Right, its time for a bit of back-slapping. We need to rouse the troops, stand firm, and let them know we mean business. Who? You may ask… What? You may ask… The answer’s simple - Windows is seriously badly written and its ubiquitousness is having a seriously negative impact on the progression of humanity.
OK, so that should get the juices flowing in the lot of you: either you’re fired up and agree that something has to be done, or you’re fired up and reacting to that gross generalisation. So, what I need to do now is prove to you why this is the case - why Windows is so badly written, and why we need to remove it from ours and everyone else’s lives.
The attack shall be two-fold: firstly, we’re going to address Windows itself, head-on. Some anecdotes, sure - but mainly we’re going to try and undermine it at a fundamental level. Secondly, we’re going to present enough evidence that other operating system are far superior, that making a case for Windows at all is going to be an impenetrably very difficult task.
First up, the problems we all have with Windows. Show me one person who doesn’t believe their Windows computer systematically fails them, and I’ll show you someone who is recently deceased. Anyone who has to come into contact with Windows - and who knows different - will lay testament to the fact that their computer does not act the way it should do all the time. Everyone has tales of computers crashing, locking up, files going missing, data being lost, re-installations of operating systems, money spent buying new hardware or software to do things the computer should be able to do out of the box… the list goes on and on. It all adds up to a thoroughly unpleasant experience.
I’ve mentioned this before, but its definitely worth mentioning as often as possible: due to the fact that Windows is such a ubiquitous thing and almost everyone with any level of computing experience will have dealt with it in their time, it is the yard-stick to which all computers are measured. This is unfair, unjust, and just damn-well wrong. I don’t care if people tell me the world is an unfair and unjust place, and neither should you. Its only because people keep going around saying it that they’re still being believed. As someone whose livelihood is computing, and who has a vested interest, I’m not going to settle for the general opinion of computers to be dictated by an unimaginative, copy-cat, two-bit, cheap-ass organisation like Microsoft. And if you have even the slightest interest in computers and their future, you won’t settle for it either. The world deserves better than Microsoft and Windows.
The problem with Windows - and Microsoft in general - is that they seem to be incapable of producing any quality software. Windows feels (and probably is) patched and bodged together to something that resembles an operating system (maybe based on some older version with newer UI) and is then thrown at probably the largest single collection of computer software testers the world has ever seen. These chaps and chappesses go through the software day in and day out, find where is doesn’t work as it should, report these back, and these problems are fixed. But, you see, the problem with this bodge-it-test-it-fix-it approach is that it is so piecemeal. No one has stood back and taken a look at the bigger picture and ask ‘why are we doing it that way? Why don’t we go back to first-principles and decide how it should be done, then do it that way from the beginning?’. This means that the software goes out there into the world essentially working, but so poorly designed that you need to be an expert to know where to look to do something, or you need to employ hundreds of IT staff to support you doing it instead (but let’s not go into discussing the fripperies of how many IT support staffs’ salaries are being supported by Microsoft’s shoddy software that wouldn’t otherwise be needed… I only have a thousand word allowance…).
For example, today I was using a tool called ‘VMware’ on a Windows computer at work. Essentially, this software allows you to create a whole load of virtual PCs inside your one PC - all running independently and sharing resources like disk and networking. I needed to expand the disk space I had allocated to a particular virtual machine. So, in Windows, I start hunting around for where you configure disks…. I’m sure there used to be something in System > Hardware somethingorother… nope, nothing in there - only a barely intelligible list of hardware and quasi-devices… This is Windows 2003 Server, so maybe its elsewhere…. so I have to ask a Windows-knowledgeable college. He points me in the direction of a very well hidden right-click option to ‘manage’ my computer… which I then have to navigate through and click onto ‘disk management’. I see a nice little graph showing me the 4GB I already have, and the 16GB I have increased the disk to, but is still ‘unallocated’. But I see no where to click to say ‘make that disk use the other 16GB please’…. I have to Google for ten minutes to finally figure out that there is some special disk formatting command-line utility I can run (now, please, bare in mind that Windows 2003 Server is supposed to represent Microsoft’s latest and greatest operating system currently - and yet I’m still having to go down to the command-line to do a relatively fundamental task)… only for this disk utility to tell me that my disk type is unsupported. Great, thanks. So, I now have to go out and purchase another separate software utility that will partition my disk… and my original task still isn’t solved.
