Windows prices and security A RIPP-OFF???
By Dano11
@Dano11 (173)
United States
February 10, 2007 7:16pm CST
Before I go off, let me say that MicroSoft is Bill Gates business, and yes he can run his business any way he chooses and has the right to determine the price of his product, but sometimes people lose control, and greed becomes and insatiable master.
We've been dirt poor for the past six years, ever since a back injury and a lost job. Our children are home schooled, and to insure they learn not only what they need for schooling, we want them to be prepared technologically. We purchased computers from yard sales for $20 - $50, and thanks to my know how, did upgrades and parting to build a computer for each of the kids, a computer that while not being top notch media centers, they were in tune and high enough powered for the day. There is only one glich, the monster in the way of providing a safe and desirable learning experience for the kids and the family is this over priced operating system called wndows.
Now it's not just the price that is so bad, but if you have 5 computers, even if you only have 200 - 300 dollars in them combined, in order to purchase the current operating system for them, you have to fork out upwards of $200, not just once, but for each computer. To show how tight this man is, not only does he provide the eula, (poor people do what they must), but he makes the software so tight it can only be installed on one computer, and any other attempt will fail to update or even install.
OK, I understand his point, lots of bootlegging, the poor guy was losing his shorts! I mean think about this, when I got my first 486 system, my floppies for Win 3.1 got damaged due to magnetic field. No problem, run to Radio Shack where I purchased the computer, and they'd run you off another copy. Windows 95 and 98 were passed around to home builders like it was going out of style, but over all, most people had legitimate copies, and Bill gates sky rocketed to a position referred to as the richest man in America with a worth in excess of 400 Billion. Suddenly it appears as though he was so raked over the coals by the pirateers that he has to lock his windows disks so no one can use them twice. At the rate of $150 to $250 a pop, of course people are going to rip it off.
The question I have to ask is, since BG is worth nearing a trillion, and the poor are having to scrap out $200 or violate the law to make their computer work, Who is the rip off, and who is ripping off who? If you are truly poor and want something to surf the internet, you get win 98 or earlier which MS no longer supplies security support for, (shows how much they back their product), or you go without a computer, not because of the hardware, but because of the software.
Bill gates, I have legal copies so rest easy. Get a good nights sleep knowing that there are poor people out there who pay more for an operating system than they pay for a vehicle to get around town. I know, it isn't your problem.
Any comments?
1 person likes this
9 responses
@cruzades (659)
• Philippines
11 Feb 07
That's the reason why ReactOS was built, another Operating System which is FREE.
BG can declare what he wants, since he monopolized OS in the world, but not anymore, more people are shifting into Linux and hope is risen in this project called ReactOS.
2 people like this
@Dano11 (173)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Hey,
Thanks for the input, I just got back from checking out the website. Thaty could show some real potential soon, but for the time being is is not ready for prime time. Linux at PCLinusOS offered by another commentor, (I just got back from there also), looks like it is very near being ready to replace XP for most uses. They do have some wireless compatibility issues, and I'm not sure if my new laptop will work, but I can try it on some of our older desktops.
1 person likes this
@Dano11 (173)
• United States
14 Feb 07
Cruzades,
OK, I created a PCLinux LiveCD and tried running it on my Acer laptop. It tells me what drivers I need for my wireless connection, but I can't seem to navigate to the folder. Do you have any tips on how to best test this out? I can't get online or try anything without my wireless.
Also, will software written for windows operate on Linux? I'm new to Linux so any thoughts to get me off on the right foot would be helpful.
Thanks
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
11 Feb 07
There is a great deal of truth in what you say, but you do seem to be oberlooking one small point, you do not need to install Windows.
If Windows was the only available option then I would probably agree with you wholeheartedly, although this is far from the case. If you choose not to pay the prices that Microsoft demand then you can always install a copy of one of the many distributions of Linux that are completely free. With the user friendly interface of todays Linux distributions, this is a very realistic alternative.
2 people like this
@Dano11 (173)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Yes, for the common user I would say you are right, however...
In the case of teaching our children, the idea is to train them for the real working world and software they will most likely encounter in the work force. Typically speaking, that will be a Windows operating environment, some professional level like digital music labs, magazine and newspaper companies in many cases prefer Mac systems for greater stability and the power of the system, not to mention they are safer from virus and worm attacks.
I think it would be good to teach my chldren both, and I will probably try out a linux system on one of our older computers that we are phasing out, I've never tried linux myself, however there are a lot of software and hardware driver issues with linux also. I've ran into a lot of complaints from people who purchase hardware that the drivers for it won't work on the linux systems, nd the hardware manufacturers for obvious reasons update the drivers for windows before they take care of the secondary operating systems. I hope the day will come when linix and others wil put real pressure on MS to reduce their ability to gouge the private sector market like they do.
The bottom line is, Windows has a good lock on the business industry and for that reason software is developed for windows. I had a wholesale account with a major distributor, and it was amazing how cheapo you can buy windows if you purchase a few hundred thousand copies. Big computer industries pay pennies on the dollar for the op systems, it is you and I and the poor guy that is getting the shaft.
1 person likes this
@Dano11 (173)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Hmm!!
After reading and responding to your post, i went and found some screen shots and information about Linux. It has been a long time since I've even looked at Linux, and they've come a long way. You may be right, and I'll definately have to try it out.
Thanks, but my feelings about MS haven't changed, LOL
1 person likes this
@johniman7 (17)
• United States
11 Feb 07
So far I think Microsoft has been very reasonable. It takes a lot of money to make these operating systems. However, I think that in the recent months it is going downhill...
First is the validation only allowing on one or two computers. If I payed for the software I should be able to run it on my PC and my laptop.
