The Windows Operating System

WSRL.ORG / Rural Colorado, Wiindows Operating System - January 2008 - Page 1

Let me start off by saying I'm neither a fan of Bill Gates nor the Windows operating system. I will try, as hard as it might be, to remain objective in the information I present.

Bill Gates

According to the latest market surveys, the Windows operating system, for desktop applications, holds approximately 92% of the market. This commanding lead is in spite of on-going concerns regarding security issues, especially in regard to the Windows e-mail system.

Windows Costs, Activation Hassles & Other Issues -

Microsoft's most basic XP home edition runs in the $85.00 area not including shipping. Adding a simple office package without any type of graphics capability runs approximately $!60.00. A full "Professional" business office package minus Cd's runs in the $290.00 area. Cd's can be purchased from Microsoft for additional cost. Both the operating system software and the office application software needs to be "activated" for it to function beyond 30 days. A broadband connection to the Internet is highly advised so program security updates can be downloaded and installed on a regular and automatic basis. Without reading the license material, business costs are based on a per seat basis. In the home environment, I believe one additional install is allowed before additional copies of the software need to be purchased. Purchased PC's generally include one of more "recovery disks" that allow the software package to be reloaded should something serious happen. The problem with this approach is that applications loaded after the machine was purchased along with newly created data files will more than likely be lost in the process.

Kill IE6 Movement Aug. 2009 -

The real villans here are people that continue to use Microsoft® code rather than update to something reasonable. A typical website pleading for the public to change can be viewed at this site. For additional links see the links section to the right.

Hardware Requirements -

Without question, Vista, the latest version of Windows, is a known resource hog. It runs best on fast PC's equipped with powerful processors. A recent report suggests that only about one third of all corporate PC's currently (1-1-08) have 1 Gig of memory installed as suggested by Microsoft. Unfortunately, the term powerful processors typically translates into large power supplies and high relative levels of heat loss (energy usage). Beyond this, I believe a standard PC hardware configuration will suffice for most home applications.

Security Issues -

Being by far the most used software in the world, Windows software has been a plump and very attractive target for hacker and thieves worldwide. The Russians are suspected of being the biggest fans of the Windows operating system. Reports suggest that they were successful in pulling off a major bank heist from a Swedish bank. The cause of this heist is detailed on the f-secure website. Following is the list you absolutely do not want to be on. If you use Windows, it's probably a good idea to keep an eye on the Government Cyber Security Alerts page for vulnerabilities in the Microsoft programs.

Please continue to next page - - Linux -- Hardware -- Ethernet

MS Windows Links
July 2009