18 November 2004
A Windows Free World
Responses to this Musing begin here ...
With each passing day I come closer to living and working in a Windows free world.
It's not that I don't like Windows, or that I have a real problem with Microsoft software. I don't. I think that, for the most part, Microsoft tends to produce software and operating systems that, when they work properly, work extremely well. That doesn't mean that there aren't problems, though. For one thing, the Windows operating system is horribly over-engineered. The Registry is just a bad idea overall because there's no security to it; with less than twenty lines of code I could write a script program that could blow away the registry. And speaking of security, the Windows operating system as a unified whole isn't terribly secure, and the hackers out there know it. That's why Microsoft has to release all those bloody security update patches all the time. The hackers won't leave them alone.
The biggest problem is that, for the most part, Windows is the only game in town. The vast majority of the software that people need to run to do the things that they need to do is only available for the Windows platform. Why? Because that's where the market share is. Very few pieces of commercial software are being produced for Macs that aren't niche related because the niche markets are the only ones that the Macs really have cornered. And commercial software providers don't want to produce software for Linux platforms because they think that the words Open Source are synonymous with Patent Infringement.
The bottom line is that an environment has been created where the various distribution flavors of Linux aren't as popular as they could be primarily because the only people using them are hobbyists, enthusiasts, and Anti-Microsoft geeks. The reasons behind that are simple: there are things that you need to know in order to run Linux, and while all the things you need to know are all publicly documented, the fact remains that learning them for the first time is a pain in the ass, and therefore a lot of people tend to avoid it. Your average home user doesn't want to have to become a computer guru just to keep the thing running, they just want it to work.
As a writer I generally tend to view things the same way, despite my extensive computer background. I know a thing or two about a couple of programming languages, so if it came down to it and I was willing to spend the time and the skull sweat I could sit down and write something that I really needed to use, but that would take time away from writing fiction. I know a thing or two about database design, and have put together several database programs for several different applications, but that's something you only do when you need to. And it's not something I tend to do very often because, again, it takes time away from writing fiction. I don't want to spend a lot of time on system security because I believe that the system should already be secure, at least in an ideal world. For me a computer is a means to an end, and while I have the ability to diagnose and fix the vast majority of the things that are going to go wrong, both on a hardware and on a software level, that doesn't mean that I want to.
The good news is that the Linux community has been growing and they've been making the thing a lot easier to use. Some years ago I gave Caldera Linux 2.3 a try. The instant I did that I stepped into a whole new world, but it was one with a pretty steep learning curve. Just getting the damn computer to connect to the Internet was a pain, and that was before High Speed Internet access had really hit its stride. Once things were set us it was really quite pleasant to use, but it was the process of getting things set up was long and trying in spots. In the end I went back to Windows, not because I really wanted to, but because everything that I had to use to do the work I needed to do at the time was only available on a Windows platform, so running Linux was impractical.
Last year I decided to give things another try. My distribution of choice was Debian Linux 2.3. I was pleased to discover that things had improved somewhat. There's a lot more software available for Linux these days, thanks to the Gnu/Open Source community, so I was able to see a state of affairs in which I would be able to exist without Windows, for the most part. But the learning curve was still just as steep as it had been in the past. Sure, I knew some things that I didn't know then, and that helped me out somewhat, but there were still a lot of things that I had to look up in order to make everything work the way I wanted it to. I never did get my High Speed Internet connection working under Debian Linux, for example.
I went back to Windows with a feeling of hope because things had improved and they were almost where they needed to be, but the point is I went back to Windows. Things were almost where they needed to be, but they weren't there yet.
The last year alone has seen some significant activity in the Linux community. A Linux distribution called Lindows was released, but the developers were immediately sued by Microsoft, who believed that people would confuse Lindows with Windows, and the Lindows people ended up renaming their software to Linspire. The lawsuit itself wasn't all that remarkable. What is remarkable is the fact that Linspire was reputed to be the first of a new breed of Linux distributions that were as easy to use and easy to set up as a Windows system. The problem with Lindows is that there was never a free download, so I never got around to trying it out.
Then I heard about Xandros Linux. Following in the steps of Linspire, the Xandros people have created a Linux distribution that's easy to use, easy to set up, and just plain works. Leastwise that's what I'm hearing. Jerry Pournelle, the author of the Chaos Manor columns in Byte Magazine, is of the opinion that Xandros is the first Linux distribution that even Aunt Minnie could use. Robert Bruce Thompson, another noted author of computer books, has been installing Xandros on friends systems to great success. His own primary system is running Xandros Linux and he's quite happy with it. In fact, if you read the journal pages on his web site he's downright ecstatic about it.
