[COMP] Re: Windows 2000

-----Original Message-----
#From: John Madden <weez@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: computers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx <computers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Monday, March 20, 2000 9:37 PM
Subject: [COMP] Re: Windows 2000


So people were paying
>> $50 for bug-riddled software which will intentionally
>> cease to function after a few months.
>
>Oh, but it's the latest-greatest!  I GOTTA have it!!!
>

Unfortunately this is very true in the real world.  Most
people don't even understand the term "OS" ... they 
would rather "trust" a large corporation to put out a 
"decent-enough" product and take it at that.  

Most people want something they can use.  Like a
toaster or a lamp.  They want *easy*.  Microsoft has
known this for a long time.

>> the beta testers get absolutely nothing!  Not even 
>> a discount offer for
>> the release version (is this true?)
>
>I think they get some incentive, discount, etc.  But I'm not sure on
>that...
> 

Apparently "official" beta-testers do indeed get a free release 
copy, but people who purchase the "customer preview version" 
do not.  Could someone tell me the difference between the beta 
software and the "customer preview version"?  I thought that 
the beta was just that ... 

>Yes.  But they make money, so they don't care.
>

Right.  And that is not good.  Microsoft has too much of an 
effect on too many lives.  As an organization, it needs to take 
responsibility for itself.  What if other businesses weren't kept 
in check (airports, restaurants and the telcos come to mind).
 
>Their methods of quality control are extremely inferior, and always have
>been.  They write shoddy products at best, but the shame of it is that
>the public at large swallows it, and isn't even aware that there are
>viable alternatives.  

Atm I would be happy to let Microsoft have its place in the client-userspace.
It is a pretty OS which is currently more friendly than Linux.  But in the
server world, NT is crap imho.  Absolute crapola when compared to any
Linux dist or any of the *BSD's.  .

Get non-laser printer support going for Linux and it's all over.  (I don't 
use printers much under Linux .... anyone know anything about that? 
I always dealt with the HP etc. driver problem via samba :)

>You wanna see a decent release of Windows?  Give
>us the source code and about two years.  
>

Not sure about that.  Netscape has done some things, but not a whole
lot since they released the source.  I wish that all of the talented coders
that wrote all of the browsers would get together and work toward a single, 
better browser for everyone without constantly arguing about how to get 
things done.  :)

>In a way, it's almost a shame to see Microsoft on their way out.  (Yes
>folks, Microsoft's power is in a sharp decline - face it..)  It's a very
>small shame though, so I won't linger on it.:)  Overall, it's a good
>thing- we're seeing a big revolution in software development.  The
>outcome will be better software, more freedom, better choices, cheaper
>hardware, cheaper computers, better availability, ...anyone want to
>continue the list?
>

Well I don't see Microsoft declining sharply anytime soon in the userspace.
Alot of people are still using it, and I have yet to goto my local Fry's and 
see a PC running Linux.  Hopefully this will soon change, but for a 
first-time user, my vote would still be for windows on the client-side.  
On the Linux-side, let's worry about emulating Cisco routers and take it 
from there.  :)

--
Mark




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