A question regarding users of windows,

[suzyne]

I do think there probably are malware types that can cause windows not to boot still lurking online or being made. Why would malicious actors stop now?

Possibly because they are too busy working on phishing schemes and trying to steal money directly via sneaky bank transactions?

Stopping someone's PC from starting up sounds so late 1990s and less profitable.

[frostknight]

I've used every version of WIndows from 3.1 to 10, turned an adult in the previous millennium (so I wasn't a dumb kid who would usually end up infecting their PC over Limewire downloaded 'Limp Bizkit.mp3.exe' or similar) and I've never had any kind of malware thanks to common sense internet usage practices that still seem to escape the majority of internet users more than 30 years after it went mainstream. Also, I discovered adblocking in '99 with AtGuard (later bought by Norton) followed by AdMuncher in 2003 so that also contributed by simply removing malware links from browsed sites.

Yes, blocking ads most definitely sounds like why you didn't get malware ever. Especially given java and javascript's leaks.

Possibly because they are too busy working on phishing schemes and trying to steal money directly via sneaky bank transactions?

Stopping someone's PC from starting up sounds so late 1990s and less profitable.

Actually, there is one actual use that I thought of the linux clamwin usb os would be good for.

Because, ransomware still is very much in existence. Like alot...

That is still something you can fix with that method I mentioned.

[Moonchild]

Because, ransomware still is very much in existence. Like alot...

That is still something you can fix with that method I mentioned.

Ransomware usually encrypts all your files - that usually means you're SOOL unless you have the right key or a backup.

[frostknight]

Because, ransomware still is very much in existence. Like alot...

That is still something you can fix with that method I mentioned.

Ransomware usually encrypts all your files - that usually means you're SOOL unless you have the right key or a backup.

Even from outside OS huh? Nvm then there probably are other things clamwin could help with. Forgive my ignorance. I didn't think it was encrypted to the point where you weren't using windows and it would still be locked.

Good call though.

Although other malware may exist, but yeah. Why was I that naive? No idea...

[moonbat]

Yes, blocking ads most definitely sounds like why you didn't get malware ever. Especially given java and javascript's leaks.

Most people don't realize that the solution isn't only technological, common sense in using the web also is crucial. Looking at the domain of an email address or web link to see if it matches that of the organization it claims to be from.
Communication from your bank or other service provider would refer to you by name/account number/user ID since they have it on file, and it wouldn't be a generic 'Dear customer'. Nor would they ever need to ask you to verify your password by filling out an online form (and they often send out newsletters warning against this).

Unfortunately, people continue to be terminally dumb with the internet despite it being around for 30+ years; it would be the equivalent of a person with a driving license getting confused every day how to shift gears or which is the brake and which is the accelerator.

[frostknight]

Unfortunately, people continue to be terminally dumb with the internet despite it being around for 30+ years; it would be the equivalent of a person with a driving license getting confused every day how to shift gears or which is the brake and which is the accelerator.

I think you can thank microsoft and others for dumbing down the interface over the years. It used to be, it took more time to learn and by doing so you would be able to know your hardware and OS better.

Now they use shiny eye candy to blind people to what they are doing beneath the surface and people know way less. You make things too easy, people will be more technically illiterate.

Most people don't realize that the solution isn't only technological, common sense in using the web also is crucial. Looking at the domain of an email address or web link to see if it matches that of the organization it claims to be from.

Well I know one form of common sense that was better that microsoft should have not changed.

It used to be, known file extensions was visible on web browsers. Thus, if you tried to download a file and it said zip.exe, you would know you were being played for a fool and you wouldn't download it.

But then microsoft hid known file extensions by default and well... people get mass hacked for that exact reason.

I would say the top 5+ dumbest problems I know of in no particular order/design flaws in general:
Everything is automatically marked as an executable and pieces of the web page you are on get downloaded. Thus, if it has an exe, well done, you get hacked!
known file extensions hidden by default since who knows when? Think vista was when that happened.
Backdoors in so many things
forced updates
deprecation of older hardware that technically still works but they are too lazy to add support for it and/or want people to keep upgrading thus creating more of a hardware junk pile

I don't really get it I guess, why people subjugate themselves to proprietary software's hooks if alternatives are around and they don't need what they currently have.

I hear some reasons on here of why you guys specify, but somehow in the back of my mind, it still doesn't completely compute.

I used windows till 8.1 and then decided to try to ditch it many times.

So I don't think i am completely alien to the reasons people used windows.

I think the reasons people give, still don't make enough sense to me. They might make some, but not as much as I would consider is needed.

To be honest though, Linux is also lacking in ways of its own.

Three words:

BLOAT, BLOAT, BLOAT

[moonbat]

I don't really get it I guess, why people subjugate themselves to proprietary software's hooks if alternatives are around and they don't need what they currently have.

I hear some reasons on here of why you guys specify, but somehow in the back of my mind, it still doesn't completely compute.

It's why I am a misanthrope in general. People. Are. Dumb. They don't give a crap about privacy or security or proprietary vs open standards or any of the things nerds care about; not that it takes great effort to exercise common sense for the cases I mentioned before. The sooner you accept that the vast majority of internet users are narcissistic, shallow mouth-breathers and just focus on improving your own experience, the better. Any great idea that requires masses of people to simultaneously change their behavior is doomed to fail.

People who can spell Linux, let alone use it or Pale Moon or uBlock Origin or any of the things we discuss here are the micro minority worldwide.

[suzyne]

When I read some of the comments here (and in other threads on the forum) from Windows users, they do explain why and can express logical reasons for why they continue to use it.

