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Why Do Windows Users Put Up With Viruses? |
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 Viruses.
Windows users have come to accept them as a part of their online computing life - "own a computer, and you MUST have an antivirus program and update your definitions frequently" they mistakenly think.
Sure there are some exceptions to this, there are Windows users who also use Macs and/or Linux, but resort to Windows for certain applications, but I'm talking about the majority of Windows users. The masses. The lemmings. The ignorant. Those who don't know the difference between a right-click and a left-click. It's these people Bill has under the heel of his boot. And this isn't meant to slam them, heavens no - if anything I hope this article serves as a wake-up call.
Granted, most of the people who read this will most likely use a Mac and realize that in using a Mac or by running Linux you eliminate 90% of your security problems (that percentage is probably actually higher, but I wanted to be conservative). However I hope I at least reach a few people with this.
Now to let everyone know my position. I am a hardcore Mac-user. I've used Apple Computers since 1983 or so (probably earlier, as my brother had an Apple IIe when those were out). I had used Windows as little as possible up until 1998, when I got a job doing technical support via telephone for an Internet Service Provider. I was immediately dubbed "The Mac Guy", but I had to learn the in's and out's of the various Windows OS's of the time (3.1, 95, 98, and NT). After catching up to my Windows-using co-workers, I quickly saw that I thought very differently than they. My co-workers thought that the troubles our users were having were supposed to be happening, because ... well .. they were using Windows. To me, looking at the computer world with a Macintosh eye, computers should just work. You shouldn't have to do weekly Scandisks or Disk Defrags. The prescription for a computer that was acting up was, more often than not, "reinstall Windows" - even if the previous install was only 3 or 4 months old.
Well, I gave my share of prescriptions, and many of them were simply "buy a Mac". I did well enough at my job to eventually become the Network Administrator of an entirely (at that time) Windows network. I dealt with viruses, I dealt with crashes, I dealt with security problems and I dealt with stupidity. I'm now doing something I like a lot more (Web development - where the main job benefit is that I get to use a Mac), but those years of dealing with Windows and those who use it gave me a lot of insight into how the "Wintel side" thinks.
So...there's my background, just in case anyone questions how I can possibly criticize Windows or those who use it (or in case you were just interested!)
Now about these recent virus attacks: will they make Windows users pause and think about things, perhaps re-evaluate their OS of choice - or will they just keep on dealing with this crap? Like I said before, many Windows users think this is the way things go - "viruses exist and that's a fact of life".
IT managers perpetuate the myth that all computers have viruses and that they always will, in the interest of job security. They don't want it to get out that there are better solutions out there, or there goes their job. It's a well-known and documented fact that Mac networks require less manpower and time to manage than similar Windows networks. This was true of OS 9, and the same goes for OS X (things may be even easier with OS X).
I was at the doctor's office yesterday, and I mentioned to the nurse (probably not her title, but I don't know what it was) that I work with computers. She mentioned how her home computer was hit by a virus, and how hard it was to get off, and how she had to reinstall everything. I said "Tough! How sad for you that you didn't do any research before buying that crappy computer! You do research before buying a car - you see how much milage it gets, what features it has, even if it has a security system...but you're totally ignorant when it comes to computers! Why!? WHY? WHY WHY?" and then, in a totally Ally McBeal moment, the scene cuts back to me sitting there and I say, "Erm yeah...that sucks...those viruses are nasty". Can't really get into a computer argument at the Doc's, y'know - especially since she was examining my eyes and could easily jab something sharp into them.
Anyway, some people just don't know any better, and that's why sites like this one (and many, many others) exist. We're here to tell you that while Macs are not necessarily paragons of security, and not 100% foolproof, and not without their share of problems, and if/when you buy a Mac (contrary to popular belief) light will not emanate from the heavens and your soul will not be freed ........ but at least you'll have a whole lot less crap to deal with. And that's what it's all about.
So get a Mac. |
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August 29 2003, 10:45 AM EDT, by
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Comments:
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| Paul |
8/29/03, 11:24 AM EDT |
Why do Mac users put up with crappy performance?
