20 worst windows features of all time

[karellen]

I don't know if this belong to the cafe or to windows discussion subforum, anyway I thought it's an instructive and well-put together list:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,133191-page,1-c,electronics/article.html
:)...enjoy

[dca]

Why did they stop at twenty? Bandwidth?

[karellen]

Why did they stop at twenty? Bandwidth?

:)....probably not to bore the visitors...:D

[Feba]

heheheh. Messenger Service. That was fun...

I love the end. Seriously, whoever thought of ActiveX needs to be shot. And the people that approved it need to be put on permanent water torture, until they starve.

[steven8]

Active Desktop, WGA and Unused Icon notifcation are my least favorite of all those lowlies!!

[Dr. C]

They missed the worst feature in Windows ever:

Digital Rights Management or more correctly Digital Restrictions Management (DRM). DRM is at the root cause of almost all the problems that Windows Vista has.

[MellonCollie]

As for #7


Nobody can argue that the idea behind UAC is crummy: If the computer is about to do something that's potentially risky, it makes sense to verify that the PC's user wants it to happen.

If the person that wrote this thinks that the "idea" behind UAC is a simple "Do you want to run this file/application?" prompt, then the writer is showing a serious lack of knowledge.




DRM is at the root cause of almost all the problems that Windows Vista has.

What problems?

[forrestcupp]

Yeah, the registry is horrible. And I also used to hate the "end task" thing. You have to end the task about ten times before it finally shuts down. And Drivespace, that was horrible. It gave you twice as much hard drive space, but your computer ran twice as slow.

I will say that my wife still loves MS Paint, though. She's a pro at that.

[Tundro Walker]

Yeah, but think of all the positive MS has done...

1) Because of ever-increasing, power-hungry, bloated software, computer hardware has advanced at a miraculous rate

2) By pushing the envelope of technology by always trying to first force folks to do it their way, the industry has had to quickly step up and reinvent the wheel to do it the right way (or at least a better way)

3) Because of a buggy OS laden with security holes, a whole industry of spyware, adware & virus have popped up so folks can make a living conning you into things, or getting your computer to work for them, or...

4) Because of all the spyware, adware & viruses, anti*-makers have popped up to earn a living like a fat tick off your misery

5) Because the OS and related software is so hard to use sometimes (eg: MS Office), a whole industry has popped up to offer "boot camp" training classes at $1000 a pop for 1 day's worth of edumacation


It really is true what Bill says...if he was in the automobile industry, we probably would be driving cars that cost $25 and got 1000 mpg. But, it would be due in large part to sloppiness forcing the kinks to get worked out of the system early. A lot of those 20 issues fall into that same category (Messenger Service, Active Desktop).

See, you need to be positive. You can take any of those complaints and turn them into a back-handed compliment for MS! Much like telling a girl "WOW! It's good to see more low-maintenance girls getting out and about!"

[FuturePilot]

Haha, that 'was funny! Great find!
Some things I found interesting
Microsoft's DoubleSpace was introduced with DOS 6.0 in 1993; after a patent suit by competitor Stac Electronics, it was replaced with a non-infringing twin, DriveSpace, which was part of Windows 95.
Oh the irony.

The Aero user interface, which Microsoft touted as one of the major breakthroughs in Windows Vista, are (mildly) cool when they work as advertised.
Hit the nail on the head. Beryl FTW!

Especially since Mac OS X's equivalent feature, Force Quit, manages to work perfectly every time.
It also works perfectly every time in Linux in the rare event of a program freezing.

UAC in practice, however, is incredibly clunky
sudo much better.

[daynah]

Worst feature is definately on that list... how long it takes to shut down. When I say shut down, I mean shut down. Not update. I mean... you are a laptop and class just ended and I need to close you, put you in a hot bag for 12 hours, so you need to be OFF.

NOW!

[tgbrowning]

The one I hate the most was only indirectly alluded to: That blasted piece of spyware Windows Malicious Software Patch. Every time you turn around Windows is telling you they've got this bloody update.

[bchaffin72]

I remember Win95 add-on USB "support". My installation of Win95 was one of those that did destroy itself trying to enable USB. I never bothered to even try repairing it, just reformatted and installed WIn98SE.

[Feba]

I never bothered to even try repairing it, just reformatted and installed WIn98SE.

So *that's* how Microsoft gets people to buy new versions, just break the old ones.

