Windows alternative.

[Gatecrusher]

It seems that Microsoft is going to wrong way with its operating systems... in many ways I gues its going to concentrate even more on invading privacy of users to enforce more strict software licences and what not, (the Sony media Rootkit anyone??)
the few things a hear about Vista are not all good either... I'll miss those days when I had a pc, win 98, didnt have to "check with microsoft" everytime I made a hardware change because XP takes the goddamned "hardware snapshot", or licence my copy through the internet and what not.
gues its "screw the user, we need to check on you so we 'know' your not going Linux on us 🙂"


anyway besides thes sentimental stuff.... Is there any good alternative to Windows?? I know linux is brobably the way to go, but which version might be good if I'd still like to run few Win. based games and progs..?
what about Lindows?? anyone?

-opinions, advice....

thnx.

 

[MrChad]

What does the Sony rootkit have to do with Microsoft? If anything, that example illustrates that content publishers (RIAA, MPAA, etc.) are as much to blame (if not moreso) than Microsoft for the development of DRM technologies.

Frankly, activation has never been a hassle for me (but then again, I don't change my hardware too often). I'd much rather have a stable XP operating system that I have to activate once every two years than an unstable 98 box I have to reboot every day.

There are a number of different linux options out there, but they won't necessarily run all of your Windows apps (you'll have an especially tough time with games). Check out some of the Linux live CD distributions to a get a feel for Linux (Live CDs run straight off the CD and won't affect your existing Windows install).

 

[sourceninja]

Get ubuntu, install wine/cedega (for games) /crossoveroffice for windows compatability. Its not 100% but it will get you 99% of what you want for windows stuff (and maybe 80% of games) . I would stay far far away from linspire. But a switch to linux isn't a walk in the park. You need to make sure your hardware is compatable. You are going to have to learn a new way to think about filesystems, program managment, etc. There is a small learning curve here. You will most likley try a few different linux distros until you find one that clicks with you. I just find ubuntu a good OS for "normal" users. The package managment is easy, its setup more for the normal user by default. And they do a lot of the things for you that you would have to do by yourself in debian. Plus they have a great community. I myself found that I couldn't get enough control with ubuntu, but that is just because I am a tinkerer. I like to tinker and I tend to mess a lot of stuff up. However, my wife's box runs ubuntu, and its been 100% solid.

But linux isn't your only option. There is a project in the works to make an open source version of windows 2000, and of course BSD, MacOSX, and solaris. With mac comming on the x86 we will see even more possiblitys with windows compatablity (I'm not sure how much there is now though).

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Gatecrusher
It seems that Microsoft is going to wrong way with its operating systems... in many ways I gues its going to concentrate even more on invading privacy of users to enforce more strict software licences and what not,

How has your privacy been compromised?

(the Sony media Rootkit anyone??)

They had nothing to do with the rootkit. 😕

the few things a hear about Vista are not all good either... I'll miss those days when I had a pc, win 98, didnt have to "check with microsoft" everytime I made a hardware change because XP takes the goddamned "hardware snapshot", or licence my copy through the internet and what not.
gues its "screw the user, we need to check on you so we 'know' your not going Linux on us 🙂"

The activation stuff has nothing to do with Linux, and with all of the successful dualbooters out there it's ridiculous to even bring it up. 😕

anyway besides thes sentimental stuff.... Is there any good alternative to Windows?? I know linux is brobably the way to go, but which version might be good if I'd still like to run few Win. based games and progs..?
what about Lindows?? anyone?

-opinions, advice....

thnx.

Use Ubuntu, or Fedora, or Suse, or whatever. It doesn't matter, they're all basically the same. Except Lindows, it's just trash.

Don't use Windows apps. They're bad for your health. Although, if you "have to" Wine and WineX (transgaming, transvestite, whatever it's called now) might help.

 

[Gatecrusher]

ok Just to clear things up... The Rootkit thing was in fact not Microsoft fault, it was Sony media yes BUT, if you read anything about it Microsoft made no move to prevent such thing from happening as one thought it would... Rootkit being quite invasive thing and possibly destabilize the whole system. Eventualy when the whole thing got out they just made some BS patch that removed the "Cloaking" of the rootkit.
Anyway if you wanna read more on it: http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2005/11/sonys_drm_rootk.html

n0cmonkey you didnt quite get me. what I'm upset about is the fact that more and more the old thing called Privacy is being shot to hell in my opinion, honestly I dont think Microsoft cares about my private things... nothing interesting in them realy. My point is that it more and more feels like I dint BUY their Product... that I am only somehow borowing it.. never quite owning it and that microsoft needs to check in on me to make sure I'm not doing anything they dont like (thats what I ment with the linux thing.)



anyway thnx for the Linux tip I'll check it out.

 

[stash]

Wow a link to Bruce Schneier. Well, I'm sold!

