have today...thousands upon thousands of trojans/virii/malware etc running around making a complete mess of things. If you dont know how to set it up your going to be a target in a short period of time.

Ive been very pleased with XP and have stayed away from Vista and likely will shun 7 also. No reboots, crashes etc here. Linux may have its day, but a lot of the polish and compatability has a way to go IMHO.

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('TWilliam', 'Y')eaaa I realize we've all been spoiled by the impression that Windows 'just works'. Funny thing is, the same kinds of hardware issues occur with it too if you're trying to build your own system rather than buying one with it pre-installed.

[AirlinePilot]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'T')he factory builds these days come with 50+ pieces of crapware pre-installed that you then have to go back and uninstall.

[TWilliam]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'I')'m not trying to turn this into a Linux bash session.

[bratticus]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'Y')eah. There's just way too much drama with trying to run Linux.

[TWilliam]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('bratticus', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'Y')eah. There's just way too much drama with trying to run Linux.