Linux should try that, we could pull in a lot more profit that way.

[Dr. C]

What problems?

An excellent summary of the problems caused by DRM in Vista can be found at

http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/~pgut001/pubs/vista_cost.html

Here are just a few

Windows XP applications that do not work with Vista because of the security. If this was about protecting the user why not make the user make the choice? But if is is about DRM then the user who is not trusted cannot be given the choice.

Windows XP drivers that do not work with Vista because of the security. Same reason as with applications.

Direct Sound is not supported in Vista. Again DRM

Yes if your printer does not work in Vista or that copy of Quickbooks does not work with Vista the DRM in Vista is to blame.

[joe.turion64x2]

heheheh. Messenger Service. That was fun...

I love the end. Seriously, whoever thought of ActiveX needs to be shot. And the people that approved it need to be put on permanent water torture, until they starve.
Why waste water? They can be hung, all of them using the same lace (making turns perhaps).

[bchaffin72]

So *that's* how Microsoft gets people to buy new versions, just break the old ones.

There may be more truth there than we know.

[Erik Trybom]

HAHAHA! I'd almost forgot!

"New programs installed. There are unused icons on your desktop. Wireless networks detected." I can't believe how much unnecessary information are forced upon people every day by those stupid balloons.

The best, of course, is the dialogue telling you to restart your computer - which cannot be turned off! I've suffered through several power-point assisted lectures (none of my own, thankfully) where an embarrassed professor tries to hide the notification in a corner of the screen. That's comedy.

Sometimes Linux seems so blissful.

[mthakur2006]

They forgot windows itself ha ha ha :)

[ceelo]

Some people gripe about how long Windows takes to boot up. Us, we're more aggravated by how long it takes to shut down--and how often it seems to just give up before it's completed the job. Microsoft says that shutting down works better in Vista, and it seems to--but we still get puzzled by the array of different ways to end a Windows session. (Here's a fascinating and revealing blog post by a former Microsoft developer who worked on Vista's Shut Down menu.)

QFT. I've just realized how long it takes to shut down, after having reinstalled Windows. To it's credit, it starts up in less than 5 seconds (the bar scrolls across about 1.5 times), but it takes forever by comparison to shut down. I have an older system that is pretty much on it's last legs and it doesn't shut down at all if you do anything extensive while logged in (that is, actually use any programs).

[SunnyRabbiera]

well for me the notification bubbles were mildly irritating, I didnt think it was a bad idea for MS to make it, after all people do accidentally unplug devices and it can harm those devices.
But the most annoying one is the blasted "there are unused icons" thing.... SOOOOOOOOOOO annoying :roll:](*,)#-o

[FuturePilot]

That thing is terrible. If you X it out it comes back 10 seconds later. It won't go away until you start the wizard then cancel it. I don't like my computer cleaning my desktop for me. I clean it when I'm ready and how I want!:p

[samschoice]

The following really slowed down my business every day:
Virus Scans,
Defrags,

I'm not a big fan of the terminology either: "My computer" "My documents", it always seemed too baby to me.
Another thing I never liked about Windows is when you first get the machine too: Its pre-loaded with AOL and Disney icons. Also not a big fan of the spy-ware that every application and his brother seems to load.

[SunnyRabbiera]

well I do like the "my computer/ my pictures/ my music/ my documents" thing, as it does have a more welcoming feel then just "doccuments" or "music"

[MellonCollie]

Here are just a few

Windows XP applications that do not work with Vista because of the security. If this was about protecting the user why not make the user make the choice? But if is is about DRM then the user who is not trusted cannot be given the choice.

Unless I'm completely misunderstanding you, the 'security' of which you speak has nothing to do with DRM, and everything to do with Vista being strict about where applications can/cannot write to when it comes to files, directories, and the registry. If a developer of a particular piece of software is saying that they can't/won't update their old software to run on Vista, it's probably because they want you to part with some cash for their newest, shiniest version.


This leads on to your final point...


Yes if your printer does not work in Vista or that copy of Quickbooks does not work with Vista the DRM in Vista is to blame.

Wrong. Read this (http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=413), and my previous point might make more sense. The problem isn't Vista, the problem is the lazy/sloppy developers of Quickbooks. As for printer drivers, it's a similar kind of thing. (http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2007/04/heres_why_your_hp_printer_still_doesnt_have_v_1.ht ml)(Notice in that article that they, HP, didn't have some scanner/printer drivers for XP ready until 9 months after the OS was released.)