These two developments have caused me to think that maybe the time has come for me to take another look at Linux, and see if maybe Xandros is the distribution I need to get me into a Windows free world.
The good news is that the Xandros web site has a link to download an ISO file which contains an image for an installation CD. The website also mentions that Xandros is based on Debian Linux, so just for the hell of it I downloaded the install ISO's for the new version of Debian as well. Interesting note: to make Xandros Linus run on your computer requires 1 CD. To make Debian Linux run on your computer requires 10 CD's.
I've not burned the ISO images to CD yet, but it's on my list of things to do. My problem is that I'm becoming increasingly paranoid as I get older, and I'm not willing to completely sacrifice Nemesis to turn him into a Linux box. I don't want to put all of my intellectual property at risk. Yes, it's all backed up, but that's not the point. The point is that I'm paranoid.
That means I need to build a new system, which probably wouldn't be a bad idea anyway. Nemesis is more than good enough for the things that I do, but there's going to come a time when he won't be and I want his retirement to be honorable. There are plenty of good bargains out there for upgrade kits. Best Computers has several that fit the bill, and the nice thing about them is the fact that their kits are complete: Motherboard, CPU, Case, and RAM. The only thing I'll need to throw in are hard and floppy drives. Most other places will sell you Motherboard/CPU combinations, but the case, RAM, and hard drive are extra. Great for keeping their price point down, not so great for value.
Here's an interesting thought: Since I have all of the installation disk images, if this works and I'm able to give Windows XP the kick in the teeth I know that it deserves then I might just throw Debian on Nemesis and stage a small, informal comparison between Xandros and the full-blown Debian. But that's thinking ahead. There are things that need to be done before I can even consider that.
Actually, I'm already partway there. I stopped using Internet Explorer last year in favor of the new version of Netscape. I stopped using Microsoft Office because Open Office does everything that I need it to do just as well as Microsoft ever did, and the conversion to Microsoft file formats is flawless. (Personally, I'd rather use WordPerfect, but there are issues with translation from WordPerfect file formats to Microsoft file formats, and the fewer issues I have to deal with the better. Besides, you just can't get WordPerfect for Linux anymore.) My E-Mail is all handled through Netscape Mail. Since Netscape is essentially Mozilla with a different name all I would really have to do is download the latest version of Mozilla and I'm back in the game. I already have the Linux version of Open Office.
All in all, there are really only two things that I would need to make a Linux machine my primary computer: a good web-site designer with WYSIWYG capabilities that understands floating frames and has a built in FTP capability, and a good, solid PIM. Once I have those I'm good to go.
As I said before, it's not that I'm Anti-Microsoft, it's just that I believe that there are better alternatives out there. It comes down to this: Windows is not secure. It is dangerous to use Windows, even more dangerous to use Internet Explorer. Microsoft built an Operating System with no security and they're trying to build in security with patches, and it doesn't work. It can't work. Security has to be built in from the ground up, and it wasn't. With Linux, it was. Linux systems are stable and secure, and there's a wealth of freely available software that's as good as or better than a lot of commercial offerings.
If Windows continues to work for you, great. Make sure you're behind a good hardware firewall, consider switching from Internet Explorer to Netscape, and make sure you download and install all your updates. Then have at her. I wish you the best of luck. I just think that Linux has a stronger wall to hide behind when the shit hits the fan.
Okay Tarnished! You've done
it yet again! I am, to quote, one of those, "hobbyists, enthusiasts, and
Anti-Microsoft geeks" that you spoke so highly of... I've been a linux
user for nearly 2 years. My primary choice of linux software has been S.U.S.E..
It has been designed to work pretty much like the windows environment (a.k.a.
"point-and-click"). But it's much, MUCH better than windows in that
one has the power to CHOSE what one will do with one's software. I can leave
it as it is, make changes with "command-line" codes, throw entire
programs out that I don't wish to bother with, that I don't use or I don't need.
What's the primary difference betwn. windows and linux?
Well, in the words of a UNIX how-to book: "Why is having all this choice
such a big deal? Think about why Microsoft MS-DOS and the Apple Macintosh interfaces
are considered so easy to use. Both are designed to give the user less power.
Both have dramatically fewer commands and precious little overlap in commands:
you can't use copy to list your files in DOS, and you can't drag a Mac file
icon around to duplicate it in its own directory. The advantage to these interfaces
is that, in either systems, you can learn the one-and-only way to do a task
and be confident that you're as sophisticated in doing that task as is the next
person. It's easy. It's quick to learn. It's exactly how the experts do it,
too."
