So do you get free upgrades when new versions of Windows comes out?

Of course not! D you get free upgrades when the latest model of the car you are buying on terms comes out? You might do if you have a leasing agreement, you don't as an outright purchase. I'm still running XP on boxes because it does what I want, the day it doesn't I'll change it for something else.

Now them Michael, if you're trying to be an advert for Linux, that wasn't very good was it? From my recollection you were much more on the ball some years ago :-))

Actually, you are renting it.

No I'm not! Renting is defined as regular and CONTINUING payments, weekly, monthly, or yearly, to continue using a product or service. e.g. you rent a house, you buy one on mortgage, you buy life insurance etc.

You buy a copy of Windows with a licence, and that is a one off payment.

I only rent the beer I buy over the pub, I'll grant you that!!

If all you are doing is checking your email, surfing the web and using MS Office, why are you paying for it?

C'mon Mr B, I am not PAYING for it, I PAID for it. I now get free upgrades for the life of the system. In fact I can run the system for the next 20 years if I want to totally free, but of course it might become more vulnerable. It's the convenience factor. Why do I go down to the supermarket (not Mall!) and buy a can of soup for 75p? Because it is quicker, easier, and cheaper than making my own at home. Maybe it won't "taste" as nice, but hey I am a busy man, I haven't got the time to spend all day over a hot stove. Getting the drift?

If all you are doing is checking your email, surfing the web and using MS Office, why are you paying for it?

I'm paying for it because my ISP has had to hire a pile of white coats to keep their linux boxes running.

I tend to agree. Do you think our Democracy (actually a putative Democratic Republic) is so broken by special interest corruption that it is no longer viable. What might replace it ? I suspect there is a shortage of benevolent dictators around.

You meant our Constitutional Republic. Thankfully we are not a Democracy. You really don't want majority rule in America...you really really don't.

Honey Boo Boo for President.

Windows ain't going anywhere. Windows is for the general masses. It's designed specifically for those who simply want the OS to do everything for them....point click and go.

Microsoft has done a fantastic job dumbing it down for them so they can surf the web and check their email.

That is essentially what I have been saying. All the average Joe wants and needs is surfing and email, plus MsOffice. So Windows does what it says on the tin and meets customer requirements. And as Windows customers are the vast majority, Windows will continue to be the biggest selling OS.

For those that need a more hands on controllable system that they can manipulate to suit their needs there is Linux. It's simply horses for courses. There has never been any argument about that.

What makes so many people cross is Linux users looking down their noses at Windows users as IT illiterate, and taking any opportunity to rubbish the most popular system in favour of their niche one. It would not surprise me one day to have Linux users start to bang on peoples doors in groups of 3 or 4 like the JW's, trying to convince people that their life is bereft! You think I joke? They are already doing it here in so many words. And in so doing they are shooting themselves in the foot, because everyone says if your system is so great, shouldn't that be self evident, why do you need to keep banging on about it?

Windows 8 is clearly an attempt to imitate Android. Android is linux. Redmond has lost the game.

Seriously without a loss, Redmond could adopt linux and make certain WINE runs every version of Windows and not lose a thing by way of marketing or sales.

One might reasonably suggest it is just a matter of time.

Windows ain't going anywhere. Windows is for the general masses. It's designed specifically for those who simply want the OS to do everything for them....point click and go.

Microsoft has done a fantastic job dumbing it down for them so they can surf the web and check their email.

Like you dont surf the web and check your E-mail?
I like pointing and clicking to surf the web and read my E-mail. Are you saying that linux still makes you use command prompts? WOW what a hell of selling point that is. ( Oh I forgot your OS is free )

I tend to agree. Do you think our Democracy (actually a putative Democratic Republic) is so broken by special interest corruption that it is no longer viable. What might replace it ? I suspect there is a shortage of benevolent dictators around.

Windows 8 is clearly an attempt to imitate Android. Android is linux. Redmond has lost the game.

Seriously without a loss, Redmond could adopt linux and make certain WINE runs every version of Windows and not lose a thing by way of marketing or sales.

One might reasonably suggest it is just a matter of time.

with a custom version of the Linux operating system

Yep. Doesn't work out of the box.

Are you saying you've left your Windows system exactly as it was when you installed it? Or have you installed a few extra programs, thus making it a custom system?

I can't make, nor can you, a custom version of windows. I can change user options e.g. background picture, but that is not a custom version of windows.

But you *CAN* make your Linux "custom"..no one needs a favorite distro.

Thank you for confirming that it doesn't work out of the box and must be customized.

Nice try. Just because I customize something does not make it broken. Der?

So just because I customize windows dsoent make it broken either. So what if I had to download speedfan or Lunatics insatller. Does your latest greatest distro come with lunatics for linux pre installed.

with a custom version of the Linux operating system

Yep. Doesn't work out of the box.

Are you saying you've left your Windows system exactly as it was when you installed it? Or have you installed a few extra programs, thus making it a custom system?

I can't make, nor can you, a custom version of windows. I can change user options e.g. background picture, but that is not a custom version of windows.

But you *CAN* make your Linux "custom"..no one needs a favorite distro.

Thank you for confirming that it doesn't work out of the box and must be customized.

Try if you can to imagine a world without privacy.

Noone can lead a life so perfect and so aware of cultural norms as to not fall victim to straying away from the cultural values assumed and imposed by others.

Or worse, it is impossible to always be 'correct' for the conflicting random arbitrary 'interpretations' made by whatever different groups of vigilantes, or religious groups, or political groups, or whoever else.


And yet:

Revealed: how US and UK spy agencies defeat internet privacy and security

• NSA and GCHQ unlock encryption used to protect emails, banking and medical records
• $250m-a-year US program works covertly with tech companies to insert weaknesses into products
• Security experts say programs 'undermine the fabric of the internet'


And yet still no great public outcry?...


IT is what we allow it to be...
Martin

I thought budgets had to come from the House - currently Republican controlled. So who's fault is it that there has been no budget?