Windows XP drivers that do not work with Vista because of the security. Same reason as with applications. .

Why should you expect XP drivers to work with Vista?



Direct Sound is not supported in Vista.

True, but more and more games are using OpenAL (which has full hardware acceleration in Vista). Creative's ALchemy (http://connect.creativelabs.com/alchemy/default.aspx) does DirectSound on certain cards in Vista.

[Feba]

Its pre-loaded with AOL and Disney icons.

that has nothing to do with windows, that's from the companies that make the computers (although that isn't saying windows itself doesn't have bloatware, it's just not quite so noticible)

A clean install of windows is nowhere near so bad. if you want to replicate the experience without building your own computer, try buying from an off brand name. I have a medion computer, I don't believe it had any bloat on it when I first got it, and reinstalling with the manufacturer's disc doesn't add any bloat either.

[vexorian]

20. Drivespace: Hey this was good for me back in windows 95 times... then I noticed zipping the files saved as much space and was more portable...
19. Movie maker, I didn't mess with it.

16. Jikes, I like paint...
15. aero! I'd like to know if emerald has as horrible system requirements since it(emerald) is actually pretty smooth in my comp...
14. Active desktop: I can't help but wonder why it barely got a 14th it could easily get 5th imo

XP Search: Didn't have much issues with it, I just skiped to "all files and directories"}


11. This was just cruel, I miss windows 3.11's filemanager I really do.

9. WGA: This should be first IMO , MS abusing the automonopoly to actually spend time and resources in making an unfeature just out of greediness, in any competitive world companies would never do that.
UAC is like a sudo ripoff, only that you need it for even the most trivial tasks and it shows flashy colors on the screen.

8. indeed, thank god it was fixed in XP
7. UAC, imho it is just a dumbified sudo, that is required for the most trivial things and also uses some color flashes and more and more crazy stuff...

5. Messenger service! This deserved place Zero! if that's actually possible...

4. My favorite notification is "You are not using an antivirus, don't expect your computer to survive"

3. IE! lol
2.uh my god, the registry, recovering windows would be so easy if every program used its own config file, when I see people complaining about Linux's tendency to use config files I want to cry after all the issues the registry has caused me...

1. All right, I must accept activeX was a perfect first place.

I got my own feature complaints:
- Taskbar task grouping: That's terrible, it is the first thing I disable after I install XP, gnome and KDE have beaten windows regarding task organization ages ago, 4 virtual desktops is something so basic to me...

- Removing extensions of files! Yeah, even though everything is based on NT or DOS' ways of making double click and file type depend on extensions, ever since windows 95 MS decided "extensions are evil" and just removes file extensions of known types so people get used to icons! The result is, an outstanding number of viruses that are executable files with innocent looking icons. Yay! it even allowed my brother to infect my computer the other day...

- DRM! yet another un-feature that proves MS can make absolute crap and still sell millions.

- MSOffice assistants! Huh? How come clippo is missing from the list? Uh I see, MSOffice is not part of windows. Yeah, right...

- Policies: Yay let administrators restrict stuff, but Also let programs restrict stuff, the mere fact a program alone can make you unable to change the wallpaper is so nice! And it is also the fact that policy editors were always very hidden windows features that very few users know about...

[xpod]

A clean install of windows is nowhere near so bad.

Depends what Windows eh:p??
A clean install of XP is only a couple of gig or so but the recent clean install of Vista i had for a couple of months took up 14G before i`d even touched it if i remember correctly.:shock:

A couple of my friends and neighbours have new pre-installed Vista machines which use up about 20G right off the bat.......features & freebies eh.
One even has some pi** poor "Vista capable" thing with a processor in the Mhz,512Mb of RAM and a 40G hardrive,Thats less than my old desktop here and i know how badly Vista run on this for the couple of months i had it on here.

Personally i could never figure out why i had to hit the start button in XP to turn the thing off:-k

[ryanVickers]

I've compiled my own list, and there is also quite a discussion of other problems if your interested! (link in signature)

[stimpack]

Oh yes notifications, I remember things like 'Network Cable Unplugged', I used to scream internally, 'I KNOW!! IM REBOOTING THE ROUTER, STFU!'

