I’m a Linux Bigot
Posted By Russ Emerson on July 16, 2004 at 9:56 am
Yes, I know Microsoft is an amazing success for the capitalist system. I love capitalism. Hooray for capitalism!
But I suspect their effective monopoly has made them sloppy.
One of my favorite sayings is that “Outlook Express is a security hole with some added e-mail capability.” Similar things might be (and have been) said about many of their products.
I’m pretty sure that MS’s success is not because of the quality of their products, but rather in spite of the quality. The security problems built into so many MS products are serious enough that I do none of my critical computing work on Windows machines unless there is no alternative. The product of those things I have to do on Windows machines is always stored on a Linux box, or on a detachable external hard drive.
This Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) advisory is just the latest example of why I usually disdain Microsoft products:
Multiple Vulnerabilities in Microsoft Windows Components and Outlook Express
Read and enjoy. And then update your PC.
Yup. I’m bored with folks like Hawkins claiming that anyone who understands the appalling quality level in MS software is “anti-capitalist”. Bill Gates is not John Galt.
I’m a regular poster here, but for reasons of job safety, can’t reveal my identity (Tacjammer himself might be able to figure it out, but I trust him not to tell).
I work at a call center taking TS and Virus Removal calls for customers of as VERY well-known security software company. When customers call about XP computers infected with certain viruses, we tell them, right off the bat, before we remove the virus, go get the latest Microsoft security updates, or you WILL get the virus again!
As far as security, there’s alot of people with job security as long as M$ keeps putting out the shoddy software. Dvorak over at PC Magazine has an interesting theory that M$ should just stop doing business and spin off their various units.
Actually, I’m referring to getting my butt fired if I don’t choose my words carefully. Though that won’t matter for long, we’re getting laid off due to overseas outsourcing in about a month.
Marc: That’s an interesting idea, even though I think Dvorak is a bit of a crank. A lot of their divisions would do well to be disconnected from the Windows/Office cash cow and have to make money on their own (see also: Xbox, which in any other company would’ve caused a shareholder revolt with the amounts it’s losing).