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| speedyrev |
8/29/03, 11:32 AM EDT |
OK, first, Paul you are either ignorant or an idiot.
Second, I use both a Mac and a PC. There are still applications that I have to use that don't have a mac equivalent. Niche application writers won't write for Mac because they can sell more on PC platform. VPC just doesn't cut it. The day I can use all my software on a Mac, I burn the PC.
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| dude |
8/29/03, 11:49 AM EDT |
deal!! windows blows always has always will
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| Jonahan |
8/29/03, 11:55 AM EDT |
Ignore Paul, he is 'one of those'.
Interestingly, Charles W. Moore posted an article today over at Applelink s along the same lines, except much more eloquently than I, and he adds a lot of great points.
A great read for any open-minded Windows users, or even for us happy Mac folk :)
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| rocketman |
8/29/03, 1:14 PM EDT |
Jonahan..
You were eloquent enuff...
Alas, methinks you are correct in your assumpton that this column probably wont reach the masses of WinDoze lemmings !
If only His Steveness would fire his AD Agency, and hire one more agressive..
An Agency that would show Macs, as well as Mac OSX for the for the seemingly security "vault" that it is...
But as the old saying goes ...
".... Wish in one hand ..... "
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| Melangell |
8/29/03, 1:31 PM EDT |
Jonahan, along with having an odd (yet nice) name, you look just like that odd movie reviewer!! That aside, you are 100% right, and it constantly amazes me too. I am an air traffic controller and am forced to use PC's from time to time (luckily not to direct airplanes). They are a nightmare! Recently our supervisor's NT machine went down when he tried to update IE. Our PC "expert" said that he was using an ME version.. WHAT?? The OS can't figure out that it is the wrong version BEFORE it starts installing?? Well, the computer was down for days until the "experts", including one brought in from outside, could reinstall and get it working again. If anything so stupid could happen to a Mac (ha ha ha!), it would be fixed within hours with a 99% chance of keeping all of your non-OS files. The PC'ers I work with are always having problems and can't stand that my Macs always just work. Even so, they always tell people not to buy Macs. Simply frelling amazing!! The words idiotic, stupid, sad, pathetic, etc, etc work as a replacement for the word, "amazing" in the prior sentence, and oddly enough... for Paul.
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| Krusty |
8/29/03, 2:50 PM EDT |
"Why do Mac users put up with crappy performance?"
Say what?
Sounds like the typical FUD from a moronic Wintel DRONE.
Ever used a Mac butt-head?
Of course not! You just heard one of your gaming buddies tell you that Macs suck.
We know how it goes.
Must suck to be so fricking STUPID!
NEXT!
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| randi rainbow |
8/29/03, 2:53 PM EDT |
I believe (just me) that the majority of Wingdoze users are the same people that can tell you whatzisnames batting average, but cannot tell you what politician just stole millions from them, or who voted for the right of government to look up your a-hole to see what you had for lunch.
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| Jedbeck |
8/29/03, 2:54 PM EDT |
Melangell you weren't one of the air traffic controllers on CBS's Amazing Race where you? They were awesome.
;)
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| Alan |
8/29/03, 3:32 PM EDT |
Well, I am one of the windoze lemmings, so here's my take on the whole virus issue. I've been using pcs heavily since '96 and have yet to get a single virus. I have no idea how you can get a virus on your computer if you have any common sense. If you see some strange email with an attachment, don't open the stupid thing. For some reason people can't get this through their heads. I actually like using windows. I know where everything is, and how to get things done. I've tried OS9, OSX, SuSE Linux, but they hinder my productivity and i end up just using windows. I don't trust microsoft(or any large company for that matter) but i need to get my work done and for me windows "just works" Maybe I am just lucky to have never run into "dll hell" or "the blue screen of death" I think choosing a os is a choice of philosophy, just choose the one you feel most comfortable with. Just educate yourself on how to be a “smart user” and the world will be a better place.
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| Jedbeck |
8/29/03, 4:01 PM EDT |
Alan, thanks for a well thought out comment. I do agree with you on one point, Use whatever OS you are most comfortable with. While we prefer Mac and will preach about it until we are blue in the face, we think it is great when someone is open minded enough to try something different and decide on their own what best suits their needs and what they truly enjoy using. Thanks for a great post.