Second is the Genuine Advantage stuff. I didn't mind at first because my version of windows is legal but once I validated it genuine, i still was not being allowed to download things like the media center for streaming media to an xbox360.
Third is vista. There is no reason for the excessive amounts of price levels. It should be one basic, reasonable prices, full featured product. I can understand having one slightly more expensive one with more security for governments use etc. But some of the things I see are a pricing game. Like the cheapest version doesn't include the feature that tilts the open windows so you can scroll through them. There is no reason why this couldn't be in the cheapest version other than to get you to pay more.
I have also heard from numerous people who are in compture businesses that Vista offers very little as far as features that it is mostly cosmetic upgrades.
I think Gates has to watch out. People will sooner or later start turning to Mad, Linux, or maybe the next guy who starts a product out of his garage.
2 people like this
@Dano11 (173)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Thank you for the vote of confidence, it keeps me going, LOL...
One purchase per household is more than fair. I don't think most people realize, that if I have 5 computers in my home, and could by one copy of windows and install on all five computers, microsoft would still make probably 5 times more money off that one purchase than they would if I purcahsed 5 new computers, each with that version of windows on them. (Maybe even more than 5 times)
That is not a reasonable offer, that is scapling the individual. I can build my own computer cheaper than I can buy a new one, but if I must purchase a new copy of windows I just lost my financial advantage in building a computer to my own specs.
1 person likes this
@kritipen (4082)
• United States
12 Feb 07
I totally agree with you. It's a very intelligeny monopoly he created. First you buy his OS (With out which you find it very difficult to run your computer), then he makes it obsolete by creating another upgraded version. Then wait till everyone gets a copy of it. Then change it and stop support for older version and start selling only new version. It's really bad. I was hoping some one (Sun tried but not very successful) will break this evil circle.
2 people like this
@Dano11 (173)
• United States
12 Feb 07
Wow I wish you had responded a couple hours ago, or that I had waited a little longer. I waited a full day, but I'm new at this. I've already selected a best response, had I waited a little longer I would have selected yours.
You hit it right on the money, however the game isn't over yet, Linux XP is looking competitive, but they have a ways to go.
The biggest problem is I think MS & IBM have a contract for windows op systems, so when something new comes out, it comes out via MS, then the competitors like Linux have to constantly play the "Catch-up" game.
1 person likes this
@HamBandit (66)
• United States
11 Feb 07
You could always send your kids to public school; a place where Bill Gates donates a quarter of a million dollars to the faculty to do exactly what you're trying to do.
2 people like this
@maximo_prim0 (70)
• Belgium
11 Feb 07
Go to a library then. Or develop your own OS.
But nooooo all you can do is complain, and complain some more.
Get your lazy bottom of the chair and get a decent job, instead of wasting your time on myLot.
1 person likes this
@Dano11 (173)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Oh thank you,
I guess I forgot to tell everyone that for the past six years since a back injury, I am no longer able to just go out and get another job like you obviously can, but I don't sit and complain. I have lived on my wit and have been able to take care of my family of 5 including one handicapped child and I do it from my desk and from my bed. yes, some days my back is so bad I cannot get out of my bed, but learning to work from my home has been an experience that has lead me to making more money in the recent months than I ever did working for someone else. however the past 6 years learning how to make money from home has been very poverty stricken so I think I have a right to this opinion, I've been there.
However, I do have an opinion and it is my right to speak out, especially if I think someone is being unfair simply because they can be, so who are you to place your opnion about me, not even knowing my condition and telling me I have no right to express my own opinion of someone much more in the public spotlight?
Maybe you are BG's daughter, well Hi, I'm joe public, and voicing my opinion is exactly what MYLOT is all about...
@Dano11 (173)
• United States
11 Feb 07
Oh, P.S.
I did apply for disability and fought them for 5 years. My final hearing before the court had to be done via telephone because I could not make the 38 mile trip to the court room, I was flat on my back in bed with my knee's elevated with pillows. I was denied anyway, as are most people applying anymore because SS is near bankrupt. It was easy for them, they lied about what I did for 16 years, they changed my occupation from a hard worker to a plush plant manager job.
1 person likes this
@lifemaximum (302)
• Malaysia
20 Feb 07
U were rite microsoft is ripping ppl of, just watch this video i found on youtube about this guy who bought windows vista quite interesting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxDd9iDcZWY
1 person likes this
@Dano11 (173)
• United States
21 Feb 07
Oh that is incredibly sad.
how deep is MS greed? Now not only do they overprice their over rated and underdeveloped products, but they have to milk you for more money after you buy the product? (if you have a 64 bit sys). I'm sorry, but I have to say this, that is worse than a back alley robber! If a local small business man operated in this way, he would be put out of business by word of mouth for business practices that would fall into the catagory of scamming...
I gotta go Linux...
1 person likes this
@superzak (20)
• India
11 Feb 07
yes,i totally agree with you Dano,it's the Microsoft guys who are ripping off the the public.Also this new Vista and their plans to launch them with the computers is gonna turn out to be another debacle.And this time it's gonna be a even bigger rip-off cause if u purchase a computer with the Vista then you are totally under their control,let's see how things turn out..
1 person likes this
@Dano11 (173)
• United States
11 Feb 07
We just purchased two new laptops with MCE installed, with the gree upgrade option.
I'm going to send in my application for the free Vista upgrade and try it out, but I think from what I've seen it is like Win ME, just a glorified win 98 with software developed by shareware writers and adopted by Win.
That is another thing I've seen for years, someone else comes up with a good idea, and MS buys it, borrows it, or copies it. I've used Firefox for some time now and love the tabbed browsing, of course it is becoming increasingly popular so guess what MS is doing with the new IE7, (I have it too), it supports tabbed browsing.
What are they planning with Vista to increase control now?
1 person likes this