I wanted freedom to make my own choices in regarding how my wordprocessor works.
I wanted freedom to get rid of programs I don't ever use. I wanted freedom from
hacks... and you're right, hacks tend to target Windows users because it's so
EASY! As long as I stuck to Windows I could be confident that my computer would
be hacked. And as long as I depended on OTHERS to find ways to make my computer
secure I had only MYSELF to blame if they failed to find bugs and security holes
that disreputable hacks used to fuck up my computer (just for fun usually, and
most certainly to prove among their hacker selves who had the bigger cyber balls.
Oh! And excuse my French).
When I finally made the
switch to Linux I was pretty concerned about having to learn a lot of command
line codes. I worried it would take up all my spare time. I also feared I wouldn't
be that good or would end up screwing up my own computer. And to be truthful,
I DID mess my computer up some. But, I did NOT mess up the primary software
itself, only the programs that I was messing with. That's one of the beautiful
things abt. Linux, if you fuck up some part of it the other programs will go
on working same as always (at least for me it always did). I always found people
online who were willing to help me work out the messes I made. Many of them
even put me back on the path of the rightenous for rightenous' sakes!
Two years ago I made the switch to Linux. My software (including the Linux Kernal)
costed me a total of $79.00 (for 8 disks). I had the option of converting my
entire hard drive to the linux kernal OR creating a partion for Windows AND
Linux to share space on my computer (I converted my entire HD to linux). It
took me about 45 minutes to convert my entire computer. It took me less than
30 minutes to connect to the internet. Open Office was up and running in less
time then it takes to brush my teeth. And all of it was done with the point-and-click
method. I have the options of making altercation to my software. I can add more
stuff from freeware websites. And I have a world-wide support base of linux
users ready and willing to help me when I send up smoke signals. I'm good to
go!
I don't regret leaving Windows. It was never a very good marriage. And the only
reason it lasted so long is because a LOT of people kept advising me to stick
with it because playing the field was (supposedly) way worse. I think I should
have left Windows YEARS ago. And btw, there's more software out there for Linux
then you realize. ~smile~
Anyway, I just thought you'd like to know that there is actually Linux software
out there designed for Mac users. It's called, "Yellow Dog". I'm sure
if you did a web search you'd find more information about it.
Oh yeah, you stated:
"The bottom line is
that an environment has been created where the various distribution flavors
of Linux aren't as popular as they could be primarily because the only people
using them are hobbyists, enthusiasts, and Anti-Microsoft geeks. The reasons
behind that are simple: there are things that you need to know in order to run
Linux, and while all the things you need to know are all publicly documented,
the fact remains that learning them for the first time is a pain in the ass,
and therefore a lot of people tend to avoid it."
I really don't believe that Linux is not popular due to the "type"
of people using them. No, it's not popular because your standard, run-of-the-mill,
sales dude TELLS you that Linux is too hard to learn how to use. I've spoke
to hacks who tried ever so hard first to discourage me from ever trying Linux
to begin with, and later to convince me that Windows is far superior to Linux.
If less power is what you want over your computer environment, then yes, Windows
IS better. Linux is not popular because the linux kernal is free, and therefore
ANYBODY can use it, create their own programs, sell it, give it way, alter it,
build on it... Linux is not so well-known because, as you said, it's money that
moves the bytes. It's hard to feel encouraged to create software for a kernal
that is free. With more power at your fingertips (literally) you are NOT subject
to what somebody else tells you that you need. Again, a part of making money
is having the power over whatever it is you're selling. EVERYBODY benefits from
using Linux. But those who control the venues of which information gets out
to the public, do NOT push Linux. It would be BAD for THEIR business (and THEIR
business is selling software!)
BTW, because Microsoft owns the copyright of Windows (MS-DOS) anybody writing
programs to work on their platform must pay fees before they can actually sell
their software on the market. People who have money WANT to buy what they preceive
as "labor-saving-devices" to make their lives "easier".
It's the old belief that "bigger is better". And if it costs a LOT
more money then it must be REALLY GOOD." Like one of my favorite sci-fi
writers said, if everybody is buying a station wagon for thousands of dollars
then EVERYBODY will buy a station wagon. Never mind that here is a free tank
that is economical, fast, safe and secure. "Dos' Thee not understand? 'Tis'
not a station wagon!"
Linux really isn't that hard to use. S.U.S.E really IS a good choice of software
to start with in making the switch to the Linux kernal. Over time you CAN learn
basic command lines as you go. None of this has to be a pain in the ass task.
