Comments on: Google Desktop 3 criticized
EFF, Kapersky Lab say new feature that stores data on Google servers creates target for malicious hackers, feds.
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mark d.
I believe that the Desktop is NOT for everyone...I use it but won't be turning on this new sharing feature...yes it is not turned on by default (those evil doers forgot to do that).
There are drives, folders and file types on my computer that I have told Desktop not to include and it doesn't. Version 3 even allows for no search unless you input your Windows logon password, maybe instead of deleting it you should have upgraded ;)
And why do people use beta products then get all pissy anyway?
mark d.
I believe that the Desktop is NOT for everyone...I use it but won't be turning on this new sharing feature...yes it is not turned on by default (those evil doers forgot to do that).
There are drives, folders and file types on my computer that I have told Desktop not to include and it doesn't. Version 3 even allows for no search unless you input your Windows logon password, maybe instead of deleting it you should have upgraded ;)
And why do people use beta products then get all pissy anyway?
Gotta love the EINSTEIN JUDGE who ruled that one. What a whackjob.
YET, I can get high-speed broadband VIA cable ONLY if its Time Warner because no one else is ALLOWED to compete with them in my area. But they arent a monopoly.
I say GO GOOGLE! Its what the world needs - yet another fiercely successful story!
Gotta love the EINSTEIN JUDGE who ruled that one. What a whackjob.
YET, I can get high-speed broadband VIA cable ONLY if its Time Warner because no one else is ALLOWED to compete with them in my area. But they arent a monopoly.
I say GO GOOGLE! Its what the world needs - yet another fiercely successful story!
B: Google does have strings...its called advertising...but thats ok if you know how to minimize it ;) then you really are getting it for free!
B: Google does have strings...its called advertising...but thats ok if you know how to minimize it ;) then you really are getting it for free!
If there is anybody to blame for this, I'd have to say it's the education system. Let's be perfectly honest, the average person isn't going to install Linux/ETC onto their computer because its not as easy to use as Windows.
I know that last comment probably got a lot of Linux Fanboys up in arms, but let's be serious shall we?
The average person can't even program the microwave, let alone figure out how to install programs on their computer. The average university graduate has absolutely no idea how to use Linux, and thats because there isn't a need for them to learn it.
The average person needs to be able to calculate a few numbers or create a spreadsheet, write up a few documents for work or for school, check their email, and surf the internet. I hate to say it, but Windows seems to support all these features. Now a lot of people will argue and say that Linux does this too ... I'd agree with that.
Surprised? I'm not a pure Windows advocate, but I'd like somebody to try and convince me just what I'm missing by not using Linux. Let's look at the core arguments I usually see.
STABILITY
I leave my computer on all the time, and I'd doubt I even reboot it once a month. And I'm not the average user either, I can run up to 10 apps at once, with a dozen or more IE instances scattered all over the place. Blue screen? What's that? Last time that happened it was because my hard drive up and died on me. Maybe it I used Linux I'll be rebooting once a year instead of once every couple of months, I figure I'll save maybe 20 minutes a year doing this.
SECURITY
Can't remember ever getting hacked, and if I did, well, I guess what I was doing wasn't important enough to notice. Viruses, trojans, and exploits? Nope, can't say I've been downed with one of those either. Generally, I find users who get hit with this stuff are usually: surfing porn or gambling sites, opening email attachments from people they don't know, or generally installing a bunch of useless programs on the desktop.
SPEED
Most people I know generally spend more time thinking in front of the computer instead of actively doing something on it. These people include businessmen, doctors, lawyers, office workers, etc. Seriously, if you are always taxing the computer, you're probably not the average user.
COST
I'd agree that its cheaper to pick up a copy of Linux than Windows. There's no comparison, one is free, the other well, you actually have to pay for. However, once you have a problem, who do you call? I'm sure that if I surf some forums, Google the problem, and study the answers people write, I'll figure it out. However, if you make any reasonable money above minimum wage you might not find that option too attractive. Frankly, it generally takes way more time to fix a Linux issue than one in Windows (only in my experience mind you), and that to me is worth the money spent for the OS.
