Geek question:

gnosis · #1 (**permalink**) Apr 26, 07

I've said it before, and I'll freely admit to being tech-daft.

Machines are NOT me.

So, recently, I keep getting "downloads are now available" or something like that.

The last couple of times I clicked on it, I cancelled because I wasn't sure if it was a good idea.

The update is from microsoft wanting to verify if I have a legit program or not.

In the "Privacy" statement (now THERE'S a loose term!), it says it won't update the software (that I PAID for!), and that it _may_ share my info w/ retailers!

So?

Should I accept and let it load in?
Or, should I ignore it, and just not get player-upgrades to watch video files?

Frosty
(tech-daft and confused)

ebbomega · #2 (**permalink**) Apr 26, 07

Microsoft Genuine Advantage. Basically they want to verify that you have a legit copy of Windows and, in their brilliance, didn't bother to hardcode that into the OS so they had to develop a new application. The double-edged sword is that there's no other way to get your windows updates.

I say bite the bullet and welcome to the Brave New World. Otherwise, I know you're not much of a gamer Steve, you may want to check out Ubuntu linux instead. Bit of an adjustment but still pretty protective of your privacy, generally a more secure environment to work in, has a good firewall builtin and you can get a free antivirus from AVG. Spyware's never really been an issue for me.

Bit of a learning curve if you ever do want to use some of this time off work to learn a few new geeky things...

Otherwise yeah, make the "We want your soul" chant and agree to Microsoft's bullshit...

gnosis · #3 (**permalink**) Apr 26, 07

^Cheers, mate!

Frosty
(bites proverbial bullet)

dabbler · #4 (**permalink**) Apr 26, 07

if you paid for windows then go for it, otherwise DON'T

lildonkey · #5 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebbomega

Microsoft Genuine Advantage. Basically they want to verify that you have a legit copy of Windows and, in their brilliance, didn't bother to hardcode that into the OS so they had to develop a new application. The double-edged sword is that there's no other way to get your windows updates.

I say bite the bullet and welcome to the Brave New World. Otherwise, I know you're not much of a gamer Steve, you may want to check out Ubuntu linux instead. Bit of an adjustment but still pretty protective of your privacy, generally a more secure environment to work in, has a good firewall builtin and you can get a free antivirus from AVG. Spyware's never really been an issue for me.

Bit of a learning curve if you ever do want to use some of this time off work to learn a few new geeky things...

Otherwise yeah, make the "We want your soul" chant and agree to Microsoft's bullshit...

You're recommending someone who isn't computer savy to jump to a linux distro?

Not a good idea.

anewlife · #6 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

Why? If your hardware is compatible, installing linux is a piece of cake nowadays...

anewlife · #7 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebbomega

...and you can get a free antivirus from AVG.

antivirus software on a linux desktop system = waste of cpu and memory

it's simply not needed.

lildonkey · #8 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by anewlife

Why? If your hardware is compatible, installing linux is a piece of cake nowadays...

Yeah... but it is still a LOT harder to operate then windows.

anewlife · #9 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

That's your opinion. I actually think it's a lot easier.

BongMan · #10 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

get the update then do a quick search on how to get rid of the Windows Genuine Advantage, it takes about 10 minutes to find read instructions and install..

Been running free copies of windows since the 95 edition I do believe..

rawb · #11 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by anewlife

That's your opinion. I actually think it's a lot easier.

NO HE'S PRETTY MUCH RIGHT, LINUX ISN'T REALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO AREN'T COMPUTER SAVVY

anewlife · #12 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

NO HE'S PRETTY MUCH RIGHT, LINUX ISN'T REALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO AREN'T COMPUTER SAVVY

It isn't, eh?

Installing an app on Windows:

1. Visit the homepage of a company that wants money for their software

(no central software repositories = unnecessary time consuming)

2. Download a file called setup.exe or a zip file or whatever

(no standardized way to install files = unnecessary complicated)

3. Execute/unzip that file and answer stupid question in a stupid install dialog

(useless install dialogs = unnecessary annoying)

4. Reinstall the app after 30 or-so days b/c it's shareware or needs a license key

(licenses that restrict your freedom = unnecessary unnecessary)

---> ends in fucked up registry that slows down your pc...

Installing an app on Linux:

apt-get install app

Done.

Windows: You do need a firewall, spyware remover, registry cleaner, virus scanner, rootkit detector, tuneup utilities (to remove the connection limit) and need to pay for it if ya want a half-secure system...patches hit the M$ reps months after the security leaks got public.