All these problems soon eat up time, and before you know it, you’ve spent two days trying to solve what appeared to be a half hour problem. And this kind of thing just seems to happen almost endemically when Windows is involved. Luckily enough, I don’t have to use Windows too much in my work life - but when I do, I’m really starting to see it how much time it actually consumes trying to solve the problems its puts in my way.
To be fair, I haven’t done anything like this on the Mac, but I’m pretty damn sure I would be looking in Disk Utility (which exposes pretty much everything the command-line big daddy Unix ‘fsck’ command does). If not, and I am forced to go out onto the web, the vast array of good quality (cheap) shareware that can help me out is staggering. In short, I know I could solve my problem in a few minutes.
If you use a Windows computer for anything other than word processing, Internet and email, how much time do you actually spend trying to do other stuff on that computer? Tally up the number of minutes you spend doing things that aren’t directly related to what you want to get done, but you have to do these sub-tasks to complete your original goal. How much time are you spending being distracted?
OK, so, the Microsoft-bashing is over. Come on. Stop it. Both you can I know you love it. Go and blog something yourself if you want to read more. This week’s column is becoming too negative. Let me convince you why the Mac is a superior platform by showing you its virtues instead.
In a word: integration. Integration with the iApps mainly, but also the integration and seamless flow of data that happens when there is a really great foundation for software to be written on, and loads of people take advantage of it.
You see, the really great thing about OS X is its quality. In almost complete contrast to Microsoft, Apple would most certainly have stood back from the whole writing-an-operating-system thing and asked what the best way to do it is. It was a clever decision to base it on Unix - very clever - but it is what they have done since then that really makes OS X shine. The fact that I’ve got built-in spell checking in almost every window I can type text into. The fact that Bluetooth and other technologies work so well for me that my phone, address book, computer and Internet-based collection of calendars and contacts are always kept up to date. The fact that I can rely on my computer.
Because, at the end of the day, chaps, what it comes down to is quality. This operating system has been thought-through, planned, and well implemented and it shows EVERY SINGLE DAY I USE IT. I push this stupid little box to the very edge of usability every day, connect it consistently to several file shares, remote desktop on to at least three Windows boxes, secure shell via terminal and X11 into at least two Linux boxes, and fire up X windowing sessions on those Linux boxes - ALL AT THE SAME TIME and nothing interferes with each other and it all just works.
This is how computing should be, people.
And it isn’t just a power-user like myself who pushes the technology that gets this kind of benefit out of the quality of the platform. My Mum, brother and Dad who all want to use the computer as a tool for basic web and email, do. I don’t get a single support phone call, or request to reinstall the operating system, or where to download a driver, or ‘what does this error message mean?’ ever. This computer works for people who don’t want to know how or why it works. This is quality speaking for itself.
This is how computing should be, people.
Now don’t get me wrong, there are some things Windows goes better than the Mac (I struggle to think, but I have to say it anyway as I don’t use Windows enough myself to comment), and OS X doesn’t always behave perfectly when I put it under stupid pressure (like yanking out all the cables from my laptop (including an external monitor) and then shutting the lid to sleep it while its trying to sort itself out). But, consistently, my computing experience with OS X is exemplary. I can’t imagine using anything other than OS X and if Apple stopped work on OS X tomorrow to become ‘the iPod company’, I would still use it for years to come.
THIS is how computing should be.
People should be able to take pride in their computer.
This is the machine I used to put together this amazing piece of coursework for school using all my own pictures and words.
This is the machine I used to put together a DVD of our new baby’s first steps for the grandparents.
This is the machine I rely on every day to get the job done, and it hasn’t failed me yet in four years.
It shouldn’t be the box you have to fight with to get anything done. There should be no fear when using it.