I don't really get it I guess, why people subjugate themselves to proprietary software's hooks if alternatives are around and they don't need what they currently have.

But you don't get it because you don't want to, and instead you use emotive language like the above and refuse to consider that the reasons given for using Windows could be valid for anybody.

So you will never get it as long as you are unable to step into the shoes of someone else and be able to respect the choices of others. You can't fathom that computing choices which are different from your own could ever possibly be the most appropriate for somebody else.

[moonbat]

But you don't get it because you don't want to, and instead you use emotive language like the above and refuse to consider that the reasons given for using Windows could be valid for anybody.

So you will never get it as long as you are unable to step into the shoes of someone else and be able to respect the choices of others. You can't fathom that computing choices which are different from your own could ever possibly be the most appropriate for somebody else.

Solid take. With the 'Windows is insecure and full of vulnerabilities' take, I would get blank faces from the Linux zealots when I pointed out that I'm smart enough to prevent any sort of malware infections in all the years of using Windows and I absolutely preferred its ease of use and support for hardware and gaming. Of course this was until 5 years ago when I found Windows 10 actively user hostile and having much less time for gaming, finally switched to Mint. A decision I don't regret looking at how Windows has been going since I left it.

People will use what they are familiar with; a computer is a tool and not a hobby or a philosophy to keep tinkering around. Even for me, once I had Windows set up the way I wanted, especially with regard to blocking ads and malware, there was little reason to poke around the internals.

[suzyne]

having much less time for gaming

I wonder whether if you still had the time to dedicate towards PC gaming, would the gaming catalogue that supports Linux be enough, or if somehow Windows 10 could have been managed and tweaked to your satisfaction?

Just a rhetorical hypothetical!

[frostknight]

But you don't get it because you don't want to, and instead you use emotive language like the above and refuse to consider that the reasons given for using Windows could be valid for anybody.

Well, to be more accurate, I hear you guys saying the UI is good, which "questionable" for me. That part makes no sense to me.

I get it has a lot of compatibility with windows programs, that I do understand.

I should mention, somethings on linux, once they are setup, you can copy paste config files to your next linux machine and they will work.

Or if your machine glitches and loses stability and you have to reinstall, boom, they are already how you want them. When I speak of this part:


I speak of files belonging to .config or .local which is in the home folder hidden.


The stability aspect of linux. If you use mainstream linux which means it uses systemd. It is possible that it is less stable. OR if you need proprietary drivers. I avoid machines that require blobs to be used on the software end like the plague. So... I suppose that could also contribute to why I have trouble understanding.

Customization is crap on windows despite what Linus Tech Tips says, it is inferior to linux's customization by a long mile.

Any linux distro that has systemd, I find to be an abomination worth running away from post haste.

If it has wayland used as a default and you cannot remove the libraries of wayland which is most of them, that can also be a problem. I will admit this too.

Feel free to say what you want on what I just said.

I am curious to your thoughts on the above posted.

[suzyne]

I get it has a lot of compatibility with windows programs, that I do understand.

There's the answer, as far as I am concerned. It's as simple and short as that.

I want to continue using Affinity Designer and Publisher, and right now, I am not interested in learning another OS or anything else just because somebody says I shouldn't like Windows or that buying propriety software is bad (or whatever) for ideological reasons.

I am entitled to like Windows and the software I use on it because that's my choice and attempts to convince me otherwise along the lines of, "But there are FOSS alternatives and it is important to use them instead!" just comes across as a form of dogma.

[frostknight]

There's the answer, as far as I am concerned. It's as simple and short as that.

I want to continue using Affinity Designer and Publisher, and right now, I am not interested in learning another OS or anything else just because somebody says I shouldn't like Windows or that buying propriety software is bad (or whatever) for ideological reasons.

Well, I don't know if better alternatives for those programs exist in linux, so that is something I will admit makes sense.

I am at a loss to counter what you said here.

I don't even know what those two apps are anyhow.

If you said office,

web browser, sound making, I would say otherwise.

But yeah if its taxes or artwork, I am not as sure for sure.

[Moonchild]

I am entitled to like Windows and the software I use on it because that's my choice and attempts to convince me otherwise along the lines of, "But there are FOSS alternatives and it is important to use them instead!" just comes across as a form of dogma.

As I pointed out before, Linux is trying to sell a philosophy to its users, not an operating system. This is exactly the issue Linux enthusiasts don't seem to understand.

[frostknight]

As I pointed out before, Linux is trying to sell a philosophy to its users, not an operating system. This is exactly the issue Linux enthusiasts don't seem to understand.

I would say both actually, but probably its more of a philosophy like you say.

I would also add, if you need windows only programs, then it does make sense to use windows.

It is still unfortunate though, given the bloat, the cpu and ram requirements, but yes I understand compatibility is a huge issue.

I definitely hope for your sake and for other windows users sake, that either windows devs stop being jerks, or linux gets support for all the windows stuff people need.

Either way would be better than the current trend.

Microsoft doesn't seem to care about their users you see. Well, not accurate completely... they really only care about their high paying users.

[frostknight]

Btw, if you guys think I am too much of a FOSS fanboy, you should see Trisquel.org, they go *WAY FURTHER!*

The more extreme people won't use any hardware with intel not removed. 2009 or older x86 devices is what that means.

Also, they use only fsf endorsed distros.

I do that 2nd part, but the first part is well... too extreme. Anti-DRM is enough for me anything beyond is stark-raving nuts.