Registry, this is just bad design, applications should be as self contained as possible with user specific settings in a users directory and global settings in the programs directory. Registry is a nasty nasty idea.

Drivespace... Disk compression is always tempting, as is disk encryption, but disk reliabilty goes out the window as the data is not resiliant to minor errors anymore.

Active Desktop... used to annoy me that you had to enable it to use a JPEG wallpaper...

UAC, I dunno, its kinda silly, but the main problem with any kind of access control on Windows is the demographics of Windows users. These people will never get on with anything like this.

[DR_K13]

For me

1 - Windows in general

[ryanVickers]

It's everything in my list I think! It gets slower, it's not secure, stable, too expensive for what it's worth (they should pay you to use it! :p), noisy, inefficient, slow, stupid design of things, which leads to other problems, the fact it's from micro$oft and all the strings attached...

[smoker]

heh, why's wga only at No 9?

i also hated those pop up notification bubbles, till i learnt to turn them off:D

BSOD error code terminology should be in there somewhere in the top 20;) maybe they have a 'special' category for those:D

[starcraft.man]

The registry, IE6 and activeX all deserve the top spot as the most harmful technologies MS ever implemented. WIthout those 3 the world would have been a much happier place a long time ago.

Oh and winner of the annoyance award goes to the painfully obvious notifications that all Windows PC's feel obligated to do (i.e. "You just plugged in a USB device.... Windows is installing drivers.... Device is ready to use." I swear, the idiot that thought we the user (average or advanced) would have to see that every time must have been high or ADD. I'm happy in Linux it "just works" ;).

[Arathorn]

My two favourite annoyances:
"There are unused icons on your desktop."
Aaargh! It's my computer and I put those icons there, so I'll decide when I don't need them anymore!
"The computer needs to be restarted to complete the updates"
Microsoft thinks it's okay to wait up to a month before issuing a patch, but when they do and I've installed it, they've got to nag me every two minutes to make me restart. Don't they think I've got anything better to do? Luckily you can increase the wait time between two nags infinitely, but how many Windows users know that?

[grossespinne]

One of the most annoying features for me is autorun. I mean, when I insert a CD I want absolutely NOTHING to happen until I open that CD myself. In fact this is always the first option I disable immediately after reinstalling Windows.
Another especially annoying thing is that I cannot run the control panel as an Administrator when I am logged in as a user so if I want to change a setting or just remove a program I have to log out and log in again as an administrator although it would have been quite easy to add a Run As item also to the control panel.

But one feature I really miss is multiple desktop. The powertoy implementing it has a constant number of 4 desktops and it is a bit slow when switching them. And there are some windows which appear in all four dektops.

[joe.turion64x2]

My two favourite annoyances:
"There are unused icons on your desktop."
Aaargh! It's my computer and I put those icons there, so I'll decide when I don't need them anymore!
"The computer needs to be restarted to complete the updates"
Microsoft thinks it's okay to wait up to a month before issuing a patch, but when they do and I've installed it, they've got to nag me every two minutes to make me restart. Don't they think I've got anything better to do? Luckily you can increase the wait time between two nags infinitely, but how many Windows users know that?
I believe desktop icons consume RAM and Windows is always needing it. I think that is an 'improvement' to free RAM.

[thisllub]

The registry should be number 1.

Remember the secret SignOrSeal hack to get Samba working?

Or the wonderful things that install themselves in
HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run


# 2 would be Norton's Anti-Virus. A product that seemed to come pre-installed on all Windows systems that would delete all your emails then stop your system from booting.

[prizrak]

HAHAHA! I'd almost forgot!

"New programs installed. There are unused icons on your desktop. Wireless networks detected." I can't believe how much unnecessary information are forced upon people every day by those stupid balloons.

The best, of course, is the dialogue telling you to restart your computer - which cannot be turned off! I've suffered through several power-point assisted lectures (none of my own, thankfully) where an embarrassed professor tries to hide the notification in a corner of the screen. That's comedy.

Sometimes Linux seems so blissful.

Ubuntu has some of those as well but here is my annoyance with it. In Ubuntu the notification shows up and couple of seconds later it's gone. In Windows you actually have to stop what you are doing and click on the little X.

[Tundro Walker]

...Why should you expect XP drivers to work with Vista?...

That, in and of itself, pretty much sums up the Windows dilemma! LOL!