Linux: apt-get update && apt-get dist-upgrade

That's enough and none of the above crap.

Upgrading software on Windows:

You constantly need to scan the web for updates...usually you don't even get an update-notification when a new version of an app is out.

Linux: apt-get update && apt-get dist-upgrade

--> a 100% up-to-date system, done.

Windows: Includes almost nothing...you need to buy dozens of apps or download shitty cracked warez. You do get a an insecure browser and a crappy messenger by default though.

Hoooraaaah!

Linux: Tons and tons of free software included....

You can tell me whatever ya want but I honestly think that linux is so much easier to maintain, install, configure and update than windows...but hey, to each his own! ;)

rawb · #13 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by anewlife

You can tell me whatever ya want but I honestly think that linux is so much easier to maintain, install, configure and update than windows...but hey, to each his own! ;)

YEAH SO LINUX IS EASIER TO MAINTAIN THAN WINDOWS, IF YOU KNOW LINUX.

I DONT THINK HAND TWEAKING TEXT CONF FILES, TYPING OUT APT-GET STANZAS, RESOLVING PACKAGE CONFLICTS, GETTING YOUR UNSUPPORTED HARDWARE RUNNING, LOOKING AT CONF FILE DIFFS WHEN YOU'RE UPGRADING SOFTWARE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CONF FILE YOU NEED, DRIVE PARTITIONING, SWAP MANAGEMENT ETC ETC ETC....

...IS GOING TO BE SIMPLE TO SET UP FOR A PERSON WHO IS SELF-ADMITTEDLY TECH-SHY, AS WHO IS ASKING FOR ADVICE WHEN RUNNING WINDOWS UPDATE. ARE YOU SERIOUSLY GOING TO ASK THE ORIGINAL POSTER HERE TO USE THE CONSOLE!

YES LINUX HAS MADE LEAPS AND BOUNDS IN USABILITY, BUT ONCE YOU NEED TO "GET UNDER THE HOOD" TO FIX SOMETHING ITS STILL ALL ARCHAIC &&'S AND > AND SUDOS AND MANPAGES. EASY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE USED TO IT BUT UTTERLY TERRIFYING FOR ANYONE WHO DOESNT HAVE A LOT OF TIME TO WASTE ON "LEARNING THE ROPES" OR AN ON CALL SYSADMIN FRIEND.

anewlife · #14 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

I DONT THINK HAND TWEAKING TEXT CONF FILES

There's GUI config tools for almost everything actually. Yast, Guidance, KDE & Gnome Control Center, and so on...you don't really need to tweak config files or only very rarely.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

TYPING OUT APT-GET STANZAS

Erm, there's dozens of frontends for deb/rpms.

Synaptic, Adept, KPackage, Yast, CNR, and so on...

It's called choice - a concept most windows user are not familiar with! ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

RESOLVING PACKAGE CONFLICTS

Huh? Apt resolves package dependencies automatically...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

GETTING YOUR UNSUPPORTED HARDWARE RUNNING

Yep, this can be a problem...but most hardware runs out-of-the box nowadays.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

LOOKING AT CONF FILE DIFFS WHEN YOU'RE UPGRADING SOFTWARE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT CONF FILE YOU NEED

??? Never ever had to do this...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

DRIVE PARTITIONING

Piece of cake, most distros do it automatically.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

SWAP MANAGEMENT

Same for SWAP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

ETC ETC ETC....

Yes? Huh...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

ARE YOU SERIOUSLY GOING TO ASK THE ORIGINAL POSTER HERE TO USE THE CONSOLE!

He doesn't have to use the console at all...
...there's frontends for just about anything on linux.

(but I prefer the console in lots of cases...
...typing "sudo apt-get install app" is soooo easy innit?)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

YES LINUX HAS MADE LEAPS AND BOUNDS IN USABILITY, BUT ONCE YOU NEED TO "GET UNDER THE HOOD" TO FIX SOMETHING ITS STILL ALL ARCHAIC &&'S AND > AND SUDOS AND MANPAGES.

It's exactly the same for windows. My pcmcia wlan card did not run properly although it says winxp compatible. I had to tweak a config file for it to run.

(yes, newest driver update from vendor page)

The same card run out-of-the box on linux though...

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

EASY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE USED TO IT BUT UTTERLY TERRIFYING FOR ANYONE WHO DOESNT HAVE A LOT OF TIME TO WASTE ON "LEARNING THE ROPES" OR AN ON CALL SYSADMIN FRIEND.

