Why use Windows - it's still a hell

Most recently, we published a post about 7 reasons why Windows is still retains the right to exist. However, most of the arguments of the article can be viewed from different perspectives. For example, a computer running Windows sits a man far removed from the world of information technology, but who wants to get more out of the system. What awaits him? In fact, the same as 10 years ago. With some reservations, but in general - all the same.

Sooner or later abstract dissatisfaction with the system used is made in quite clear and definite conclusion: Windows - that's what I do not want to use. For all its flexibility, power and unreal amount of all kinds of software, the system no longer corresponds to the user views on the correct OS.

Why discontent grows over time? Obviously, this is due to the fact that before we saw few systems, and even less intelligent systems that are able to compete with Windows. Now more of them. And realize they are much better. Moreover, even if some other system has a curve that literally for 4-5 years before it finished candy. We are talking about Android. Remember what it was in its first versions? And now - just super, full iOS alternative.

The same thing about Linux is different, and all that grows next to them. As correctly noted by our author Dima Gorchakov, modern assembly opensorsnyh systems already show unprecedented simplicity and ease of use for the simple user, which allows us to consider them Compared with OS X.

What about Windows? One gets the feeling that they just got up, or go very slowly and in the wrong direction.

Apple was right

We are talking about all versions of Windows, except for RT. Oh yes, RT - is a special case. You might remember how very long time Yabloko spread rot because they are limited on all sides and oppressed the evil corporation that does not allow them to do anything in their computers. And here comes Windows RT, and everyone in the eye catches a moment: there can not be put out of the left source applications. What was once seen as one of the most serious shortcomings of the competitor, it is now becoming chip Windows. That chip. Microsoft now believes that such a move is the best way to protect users from malware, while maintaining the purity and performance.

About Malware

Advanced users will always tell you that they never faced the problem of viruses, trojans and other bad things. If something horrible to your computer, then blame yourself. There was no need to pump it, did not need to click here, I did not have it set. How to understand the rules of the game simple user? Good question.

In fact, everything is very ambiguous. At the moment, there are more than 50 types of files that can nachudit in the system:

• .EXE
• .PIF
• .APPLICATION
• .GADGET
• .MSI
• .MSP
• .COM
• .SCR
• .HTA
• .CPL
• .MSC
• .JAR
• .BAT
• .CMD
• .VB, .VBS
• .VBE
• .JS
• .JSE
• .WS, .WSF
• .WSC, .WSH
• .PS1, .PS1XML, .PS2, .PS2XML, .PSC1, .PSC2
• .MSH, .MSH1, .MSH2, .MSHXML, .MSH1XML, .MSH2XML
• .SCF
• .LNK
• .INF
• .REG
• .DOC, .XLS, .PPT
• .DOCM, .DOTM, .XLSM, .XLTM, .XLAM, .PPTM, .POTM, .PPAM, .PPSM, .SLDM

Yes, even in harmless and routinely used office documents, you can push malicious code if desired.

Now someone will say that malware is everywhere, including Android and OS X. However, how much of it is there? And if you come across them personally? That is, marketers can say whatever you want, because you should try to sell anti-virus software on all platforms, but only on Windows threat is not a ghost.

In Android security system goes to the level of the system manufacturer. Google verifies the application not only in the store, but already installed on the user's device. This deals with Play Services. Even if you have an older version of Android 2.x, you are still protected. Just stop the pirates and put a left apk files, and you generally will not know what viruses and other evil on Android.

It is said that the Mac also have malware, but in most cases it is performed through Java. In this case, the operating system Mac is designed so that initially run executable files only from known developers.

Windows omnivorous and install whatever you want. That's just the consequences might be. Keep things under control should in theory anti-virus solutions. Under Windows, there are many, very many, and there is even a product from the very Microsoft. However, Holly Stewart, the Microsoft representative, responsible for the Microsoft Security Essentials anti-virus solution (MSE), said the following:

MSE - is only the first line of defense, and we recommend that Windows users to use solutions from third-party developers.

