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I didn't realize it's gotten this bad with MS
OK, Most of you know me as a frequent poster around here, although I'm about as technically unschooled as they come. What I've learned is what I needed to know, and what got me here was the need to solve a problem. I had so much fun getting it done and following other knowledge around that I just stayed and learned a lot.
The above is to lay down a clear disclaimer that I am not a computer tech.
--But I have learned, over the years, how to tear one down, The basics of hardware installation and upgrading, and I've built 6 or so custom rigs for myself and a few friends.--Nothing fancy, just helping folks out.
So here's the rant:
A fellow in my company asked for my help setting him up with a PC that would replace his old IBM AS400 dumb terminal.
"Well sure" I say, chest sticking out. "No problem, we'll slap that emulation card in there and have you surfing the net within the day"
Hah!!!!
Being basically lazy, and in a hurry, I figured any ol' machine would serve his needs which was simply to support an AS400 emulation card and let him check e-mail. For the first time in the last 5 years, I went out and bought a "packaged" machine.
Got him one of those Compaq "Internet Computers" 'cause it was the only one at the low end that would admit it had expansion slots on the outside of the box--with cheapo's you just never know, y'know.
So I'm back to the office in a flash, 15 minutes to unpack--press the power button for the first time, hear that reassuring "click" and sit back grinning, waiting on my first display.
To my Horror, the desktop finally fills the screen with a total of 20 shortcuts, 8 systray items, and a nagger, insisting that I phone home to register before proceeding. Have we become such sheep that we put up with this S**T??? How in the world would a first-timer possibly sort through all of this desktop garbage and start working?? Especially if such person wished to avoid the virus-ridden perils of "Outlook Express" and IE????
I'm no lover of Netscape, but it was my own judgement that since this guy would be calling me for learning and help, I wanted the program I knew best running on his machine so I could talk him through problems over the intercom instead of constantly running over to the next building.
The rant is almost over
Even though NS was installed (but with no sortcut)--I've never seen a situation where one program was "pushed" into the face of the consumer over another in a more blatant way!!!.
NS never once loaded a page, couldn't find our mail server, and locked up. OK--Head into preferences and double check settings and .... WTF? Half of the options are greyed out, --you can't even set your own preference for home page---OK, this is clearly a modified "Compaq"ed version.
Dum da dum dum
Uninstall NS and reinstall the full version from my trusty CD. Simple, right?
I'll spare you the rest of the story...you've heard it all before. No NS, No IE--Hardlock on first web page with IE, Program lock on first page for NS...A red-faced former "friend" wondering why he asked me for help...and I'm facing at least a full day to install my own generic Win98, find all the proprietary drivers (Compaq bundles them on a "recovery CD" with no instructions) and pray.
As Paddy said several months ago "Bill Gates IS evil" and the big consumer comp makers are his evil minions.
Rant off!! Thanks. (Tim goes back to the couch to smoke.)
The above is to lay down a clear disclaimer that I am not a computer tech.
--But I have learned, over the years, how to tear one down, The basics of hardware installation and upgrading, and I've built 6 or so custom rigs for myself and a few friends.--Nothing fancy, just helping folks out.
So here's the rant:
A fellow in my company asked for my help setting him up with a PC that would replace his old IBM AS400 dumb terminal.
"Well sure" I say, chest sticking out. "No problem, we'll slap that emulation card in there and have you surfing the net within the day"
Hah!!!!
Being basically lazy, and in a hurry, I figured any ol' machine would serve his needs which was simply to support an AS400 emulation card and let him check e-mail. For the first time in the last 5 years, I went out and bought a "packaged" machine.
Got him one of those Compaq "Internet Computers" 'cause it was the only one at the low end that would admit it had expansion slots on the outside of the box--with cheapo's you just never know, y'know.
So I'm back to the office in a flash, 15 minutes to unpack--press the power button for the first time, hear that reassuring "click" and sit back grinning, waiting on my first display.
To my Horror, the desktop finally fills the screen with a total of 20 shortcuts, 8 systray items, and a nagger, insisting that I phone home to register before proceeding. Have we become such sheep that we put up with this S**T??? How in the world would a first-timer possibly sort through all of this desktop garbage and start working?? Especially if such person wished to avoid the virus-ridden perils of "Outlook Express" and IE????
I'm no lover of Netscape, but it was my own judgement that since this guy would be calling me for learning and help, I wanted the program I knew best running on his machine so I could talk him through problems over the intercom instead of constantly running over to the next building.
The rant is almost over
Even though NS was installed (but with no sortcut)--I've never seen a situation where one program was "pushed" into the face of the consumer over another in a more blatant way!!!.
NS never once loaded a page, couldn't find our mail server, and locked up. OK--Head into preferences and double check settings and .... WTF? Half of the options are greyed out, --you can't even set your own preference for home page---OK, this is clearly a modified "Compaq"ed version.
Dum da dum dum
Uninstall NS and reinstall the full version from my trusty CD. Simple, right?
I'll spare you the rest of the story...you've heard it all before. No NS, No IE--Hardlock on first web page with IE, Program lock on first page for NS...A red-faced former "friend" wondering why he asked me for help...and I'm facing at least a full day to install my own generic Win98, find all the proprietary drivers (Compaq bundles them on a "recovery CD" with no instructions) and pray.
As Paddy said several months ago "Bill Gates IS evil" and the big consumer comp makers are his evil minions.
Rant off!! Thanks. (Tim goes back to the couch to smoke.)
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