For me windows is terrifying. I run into weird problems and dirver conflicts quite often...I only had this once on linux so far.

(after having used linux for 4 years...)

Btw, Vista looks like a joke compared to this:

[youtube="425,350"]JD6BiKnLzck[/youtube]

---> check the matrix one rob d clubbed to death awesome tune!

[youtube="425,350"]kYgV2GlsufI[/youtube][youtube="425,350"]gpOz8duTh-4[/youtube][youtube="425,350"]i0ZtcxHUSDQ[/youtube][youtube="425,350"]dQkSObRtw0o[/youtube][youtube="425,350"]Yx9FgLr9oTk[/youtube]:amuse:

rawb · #15 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

OH YEAH BERYL/COMPIZ MAKES THINGS LOOK PRETTY,

IT ONLY TOOK ME 3 WEBPAGES "INSTRUCTIONS", A SVN COPY OF AN ATI DRIVER, EDITING MY X.conf BY HAND, ONE BUG REPORT AND EXTENSIVE FUCKING AROUND IN SETTINGS FOR IT TO WORK ON MY BOX. MY BOX HAS A VERY STANDARD VIDEO CARD AND PRETTY VANILLA X SETTINGS.

I CONSIDER MYSELF A PRETTY COMFORTABLE TO ADVANCED LINUX USER. THERE IS NO WAY THE ORIGINAL POSTER COULD SIT DOWN IN FRONT OF MY MACHINE AND MAKE THAT WORK.

THANKS FOR PROVING MY POINT FOR ME.

anewlife · #16 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

THANKS FOR PROVING MY POINT FOR ME.

Beryl/Compiz = beta software

Don't use beta software if you don't know what beta is all about.

And the 3d stuff is hella easy to set up in Ubuntu Feisty...

Ubuntu Feisty Fawn: Desktop Linux Matured - OSNews.com

rawb · #17 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

IF ITS BETA SOFTWARE WHY IS IT IN THE FIESTY FAWN REPOSITORY? THAT IS THE CURRENT, STABLE UBUNTU RELEASE THAT I GRABBED IT FROM

WOULDNT UNSTABLE SOFTWARE BE IN A SEPERATE REPOSITORY OR IN THE TESTING RELEASE?

rawb · #18 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

ANYWAYS I GOT MORE!

WHY DID MY LAST DIST-UPGRADE FUCK UP MY XWINDOWS TO THE POINT I HAD TO LOGIN IN TEXT MODE AND UPDATE THE CONF BY HAND TO REFLECT THAT IT CHANGED THE VIDEO DRIVER I WAS USING?

HOW COME I HAD TO GO ON THE WEB TO FIND OUT THAT THE FIREWIRE DRIVER THAT WAS AUTOMATICALLY LOADED FOR MY FIREWIRE CARD DOESNT FULLY SUPPORT MY FIREWIRE CARD, JUST DROPS ALL IO AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF TRANSFERRING OVER IT?

HOW COME DEBIAN DROPPED ALL SUPPORT FOR MY BUILT IN GIGABIT ETHERNET IN ONE OF MY SERVERS ONE RELEASE DUE TO SOME LEGAL DISPUTE OVER HOW THE GPL WAS USED IN LOADING OF THE DRIVERS ON IT. I DIST-UPGRADED AND SUDDENLY NO INTERNET. MAN WAS THAT AWESOME!

I COULD GO ON FOREVER.

ALL THIS SHIT IS NOTHING TO ME, I AM COMFORTABLE TROUBLESHOOTING IT AND MAKING IT WORK. THEN AGAIN IVE BEEN USING LINUX A LONG TIME, TO A NEWBIE THIS SHIT IS SCARY AS FUCK.

LINUX AINT EASY.

anewlife · #19 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

IF ITS BETA SOFTWARE WHY IS IT IN THE FIESTY FAWN REPOSITORY? THAT IS THE CURRENT, STABLE UBUNTU RELEASE THAT I GRABBED IT FROM

Well dude, you might have noticed that it's NOT installed by default.

But you do have the choice to enable beryl if you want to.

It's all about choice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

WOULDNT UNSTABLE SOFTWARE BE IN A SEPERATE REPOSITORY OR IN THE TESTING RELEASE?

Not necessarily, no.