This is how computing should be.
Go out there people and convince others. The snowball effect will come, and we’ll all benefit. If we can reduce the number of Windows boxes in the world by just a few percent, we can overcome this litany of just-good-enough computing that has plagued our world for long enough.
Windows fanboys, do your worst.
You may like to catch up on some of the previous weeks’ (markedly less vitriolic, honest) articles by the same author:
Week 1 - Fanning the Fanboys
Week 2 - The Lament of the Mac Mini
Week 3 - Market Share? What’s That?
Craig Pugsley works as a technical consultant for a small independent software vendor in the UK, and writes commentary pieces for various publications and online sources in his spare time. He lives in Berkshire with his astounding nearly-wife Lucy and a surprisingly large mortgage. He gives thanks for every day he is able to work on a Mac, and yearns for a life when more people can freely experience the life-changing benefits of a good computer.
March 22nd, 2006 at 7:07 pm
You are preaching to the choir here. I rid myself of all windoze contraptions years ago with one exception - an old laptop that only has XP and IE installed so I can check my websites under windows IE.
March 23rd, 2006 at 1:33 am
This is purely a love letter on Apple and its philosophy. I look forward to buying my second release MacBook Pro!
March 23rd, 2006 at 10:13 am
OK, quick note from the author time. Yes, this is a ‘love letter’ to Apple. I do enjoy using their products and think they make me more productive and less irritable generally.
But the point I’m trying to put across here (with two obvious caveats: 1) Its idealistic (but not hopelessly), and 2) This article is on a web site called ‘MacShrine’) is that the time has never been better for a bit of evangelising and shifting away from this approach that Microsoft are the only way. It is us Mac-users who need to stand up, be counted, and start showing everyone else what they’re missing.
Take a look at my previous article for discussion on how to get someone who hasn’t used a Mac before, turned onto it. The point I make is that they don’t know what they don’t know - the need to get hands on (maybe with a friend (this is you)) and see it in action. They need to be left with no other choice.
March 23rd, 2006 at 3:09 pm
what we all know is that you got three main choices to load an OS to your computer. one, the most ubiquitous, is Windows, as stinky as it is, bugged as it is. the other, off course, is Mac OSX. then there’s Linux/Unix.
why is Windows so ubiquitous? me guess is that Windows is a lot more pirated around, so it’s easy to get. also, you can get a generic box for as much as a Mac mini entry level, but with lots of spaces to upgrade. then there are the gamers. we all know that when you think of gaming you think of doom 3 or unreal tournament, and as far as i know, i haven’t heard of anyone playing it on a Mac. sure, Windows eat up resources, lags, locks, crashes and sometimes does behave like you’d like to, but when it comes to gaming, you’ll get to a Windows can.
as for Linux/Unix: you surely need to be a geek or guru to be able to install it. this has kept it for becoming mainstream, even if it’s free an can run as well as Windows on a lower hardware configuration. but once you get it installed (wich can be quite tricky) if anithing crashes (somehow unusual) you’re in the middle of nowhere if you’re not a master of Linux. most mates that I know that normally use and manage a Linux machine, are always searching the web for drivers, and also have been trough a large period of time since their linux iniciation and their mastering of Linux mysteries.
this leaves us the oh-so-praised Mac OSX. I usually use a Windows can, with an increasing interest on Macs. sure, I use it, but that doesn’t mean I love it. I ussualy hate it. as the kind of user I am, I need at least 1 GB ram to feel comfortable on a speedy system. anyway, I’d love to switch to a Mac someday, but I’m afraid not being able to have all the software I use migrated to their respective Mac counterparts, if there’s any. I’m not a gamer, I’m getting into photography instead, so on the side of adobe I’m fine. some other software has free versions that will easily replace Office.
now my suggestion: why throw mud on Windows? it’s quite an enormous amount of energy to say what we all windows users know.
sure, is ubiquitous and that itches a lot because it’s an very-much-less-than-perfect operative system.
why not work on suggestions about how’s possible to make Mac OSX as ubiquitous as windows?