The cost issue to me is the most overused argument ever seen. In all of my experiences, as a user, employee, and employer, I have never found Linux to be cheaper to use on the desktop than Windows. It takes more time to fix problems (downtime is expensive) and honestly it's far cheaper to hire some fresh grad who knows how to reboot a computer, download drivers, and reinstall Windows, than to hire somebody who actually knows how to use Linux.
MY SKEWED CONCLUSION
If more people knew how to properly use Linux, it might be a viable alternative. But given the wide disparity of knowledge between knowing how to fix Linux, and pressing that red button to reboot Windows, Linux fanboys are going to be cheering for the underdog for some time to come.
By the way, people don't mindlessly use something just because it comes packaged in the box. If you think that, you're probably a hypocrite, unless you don't believe in the growing trend of modification and personalization.
EXAMPLES
People using non-Apple headphones for the iPod
Downloading DIVx instead of using Windows Media Player
Downloading proprietary drivers instead of using the Windows default ones (think Video cards)
In all these cases, people look for choices when what they get out of the box isn't good enough for what they want. Windows is and isn't a lot of things, but one thing it is, and that IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR MOST PEOPLE TO DO WHAT THEY WANT and then get on with the rest of their lives.
If that is all we needed it for we could use out Palm devices exclusively!
So it's a very small segment of the industry who is on the high (I must admit myself included) and the rest of the world using computers and IT just as much as it deserves the attention (maybe rightly so)
So unless the consumer gets really smart
o Don't expect them to take anything seriously
o Too much talk will also drive them away
o People have lives and do more things like eat, play with kids, have normal weekends, go outdoors, sports etc and they have higher priority than what we do and fight about
So should you really want to change the world into a Linux Uuser world or a mac user world or a mumbo-jumbo(an amalgam which makes us humans actually), start by playing on the tunes which are in context and reflect the reality.
PS: Please ignore my typos
for all the same reasons you delineate. The difference is mostly
personal preference. Windows works for you and OS X works for
me, the way we want the OS and associated apps to work. End of
discussion for all practical purposes.
There is always room for Linux, but it isn't a simple OS to
use,nor are there enough recognized apps with credibility to
provide a productivity base. That may change, but a lot of work
is needed.
In the meantime, you and I and others can continue with
computer systems that work nicely for us.
I used to feel the same, until I bought XP Pro. I put it on a new computer holding XP Home. Then I found the money I paid for Home was wasted. My copy would only work on a certain make and model of computer -- meaning the exact model it came on. I was out a hundred bucks, which is a month's wages for this rat. I work as a security guard at a cheese factory, and can't spare the money.
Now I'd already written my Congressman to try to keep everyone and his brother off my computer, making it a crime to invade my home electronically. Well, I found Microsoft did it with XP and that certainly wasn't specified on the box. I'd have to trust them to do only what they wanted on the thing. Well, we rodents are cautious critters, which is why we've been around so long. I don't trust Microsoft not to dig into my rat and skunk porno files.
I feel it safe to assume that you check for malware on occasion, but I get it without using gambling or human porno sites. These days, especially with IE (which I haven't used for many years for just that reason) you can get malware by simply clicking onto a site.
So I tried Linux and found it was easy to install and caught all but my wireless adapter. I tried four different installations, with one catching everything but klutzy otherwise. I settled on Debian (completely free) and put it on as a secondary system.
That was about a year ago now, and I've never had to reboot from a hangup, never had any trouble or had to reinstall ( which surprised the crap out of me) and only boot up to XP Pro to work on my music files, about once every few months. Sooner or later I'll find a Linux program that renames files in huge groups, but haven't yet.
I even find some things preferable in Linux, like the native ability to have as many desktops as I want. So, I can't agree with you that it is harder to use than Windows.
Oscar Rat
If there is anybody to blame for this, I'd have to say it's the education system. Let's be perfectly honest, the average person isn't going to install Linux/ETC onto their computer because its not as easy to use as Windows.