I have no doubt that Beryl will mature very fast. Now that Beryl/Compiz (re)-merged you'll see a 1.0 release quite soon. Prolly in about a year. Now it's only in 0.2 though. Don't forget that it's a rather new technology.

But as long it's no 1.0 and in beta you should be warned and have no right to complain.

But why care bout version numbers anway?

Beryl runs very stable already now - at least for me...

rawb · #20 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

OKAY EVEN THOUGH ITS STUPID TO HAVE UNSTABLE, BETA SOFTWARE IN A STABLE REPOSITORY, LETS PRETEND THATS NOT AN ISSUE

SO BASICALLY WHEN YOURE MAKING YOUR POINT ON HOW GREAT LINUX IS TO THE UN TECH SAVVY USER, YOURE POSTING A BUNCH OF VIDEOS DISPLAYING SOFTWARE THAT YOU ADMIT IS BETA AND DIFFICULT TO INSTALL. WHAT EXACTLY IS YOUR POINT?

anewlife · #21 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

ANYWAYS I GOT MORE!

Haha, tru dat, yup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

WHY DID MY LAST DIST-UPGRADE FUCK UP MY XWINDOWS TO THE POINT I HAD TO LOGIN IN TEXT MODE AND UPDATE THE CONF BY HAND TO REFLECT THAT IT CHANGED THE VIDEO DRIVER I WAS USING?

No idea. It can happen, yes, but it's a rare occurence.

I never said linux is perfect. It's not, of course.

But yeah, why do I get a *guaranteed* windows bluescreen when plugin in my wlan pcmcia card on xp within 2-3 minutes? Wtf do I know but nobody seems to be able to solve this problem, not even the vendor with driver updates...great, uhh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

HOW COME I HAD TO GO ON THE WEB TO FIND OUT THAT THE FIREWIRE DRIVER THAT WAS AUTOMATICALLY LOADED FOR MY FIREWIRE CARD DOESNT FULLY SUPPORT MY FIREWIRE CARD, JUST DROPS ALL IO AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF TRANSFERRING OVER IT?

Sure, that's possible. Just like hardware problems on windows might occur. No OS is perfect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

HOW COME DEBIAN DROPPED ALL SUPPORT FOR MY BUILT IN GIGABIT ETHERNET IN ONE OF MY SERVERS ONE RELEASE DUE TO SOME LEGAL DISPUTE OVER HOW THE GPL WAS USED IN LOADING OF THE DRIVERS ON IT. I DIST-UPGRADED AND SUDDENLY NO INTERNET. MAN WAS THAT AWESOME!

Hahaha...well, Debian is too strict for my taste.

That's why I use another distro. Debian based as well, but not so fascist bout licenses.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

I COULD GO ON FOREVER.

Yup, please. Go on!

/me grabs more popcorn ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

ALL THIS SHIT IS NOTHING TO ME, I AM COMFORTABLE TROUBLESHOOTING IT AND MAKING IT WORK. THEN AGAIN IVE BEEN USING LINUX A LONG TIME, TO A NEWBIE THIS SHIT IS SCARY AS FUCK. LINUX AINT EASY.

Just like windows aint easy.

Mac is not as troublefree as its fanboys say it is either.

I much pferer linux but yeah, to each his own mate...

rawb · #22 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

YEAH I THINK IVE PRETTY MUCH MADE MY POINT THE LONGER THIS THREAD GOES ON

anewlife · #23 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawb

SO BASICALLY WHEN YOURE MAKING YOUR POINT ON HOW GREAT LINUX IS TO THE UN TECH SAVVY USER, YOURE POSTING A BUNCH OF VIDEOS DISPLAYING SOFTWARE THAT YOU ADMIT IS BETA AND DIFFICULT TO INSTALL. WHAT EXACTLY IS YOUR POINT?

It's a piece of cake to install with newer distros, OpenSuse, Ubuntu, Mandriva, Fedora, PCLinuxOS - usually 3-5 clicks...

And that was just a side note at the very end...you know what "btw" means, right?

Gusto · #24 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

i don't know how you could try to argue that linux is easier. the world is predominantly trained to use windows and there is a definite learning curve when you switch to linux. not to mention that most of the people they used to go to for computer help will no longer be able to help them and a they're pretty much left on their own.

in summary:

ebbomega · #25 (**permalink**) Apr 27, 07

You know, I probably would have read what Rawb had to say if it wasn't all in studlycaps.

I mean, quick quips is one thing, but you're being more annoying than Doom talking in the third person.

Stop taking style tips from Jeff K.