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| PantherPPC |
8/29/03, 9:33 PM EDT |
Alan, I'd like to say that your comment was well thought out, but I do think you missed the point, not to flame you or anything though. Having to pick and choose which emails you should and shouldn't open is something you shouldn't have to do. I know it's not a big deal by itself, but added to the ever growing pile of other small things, well, then they start to hinder productivity.
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| Timen |
8/30/03, 2:42 AM EDT |
Interesting comments, everybody. Now on to the other article you mentioned.
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| CubeUSER |
8/30/03, 1:52 PM EDT |
Here is a simple solution for the majority of viruses. Scan all incoming email with a antivirus product. Along with desktop antivirus and hardware firewall, you will be set.
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| beeblebrox |
8/31/03, 12:45 AM EDT |
Alan's comments were refreshingly calm but he is a VERY RARE Windows user to never have had a virus/worm. The latest MS worm disaster was not an Outlook email exploit but rather a TFTP exploit. Because of this, no email attachments had to be opened for a PC to become infected. Furthermore, the new breed of worms often spread without an email attachment being opened.
I should also add that one of the new Windows annoyances is pop-up adds displaying without IE even RUNNING. I consider this to be a form of virus and it can't be easily turned off.
Saying Windows "just works" is not unlike saying that my 94 Pontiac Grand Am "just works". True, the power windows don't go down all the way without binding, it has a four cylinder engine that has horrible lifter noise, the 3rd gear of the automatic transmission fails to engage sometimes, but yes, it will drive down the road. However, when I get into our new Nissan Maxima I find that the Grand Am is merely a shadow of what a real car truly is. There may be an occasional Grand Am owner out there who may say, "I've never had any problems with mine" and they might not be prevaricating but that doesn't mean that if one had a choice between the Pontiac and the Nissan that I can imagine that a thinking person would choose the former.
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| Listening Observer |
8/31/03, 4:17 AM EDT |
While Alan has made a very reasoned response, he also lives a computer life always having to "listen for footsteps". There's a computer radio show in Chicago on Wed. nights. The host and PC helpers have the "fab 5" that they say Windows users should do EVERY WEEK!
Update Windows
Update virus defs
Run ScanDisk
Defrag the HD
Back up everything
Recently with the viruses they have had comments by some Mac users that they "shoulda had a Mac" and stronger....and they don't understand and get mad at the Mac guy, not really realizing that they should not have to do the fab 5 every week.
Can Macs get hit? Sure, but UNIX has been around longer than Windows and it doesn't get hit with an equivalent frequency. And, no one ever cracked the Mac OS 9 in the "crack a Mac" contest for the $10,000 which was won by somone hacking a filemaker script, not the OS.
So,the real question is why are Windows users so content to put up with all this stuff? The extra work just to keep it happy, maybe..MAYBE! Because we know for some it still misbehaves, windows that is...argh!
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| macretard |
8/31/03, 12:06 PM EDT |
As an admin of windows solaris and linux I can tell you that I do just as much patching on all systems.
People write virii where they will have the most effect, which is obviously windows. There are plenty of solaris and linux rootkits and will probably be some for OS X if they are not already out.
Running an attachment from email is a social exploint that could happen on any OS DUH! MS cant make users not do stupid things.
BTW the 5 steps to keeping windows working is ignorant and based on old information, kinda like comparing current windows to OS 9.
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| Jonahan |
9/1/03, 12:44 PM EDT |
beeblebrox: I think that was one of the best metaphors I've heard/read in a long time! :)
Listening Observer: Excellent points. About the comments by Mac users ("shoulda had a Mac") - I'm always tempted to say stuff like this too, but we as Mac users have to be careful how we say it to Windows users. If we're ignorant and say "shoulda had a Mac" contemptuously, then all that does is make the Windows users bristle up and become defensive, or they may even lash out at us. Even though we know that Macs are superior to the 94 Grand Am, we should be careful how we say it and use tact.