I know that last comment probably got a lot of Linux Fanboys up in arms, but let's be serious shall we?
The average person can't even program the microwave, let alone figure out how to install programs on their computer. The average university graduate has absolutely no idea how to use Linux, and thats because there isn't a need for them to learn it.
The average person needs to be able to calculate a few numbers or create a spreadsheet, write up a few documents for work or for school, check their email, and surf the internet. I hate to say it, but Windows seems to support all these features. Now a lot of people will argue and say that Linux does this too ... I'd agree with that.
Surprised? I'm not a pure Windows advocate, but I'd like somebody to try and convince me just what I'm missing by not using Linux. Let's look at the core arguments I usually see.
STABILITY
I leave my computer on all the time, and I'd doubt I even reboot it once a month. And I'm not the average user either, I can run up to 10 apps at once, with a dozen or more IE instances scattered all over the place. Blue screen? What's that? Last time that happened it was because my hard drive up and died on me. Maybe it I used Linux I'll be rebooting once a year instead of once every couple of months, I figure I'll save maybe 20 minutes a year doing this.
SECURITY
Can't remember ever getting hacked, and if I did, well, I guess what I was doing wasn't important enough to notice. Viruses, trojans, and exploits? Nope, can't say I've been downed with one of those either. Generally, I find users who get hit with this stuff are usually: surfing porn or gambling sites, opening email attachments from people they don't know, or generally installing a bunch of useless programs on the desktop.
SPEED
Most people I know generally spend more time thinking in front of the computer instead of actively doing something on it. These people include businessmen, doctors, lawyers, office workers, etc. Seriously, if you are always taxing the computer, you're probably not the average user.
COST
I'd agree that its cheaper to pick up a copy of Linux than Windows. There's no comparison, one is free, the other well, you actually have to pay for. However, once you have a problem, who do you call? I'm sure that if I surf some forums, Google the problem, and study the answers people write, I'll figure it out. However, if you make any reasonable money above minimum wage you might not find that option too attractive. Frankly, it generally takes way more time to fix a Linux issue than one in Windows (only in my experience mind you), and that to me is worth the money spent for the OS.
The cost issue to me is the most overused argument ever seen. In all of my experiences, as a user, employee, and employer, I have never found Linux to be cheaper to use on the desktop than Windows. It takes more time to fix problems (downtime is expensive) and honestly it's far cheaper to hire some fresh grad who knows how to reboot a computer, download drivers, and reinstall Windows, than to hire somebody who actually knows how to use Linux.
MY SKEWED CONCLUSION
If more people knew how to properly use Linux, it might be a viable alternative. But given the wide disparity of knowledge between knowing how to fix Linux, and pressing that red button to reboot Windows, Linux fanboys are going to be cheering for the underdog for some time to come.
By the way, people don't mindlessly use something just because it comes packaged in the box. If you think that, you're probably a hypocrite, unless you don't believe in the growing trend of modification and personalization.
EXAMPLES
People using non-Apple headphones for the iPod
Downloading DIVx instead of using Windows Media Player
Downloading proprietary drivers instead of using the Windows default ones (think Video cards)
In all these cases, people look for choices when what they get out of the box isn't good enough for what they want. Windows is and isn't a lot of things, but one thing it is, and that IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR MOST PEOPLE TO DO WHAT THEY WANT and then get on with the rest of their lives.
If that is all we needed it for we could use out Palm devices exclusively!
So it's a very small segment of the industry who is on the high (I must admit myself included) and the rest of the world using computers and IT just as much as it deserves the attention (maybe rightly so)
So unless the consumer gets really smart
o Don't expect them to take anything seriously
o Too much talk will also drive them away
o People have lives and do more things like eat, play with kids, have normal weekends, go outdoors, sports etc and they have higher priority than what we do and fight about
So should you really want to change the world into a Linux Uuser world or a mac user world or a mumbo-jumbo(an amalgam which makes us humans actually), start by playing on the tunes which are in context and reflect the reality.