MS Antispyware was updated to remove the Sony rootkit. How does this fit into your 'Microsoft made no move to prevent such thing [sic] from happening as one thought it would' FUD?

 

[ValuedCustomer]

you're using the term "Rootkit" as if it's a proper noun. A "rootkit" is a generic term for a number tools packaged together for the purpose of hacking a root. Microsoft designed an operating system that can possibly be modified by any number of rootkits. Windows isn't perfect, neither is Solaris, OSX, Suse, etc.. don't get your undies in a wad. Don't like Windows? go Linux or whatever.

 

[Gatecrusher]

bah, why didnt microsoft find out on its own?? they are here to make a secure system. thats why we buy it no? its their slow reaction.. seems like they didnt care about it until the rest of the world found out on its own. i league with Sony media and their DRM policy methods.. after all Vista is going to be the next generation platform for Multy Media..?

Anyway, enough said. Seems most people are happy that theyr comp, doesnt crash and dont realy care about the MS basicaly Owning their comp, and letting them use it only if they meet their demands and their rules, thats plane Ignorant in my opinion.

 

[Gatecrusher]

Originally posted by: ValuedCustomer
you're using the term "Rootkit" as if it's a proper noun. A "rootkit" is a generic term for a number tools packaged together for the purpose of hacking a root. Microsoft designed an operating system that can possibly be modified by any number of rootkits. Windows isn't perfect, neither is Solaris, OSX, Suse, etc.. don't get your undies in a wad. Don't like Windows? go Linux or whatever.

In fact I DONT like windows, but the alternatives are limited considering the spread of the platform and most apps being made for win.
Any way man I will switch no worry.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: Gatecrusher
bah, why didnt microsoft find out on its own?? they are here to make a secure system. thats why we buy it no? its their slow reaction.. seems like they didnt care about it until the rest of the world found out on its own. i league with Sony media and their DRM policy methods.. after all Vista is going to be the next generation platform for Multy Media..?

Anyway, enough said. Seems most people are happy that theyr comp, doesnt crash and dont realy care about the MS basicaly Owning their comp, and letting them use it only if they meet their demands and their rules, thats plane Ignorant in my opinion.

😕

The rootkit was discovered on October 31st.

Microsoft announced an update to their antispyware tool two weeks later.

Seems like pretty good response time to me.

 

[stash]

bah, why didnt microsoft find out on its own?? they are here to make a secure system. thats why we buy it no? its their slow reaction.. seems like they didnt care about it until the rest of the world found out on its own

Dude, look at what you're saying. There is no way for Microsoft (or anyone else) to go out and discover rootkits that may affect their OS. Look at the word -- rootkit. Where do you think that came from? Oh that's right...Unix. And that's a secure OS, no?

So I'm not sure what would be a good response for you.

 

[nweaver]

Don't use windows apps on linux...

most apps AREN'T developed for windows, just most COMMERCIAL apps. There are MANY MANY MANY nice opensource apps that will run on a variety of platforms/hardware.

 

[Gatecrusher]

ok so be it, dont know enough about rootkits to argue on, thats not what I wanted to talk about anyway.
Ok, gues the solution may be to have a Windows right to game on and a linux one for the rest..

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Gatecrusher
n0cmonkey you didnt quite get me. what I'm upset about is the fact that more and more the old thing called Privacy is being shot to hell in my opinion, honestly I dont think Microsoft cares about my private things... nothing interesting in them realy. My point is that it more and more feels like I dint BUY their Product... that I am only somehow borowing it.. never quite owning it and that microsoft needs to check in on me to make sure I'm not doing anything they dont like (thats what I ment with the linux thing.)

You're starting to get it. You don't own anything but a piece of plastic and your computer (and barely at that). You give <software company> money, and they let you use their product. No more, no less.

I don't think privacy is being attacked by Microsoft, at least not by XP activation.

 

[Gatecrusher]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: Gatecrusher
n0cmonkey you didnt quite get me. what I'm upset about is the fact that more and more the old thing called Privacy is being shot to hell in my opinion, honestly I dont think Microsoft cares about my private things... nothing interesting in them realy. My point is that it more and more feels like I dint BUY their Product... that I am only somehow borowing it.. never quite owning it and that microsoft needs to check in on me to make sure I'm not doing anything they dont like (thats what I ment with the linux thing.)

You're starting to get it. You don't own anything but a piece of plastic and your computer (and barely at that). You give <software company> money, and they let you use their product. No more, no less.

I don't think privacy is being attacked by Microsoft, at least not by XP activation.

man, and that doesnt bother u?
I know that the activation doesnt invade "privacy" but honestly I had to work on some computers that got disconected from the internet for a while, after changing the vid card on one the OS told me I had 3 days to report to it to MS (hooking up the internet), Now THATS invasion of privacy, at least in my opinion. Now dare they lock me out of my system if I so much as change a vid card...
Dont you see its all about more controll?? if that doesnt worry anybody else but me than I wonder.....

