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posted by janrinok on Saturday May 03 2014, @11:58PM   Printer-friendly
from the the-lingering-death dept.

Sebastian Anthony writes that Microsoft is setting an awful precedent by caving and issuing a fix for Windows XP. "Yes, tardy governments and IT administrators can breathe a little easier for a little bit longer," writes Anthony, "and yes, your mom and dad are yet again safe to use their old Windows XP beige box. But to what end? It's just delaying the inevitable." This won't be the only vulnerability found in XP adds Dwight Silverman. "If Microsoft makes an exception now, what about the flaw found after this one? And the next? And the one after that, ad infinitum?" Even though Microsoft has released a patch for the IE flaw, and Windows XP is included, it's time to move on really. "I don't want to hear that tired "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" line. Hey, XP IS broke, and it will just get more so over time. Upgrade to a newer version of Windows, or switch to another modern operating system, such as OS X or Linux."

 
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  • (Score: 2) by mcgrew on Sunday May 11 2014, @04:56PM

    by mcgrew (701) <publish@mcgrewbooks.com> on Sunday May 11 2014, @04:56PM (#41849) Homepage Journal

    I've been installing various distros with KDE for over ten years; Suse, Mandrake, Mandriva, kubuntu, and the only time I see the CLI is if I forget my password. I install it in non-nerds' computers and they no longer need my support unless they have a hardware problem. Upgrading KDE requires one click of the mouse and a sudo password. Unless the kernel is being updated there are not even any reboots needed.

    As to drivers, Linux and Windows are opposite in that respect. With Linux, new equipment will often have driver problems, but if your computer is a few years old it won't have those issues. OTOH I had to upgrade to XP when I lost my driver CDs for my video card and sound chip, and they simply weren't available on the internet; I could only find drivers for XP, but you can be almost certain that a new computer will have Windows drivers for any peripheral you throw in it.

    That said, I've run into few driver issues in Linux. Ten years or so ago I bought a fancy Logitech wireless mouse/keyboard combo, and in Linux none of the extra controls worked; they were like stock keyboards. Someone must have ritten drivers because they work fine in kubuntu now. Also, I bought a video card with S-Video out and the S-Video didn't work in Linux. It does now, too.

    Maybe I just got lucky.

    You're right that many and perhaps most distros aren't suited for the home user, Red Hat for example. If I were running a server I'd probably use it, but not as a desktop or on a laptop.

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  • (Score: 2) by Hairyfeet on Sunday May 11 2014, @07:55PM

    by Hairyfeet (75) <{bassbeast1968} {at} {gmail.com}> on Sunday May 11 2014, @07:55PM (#41884) Journal

    What you wrote? Nothing but anecdotes and while your anecdotes may or may not be true that doesn't change the fact that anecdotes and data are two different things.

    The challenge is simple, easy to replicate, and won't cost anything but a few hours of your time on a lazy Sunday. But considering that during the period in question we had both the sound and wireless, as well as the two major DEs be totally gutted? I seriously doubt you'll pull it off. The test has been issued since Windows Vista came out, how many years ago was that? Yet we still have yet to see a single person complete the challenge, not one.

    If you want to spend the afternoon writing Linux anecdotes? go right ahead, I can do the same with Windows but it won't actually prove anything, other than we both have anecdotes. I'll be happy to take the next box that walks through the shop, slap Vista or Win 7 RTM and update to current and post the video of it all working although frankly I shouldn't have to as the odds of driver failure are pretty much nil, that is not and as long as Torvalds is in charge never will be the case for Linux. If you are so sure you can do it I will be happy to view the video.

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