I'm ready for an Apple computer (I'm venting)

[Lionheart]

I am so sick of bill gates, micros***, and this ******* windoze activation crap. Everytime I need to re-install the OS because my spyware and antivirus programs let something slip through, or anytime I add a new piece of hardware to my pc, I have to re-activate windows, and then I get this ^*%^^^%$#$#@%^ message that I've activated the software too many times. Three times in the last year (including tonight) I've had to call the Nazis in Redmond WA to activate legitimate software that has absolutely no reason to have activation or activation limits in the first place. AAAAAAAARGHHH!!!!
Thanks to any who bothered to listen to me vent.
leon

[almo]

I had that same problem today. I have reinstalled this copy I don't know how many times since I bought it in '02 but suddenly I have to call MS to get a new installation ID. It's a load of bull crap. I mean I know "WHY" they do it, but it's still stupid and it doesn't save them from pirated copies. I won't say how I know this...lol...but I am sure I am not the only one with first hand knowledge.

almo

[Peter_AUS]

No Almo you aren't.

[Peter_AUS]

Leon,

It is frustrating isn't it, but live with it, it isn't that big a deal about the reactivation, but if you knew how much there was of Pirated software floating around it would astound you. The biggest bug bear I have, is the actual cost of the software, it is no wonder Bill Gates is worth so much bloody money.

Just remember if you move over to Apple, it will mean re purchasing software that you might already have, and that is one reason I haven't done it. Another reason, I don't have an income anymore so that sort of stops things too.

[Axle]

one word: Linux

It's open source, there are lots of good free distributions. However the learning curve is steep. I use windows xp pro sp2 here on my desktop, I run Red Hat Linux 9 on my server.

But yeah, Microsoft is a little monopolisitic. If I got a Mac, it would be the new mac mini, so I could keep my exisiting monitor/keyboard/mouse but I couldn't use my full 5.1 surround sound system.

[Lionheart]

It just burns me up that I've paid $200 a pop for XP Pro for my two desktop PC's at home, and XP home for my old laptop, and everytime I add a new piece of hardware (a video card will prompt a re-activation for cryin' out loud) or if my OS gets corrupted because of spyware or trojans, or worms that slip past my defensive perimeter of spysweeper, Mcafee virus scan asap, mcafee internet protection suite, pop-up blocker, and popswatter, not to mention my router's firewall, which often requires a re-install or repair of the OS, that ends up requiring a re-activation. I've spent as much on defensive software as I have on windows os's and what really burns me is the security protocols built into xp which are useless against the world but effective in blocking updates for my defensive programs which often result in glitches in my PC's ability to function properly. WHEW! (that was pretty long winded, eh?) If it weren't for all the software I use that are windows only (and I have spent a TON on legitimate apps), I'd buy a Mac in a heartbeat, or wipe my desktop and install Linux/Lindows. It just kills me why Office XP Pro should cost $500 for standalone and $300 for upgrade for what is very average software. I don't mind the $1K I spent on Adobe's creative suite, because it really is great software, but MS products are average for an above average price. I wouldn't mind the activation crap if it wasn't happening for every minor change in hardware or for a re-install over an existing installation. Even Adobe and Dreamweaver require activation, but not everytime I need to re-install over an existing installation. Everytime an app hangs or crashes, I'm faithful to send the information to MS to help them build a better OS, or updates for their OS, and I make sure I get the latest patches and updates, but seems like the more xp updates itself, the more difficult it becomes for my defensive software to get theirs. It's just aggravating.
Thanks for listening guys

[Flight]

I am so sick of bill gates, micros***, and this ******* windoze activation crap. Everytime I need to re-install the OS because my spyware and antivirus programs let something slip through, or anytime I add a new piece of hardware to my pc, I have to re-activate windows, and then I get this ^*%^^^%$#$#@%^ message that I've activated the software too many times. Three times in the last year (including tonight) I've had to call the Nazis in Redmond WA to activate legitimate software that has absolutely no reason to have activation or activation limits in the first place. AAAAAAAARGHHH!!!!
Thanks to any who bothered to listen to me vent.
leon

So you're mad at microsoft because another program let some virus or spyware in?

Sounds like you should blame yourself or the firewall or virus protection software comany.