 

[ValuedCustomer]

Originally posted by: Gatecrusher
Ok, gues the solution may be to have a Windows right to game on and a linux one for the rest..

I think that'd be your best bet. Dual-boot.. Linux on one side and Win2000 (no activation hassles) on the other. Sounds like a good plan for your particular wants/needs.

 

[envy me]

Originally posted by: Gatecrusher
It seems that Microsoft is going to wrong way with its operating systems... in many ways I gues its going to concentrate even more on invading privacy of users to enforce more strict software licences and what not, (the Sony media Rootkit anyone??)
the few things a hear about Vista are not all good either... I'll miss those days when I had a pc, win 98, didnt have to "check with microsoft" everytime I made a hardware change because XP takes the goddamned "hardware snapshot", or licence my copy through the internet and what not.
gues its "screw the user, we need to check on you so we 'know' your not going Linux on us 🙂"


anyway besides thes sentimental stuff.... Is there any good alternative to Windows?? I know linux is brobably the way to go, but which version might be good if I'd still like to run few Win. based games and progs..?
what about Lindows?? anyone?

-opinions, advice....

thnx.

I would suggest running Windows server 2003 (if you can get/afford a copy of it) and converting it to workstation. I have used xp for a long time, and usually do a format/reinstall about every 4 months (things get slow registry gets messed up) but I've been running server 2003 for about 9 months and it still runs just as good as when I installed it. The differences I've noticed between Xp and server, is 1. Xp has about 30 more processes running (god knows what they all do) and Server was designed to run for businesses (means less privacy invasion IMO) you will need to make some tweaks to install Directx and enable sound, but basically I will *NEVER* go back to xp. Server FTW (unless M$ decides to screw that up too)

 

[Markbnj]

man, and that doesnt bother u?

Probably not. It doesn't bother the vast majority of people, who either pay for the software they need, or find acceptable free alternatives.

 

[Malak]

Microsoft doesn't invade your privacy, and none of your complaints are valid. People tend to hate just to hate. Get over it.

 

[Gatecrusher]

Originally posted by: Malak
Microsoft doesn't invade your privacy, and none of your complaints are valid. People tend to hate just to hate. Get over it.

Whatever man. I dont hate,just worried about the direction the whole thing seems to be heading. and how can u be so sure its not or will not happen anyway?
If you disagree with me thats ok, but I got my opinion on things. Now You get over that.

 

[Gatecrusher]

Originally posted by: Markbnj

man, and that doesnt bother u?

Probably not. It doesn't bother the vast majority of people, who either pay for the software they need, or find acceptable free alternatives.

Ya judging form the thread here I gues it doesnt bother anyone. That probably being the reason why the DRM enforcement is going the way its going.
Too bad, and sad to see.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Gatecrusher
man, and that doesnt bother u?

Nope, I generally use more consumer friendly software.

EDIT: I want to make it clear that I don't own that software either. The authors just give me the rights to use it. It's true of anything copyrighted.

 

[stash]

Xp has about 30 more processes running (god knows what they all do) and Server was designed to run for businesses (means less privacy invasion IMO)

Stop making stuff up. 30 more processes than Server? Please.

IIRC, a clean install of XP has about 30-35 processes. So you're saying that Server has 0-5 processes?

 

[Gatecrusher]

I didnt get the chance to buy or otherwise try the Win server 2003 on my machine, the little I know about it doesnt sound bad tho.

 

[Gatecrusher]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey

Originally posted by: Gatecrusher
man, and that doesnt bother u?

Nope, I generally use more consumer friendly software.

EDIT: I want to make it clear that I don't own that software either. The authors just give me the rights to use it. It's true of anything copyrighted.

Ya I know the Copyright is a complex thing and true sometimes you dont own a thing, you simply have the right to use it, thats not the real problem, its the methods employed to make sure you dont brake the bargain, to make sure your not pirating the software.
Look, for companies like Microsoft Or Sony media (and many others) the bottom line is money! so if they could, they would make every person buy the software and not pirate it by any means nessesery, There are resonable means of protection and unresonable ones... Now just where that border lies is a bit vague. So its up to the user to be a bit concerned what means of protection are employed on the product hes buying, when it gets "unresonable" let your disagreement be heard or simply dont buy the product.
The worst thing is if no body cares and than nobody knows untill u have sombody knocking on your door to check your computer for Pirated media..... than everybodys all suprised as to "how can they do this??"

Just a something that speaks for itself......
Thomas Hesse, Sony BMG's president of global digital business said:
"Most people don't even know what a rootkit is, so why should they care about it?"

I didnt know What rootkit was before, now I know and the way it was used by Sony Media DOES worry me....
(i know it depends on what you make the rootkit do not the rootkit tech. itself thats bad..)




Lucky there are people unlike you that care, that got the whole thing in the open...