Why are people SO eager to get away from Microsoft?

Microsoft's innovation in products is not as good as their competitors. Take IE6 for example, when they literally left it stagnant (with a simple SP2 upgrade). Until finally the Mozilla folks came into the picture with the superior FireFox, then we saw the rebirth of IE as IE7 with copies of tabbed browsing, RSS, and more secure.

Innovation and creative ideas are what it takes to survive in the competition.
Many people will stick to Microsoft due to their aggressive marketing and the belief that Microsoft products are "most compatible with Windows" from the same software developer/ ease of use ; into the situation where even though the competitor's solution is technically more superior (Firefox).
That is why many will say "Get __product name__ instead of Microsoft's". From the switchers from Microsoft.

 

But I thought you said that Windows is secure enough that it does not matter if a virus comes in the mail? And just because a Virus is a month, or even a year old does not mean is suddenly goes away.

If you use Yahoo! and GMail then you are using a virus scanner everyday. So you use a internet router which acts as an incoming firewall to protect from external attacks, and you scan every e-mail attachment for viruses.... You hardly are putting Windows to the test now are you?

Also you mention that you never run EXE files. But IE has had several major holes, where if you simple browse to a bad website it can install code on your system (anything) and run it. Firefox is designed to use less OS critical components, so even if people hack Firefox (which is still possible, just not as likely) they can do less damage.

@sesshomaru: hah that's a good point. If all spam hackers are looking at Windows then they are not look at anyone else.

 

When did I say that ? When did I say it would go away ? I said that any anti-virus program is as good as its last database(signature) update. So a new virus can still slip in during this window.

I am not Microsoft, why should I put it to the test(other than for fun which was the case) ? I only said I don't catch a virus and don't have active running 3rd party anti-virus program, except those come with the machine I am too lazy to delete(and the Microsoft one as it is part of the SP2 update or something like that). It is a combined strategy for me to protect myself against this kind of thing.

I know what web site I go to and as a "normal user", the harm is pretty limited(that is running as non-root in *nix term). These holes is also IMO being over-hyped.

Security is a policy, some prefer anti-virus(and thinking that is the be all, end all), I prefer to do it my way.

 

I love this thread; it is something I was just thinking about today. I don't think the Microsoft hatred/fear is always positive. To an extent when it drives the creation of cool open alternatives it is positive, but I think it is most often limiting.

I love using technology, all flavors, even ...gasp... Windows. Windows is an incredibly versatile platform. I, my wife and my 3 year old can do incredible things knowing relatively little about how the box we are doing them on works.

Windows has helped me create and preserve precious family memories, watch my favorite TV shows, listen to my favorite music and has given me great free tools to learn a little something about programming (Visual Studio Express IDEs).

I happily work on Visual C# Express for a while, then let my 3 year old have a blast on Tux Paint, and then enjoy Windows Media Center I sort photos with Windows Photo Gallery and go to Paint.net or GIMP if they need major work.

The point is I enjoy lots of software, some free, some open, some proprietary closed and under very limiting EULAs, but I abide by the rules I agree to when installing the software and have a blast.

When Windows hiccups I look for a solution and I am back up and running, If an open source software hiccups I look for an update or a fix and I am also back up and running. In both cases a positive and inquisitive outlook brings me to a solution.

I am glad that I have options when it comes to software and I truly believe that the products I use were written by developers that are truly trying to suit my needs. They have wildly different go-to-market strategies, but I respect their right to different business models.

I will probably be primarily a Windows user for the foreseeable future. I will probably always have a Linux box around (I have for ten years). I am looking for a Mac so I can learn more about that platform.

I thnk the diversity is an asset and when I deal with a Linux issue (I have had plenty) I don't blame Linus or the Linux community I accept the situation and look for solution, same goes for Windows issues (I have had Plenty).

I believe there is danger in having a Microsoft phobia, we should all feel free to utilize the software that best suits our needs.

Just my thoughts on the subject

 

Well you will still be protected from the 99% of virus out there that are known already... So protection from most known virus is better than protection from none of them. That was my point.

Also you started this thread saying why do we support linux and firefox etc. Well security is a big reason why people are tired with MS and Windows, it is a job to keep your system safe. But they make it harder than it should be.

You then went on to say that you never use anti-virus, or firewall and have never had spyware or a virus. This implies that you think Windows is secure and that is why you never had any. But you do have a firewall (router), and you do use anti virus all the time (web e-mail).

So I am just pointing out that MS is not as secure as you are making out, and that if did not have a firewall and did not use anti virus then you run a severe risk of getting infected.

 

Myself, mostly because I feel that Microsoft has a virtual monopoly (if not actual) and that has caused them to get lazier and lazier, create worse and worse software and continue to expect people to trump up the fairly vast sums of money for it.

Office 07 actually sounds like they might have finally been hit in the head with a clue by four, but at this point I'm happy to help Open Source and develop better alternatives and competition.

 

Since when I started this thread ? May be you are talking to the wrong person ?

I stated very clearly not on my main XP. And in another thread I have said that I don't believe in having firewall on the same machine from security perspective. I didn't say I don't use firewall, just not on XP.

It can be very secure, just isolate it or use it in a sensible way.

 

I guess I am getting the two MS lovers mixed up. I thought there was only one of you.

 

Microsoft lover ? I believe it is more than mixed up then. I mainly developed server based linux software and have left Microsoft scene for quite a few years(used to develop on that platform a lot). People also think I am a linux geek/microsoft hater when I was saying good thing about linux, on Windows dominated places.

I used their product because they fit me better than those mentioned.

 

Well I cannot be without firefox and my precious add-ons now. IE7 is near unusable for me

That is not to say Microsoft don't ever get it right. I am browsing on an XP machine for starters

Also it is the little things in life. For instance I discovered today if you:~
right click taskbar > select "tile windows horizontally/vertically", you can compare objects side by side or view more than one object on the same screen without manually resizing them

Technology is wonderful

 

Just messing with yah. I got your posts mixed up with the thread poster. When I did that it kept sounding like you were contradicting yourself.

Linux Rule!