PS: Please ignore my typos
for all the same reasons you delineate. The difference is mostly
personal preference. Windows works for you and OS X works for
me, the way we want the OS and associated apps to work. End of
discussion for all practical purposes.
There is always room for Linux, but it isn't a simple OS to
use,nor are there enough recognized apps with credibility to
provide a productivity base. That may change, but a lot of work
is needed.
In the meantime, you and I and others can continue with
computer systems that work nicely for us.
I used to feel the same, until I bought XP Pro. I put it on a new computer holding XP Home. Then I found the money I paid for Home was wasted. My copy would only work on a certain make and model of computer -- meaning the exact model it came on. I was out a hundred bucks, which is a month's wages for this rat. I work as a security guard at a cheese factory, and can't spare the money.
Now I'd already written my Congressman to try to keep everyone and his brother off my computer, making it a crime to invade my home electronically. Well, I found Microsoft did it with XP and that certainly wasn't specified on the box. I'd have to trust them to do only what they wanted on the thing. Well, we rodents are cautious critters, which is why we've been around so long. I don't trust Microsoft not to dig into my rat and skunk porno files.
I feel it safe to assume that you check for malware on occasion, but I get it without using gambling or human porno sites. These days, especially with IE (which I haven't used for many years for just that reason) you can get malware by simply clicking onto a site.
So I tried Linux and found it was easy to install and caught all but my wireless adapter. I tried four different installations, with one catching everything but klutzy otherwise. I settled on Debian (completely free) and put it on as a secondary system.
That was about a year ago now, and I've never had to reboot from a hangup, never had any trouble or had to reinstall ( which surprised the crap out of me) and only boot up to XP Pro to work on my music files, about once every few months. Sooner or later I'll find a Linux program that renames files in huge groups, but haven't yet.
I even find some things preferable in Linux, like the native ability to have as many desktops as I want. So, I can't agree with you that it is harder to use than Windows.
Oscar Rat
Also I am wary of Google's email service as it scans my emails and presents ads relating to them. No, I don't like that. I didn't ask then to fiddle with my email. Get a life Google.
read by anyone else any time, any place. There is no privacy on the
internet. And while I agree that Google is going beyond propriety in
tailoring ads to your email content, there is nothing to stop them
from doing just that.
You didn't ask them to fiddle with your email. And you don't get to
ask them NOT to.
Also I am wary of Google's email service as it scans my emails and presents ads relating to them. No, I don't like that. I didn't ask then to fiddle with my email. Get a life Google.
read by anyone else any time, any place. There is no privacy on the
internet. And while I agree that Google is going beyond propriety in
tailoring ads to your email content, there is nothing to stop them
from doing just that.
You didn't ask them to fiddle with your email. And you don't get to
ask them NOT to.
Considering the low awareness of internet users about anonymousity and security of personal data more and more people are being lured by these applications making them believe thats its a great game.
Now Google has already dropped a new bait in their Chat history log. How far these web applications go along with the home user is yet to be seen.
I never find the need in using an app like the Google desktop, however.
Considering the low awareness of internet users about anonymousity and security of personal data more and more people are being lured by these applications making them believe thats its a great game.
Now Google has already dropped a new bait in their Chat history log. How far these web applications go along with the home user is yet to be seen.
I never find the need in using an app like the Google desktop, however.
PC Search: Copernic
Antivirus: TrendMicro
Spyware Removal: MSFT Antispyware/ Spybot S&D
To all of you who keep using the Anti-MSFT argument, please remember that Google can become the next MSFT. Just because they are new and different, does not mean their visions are not the same. Keep your eyes open....
PC Search: Copernic
Antivirus: TrendMicro
Spyware Removal: MSFT Antispyware/ Spybot S&D
To all of you who keep using the Anti-MSFT argument, please remember that Google can become the next MSFT. Just because they are new and different, does not mean their visions are not the same. Keep your eyes open....
- www.thebignoticeboard.com
- by thebignoticeboard.com February 12, 2006 5:12 PM PST
- don't use it. i got me a mac!
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(64 Comments)