Wellyou do have to pay for Windows if you're running a business or you're in trouble if FAST or whoever want to audit you.
Microsoft have always implied that their products are easier to use, secure and stable. The security and stability bits are blatant lies. The implication of user-friendliness is suspect. They spend millions of dollars a year on 'user friendliness', but always seem to be a year or so behind other software developers (both commerical and open source) that actually do improve the interfaces.
Take IE for example. Everyone else used tabs in the browser because they're more efficient and intuitive. However Microsoft's response (before adding them to IE) was that 'if users wanted tabs in their browser, they would have told us.' Which is bizarre considering how much they're meant to spend on research into interfaces rather than just sitting there waiting for people to demand new features.
Have they even introduced virtual workspaces yet? They increase desktop efficiency, but they weren't implemented even in XP.
(Microsoft have always implied that their products are easier to use, secure and stable. The security and stability bits are blatant lies. The implication of user-friendliness is suspect. They spend millions of dollars a year on 'user friendliness', but always seem to be a year or so behind other software developers (both commerical and open source) that actually do improve the interfaces.
Take IE for example. Everyone else used tabs in the browser because they're more efficient and intuitive. However Microsoft's response (before adding them to IE) was that 'if users wanted tabs in their browser, they would have told us.' Which is bizarre considering how much they're meant to spend on research into interfaces rather than just sitting there waiting for people to demand new features.
Have they even introduced virtual workspaces yet? They increase desktop efficiency, but they weren't implemented even in XP.
wheelybird mreee!,
Wed 21 May 2008, 17:30,
archived)
I was talking about the OSand IE is a browser. Virtual desktops have been available since the first power toys release for XP.
(
Pasanonic 's been known to cause insanity in laboratory mice,
Wed 21 May 2008, 17:35,
archived)
IEis an integral part of the Windows OS these days.
But the research into human/computer interfaces they spend all that money on includes the Windows OS too, and has very little to show for all the time and money.
XP may have introduced virtual desktops, but they've been available for at least a decade more than that on other OSes.
I'm not advising people not to use Windows. As you say, other OSes also need some (or a fair amount of) technical knowledge too. It's just that Microsoft don't seem to realise that their product is somewhat crap.
(But the research into human/computer interfaces they spend all that money on includes the Windows OS too, and has very little to show for all the time and money.
XP may have introduced virtual desktops, but they've been available for at least a decade more than that on other OSes.
I'm not advising people not to use Windows. As you say, other OSes also need some (or a fair amount of) technical knowledge too. It's just that Microsoft don't seem to realise that their product is somewhat crap.
wheelybird mreee!,
Wed 21 May 2008, 17:40,
archived)