You CAN learn over the years. I should know, I was one of those folks you spoke
of, the sort who felt it a pain in the arse to have to LEARN something that
had to do with computers.
Anyway, I'm glad that you
too like Linux. I'm sorry though that you haven't been able to find software
that suits you and the work you do on a computer. And I'm glad you wrote about
Linux. I'm such a Linux groupie I literally gush sweet sugary verses, a walking
advertisement dream! ~smile~
Now, on another note. What do you think of IMac Powerbook G4?
And finally... you know how some hackers try to access somebody's computer not
via online but by attaining actual physical access to the computer in question.
Well, sometimes they put some hack program on it that mimicks the orginal software
of the whole computers, for example, WINDOWS XP. They create a false platform
that LOOKS like the orginal, that is, the owner's copy. But really, it's the
HACK's program. When a user logs in and does work ON the computer (such as write
in Word, or check email, do the books for their bills, etc.) the hack's program
saves all the activities and when the user logs online the program calls home
and desposits the data into the hack's computer. The HACK can then look at what
the user was doing, grab all the password codes (including free email account
passwords) and more or less SPY on what the user is doing with their personal
computer. Well, THIS is what prompt ME to change to Linux. It's harder to mimick.
I have a brother who not long ago borrowed my SUSE software, saying that he
just wanted to "look" at it and see what it's like. Well... I stupidly
lend it to him. He's a "HACK", and he created, using MY software,
a look-a-like platform completed with a website where the fucky hack program
delivers MY person shit. My brother has been, to date, spying on me and what
I do when I am online. It really PISSED me off.
So! Do you know how to find and remove such crap from one's PC?
I know one way to make sure to prevent this is to deny him direct access to
my computer. Which is why I am planning to buy a Powerbook. I can take the thing
with me, see? But still, I really want to make sure he doesn't EVER do that
to me again! What a fucking shitty thing to do to one's own family 'eh? I really
hate that he not only looked at MY person shit but has also been spying on my
friends via ME. That means you too... I know, I know... who cares 'eh? Still,
it's like being raped. Somebody is taking something from me without asking.
Just TAKING it...
Anyway... I'm glad you're still out there writing! I hope one day we can get
together and chat away for awhile!
Later dude!
My response:
Okay ...
First of all, it's always good to hear from you and I miss having you around all the time. :-)
Now then, on to the business stuff ...
I've always been a firm believer in Linux and Open Source software. The Open Source programs that I've tried have, for the most part, worked extremely well. The only reason I'm not using Linux on a daily basis is that I simply do not have the time to sit down and make everything on Old Nemesis work the way it's supposed to under the new OS, and I know for a fact that a certain amount of fooling and tooling around would be required because that's just the kind of luck I have. :-)
AS for my comment about who generally tends to use Linux systems I wasn't trying to suggest that that's the reason why the OS isn't popular. What I was trying to suggest is that people in general are lazy and they like having a nice, comfortable safety net beneath them. SO, they tend to listen to salesmen and technicians who make their livings working with and selling the kinds of environments they're recommending. Add to that the fact that Microsoft has probably the single best marketing team in the world and you have a formula for a monopoly, and that's what the Windows domination is: a monopoly.
I started out as an MS-DOS guy, so I'm used to having to deal with a command prompt. In fact, I still end up using the command prompt on my XP system on a reqular basis because some things are just easier and faster to do from a command line. Learning a whole new command set isn't particularily daunting to me, it's just that I'm not willing to take my production system off line to do it. So, in the new year I'll build a dedicated Linux box, and I'll probably build an older system to act as a file and print server. I'll keep Nemesis around as a dedicated Windows system until I find all the software I need to do everything I do. Then Nemesis will become a Linux machine too.
Hackers target Windows because it's such an easy target. Microsoft is concerned about security NOW, and rightfully so, but they weren't so concerned about security when they built the damn OS in the first place. Now they're paying the price for that, but so are the users. Of course, if the systems programming were done in a language other than C/C++, preferably one that made active use of such delightful concepts as range checking and didn't allow you to change variable types on a whim, then that would go a long way towards building more stable systems too.
But what do I know? I just write fiction. :-)
> Two years ago I made the switch to Linux. My software (including the Linux Kernal) costed me a total of $79.00 (for 8 disks). I had the option of converting my entire hard drive to the linux kernal OR creating a partion for Windows AND Linux to share space on my computer (I converted my entire HD to linux). It took me about 45 minutes to convert my entire computer. It took me less than 30 minutes to connect to the internet. Open Office was up and running in less time then it takes to brush my teeth. And all of it was done with the point-and-click method. I have the options of making altercation to my software. I can add more stuff from freeware websites. And I have a world-wide support base of linux users ready and willing to help me when I send up smoke signals. I'm good to go!