[init1]

It also works perfectly every time in Linux in the rare event of a program freezing.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=482673
No, apps freeze (not necessarily in Ubuntu) and can't always be killed.

[a12ctic]

Okay, somethign that was missing was the terrible install process, to install windows XP it took me 1 restart to format disks, one to install it, one to create users, and another for drivers. Completely outrageous.

[ryanVickers]

I think your forgetting about 1 per every 3 programs! :p

Where as ubuntu, once for install, then for drivers, then your done! (except for kernals)

[a12ctic]

I've never had to restart for drivers on ubuntu? The nvidia drivers simply require a ctrl+alt+backspace to restart x.

[hellomeow]

The only thing that I do not like about Windows is its questionable ability to handle processes which consume unusually large amounts of memory. Other then that, I think it is actually *gasp* a very pleasant operating environment to use.

[Polygon]

ahahaha, im reading this and #8, end task shows the guy trying to end pidgin =P

ive noticed that the end task thing never works, but if you go into processes, select the process and click "end" then that works like every time. strange though.

[init1]

Yeah, but think of all the positive MS has done...

1) Because of ever-increasing, power-hungry, bloated software, computer hardware has advanced at a miraculous rate

2) By pushing the envelope of technology by always trying to first force folks to do it their way, the industry has had to quickly step up and reinvent the wheel to do it the right way (or at least a better way)

3) Because of a buggy OS laden with security holes, a whole industry of spyware, adware & virus have popped up so folks can make a living conning you into things, or getting your computer to work for them, or...

4) Because of all the spyware, adware & viruses, anti*-makers have popped up to earn a living like a fat tick off your misery

5) Because the OS and related software is so hard to use sometimes (eg: MS Office), a whole industry has popped up to offer "boot camp" training classes at $1000 a pop for 1 day's worth of edumacation


It really is true what Bill says...if he was in the automobile industry, we probably would be driving cars that cost $25 and got 1000 mpg. But, it would be due in large part to sloppiness forcing the kinks to get worked out of the system early. A lot of those 20 issues fall into that same category (Messenger Service, Active Desktop).

See, you need to be positive. You can take any of those complaints and turn them into a back-handed compliment for MS! Much like telling a girl "WOW! It's good to see more low-maintenance girls getting out and about!"
Don't forget the computer repair people, they also make a living off of Windows.

[vexorian]

I believe desktop icons consume RAM and Windows is always needing it. I think that is an 'improvement' to free RAM.

Seriously doubt it.

I have like 400 icons in my windows desktop and it is still as fast as when I installed it. Either way how much RAM would it use? 200 KB? That's a joke for the 250MB of RAM era...

[vexorian]

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=482673
No, apps freeze (not necessarily in Ubuntu) and can't always be killed.
Should have used sudo, since synaptic is most likely ran by super user... It would be kind of senseless to expect a normal user to be able to kill it

[joe.turion64x2]

Seriously doubt it.

I have like 400 icons in my windows desktop and it is still as fast as when I installed it. Either way how much RAM would it use? 200 KB? That's a joke for the 250MB of RAM era...

Can not imagine such a desktop, it must be frightening and if each icon accounts for a program...you should have a damn fast machine...a Windows with 400+ program should be quite slow.

[Dr. C]

Unless I'm completely misunderstanding you, the 'security' of which you speak has nothing to do with DRM, and everything to do with Vista being strict about where applications can/cannot write to when it comes to files, directories, and the registry. If a developer of a particular piece of software is saying that they can't/won't update their old software to run on Vista, it's probably because they want you to part with some cash for their newest, shiniest version.

Actually it is both. The security has everything to do with DRM. In order for the DRM to work the untrusted user must not be permitted to allow an application write to certain parts of the registry, load untrusted (by Microsoft and its DRM partners ) drivers, patch the kernel etc. The key issue here is that the DRM does not permit giving the user the choice because the user is not trusted even in Administrator mode. As to the application writer wanting to be compensated that is understandable since we a dealing with a propriety application where all the cost of development are borne by the one company. Microsoft on the other hand did get paid for Vista so they should fix the problems Vista creates.

This leads on to your final point...
Wrong. Read this (http://blogs.zdnet.com/Ou/?p=413), and my previous point might make more sense. The problem isn't Vista, the problem is the lazy/sloppy developers of Quickbooks. As for printer drivers, it's a similar kind of thing. (http://blogs.chron.com/techblog/archives/2007/04/heres_why_your_hp_printer_still_doesnt_have_v_1.ht ml)(Notice in that article that they, HP, didn't have some scanner/printer drivers for XP ready until 9 months after the OS was released.).

