Wolf in sheep's clothing.

http://www.badvista.org

It isn't about Linux fanaticism -- and there are equally free alternatives to Linux as well, such as Haiku and Solaris.

It's about getting the word about about exactly what is wrong with Vista, and what the average computer user can do about it.

This I admit: Vista does pretty much everything the way that most people want it to. It runs programs pretty well. It's fairly stable. it is pretty. It will probably be the most used operating system on desktops and laptops worldwide within a few years. It does more or less what people have come to expect Windows to do.

This is the proverbial sheep's clothing. Microsoft is sneaking it onto your computer by saying "Seriously guys, it's just an improved Windows platform!"

Rather than try to explain what is wrong with Vista, and why it is in fact not an improvement, I encourage everybody who reads this to visit the BadVista campaign's website, where many well-written articles on the subject are posted to and linked to. All in all, they reveal what Vista really is: a wolf, poised to strike at the heart of what computer users TRULY expect: to be in control of their computers, and to own a machine that does what they want it to do.

That's what I mean by "wolf in sheep's clothing". It may look like good ole' Windows, with the few hiccups, bugs, and security vulnerabilities that we've come to expect over the years. But in fact, it's something much more sinister and threatening. More info at BadVista.

Seriously man. I think you're cool but this constant windows-bashing linux-promoting is getting really old.

We get it- windows sucks. Every windows user knows that. We all know we'd be far better off running some linux variant.

The only thing that changes my mind when I think about installing linux on my PC? You guys. The people who constantly send this stream of pro-linux propaganda (let's face it, your preaching is just as bad as an advert for MS and if you deny that then you'd be deluded) our way... how does it feel to be the digital equivalent of jehova's witnesses? =P

I know linux users who are quiet and go about their business without bothering me. They'll answer my questions about linux and talk about how they prefer it to windows. But they don't have this weird, self-righteous campaign every time the word "windows" is mentioned to try and convert any non-believers. Those kind of of linux users are good.
On the other hand, those who are irritatingly vocal about linux hurt their precious cause, not further it.

It's a bit like all those people who rant about vegitarianism being the only moral option in terms of food. It just makes me want to take yet another bite out of my big, juicy steak.

Godwin's law wins again.

You're correct that many Linux users really love their favorite distro, similarly to how Apple fan boys really love OS X; but this isn't a comparison of Windows to Apple to Linux distribution X or Y. I don't see how pointing out a hidden major danger in an important new software package makes me a crazy Linux evangelist, and there is not even a trace of "Windows sucks and doesn't work" going on here, so screaming loudly about how Windows "just works" is irrelevant to what I'm saying.

Vista is the beginning of a huge movement towards Windows software that places restrictions, motivated by politics and money rather than any technical issues, on its user base. It's the beginning of a future where Microsoft, not the computer owner, determines the bounds within which your computer can operate.

What I'm asking readers here, (and what I'm asking you personally, Critical) is "are you okay with that?". If you could care less who is truly in control of your computer as long as you can still look at pr0n, play games, and use Microsoft Word, then that says something. If it stirs some uneasiness in you, then you have you ask "what can I do about it?".

I'll get it out of the way fast: you could switch to 100% free software. Go, as they say, cold turkey. Cut Microsoft completely out of your life.

"Wait a damn second", you say. That's drastic. That's inconvenient. No way I'm going to go through with that. Quit being a damn Linux fanatic.

Fine, Elation. Fine, Critical. That's all I'll say about Linux, or any operating system other than Windows. We're now totally within win32 territory.

First, you have an advantage because you now know there is a danger. You now will have cause to think, every time a new restrictive "feature" is added to Windows, about how that feature is affecting your freedom and privacy. Just having the knowledge empowers you, without any drastic changes.

Then, you can start adopting open standards one by one. Try Firefox as a replacement for IE. Try Abiword and Gnumeric as replacements for Word and Excel, respectively -- or try OpenOffice as a wholesale replacement for Microsoft Office.

Convert the data most important to you to free formats -- start with your music library, for example. FLAC is an alternative to lossless WMA or AAC, and Ogg Vorbis is an alternative to mp3. Ogg Theora is an alternative to WMV and AVI video formats. Word documents can easily be translated into the international standard Open Document Format.

This really is an easier approach than complete transition away from Windows. You still have the operating system you're familiar with, and you can install and test these new options while still having your other programs on standby in case something fails.

And, most importantly, when the day eventually comes that you want to get out of Microsoft land, the switch will be much less burdensome. If you already use free formats and are already accustomed to free applications, then using those same formats outside of win32 land will be a relatively simple task. You won't be subject to the lockdown and technological tyranny that will be experienced by most Windows users. You will get out cleanly while others struggle. And, if the day to abandon ship never comes, you have lost nothing by using free software on Windows, but have rather gained an expanded view of what software is available.

It's about freedom -- if you don't fight for it, you will lose it. Full stop.

The wall of text makes you crazy

but most of us what something that just works.

Why are you using Windows, then?

Windows is good in its own ways. Linux is good in other ways. That sums it up.

I could argue the same point against Windows. My laptop works 99% on Linux stock, and only requires me to install a graphics driver. Windows, however, requires a driver for the Wifi, the graphics, the touch pad, the ethernet, the special media keys, and many of the function keys.

As you can see, Windows has the exact same problem as Linux. More often than not, Linux natively supports hardware before Windows. Linux does suffer from lack of 3rd party driver support, but it is better at first party drivers. It's give and take. However, this is getting much better rather quickly. Linux is catching up with Windows on 3rd party driver support, and still has it beat in first. With companies like Dell jumping on the Linux boat, it's just a mater of time. Dell alone brings a lot of extra driver support(They use a wide range of hardware, and many of the drivers go cross-manufacturer).