When I first tried Linux things were still in their infancy. I spent hours poring over How-To's and manual pages and surfing the Internet to find the technical information I needed to make everything work the way that I wanted it to. Things have improved since then. UI design has improved, and the people who put out the distributions are doing a lot more to improve ease-of-use. Setting up Caldera 2.3 wasn't difficult, but it was time consuming. I'm willing to put in the time, but now with a single machine.
> I don't regret leaving Windows.
It was never a very good marriage. And the only reason it lasted so long is
because a LOT of people kept advising me to stick with it because playing the
field was (supposedly) way worse. I think I should have left Windows YEARS ago.
And btw, there's more software out there for Linux then you realize. ~smile~
>
> Anyway, I just thought you'd like to know that there is actually Linux
software out there designed for Mac users. It's called, "Yellow Dog".
I'm sure if you did a web search you'd find more information about it.
It doesn't surprise me that someone has put out Linux software designed for Mac users. It should have happened a long time ago.
The new Mac OS is essentially Linux with a Mac UI. The result is a system that's incredibly secure and incredibly easy to use. But it's expensive. And I'm a cheap bastard. :-)
> Anyway, I'm glad that you too like Linux. I'm sorry though that you haven't been able to find software that suits you and the work you do on a computer. And I'm glad you wrote about Linux. I'm such a Linux groupie I literally gush sweet sugary verses, a walking advertisement dream! ~smile~
Gush? You? :-) Somehow I have a difficult time believing that you gush. :-)
> Now, on another note. What do you think of IMac Powerbook G4?
I haven't had a chance to sit down and try one out. I'm toying with the notion of getting my hands on an older PowerMac and trying out the new MacOS, though. I just have to find a machine that's cheap enough and sports the minimum requirements to run the OS.
> And finally... you
know how some hackers try to access somebody's computer not via online but by
attaining actual physical access to the computer in question. Well, sometimes
they put some hack program on it that mimicks the orginal software of the whole
computers, for example, WINDOWS XP. They create a false platform that LOOKS
like the orginal, that is, the owner's copy. But really, it's the HACK's program.
When a user logs in and does work ON the computer (such as write in Word, or
check email, do the books for their bills, etc.) the hack's program saves all
the activities and when the user logs online the program calls home and desposits
the data into the hack's computer. The HACK can then look at what the user was
doing, grab all the password codes (including free email account passwords)
and more or less SPY on what the user is doing with their personal computer.
Well, THIS is what prompt ME to change to Linux. It's harder to mimick. I have
a brother who not long ago borrowed my SUSE software, saying that he just wanted
to "look" at it and see what it's like. Well... I stupidly lend it
to him. He's a "HACK", and he created, using MY software, a look-a-like
platform completed with a website where the fucky hack program delivers MY person
shit. My brother has been, to date, spying on me and what I do when I am online.
It really PISSED me off.
>
> So! Do you know how to find and remove such crap from one's PC?
Spy programs have been out there for a long time. Hackers love them because
they tend to be voyeurs at heart, and they love to watch people when they're
not paying attention. The really dangerous ones are the ones who try to make
a monetary profit by selling the information they've obtained from you to various
criminal enterprises.
AS for ways to remove it, the only sure fire way that I know of to remove a program like that is to perform a format and restore: format your hard drive all over again and reinstall your OS. Leastwise, that's the solution I recommend for Windows, but then on a Windows system I recommend doing that every six months or so anyway. The same solution should work for your Linux system. All you have to do then is not let your brother anywhere near your computer.
> I know one way to make sure to prevent this is to deny him direct access to my computer. Which is why I am planning to buy a Powerbook. I can take the thing with me, see? But still, I really want to make sure he doesn't EVER do that to me again! What a fucking shitty thing to do to one's own family 'eh? I really hate that he not only looked at MY person shit but has also been spying on my friends via ME. That means you too... I know, I know... who cares 'eh? Still, it's like being raped. Somebody is taking something from me without asking. Just TAKING it...
You're right to feel violated. It's a terrible and distasteful thing to do to one's own family. Seems to me that brother dearest needs to take some lessons in the ethical applications of his talents. Hacking has its place in the industry, and it can be a positive thing if its done with proper care and attention. But there are lines that should never be crossed and that's one of them.
> Anyway... I'm glad you're still out there writing! I hope one day we can get together and chat away for awhile!
Always good to hear from you, Little One. :-) I would love to spend some time chatting with you. We'll have to see what we can do to make that happen.