Re: Experts: MS tweaks, new laws won\'t make 04 saf
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evan9162 said:
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If all non-Microsoft software on desktop machines were to disappear at the stroke of midnight on January first, would it have ANY effect on what to expect next year on the 'Net? Right. I didn't think so either.
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Of course it would. There is tons of software not written by MS that people rely on on a daily basis that makes their business work.
Shall I name a few?
...
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I agree, Evan, that there are a lot of applications used by business that are essential, however, I limited my question to only those things running on desktops and only those that would affect the things covered in the article (how will security and spam be on the internet in 2004).
That long list you gave, while essential to many businesses, aren't operating systems or e-mail and browsing applications.
If Linux were to disappear completely it would have a drastic effect on the operation of the internet since that is essential to many servers and routers. If Linux were to disappear only on the user's desktop it would have a marginal effect on the internet - too few desktop users. Macintosh disappearing would likewise have little effect on the internet (though there would be a drastic effect on print publishing and the arts - even the PC magazines would have to move to PC's).
No, since currently the majority of bandwidth use is for spam (unaffected by the newest laws) and trojans, worms and viruses aimed at Microsoft products (unaffected by the existance of people using desktop Linux and Macintosh systems), I'll stick by my comment that fixing the problems that currently exist on the internet rely on Microsoft, and
it ain't gonna happen!
Us non-Microsoft users are out of the loop on effecting change for the better on the internet. It has to be done by Microsoft (and Microsoft users), or not at all. At best we can watch and comment, at worst we can be silent. I choose to try to at least make people aware that the problem is theirs, and the rest of us are waiting for something to happen.
Oh! Website design applications were mentioned on Evan's list - Microsoft's Front Page has more effect on the internet than any other web design program, and is a major source of problems for other browsers since it's designs do not follow international design standards, but create sites "best viewed with Internet Explorer." This is a tremendous help in locking in users to MSIE since MSIE is often the only browser that will display a Front Page site without problems. That's another thing that only MS and MS users can fix. The rest of us can talk about it until we are hoarse, but we can't fix it.
I'm not picking a fight, I didn't start out trying to badmouth MS or anyone else. This was a simple reference to an article from the mainstream computer press that was picked up by a Macintosh site I happen to read. If anyone takes grave exception to any of the facts or opinions expressed in the article, it would be helpful to everyone to give alternate information references that show them wrong.
If some folks look at ANY reference to Microsoft that is not glowing praise as an attack on Microsoft, they will have to get used to it. With 90 to 95 percent of internet use and 99.99 percent of internet problems being related to Microsoft software, any discussion of the internet's future HAS to mention Microsoft and if honest has to mention the related problems.
Bottom line, at least for me: See how the internet is going this year? That's how it will be next year, too, only worse. Worms, viruses, trojans and spam will continue to run everyone ragged until the underlying problems are fixed.
There is little likelyhood of them being fixed in the near future. Try to make it better or do nothing at all. Either way, you'll have to live with it until the underlying problems are fixed, and fixed properly. That requires an honest attempt by Microsoft to fix the problems inherant in their software, and an effort worldwide by lawmakers to make opt-out spam illegal. (OPINION!)
If you believe both of those will happen
real soon now(tm), then 2004 will be a stellar year on the internet.
If you have your doubts, then you have a choice. Try to make things change for the better or sit befuddled and watch the show.
As to
this thread, the original thought was to give some lightweight background info on where we were likely to be on the internet this next year, not to have it turned into the usual "Mine is better than yours, nya, nya, nya!" thread.
Anyone want to discuss where the internet is heading for 2004 and what we can do to make it just a little bit better?
. . .
Anyone?
. . .
Oh. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
I'll try again in 2005.