Reality Check

[Markll]

It's a never ending story. People are always getting infected by viruses and have problems with the Windows OS.

Time to ruffle some feathers.

The vast options and software available for windows come at a cost. There is a definite learning curve to properly using and maintaining a pc. Too many people try to get by without learning enough about this fantastic tool. Then they blame it on Microsoft.

A vast majority of internet and computer problems could be avoided if the end user took the proper time to learn how to properly use a computer.

[mushroom]

You want a Reality Check OK.

M$ "rules the computer world" or think they do, "M$ knows what is best for you". Before there was an internet, security was sacrificed for ease of use. Then came the internet & the bugs, anti-virus firms sprang up the releave the problem & in the begining were very sucessfull, M$ did little or nothing to repair the OS to prevent the explote, more bugs more work for the AV's "situation in hand". M$ spent their time making new and "improved versions" only fixing what they absolutely had to and spending most of their money on marketing.

Years of this attitude have lead us to now, M$ is rich and a windows user must depend on nummerus third party tools to have a reasnoble amount of security.
If every M$ user where to do updates and scans every day and practice good user security, the threat of being infected by a new bug is very high compared to any OS which has been built with security in mind from the start.

So can we blame it all on Microsoft, NO some of the blame must fall on the consumer for acepting "M$ knows what is best for you" and learning what they need to, or demanding beter products or moving to an another OS (most of the server market has).

[Markll]

Let's take a look at the vulnerability virus issue from a different perspective.

The internet is an information highway, viruses and spam are potholes. If you were driving a car, what would you do? Avoid the pothole. Why? Because you know it isn't good for your car.

Now, your "driving" through your inbox and an ominous email from an unknown sender containing suspect links is in front of you. What do you do? Avoid that email. Don't even open it if you don't know who it's from. Too many people drive right into it because the don't know any better.

The day Microsoft developes a completely idiot proof and secure operating system, and keeps PC prices as low as they are now is the day I'd expect General Motors to fix all the potholes.

Go to the Microsoft site where there is a wealth of information or read your computer user manual thoroughly before you take it for a ride through any dangerous neighborhoods.

[mushroom]

Microsoft dose not have to develope a completely idiot proof and secure operating system, their are plenty of idiots buying what ever they sell.

[pedstersplanet]

Microsoft dose not have to develope a completely idiot proof and secure operating system, their are plenty of idiots buying what ever they sell.

You got that right...

Most people are ignorant when it comes to security.... For example, a ladyfriend didnt have anti-virus software installed, or even a firewall.... So I advised her to install some....

I honestly think that the retailers, like PC World, should step up on their customer support and liason.. To advise of the security risks, and how to keep them at bay to first time PC buyers.

Thats my views..

[wenwilder]

No matter how much I would love to blame the computer companies for their "faults" I just can't bring myself to do it. Honestly, when was the last time you talked to your computer owning friend about the latest virus? Or even stopped to take the time to send them a warning?

We tend to look so long and hard at the problem that we miss the solution. We are the solution, we always have been. Software corporations are only in it for the money, no matter what they say. The bottom line comes down to the almighty buck.

Whether you run a mac or a pc or use the latest virus protection - there is NO fail proof system! None! There is always going to be a virus, BHO, spam, etc. that gets in. It doesn't matter if it's accidentally let in because of a bad choice or if it sneaks in undetected. Either way it is still there and it has to be dealt with quickly.

Unfortunately the innocent, and not so innocent, are being caught in the middle of a hackers/virus writers war. Whether these cretin are privately funded or are still popping pimples in high school, they are still reeking havoc with OUR machines.

Now you have a couple of choices -

1. You can keep complaining
2. You can blame the computer companies for not making this or providing that with their computers.
3. You can blame the software companies for the same thing.
4. You can blame the average computer users for not "knowing more" or reading their computers manual before setting it up. Did you read the manual before you set up or connected? Or were you to excited? Only die-hard computer "experts" read the manual, but I bet even they don't read it all the way through, but only skim it for the information they want. Admit it!
5. OR you can lay your dislike of any company or software aside. Stop saying someone else should do something and start doing what you believe should be done. I vote for doing something.

Problems don't go away on their own, and they don't go away by discussing them. Whether we like it or not it is inaction that keeps the world full of problems that DO have solutions. It takes less effort to blame then it does to act - you burn more calories by acting though! ;)

[Markll]

5. OR you can lay your dislike of any company or software aside. Stop saying someone else should do something and start doing what you believe should be done. I vote for doing something.

Problems don't go away on their own, and they don't go away by discussing them. Whether we like it or not it is inaction that keeps the world full of problems that DO have solutions. It takes less effort to blame then it does to act - you burn more calories by acting though! ;)

Well said.


Proactive: creating or controlling a situation by taking the initiative

Taking a proactive approach to your computer problems and maintainence will save much time and heartache rather than a reactive approach.

http://mtheoryit.com

[viking]

I totaly agree with you wen my machine has been running smoothly for the last two years since i bought it i have a dell pc and use mostly ms software and have never had a problem i have a firewall and a good antivirus package which is updated on a regular basis, as is my version of windows os.

but as they say ""the empty can makes the most noise""

[AITechnology]

This might seem like conspiracy theory, but if you were the government, wouldn't you WANT security holes in the operating system and IE to make it easier to compromise security and search databases on Foreign computers? It would not surprise me if the CIA asked Bill Gates to make tons of holes in the operating system so that they could spy more easily. But thats just my paranoid thinking :)

In reality, I get tired of people asking me to clean out their computers when they have 180 viruses on them especially when it is rather simple to prevent viruses provided a little mainanance. There is enough open source proggies out there that really, the cost is minimal.