I am familiar Quickbooks article you mention. The trouble is that Quickbooks goes into places that may be used to tamper with the DRM so it must not be allowed to run in Vista regardless of the fact that one of the most popular small business accounting packages out there. As for the HP example you quote also give the reason why HP has to hold back. If Microsoft keeps moving the goalposts it makes a lot of sense for HP to wait for stability before going to the expense of writing drivers for Vista.


Why should you expect XP drivers to work with Vista?

Well if the FLOSS community can make Windows XP drivers work with Linux then it is not that difficult for Microsoft to make XP drivers work with Vista. The real issue is that Microsoft cannot let an untrusted end user load an XP driver into Vista that can tamper with the DRM


True, but more and more games are using OpenAL (which has full hardware acceleration in Vista). Creative's ALchemy (http://connect.creativelabs.com/alchemy/default.aspx) does DirectSound on certain cards in Vista.

Yes I do agree FLOSS is certainly a solution to Vista woes. OpenAL is licensend under the GNU LGPL. Of course one can go all the way and get rid of the DRM laden propriety OS altogether and go with a FLOSS solution such as Ubuntu as many here have already done or are in the process of doing.

[vexorian]

Well the way I see, in the case of Vista, MS and the content providers are the customers, and the guys that buy vista are the product

[Tundro Walker]

I think the overall main bad feature I'm hearing about Windows, well, Microsoft in general, even if folks don't directly say it, is that MS does a really good job of making its customers feel neglected and like they're being held hostage by the nether regions.

If MS would spend less time on corporate beauracracy, decision-by-committee BS, and/or patent infringement threats, and actually do something useful like listen to their customers, fix what people are complaining about, and stop adding more features until the old ones actually work, I think there'd be less folks complaining about which features suck the most.

Ubuntu still has bugs to work out, but you don't see a "top 20 features in Ubuntu that suck" thread. That's because the Ubuntu dev's actually listen to the users, and *GASP, GOD FORBID* work with them (!) to solve problems and get things done.

I view it like this. If someone comes into my house and eats my food without asking, I'm gonna be ticked. But, if they ask first, I will always give them something to eat. I relate this to Windows and Ubuntu, because people are ticked that they feel like the test-users for Windows...they feel like they basically shelled out a lot of money to be QA for Microsoft's buggy OS. But, with Ubuntu, you know from the start that you're signing on to do that. You're not paying for the product, so don't get too suprised if you find an issue. But, you know what, if you do find an issue, Ubuntu dev's are more than willing to hear about it and toss it in the list of issues to work on (which we can all see at any time we want by just going to Launch Pad! What a freakin' concept! It's like Whole Food, and how they posted all the salaries of their employees in a book for anyone to look at, that way there's no question who's getting what. It's public info! It's a good idea, and I think Ubuntu dev's publicly showing the bug list, how it's prioritized and being worked, then asking folks to voulenteer for QA work...genius!)

[karellen]

I think the overall main bad feature I'm hearing about Windows, well, Microsoft in general, even if folks don't directly say it, is that MS does a really good job of making its customers feel neglected and like they're being held hostage by the nether regions.

If MS would spend less time on corporate beauracracy, decision-by-committee BS, and/or patent infringement threats, and actually do something useful like listen to their customers, fix what people are complaining about, and stop adding more features until the old ones actually work, I think there'd be less folks complaining about which features suck the most.

Ubuntu still has bugs to work out, but you don't see a "top 20 features in Ubuntu that suck" thread. That's because the Ubuntu dev's actually listen to the users, and *GASP, GOD FORBID* work with them (!) to solve problems and get things done.