This is not directed at you of course L.I., just a general point for any would-be MacAdvocate ;)
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| windozpete |
9/5/03, 1:23 AM EDT |
Hey, wake me up when I can get done with a mac what I can in windows and I would switch back in a second. The truth is the mac is a hodge podge of underdeveloped applications.
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| windozpete |
9/5/03, 1:25 AM EDT |
save photoshop and all the artsy fartsy apps. I mean business apps.
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| HTML Samurai |
9/7/03, 10:03 AM EDT |
windozpete: Could you be a little more specific? I know you are obviously not refering to MS Office, so what types of "business apps" are you talking about?
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| Mr. Hoo Hoo |
9/7/03, 3:13 PM EDT |
I love my mac and I must say that I love my windows gaming rig, however I must be a freak! My windows computers have all been to the shop (I've had 6). So eventually, after some research, I decided that I didn't want to put up with it anymore. So I bought a Mac. A 12" powerbook. I got it and it kicked ass! It really did "just work". I felt like an idiot for using windows for so long (but i still do for games). So i was happy, until.... KERNEL PANIC YOU MUST RESTART YOUR COMPUTER! Nooooooo. I thought i was doomed at first, but then i gigured it was a one time thing. But it happed every time i turned my computer on. So i sadly sent my mac down to CA'. when i got it back it was like the day i first brought it home. I was so happy that i actually crapped my self. But soon after booting up for the first time on my newly installed hard drive. And I left it on that night playing me to sleep with iTunes. When i awoke the next day i wished i would have died in my sleep. Another kernel panic message. So now I type on my just recieved powerbook hoping i wont need to revieve it again.
Am I a freak? This doesn't happen to everyone right? If it does im sad to say that my next PC will be an Alienware Area 51.
Please save me!
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| Jonahan |
9/8/03, 11:33 AM EDT |
Nope, doesn't happen to everyone. I've had my iBook for almost exactly 1 year and I've had about a half-dozen kernel panics.
But hardware is hardware and it can go bad. I had an iMa c that had a short in it's neck, and when it got moved, it would short out and cause a kernel panic. since I've gotten it back though (almost a year ago), I've had VERY few problems.
So Macs are not foolproof, but for the most part VERY high quality. And if/when something goes wrong Apple is very quick to take care of the problem.
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| WindozePete |
9/12/03, 9:46 AM EDT |
OK, Let's talk turkey.
Act! and winfax. I purchased Act! for 180 CDN with a 100 mail in rebate. That is a net price of 80 bucks (Yes I got the check).WinFax was 30.
There is no mac equivalent that comes close. WinFax uses my contact file in Act! to send faxes and it all gets logged back to the contact database and on to my hand held. I can also log my email if I want and Eudora can use my contact file to get email addresses as well. Imagine that email addresses, fax numbers and people all in one file.
The closest you will get to this is kind of integration using address book, fax stf. (No log though) When I send a fax on the pc, all I do it type the persons name in the to box and winfax pull the phone number from Act. TA DA! No BS'ing around with address book searching selecting clicking ok'ing.
Having said that what the hell was Apple thinking with address book. For crying out loud, they made claris organizer. Address book (import information, no one imports information any more) and ical (love how that runs with 6 months of information in it) pale in comparison to organizer and organizer is an outdated app. Granted isync is sweet but come on Active sync can transfer 800+ records to my pocket pc is less than 3 minutes on a Pentium II.
P.S. Kernel panic. No blue screen of death, but man is it cute to see text all over your OS. And be totally helpless to do anything about it.
Speaking of that, it sure is funny how we as mac people used to make fun of windows with dos as the background and now half the stuff in OSX is better done.... in command prompt (sounds sexier than dos doesn't it).
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| WindozePete |
9/12/03, 9:52 AM EDT |
By the way my iBook crashed more in 6 months than my Dell in three years. Show me an unreliable PC and I will show you something made by a fly by night computer shop.
PS Office on the mac, give me a break. What a pile of over glossified junk. So bloated and slow.
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Just because swans mate for life, I don't think its that big a deal. First of all, if you're a swan, you're probably not going to find a swan that looks much better than the one you've got, so why not mate for life?
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