Translated into plain language, it turns out that something like "we can not defeat the malware on the system level and can not themselves provide a solution to rectify the situation."

System out of the box

The new Mac or Chromebook. iPad or tablet on Android. Microsoft Surface on Windows RT. They all share one feature - you first turn it on and immediately enjoy the work of the machine cool. The system is already fully operational and waiting for when you visit the local market for new and dates of your additional software.

Now, in contrast, move the old Windows on your home computer. Well, I get a clean system, ready to work? Do not forget to get the wheels of firewood for video, Nurse, peripherals, and other things. The better your accessories, the more likely that Windows does not understand them and ask you to install drivers. Gaming Keyboard and mouse with additional features? Insert the disc or download the driver from the manufacturer's website.

Ok, a couple of hours it works through, but the system is already zasral. Every manufacturer, the drivers of which you put, trying to cram in a lot of installing some utilities package, the meaning and the purpose of which is not very easy to understand the common user. Change hands on the video card voltage of 20 thousand rubles for a performance boost? What? I bought it and I want it to just work at 100% capacity and without my intervention.

Even Windows 8 is distinguished by the fact that Microsoft has not closed it in the function «Refresh your PC». As a result, third-party manufacturers to easily replace "reference" system image to another, in which the system is clean decently diluted their brand products and solutions.

What we have in the end? Net system does not start to work comfortably. We have to put a lot of extra software to function at the hardware level, and then clean up any debris that got together with the software.

New Programs

Well, the user you want to install a new program? First Go online and start all-out research. Only you can determine if you selected program is dangerous. Here you come on a site where you can download the program from a trusted developer, but be careful. Circle banners that mimic the interface you download the required software.

Nazhmosh not on the Download, and everything. Something like a job sapper.

Loosen the user to the forest extraction software on their own - quite a controversial decision in our reality. Time has shown that only a single space for the application, which is controlled by the system manufacturer (talking about app store in the modern sense) can protect the user from dangerous software, and it is not 100% probability. Apple and others have come to this for a long time. Microsoft took a lot of years in the awareness of the necessity of such a decision, and Windows RT proof.

Do not forget about the removal. There is no guarantee that after the "final disposal" you will not have a few hundred megabytes, which are waste products of remote programs. Now imagine that the remains of more and more, and we should budget nimble SSD 120 GB. Place so little, and here it is.

attentiveness test

Do you think that finding a program from a reliable developer and guess the correct "Download" button, you are guaranteed the absence of the left software on your computer? Try to remember the setup procedure majority of free software. Typically, this step by step process, but it is necessary to examine carefully each appears. Why? What if you miss a couple of ten-ticks without removing that simultaneously install a browser plugin, change the default Search, change the start page of all browsers, and make a more unconscious heels actions?

All this can be recreated in the mind as a thought experiment. Imagine that you have come to the postman. The box your parcel, but not only. Without a second thought opening the box, you will find a dozen kittens who instantly crawl around the house and arrange it in a mess. This bonus of the kittens - a consequence of various affiliate programs that are made between large companies and small developers. Something like "we will support your product, but in exchange you insert into the installer of our products."

Accidentally miss a few of these "bonuses" can not completely learn your computer. The most sad is that the imposition takes place from the top.

Even Skype cram your Bing offers to make his page of default in the browser.

updating

In iOS, Android, OS X and Windows RT process of updating your applications as easy as their search / installation. Everything comes from a single location - the app store. In Windows applications updated (if updated) somehow... well, differently. As a rule, each developer himself realizes the system updates for your product to your liking. Again, if he does it.

Well, if the product enclosing auto-update system. Maybe so that you use something, what is found a terrible vulnerability, and risk every day, and the patch, it turns out, you need to put your hands. And to learn about this patch, as well as the most vulnerable, you too would have ourselves. How? That's your business.

Another program is updated itself, but leaves a weighty folder with temporary files.

The third program is once switched to the new version, and did so in such a way that the old machine to upgrade impossible. As a result, you are using an older version that is not updated, but somewhere there has long been working and updated its more advanced cousin. How do you about it have been found?