I view it like this. If someone comes into my house and eats my food without asking, I'm gonna be ticked. But, if they ask first, I will always give them something to eat. I relate this to Windows and Ubuntu, because people are ticked that they feel like the test-users for Windows...they feel like they basically shelled out a lot of money to be QA for Microsoft's buggy OS. But, with Ubuntu, you know from the start that you're signing on to do that. You're not paying for the product, so don't get too suprised if you find an issue. But, you know what, if you do find an issue, Ubuntu dev's are more than willing to hear about it and toss it in the list of issues to work on (which we can all see at any time we want by just going to Launch Pad! What a freakin' concept! It's like Whole Food, and how they posted all the salaries of their employees in a book for anyone to look at, that way there's no question who's getting what. It's public info! It's a good idea, and I think Ubuntu dev's publicly showing the bug list, how it's prioritized and being worked, then asking folks to voulenteer for QA work...genius!)

so very true :)
seems to me that people forget too often the nature of Linux and want it to run perfectly when even a commercial OS like Windows has a lot of bugs, holes and glitches

[konungursvia]

My most favourite thing to hate about windows is the windows explorer program, especially how it tries to control the user and always default opens to "My Documents" which is not where I put MY documents.

[Depressed Man]

Ooh..yeah I hated that. As for the UAC..thank god I found how to turn it off (and reactive the hidden Admin account that grants you REAL admin, not Vista admin which limits you still). If only the UAC was like Ubuntu's password prompt. Only coming up on real issues and not every little program running. -_-

[Dr. C]

Well the way I see, in the case of Vista, MS and the content providers are the customers, and the guys that buy vista are the product

I agree. When Microsoft went the DRM route starting in 2000 the the users of Windows became the product and not the customer, and one cannot expect a company to listen to its product.

[joe.turion64x2]

Originally Posted by vexorian
Well the way I see, in the case of Vista, MS and the content providers are the customers, and the guys that buy vista are the product
I have not seen a product which pays for the privilege of being so.

[coffeecat]

Goodness me. That link was a nightmare trip down memory lane, but it didn't list the absolutely worst feature of Windows. It was when they disabled 'format C:\' from the command line. :wink:

[lisati]

Anyone else remember GEM by Xerox. I seem to remember something a few years ago about Microsoft not being too happy about it, even though the versions I've used bore a greater visual similarity to early Mac GUIs...

[shanaza]

In Windows 3.1, one could install / uninstall programs by adding / removing the program folders, much like one does on a MAC. Win 95 and beyond made it impossible to isolate programs and make them portable. Cannot port programs from an old to new computer using same OS; cannot port to newer hard drive without cloning the whole thing ... what crap.

[arashiko28]

I am officially in my 45th day without windows, and could not be happier!!! I agree with the #1 ActiveX is just a pain in the... well imagine, not to mention the security holes in Internet Explorer, one of the big reasons why I decided to use firefox as soon as knew about it.

[Swab]

The thing that drives me up the wall the most about Windows is that during the install you are asked about 20 times for locale information...

Where are you? What keyboard? What language? Then a while later just when you thought the ordeal was over, what time zone? Well lets have a think... I'm in the UK, my keyboard is UK, and my language is UK English SO WHY THE HELL WOULD MY TIMEZONE BE TIJUANA?!?

[Omnios]

heheheh. Messenger Service. That was fun...

I love the end. Seriously, whoever thought of ActiveX needs to be shot. And the people that approved it need to be put on permanent water torture, until they starve.

ActiveX was an interesting idea thats implimentation was totally flawed giving web access to your Win computer. That should not have happened.

You can complain about the win registry all you want and it will never go away. Though a total pain in the rear and a source of huge problems or rather user inability to fix problems as a business model it pushed Windows forward. The registry allowed Microsoft to impliment shareware control for software developers who flocked to making programs with trial versions for windows knowing in 30 days the user will have to pay. This also lead to hacks and cracks but still that multi day trial pushed WIndows forward bringing in huge amounts of software developers.

[blastus]

ActiveX was an interesting idea thats implimentation was totally flawed giving web access to your Win computer. That should not have happened.

And yet there are idiots who argue that there are no security concerns with visiting a website and having an ActiveX control run with the same permissions as the logged in user. That it is no different than visiting a website, downloading an executable, and running it on your computer.

If these idiots who argue that there is really nothing wrong with ActiveX as it is implemented (specifically, the necessary requirement that the ActiveX control be run with the same permissions as the logged in user or it doesn't run at all), they can't explain why Microsoft has chosen to sandbox ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer 7 on Vista. It is obvious that Microsoft now thinks the sandbox approach (similar to the way Java applets have always worked) is a more secure approach.

Anyone who argues against sandboxing applications (where differentiating security permissions are required to run outside the sandbox like read a file off your machine, connect to another host etc...) running in a web browser can take their drive-by-downloads and stick it.