Will this be the Windows killer? (adware from Microsoft)
 

I wonder if this will finally be a good enough reason for people to abandon the Windows platform, or will the sheep just bleet and suffer on? This sounds like it could be Zango on steroids to me.

Quote:

REDMOND, Wash. — In a recently filed patent application, Microsoft Corp. seeks a patent for what appears to be a far more extensive adware application than anything currently on the market. The application, first uncovered by InformationWeek, describes a contextual advertising framework that is not dependent upon end-user interaction with a web page or search interface, instead displaying ads based on “a variety of resources on a local computer.” Web marketing and advertising analyst Scott Rabinowitz told XBIZ that the system described in the Microsoft patent application represents the “potentially most invasive” adware system developed to date.

More at Microsoft Files for Patent on Extensive Adware System


(btw, if you look up "sheep bleet" on Google, the first place position in the search results is for Zango)

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been thinking about replacing windows with a Lunix style system for a while now, so what distro would you recommend for a beginner willing to experiment like me?

I've got a box loaded with Ubantu, which I love. Runs Firefox really well, but end up using my XP computers for the most part...there's just too much lacking with Linux right now as far as compatibility.

I'm a Mac user but installed Debian Linux under Parallels and it is very nice.

As another Mac user, my suggestion would be like Cleo's, since you can use Parallels to run multiple versions of *nix systems alongside the Mac OS and you can be running Windows XP too if you want. All part of the 'virtual machine' concept (in its original meaning).

But maybe if you post what hardware you're using (or want to be using), someone else can give you some non-Mac suggestions.

Parallels rocks although it does take all the fun out of computer shopping since there is no hardware to buy once you have bought a Mac.

i am using ubantu and rarely run windows anymore, I sometimes use IE to check a webpage (which you can get to run under linux) not much else i need windows for.

Yeah that is all I open up Windows to do

In answer to your original question: no.

Windows is shit, but the majority of people use it because they are stupid. And they are too stupid to change even if they are able to understand the implications of the passage you quoted.

I am willing to bet that even if someone proved beyond any doubt that having Windows installed on your computer gave you cancer, AIDS, and excessive cellulite, the majority of people would still use it.

I was bored so I installed it. Looks a bit prettier then Debian but about the same otherwise.

i was considering going with mac anyway, this mite make my decision easier.

Ubuntu is based on Debian but has non-free software available like Flash, MP3, DVD playback, etc.

im another ubuntu user. Use it for everything and some linux apps i've found work better and do a better job than windows. The only app i use native to windows is dreamweaver but got that running in wine.

The only thing I use winblows for now is games that don't run in wine or cedega.

My Debian install played H.264 (.mp4) movies without having to install anything but I can't seem to get Ubuntu to play them even after installing whatever it was that came up saying that I needed it to play the movies. I'm still getting a message saying that it needs the Quicktime demuxing software.

This is the test page that I'm using.

Hi Cleo,

Here is an official help page on getting restricted video formats, like MP4, to work. I hope this helps.

---art

Me too. My laptop runs 100% Ubuntu -- not even dual boot. I was lazy so I bought Codeweavers for Windows apps instead of using Wine. The only Windows apps I use within Linux are Dreamweaver and Photoshop (though I get a lot done with GIMP). Like you, I keep one M$ PC around for games though recently I got RollerCoaster Tycoon 2 to work in Wine!

I always gloat a little when people post about sites with trojans and the like. I always surf to the URL to see them not be able to load on my PC!

---art

Ain't that the truth. I recently came across a funny site that I wanted to show my friends. I emailed myself the url to my work, and when I got there, sent it to my friends.

All i heard was "YOU FUCKER! SPYWARE, TROJANS, etc..." I LOL'd since I didn't see or get any of it at home. Linux FTW!

Obviously the big reason there are more PC users is price, wouldn't you say? I sure like the idea about not worrying what your PC is going to catch next, and sure there are many more reasons I don't know about. But looking at say, a Mac Pro, like 3k for a descent configuration.

Guess it is a matter os perspective.
http://www.macnn.com/articles/07/11/...aper.than.pcs/

I finally got Yahoo to drop all the Zango spam in the PPC listings. Along with another PPC spammer.|bananna|

Bad enough bidding against competing sites, let alone sites that don't even have any content to match the keywords. That just pushes the price per click up.|catfight|

IMO Windows is king because most new PCs come with it preloaded. Not to mention that it has been like this for over a dozen years. So when most consumers are using windows, most software seems to be made for it. The blue screen of death era was a bitch, but I've always felt XP was a really solid OS. Haven't tried Vista just yet on my own machine.

What are some good reasons not to use XP or Vista?

I can't say I love windows (WP Pro) but it works with all my software and hardware Dual xeon, 7-each 15k SCSI drives, pro scsi scanners, Adobe suites, Sony Vegas, Qimage Pro, Roxi0 9, QuickBooks, etc...
Hell, sounds like a MAC - but I'll NEVER get used to the MAC interface.

So burry me in shit!

For me, its having a stable OS that isn't prone to spyware/adware/viruses that I can update, get new distro's for free and most software is free.

On top of that, linux handles its file system different and also the way it writes files to the hard drive. You don't have to defrag a linux file system because of the way it handles it.

As for software, yes, windows does have better choices as in most major companies with the biggie programs don't port them to linux. Photoshop, Dreamweaver, etc... But there are alternatives, some good, some not so good, but others that surpass Windows software by a long shot! You always have the option to use WINE to run most windows software within linux though.

windows ain't going anywhere :)