Myself, I use an Aleinware AMD Athlon 64 FX based computer

[Lionheart]

So you're mad at microsoft because another program let some virus or spyware in?

Sounds like you should blame yourself or the firewall or virus protection software comany.

Myself, I use an Aleinware AMD Athlon 64 FX based computer

No, I'm mad at MS for building such vulnerable OS that I have buy protective software in the first place, and that the protective measures that xp has actually keep my av and spyware from updating automatically. The last updates of McAfee viruscan asap and spysweeper caused a glitch with IE (won't launch) unless one or the other is turned off and I refuse to cruise the web without protection (had my fair share of infections) since I bring a lot of my work home on my office laptop and I connect it to my home network as well, the last thing I want to do is bring something malicious into the office network from home because I was stupid. Then there's the hardware upgrades. I upgrade my PC fairly often compared to the average user, I just overhauled my two home pc's (P4 3.2e, 4 GB corsair twinxpro in matched pairs, 2x250GB hd, 2xnec 16x dvd burners, geforce 6800 gt and 19 inch lcd monitor for myself, P4 3.2e 2 GB corsair twinxpro, 1x250GB hd, 1x 16x nec dvd burner, ATI 9800 pro, 19 inch lcd for the other pc) which, surprise, surprise, needed a re-activation, which did not require a call to Redmond WA. I'm the office web administrator (not very good at it) and also the backup network administrator, so between being in charge of the office photo equipment (all digital) and everything computer, I spend a ton of time and money on software and hardware. I just want something that works without a lot of headaches (like a Mac) but our office software (dentrix) runs only on windows, and with 34 workstations (all recently upgraded to P4 3.0e, 1 GB ram, and ati 9200's), going to Macs would be a real nightmare. Fortunately, security for the network (which is of course connected to the 'net) falls to one of my partners, but applications for photography and pharmaceuticals, and anything web related falls to me. Our pharm software requires internet connectivity, and our website is used for patient education, hence the need for internet connectivity in the office. I just wish MS would make things easier on the world at large, especially guys like me and my partners who spend enormous amounts of money for software that is way overinflated in price and underinflated in capability.

[Lionheart]

I used to build amd systems in the early years, but eventually got frustrated with the cooling and power supply requirements of these chips. Have they improved that yet? It was looking like AMD was going to take over a significant portion of the market for a while, but it didn't happen. We were even going to upgrade the office network with amd machines (we build all our own pc's) but the heating/cooling issue worried us a bit, plus the extra cost of getting beefier p/s added up pretty quickly, and there was a question of compatibility issues with our office operating software.

[Trevor Ash]

Lionheart my friend, take a break from computers for crying out loud! It's no wonder you're so frustrated. Seriously, take a computer vacation.

[92135011]

I used to have a PC
Then i switched to mac and love it.
Seriously, I found PC to be good only for those mini programs written for PC exclusively. Well...that and it being slightly cheaper. But look at it this way. I havent had to do ANY trouble shooting in the year and a half I got it. When I had my PC, by this time I would have format my drive at least 2-3 times.

Macs have all the necessary software I need. Plus they look a lot better. The hardward AND the software. Even the MS word, which is basically the same as the PC version with 2 extra features, looks better! It also has simple to use utilities.

The ease of installing is also very good! For an X-term I had to install for some sort of math programing course, I only had to download one thing and install. The PC instructions included over 10 things to download! Plus a friend had a cable guy drop by to help him install cable internet. The cable guy was an obvious PC buff and basically interrogated my friend about why he got a mac instead of PC. He left saying "wow, It was so much easier to install than pc. Cut my steps by at least half"

Its funny when people first use mac. They are weird. Not compatible. Hard to learn. blahblahblah. But so many people try it out for real and say this, "that wasnt that bad. Actually its kinda cool." About half those people then go on saying that they want one.

I dont know bout Linux...I found it sorta hard to use. Steep learning curve as they say. Plus it just dont look nearly as good! Mac is like a piece of decorative furnature

[Lionheart]

I'm glad I'm not the only one frustrated with computers
Later this year I think I'll pick up a Mac and start learning the system and at least at home, use Apple computers. Then I can leave work at work, and just cruise at home.
Leon

[92135011]

Took me one night to get a hang of it!
you will get a hang of it in a few hours!

One thing that i used a lot more with switching.
More hot keys for faster operation. Maybe its just me though