How much abuse will Windows user take?

Post by **Patrick** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 11:55 am

Another good article from SVN:
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,2018629,00.asp

Wally Balljacker · Post by **Wally Balljacker** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:04 am

Sadly, most Windows users think that's just the way computers are. They aren't even aware that alternatives exist, other than Mac OS X, and using that requires buying a whole new computer. Mozilla has done a great job promoting Firefox, and an awful lot of Windows users are using Firefox instead of IE, which is a good thing, but many have never even heard of it. I think most users either fall into that category, or they are tied to Windows at home, work, or school because of certain applications that don't run on anything else.

johnnywtllts · Post by **johnnywtllts** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:36 am

Sadly, most Windows users think that's just the way computers are.

Sad being the operative term there.

I think you've made a good point before (and I'm convinced myself) that a savvy enough user can take FLOSS and Windows and make it work (web, Email, Office, multimedia, etc.) and be fine (if that's all they want).

Sad because the people who are really gonna get screwed are the average or below average Joes who aren't savvy enough to use Windows wisely. And as we've said here before, they're not necessarily your target Linux audience either.

Tsuroerusu · Post by **Tsuroerusu** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:41 am

Wally Balljacker wrote:I think most users either fall into that category, or they are tied to Windows at home, work, or school because of certain applications that don't run on anything else.

This is very much the case in Denmark, the school use a lot of custom stuff, which is why a lot of them can't just switch, even though a lot of the Windows 98 machines are crashing constantly.

I got a story from school actually, a few days ago when a classmate of mine (!!! SHE'S HOT !!!) wanted to print something from an XP machine, the second she clicked the print button in Word, guess what, BOOM! BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH!!

shopRatt · Post by **shopRatt** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 11:00 am

I have to agree with "T" when it comes to the school computers. Last year I partitioned my daughters computer and put fedora on it. she just played games and stuff and never thought much of it. This year, she wanted to try something else so a couple of weeks ago I installed Kubuntu in it for her. She is finally realizing what I have been trying to tell her that she will have a better experience running Linux. She can still chat with friends, listen to music and do her projects on the Kubuntu box. The only reason she uses Windows is to manage playlists on her "superior apple product" Ipod.

That is until I figure how to fix that.

She has a media class where they do minor computer work, (only in 6th grade). they have been back to school for only three weeks and many of the computers are down. They run windows 2000 and IE. They won't even let the kids install Firefox. She asked me why they don't run anything other than Windows at the school, and I told her to ask her media teacher. Can't wait to hear what the teacher tells her.

"I got a story from school actually, a few days ago when a classmate of mine (!!! SHE'S HOT !!!) wanted to print something from an XP machine, the second she clicked the print button in Word, guess what, BOOM! BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH!!"
Tsuroerusu - I hope you at least offered to print her document for her. She might be very greatful.

Tsuroerusu · Post by **Tsuroerusu** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 2:11 pm

shopRatt wrote:The only reason she uses Windows is to manage playlists on her "superior apple product" Ipod. That is until I figure how to fix that.

Install Amarok or Banshee and you're golden.

shopRatt wrote:They won't even let the kids install Firefox.

No need to install Firefox, grab the portable version at portableapps.com which runs from a single folder that can sit on the desktop.

shopRatt wrote:She asked me why they don't run anything other than Windows at the school, and I told her to ask her media teacher. Can't wait to hear what the teacher tells her.

Dude, record what ya daughter says so the rest of us can hear!

shopRatt wrote:Tsuroerusu - I hope you at least offered to print her document for her. She might be very greatful.

Yeah I did, ain't that a geeky way to try and get a date (If I were): Can I help you print your document?