I’ve seen around that MacOSX is running on a toshiba notebook, also windows XP is running on a dual core iMac.
maybe one way is getting rid of the propietary hardware platform? so more and more people will have access to OSX. maybe other way is getting a bigger share of the market by lowering prices and getting the more ubiquitous apps to be also programmed for Mac, wich on its turn I think will increase the sales. other way could be to increase overall ram and HD speed, increasing system speed without need for a faster processor.
in general, in Chile Macs are perceived as beautiful computers that are more expensive that their Windows counterparts, with less software (even pirated) and that are oriented towards image processing (say CGI or digital photograpy post-processing).
i’d say the question is: how do we overthrow this archetype?
March 23rd, 2006 at 4:55 pm
ACO: Thanks for taking the time to write such an insightful critique. You are right on many points. I do believe that it is more about convincing people that Macs aren’t all about graphics, video and music (I use mine for none of those things).
I do believe that the proprietary hardware is holding back market share. If you could use your cheapo Dell Windows box to run OS X without any hassle, why would people use Windows?
I think the barriers to conversion are:
1) A good understanding of the platform and how much better it really is
2) Apprehension about having to learn how a different computer works
3) Issues with equivalent software
4) Worries about price
5) Games
I think that viral marketing by the likes of us is helping to change (1).
As is a having a good Mac-using friend or salesperson on hand to solve (2). Plus the OS X interface lends itself well to being leant quickly. Shallow learning curve, but with as much depth as you need. You end up thinking: ‘of course that’s the way it should be done! Why don’t other people do it that way?’
Issue (3) boils down to you just taking a view on what you actually want to use your computer for and then easily finding the Mac equivalent. The surprisingly vibrant shareware and freeware scene on the Mac will help you do this effectively and cheaply. There are also always people willing to help you find that equivalent piece of software, too (try the Mac forums). Plus, OS X only benefits from its Unix heritage - as you can run almost all *nix apps that have been developed and become mature for years.
Issue (4) is covered off by the Mac Mini. Even though it is a little more expensive now (see my week 2 article above), it is still damn cheap for what you’re effectively getting.
And issue (5) will be sorted out very soon with the new Intel chips. Not only will it mean it will be easier to write games for OS X (or at least port Windows/Intel games across to the Mac), but with Windows running on Intel Macs, and the recent story of a chap who has Half Life 2 running on a Mac Mini - surely the landscape is looking very promising.
There’s never been a better time to buy a Mac. And its only going to get better.
March 24th, 2006 at 2:15 am
In Chile, or in Argentina, as I am argentinian, Macs are regarded as pro machines, that only designers use, and the lack of software is really a problem, even shareware, since the internet connections are not that fast, and we have to deal with prices in dollars. And even without that problem, getting a Mac is quite difficult, taking in consideration that a 599 dollars mini is more than what an average person gets as salary. I use Macs since 1994, mi first Mac was a Quadra 605, and in that time they were cheaper than PCs, but now I cannot upgrade my old iMac G3, because I don’t have enough money. So, it’s quite difficult for us in Latin America to have a Mac, not to speak about convincing anyone of buying one, but I does happen!!! I actually convinced a friend of getting a Mac, and he can’t be happier. Anyway, I guess that Latin America is only a little percentage of Mac market. I was hoping prices to come down when the intel transition was announced, but I guess that I’ll have to keep waiting.
March 25th, 2006 at 5:47 am
OK maybe windows have some problems but its the most used operating system in the world you should learn to live with that
March 27th, 2006 at 12:49 am
I like your post. I am running windows 98 on a 5 year-old computer. My next machine will be an Apple. Getting software and hardware to work on a windows machine is a major hassle. I know many people who opted for the cheap $400 or $500 PC and spent hours and hours trying to just diagnose problems. For the last year, I’ve been telling everyone to get an Apple and avoid the headaches you get with a windows system. The only killer application I see for windows machines is games. I like games, but don’t see a reason to spend $3,000 on a game machine that runs the newest games at 60% of their potential and is then obsolete when the next $700 video card comes out and won’t run in the machine. I know that I’m not the only person who feels this way. msft and cohorts enjoyed a short reign, but it ended with XP, as some had planned (well, they never reigned in the service or best operating systems categories). Apple infiltrated homes with easy-to-use IPOD’s and consistently put out reliable machines and software. While Apple machines may not have the game capabilities or office software, they can fulfill all home uses that I and my friends have. MSFT and cohorts laughed to the bank for a short while, but users have tired of poorly running machines.