If you look at the whole situation, the problem, of course, was less. Modern expired products properly updated, but not all.

Windows on laptops

You can never talk about iOS and Android. Yet, these systems initially tochilis for mobile use. It is better to compare with OS X. Exclusively on the personal experience of yours truly can say one thing: Windows uses hardware resources inefficiently. Take the ASUS Zenbook and MacBook Air with an identical filling (something like on i5 Ivy Bridge, graphics, respectively, built by Intel, SSD). In practice, the autonomy of apple product udelyvaet competitor 2 times when surf the web. Even the Surface Pro 2 is discharged to the 11-inch Air is 2 times.

Transition to the new version

OS X 10.9 Mavericks - free and stands on products 6 years ago, that is released in 2007. Apple promised that now all new releases of the desktop OS will be free. This is the last thing you'd expect from such a greedy corporation, but they have decided, and it was a hit.

Also in 2007 came Windows Vista. Quite contradictory system, but it's not about that. Assume that 2 people then bought a computer for one the Mac, the other PC. Now at first it stands the most relevant latest version of the OS, and he got it for free. Second, if you do not buy's seven or eight are still on Vista.

Now just sit and think: these Yabloko will receive all of the following releases for free, and, though I did not buy eight, leaving native 64-bit Windows 7, you still will be forced in the future to pay for the new version Windows?

Why do we remain on Windows?

Probably, here the answer to each his own, but it is possible to identify the most urgent reasons:

Piracy and free software. Yes, someone is still stealing program, he wants everything for free. Here carte blanche for such people.

Specialized, professional software. Whether you're an accountant or an engineer, you will not get away with just Windows. It so happened that in our current tools and resources for professionals came under Windows, and often do not have analogues and sane solutions on other platforms. And if they are, then there are a lot.

So far the game. Yes Yes Yes. I - a gamer, I love quality, new, good game, with graphics, physics, and all other attributes. On the Mac, there Battlenet, the Knicks have Steam (do not really know how they solve problems with fresh wood), and only on the PC - all of the above + Origin and others.

Last upgrade the computer I did for Battlefield 4 does not complain about this 2000 dollars. However, at the same time, I suffer from the fact that I can not play on this monster in GTA 5 and The Last Of Us. console crush on the PC, making it the most cowardly way - bribe masthead developers make the best games for exclusives consoles. In general, now we can not accurately predict the future of gaming for the PC, but something tells us that even more games in a few years, Windows will not be able to boast of.

Habit. Man, especially with age, it is hard to accept everything new. Habit has not been canceled. The need to be retrained in conjunction with other keyboard shortcuts, a little bit of work and other logic unfamiliar environment can really scare. However, this issue is relevant not only for those who sat under the windows of several years. This is true for any going beyond the comfort zone.

What to do?

Variant, at least two:

1. Wait. Perhaps, Microsoft strongly and resolutely get rid of all this is not too promising heritage and provide a completely different system of new generation. But at what cost? They will have to somehow move all baggage program in the new environment, and to do all this so that they could easily and safely use. Titanic work.
2. Leave. Alternatives are many, and their number continues to grow. I bought a Mac, iPhone and iPad - fashionable and easy. I put the user-friendly Ubuntu or analog - now these systems really stepped forward and they can be given a chance. Google continues to move the Chrome OS, and will soon have to be found next to a cheap laptop, which costs only Chrome - a wonderfully. For most of us, the browser has become so synonymous with the computer everything is logical. Personally, as a gamer, I dream about the PS4 keyboard and mouse + Chromebook for work and the Internet. That would be enough.

The second option, in any case, is conjugate with the inconvenience, especially for those who use Windows-only programs, but if you have no strength to endure, we must act. Successful examples of migration - thousands upon thousands.

Let's help each other

We are interested in your opinion on the issue of change of the underlying operating system. Certainly among you there are those who successfully abandon Windows in favor of another product. Share your stories and experiences in the comments. Maybe they will help someone to rethink the current model of interaction with the computer and move to a more suitable alternative, making thus their lives better.