The Daily Mash and the Microsoft Black Screen of Death
Not for the first time, The Daily Mash nails it:
"MICROSOFT have admitted that some users of its new Windows 7 operating system have been confronted with the dreaded 'Black Screen of Paying £200 for Something That Doesn't Work'.
Users say the 'Black Screen of Falling For This Shit Again' appears shortly after start-up, followed by a ghostly image of Bill Gates cackling like a loon."
See, I can be smug as I own a Mac. Now, I'm not one of those gushing Mac-head types who salivates in an almost sexual way at the very sight of an Apple machine. I certainly don't use a Mac to make some sort of statement about how fashionable I am*. However, I will say this about Macs - they are easier to use, and you don't have to go through the regular Microsoft gauntlets of buying more software that not only works in an entirely different way to the last version, but also fucks with your computer and leaves you with a very expensive looking black screen with zero functionality.
There is nothing great about Apple except in comparison to Microsoft, and this is the genius of Apple. Their unique selling point truly is that their machines are easier to use and more reliable than their main competitor's. They have a business plan that is audacious in its simplicity and efficacy - they are less shit than Microsoft.
*Anyone who has ever met me will know that I am neither fashionable nor unfashionable. I exist in a parallel universe where fashion just does not exist. All such concerns happen to other people; I am just not aware of fashion.
*Anyone who has ever met me will know that I am neither fashionable nor unfashionable. I exist in a parallel universe where fashion just does not exist. All such concerns happen to other people; I am just not aware of fashion.
Labels: Computer Stuff, The Daily Mash
posted by The Nameless Libertarian @ 10:15 am
5 Comments
5 Comments:
I dunno, OSX is the worst OS I've ever had the displeasure of using.
But I'm a linuxhead, so naturally I hate everything.
Hmmm - don't be a twonk. The people who originally made the claim have now apologised to Microsoft. http://www.prevx.com/blog/141/Windows-Black-Screen-Root-Cause.html
Twonk? My God. It appears Del Boy has left a comment...
I think we should face a few facts here :-
- Mac systems are much more expensive than a PC with the same power
- Mac systems on average are not as reliable as PC systems. (As an IT Director in a large corporation I am painfully aware of this). Macs are also much more expensive to repair and often such repairs involve replacement of the system.
- It is true that Mac systems attract far fewer virus and spyware infections. The reason for this has nothing to do with superior operating system security, it is just that malware creators seek to attack systems with the largest installed base of targets (which means Windows users). If Mac systems were more popular than Windows, this situation would be reversed.
- Owing to a large installed base, Windows systems boast availability of a much larger range and variety of application software, replacement parts and accessories. To be fair, the Mac has excellent coverage in the Graphic Arts software category.
- Windows dominates the gaming software market and has a much broader range of free software available for its users
- For those so inclined, pirated software is readily available for Windows based computers at an obviously low cost.
- Windows systems can be much more easily configured to suit user preferences than Mac systems and they are easier to upgrade which extends their useful lifespan. This is particularly true in the case of unbranded PC systems.
I could probable ramble on indefinitely but for most people the Windows value proposition is overwhelming.
PARTISAN COMMENTS
- Apple currently operates a policy of refusing to honour product warranties in cases where the customer smokes around his/her computer
- Apple products seem to be a status symbol for air headed politically correct Californians, Hollywood butt-kissers and Environmentally conscious left wing Global Warming Alarmists. This alone is enough to put off Libertarian types like me from ever buying a Mac.
The finest operating system ever made is HP OpenVMS. Many systems which use this server operating system have been working continuously for 10 years or more without crashing or needing a single reboot. Unfortunately, OpenVMS is not really a consumer operating system.
Anonymous @ 4:42pm,
I hear what you are saying, but I don't agree. I have found Macs to be far more reliable than Windows based machines, and often a bit easier to use. And as such are worth the extra cost. That is, of course, from personal experience. And I am not an IT Director of a company. But all this goes to show is that opinion is based in experience, and you have had different experiences to me.
As for refusing to honour warranties of those who smoke around their Macs, well, that's between the smokers and Apple. I don't smoke, so can't get too het up about that one. I do wonder what DK would make of that though.
And the idea that a Libertarian might be put off a useful product because it is associated with "air headed politically correct Californians, Hollywood butt-kissers and Environmentally conscious left wing Global Warming Alarmists" is nonsense - a Libertarian would be able to make their decision based on what works best for them whilst respecting the rights of others to have differing opinions. Even if those opposing opinions are, largely, shite.
TNL
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