Again, thanks for the good post. Us troops will be rallying the agitated masses. : )
March 29th, 2006 at 5:15 pm
Craig: on your comment, on barriers:
1) A good understanding of the platform and how much better it really is.
I think this could be useful to the advanced user, as he/she has the tools neede to understand about *nix layers, convertors, adapters, and else. the thing here is this: “how do i show me mother that a mac’s better than the old windows can she uses to rant about?” she’ll say “oh, osx is beautiful and glossy, has nice animations and transparencies”. she also uses to say that she’d like “an iBook for it is so beautiful”. those are parameters that can also be achieved in a windows can with one o’ those shell tweaking systems. how do i explain to a phisician that a mac’s better than a pc, without having a mac to let her try? I just can’t get her to a macstore and show her for a little time at a time.
2) Apprehension about having to learn how a different computer works
I think I’ll learn quickly if I move on to a mac; but then again, me mom is used to have square buttons to the top right, and the menu integrated on each window. she’ll take a time ’til she gets accustomed, but i’m sure she’ll learn pretty fast: point and click OSs are based on the same principle. the problem here’s that if I’m not skilled on mac os, I won’t be able to help her over the phone as I did when she learned windows.
(I refer to my mom as a regular user - with no deeper HW/SW knowledge, a user who just wants a computer to do what you want it to do without too much lost time - ’cause all this issues are not a problem for me, I’d eventually overcome (2) quickly, (1) is going to always be a controversial one)
3) Issues with equivalent software
well, then again, we settle for the use you give to your tool. as for me, I have used Matlab, Visio, CAD, ORCAD, besides some PLC programming software and several never-ended games. sure, there’s office, no? but here’s the catch: I need my docs to cross platforms with windows (most common found computers). you see, I use some specific software that’d be nice to run under OSX.
4) Worries about price
the price, as my argentinian neighbor said, are a little higher than most of the other pcs. we don’t have the live level you gusy have up north. the wealth’s unevenly distributed here, and chile tops the rank in this: the 5% richest takes home 80% of internal production, and the poorer 5% only 1%. so a 800 USD pc is expensive. you’ll tell me that a mini is worth 500. add to that a screen and mouse/keybd, you’ll reach 800, and surely the can has more power and less style. so macs are like benzes: you know are for the wealthy ones, so you just look at them without even considering buying one. what to do? match entry level prices, or even lower them a bit, by 25 USD, so they become a truly alternative.
5) Games
I’m not that hardcore a gamer, I always play on the easiest level, and never thought of a computer as a toy but as a tool. but I enjoy a little Dungeon Siege now and then! and I’d like to be able to keep on playing it on my next notebook, hopefully a mac. I don’t really care much if it’s trough an integrated converter or by dual-boot means, the thing is that i’d like to play a nice game if I fancy.
In order to overcome all these issues, the strategy is not gonna be “what’s an intel chip doing on a mac?” thing, but this: make a mac do everything a pc does, even run the same apps, without all the hassle of maintaining a windows can. make mac useful for corporate/industrial environments. users won’t bother if the processor is PPC or Intel or Transmeta or AMD! they would switch to a mac only if they are equivalent in prices to a pc and are capable of running the same software as their old machines, *just because apple computers are prettier*.
how’s that? i’d like your insight on this.
June 15th, 2007 at 11:42 am
[…] 1 - Fanning the Fanboys 2 - The Lament of the Mac Mini 3 - Market Share? What’s That? 4 - Integrations What You Need (aka. the assult on Windows) 5 - Beating Windows At Its Own Game 6 - MacBook […]