Re: I've dumped Linux and moved to Windows XP.

From: Jim Backus (jhb_at_nospam.co.uk)
Date: 06/13/04 

Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2004 20:52:09 +0000 (UTC)

On Sat, 12 Jun 2004 07:17:49 UTC, Bob Thomas <bobtms@hotmailx.com>
wrote:

> If you learn some basic Windows internals, buy the right tools, follow
> sound protocols in loading and removing software, Window is very
> stable for most users. I fall in the middle, take routine backups,
> keep my windows, drivers, and software current, use a 3rd party
> removal tool for ensuring stuff I test and remove is fully removed,
> and tools to scan and keep the registry and system clean. Maybe 2
> hours a month maintenance, not counting the actual backup time which
> happens while I am asleep. (Tools like TweakUI, Process Explorer,
> SystemWorks, RegClean, ZoneAlarm, NortonAV, AdAware, SpyBot, MS
> Control Panel Tools (XP), and a few other 3rd party tools..)
>
>

Congratulations on a thoughtful piece on the benefits, not
superiotity, of Windows.

As I've added comparisons to OS/2, this is now cross-posted to
c.o.o.a.

>From what I hear, the XP version of Windows is at last delivering the
robustness that users should expect of an operating system. Based on
my own experience of a variety of operating systems, OS/2 is the most
robust, followed by Mac OS (version 5 was probably the one I used),
Windows NT, Windows 98 with Windows 95 and Windows 3.1 as the worst -
I have no experience of Win2000 or XP.

Starting with OS/2 - two points that support its robustness. First:
OS/2 appears to repair its initialisation files at restart. Even when
badly broken, the operating system will generally return to a workable
state after a number of restarts. Windows does not do this - if
anything it is likely to become more broken. Second: although most
people would not be aware of it, they have probably been OS/2 users
for many years. Until about 2003 most ATMs ran OS/2. Now ATMs are
running Windows and people are beginning to see Windows error dialogue
boxes on their ATMs. A question to ponder -- how often did you see an
older ATM with an error message?

Mac OS - this was the first graphical OS I used. Although I disliked
the way that the intenals were hidden and inaccessible, my experience
of 3 years constant use was that the operating system was very stable
- crashes were rare and I don't recall any occasion when the system
had to be reinstalled. Many 'power users' recommend that Windows
should be re-installed annually.

I used Windows NT4 at work for a couple of years and found it to be
relatively reliable and robust - about half that of OS/2 in
qualitative tests. Crashes did occur and occasionally it would run out
of resources and need a restart. The non-Microsoft email client had a
noticeable memory leak and was usually the cause of the operating
system running out of resources. The 'repair' technique used by the IS
department was to re-install.

My most recent employer provided Windows 98se. It generally allowed me
to get my work done but crashes and essential restarts were common.

Windows 3.1 and Windows 95 were so bad it constantly amazes me that
these appalling operating systems enabled Microsoft to become so
successful. The only explanation is that heavy advertising and keeping
the computer press on-side helped Microsoft to dupe a gullible
marketplace.

This comparison of operating systems does not address availability of
applications - without the necessary applications it becomes
irrelevant how good the OS is. Conversely users may have to tolerate
unmaintainable and unreliable operating systems that support their
essential applications.

Regarding the quoted text:
Where does one learn 'basic Windows internals'? The Windows registry
is so arkane that it might as well be written in Mayan. The on-line
help in Windows is aimed squarely at the least knowledgeable user. For
example the advice to 'ask your system administrator' is no use to
someone trying to set up a network at home. It is also common to find
that Windows help assumes knowledge of the purpose and effect of a
setting so only explains the mechanics of entering a value - there is
no expert knowledge to back up the basics. Most computer books
regurgitate the on-line help - based on the OS/2 editions I had a high
opinion of Sams 'Unleashed' series but found Windows 95 Unleashed to
be almost useless.

What are the 'right tools' and how much is one supposed to spend on
them? Some are listed but what about the 'few other 3rd party tools'?

What are the 'sound protocols' for loading and removing software?
Presumably Windows own 'Add/Remove programmes' does not qualify?

I look forward to helpful answers 

-- 
Jim Backus OS/2 user since 1994
bona fide replies to j <dot> backus <the circle thingy> jita <dot> 
demon <dot> co <dot> uk

Relevant Pages

  • Re: M$ dominance (Was:Re: Hyphens again)
    ... Windows 95 rather than OS/2. ... Microsoft had a near monopoly on PC operating systems. ... I left IBM in May, 1993, and up to that time, being ...
    (alt.usage.english)
  • Eeye Still has critical vulnerability asscociated with NT
    ... includes current Windows 2000 and XP products as well as older NT products. ... later versions of 9x operating systems according to Brian Livingston's ... I may end up having to purchase Microsoft Virtual ... Machine to be able to run older operating systems in order to support my ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Ive dumped Linux and moved to Windows XP.
    ... superiotity, of Windows. ... As I've added comparisons to OS/2, ... my own experience of a variety of operating systems, ... What are the 'sound protocols' for loading and removing software? ...
    (sci.electronics.design)
  • Re: Driver Model 2 Proposal - Linux Kernel Performance v Usability
    ... You may believe that Windows is inherently unstable. ... >This is pure invention from the usual school of 'Windows v Linux, ... >>is taught because Microsoft doesn't want you to know what ... you need to learn about Operating Systems. ...
    (Linux-Kernel)
  • Re: Power supplies in parallel for more current/same voltage?
    ... Windows will not crash NT based operating systems. ... camera, USB port, and Windows 2000. ...
    (sci.electronics.misc)
Loading