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I am in fundemental agreement.
I am not going to get into a debate over my dog is better than your dog stuff, but rather address Microsoft's issues in this area.

The evil in Windows can be summed up in two words, "legacy applications". The fact is Microsoft (and almost any decent programmer) could close the security holes, but doing so WILL break many applications and that is not something corporate America would take well. (I am constantly amazed there are companies running DOS applications in Windows today.)

Microsoft is to blame for much of this because they promoted "upgrading" to the latest greatest version of Windows while promicing backwards compatibility. In hind sight they should have insisted (by not suppporting legacy apps) users upgrade their applications along with their OS.

Legacy applications have become the mill stone around Microsoft's neck and it can't be removed easily. To make matters worse, they are all ready telling everyone existing apps (legacy) will run on the next version (Longhorn) of Windows. In other words they are trying to carry the legacy stuff forward again as they "re-invent" thier OS.

I will say this here and now, if this is done, all the holes in the OS will also be carried forward. Applications that take direct control of hardware, applications that have no concern for security, and user interfaces/log on that ignore even the most basic of security issues will all assure we will be fighting the same problems we are fighting today.

Microsoft, wake up and smell the coffee! It's time to walk away from legacy support for applications (some of your own) you KNOW are problematic and build a secure OS. Will that harm sales in corporations where they just can't do without their DOS programs? Probably will, but the fact is you can't be all things to all people. Trying to do so only means you serve everyone badly. The old saying, "one size fits all" really means it doesn't really fit anyone well.
Posted by: No_Ax_to_Grind   Posted on: 07/15/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Finally, someone at ZDNet is ...  bjbrock | 07/15/04
Ok, but give zdnet a break, they are a for profit company.  DonnieBoy | 07/15/04
This isn't about MS v. Linux.  bjbrock | 07/15/04
Can not disagree. The press is NOT free and unbiased.  DonnieBoy | 07/15/04
It most certainly is  ECLS | 07/15/04
I was referring to this commentary.  bjbrock | 07/15/04
Overblown exaggeration of problem...  wonderbored | 07/19/04
I vote for MR. Goodwins...  bjbrock | 07/15/04
Okay, who hijacked ZDNet?  Chad_z | 07/15/04
Enough already, leave zdnet out of this, they are not in MS' pocket.  DonnieBoy | 07/15/04
Not in their pocket, just owned by them  tic swayback | 07/15/04
Windows is finished  Jeff Spicoli | 07/15/04
Don't knock Windows..It's job security:)  Laff | 07/15/04
For you to view this...  bjbrock | 07/15/04
Dude..I'm a Mac Tech. I only touch PC's when the PC guys get overwhelmed:)  Laff | 07/15/04
Thank you for that enlightenment.  bjbrock | 07/15/04
A lot of  Linux User 147560 | 07/15/04
Granted. The individual in my...  bjbrock | 07/15/04
My resume for ya....  Laff | 07/15/04
I've dealt with lots of Mac's. Advertising clients...  bjbrock | 07/15/04
Nor have I claimed to be an expert...Not even in the Mac.  Laff | 07/15/04
We were always OK!  bjbrock | 07/15/04
Cool Daddy O'......:)  Laff | 07/15/04
And, the problem for Microsoft, they need to maintain lock-in  DonnieBoy | 07/15/04
Microsoft locked themselves...  bjbrock | 07/15/04
And the Maginot Line saved the French in WWII.  boomslang_z | 07/16/04
One of my favorite lines...  Linux User 147560 | 07/15/04
Me!  Laff | 07/15/04
ActiveX is a BIG problem  Nullifidian | 07/15/04
Actually  Linux User 147560 | 07/15/04
I am in fundemental agreement.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/15/04
I would agree...  bjbrock | 07/15/04
I would agree... sorta.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/15/04
One small hitch...  Michael Kelly | 07/15/04
No argument there. The legacy "bonus" has draw backs.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/15/04
Apple has done that a few times  middle of nowhere | 07/19/04
Perhaps with Longhorn they should drop legacy and do what Apple did with X  Laff | 07/15/04
I would say not.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/15/04
You are correct..a company should do many things, but we both know that  Laff | 07/15/04
Like most things, it depends how it's presented.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/15/04
I see your point..which is why MS could never bring herself to do said:)  Laff | 07/15/04
Never is a loooong time and that is in short supply.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/15/04
OSX push?  timpin1@... | 07/16/04
Maybe GM should stop selling cars and Bayer aspirin, too.  Anton Philidor | 07/15/04
GM sells Bayer Asprin?  Laff | 07/15/04
Overseas programmers are paid.  Anton Philidor | 07/15/04
Thanks! Yes so far so good..knock on uh plastic (so hard to find wood )  Laff | 07/15/04
I hear you, but my clients say your wrong.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/15/04
First, we wait for SP 2  Anton Philidor | 07/15/04
Dude give it up already. You are ENTIRELY missing it  Jeff Spicoli | 07/15/04
On topic  Anton Philidor | 07/15/04
Spyware is much worse than you think  ekuns | 07/16/04
Discussing rhetoric used in the Commentary  Anton Philidor | 07/19/04
Evolution  Linux User 147560 | 07/15/04
My bad...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/16/04
So typical, Harley and anything British Leaks. . .  boomslang_z | 07/16/04
Floppiness  tic swayback | 07/15/04
Mine is a PC, no floppy here  voska | 07/15/04
Frickin dell's....  JoeMama_z | 07/15/04
Never be less to complain about  voska | 07/15/04
re: Maybe GM should  Iain_Peters | 07/15/04
Legacy apps only TINY problem. You're missing the issue here  Jeff Spicoli | 07/15/04
Actually...  Michael Kelly | 07/15/04
The problem as I see it.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/15/04
Good point  Michael Kelly | 07/15/04
I use Virtual PC.  JoeMama_z | 07/15/04
RE: Good point  cammobus@... | 07/22/04
I got sand in my eye!  JoeMama_z | 07/15/04
There is a lot of Windows based spyware out there also!  B.O.F.H. | 07/15/04
You're so full of it.  chiwawa | 07/16/04
Someone needs to brush up on their computer/network security knowledge  toadlife | 07/16/04
I would gently suggest that it is you and Windows  mlindl | 07/16/04
Attention Don! Your password has been guessed!  Still Lynn | 07/22/04
Yep, MS OS is too much old spaghetti  FilledOut | 07/15/04
Hear the zealot wail.  Anton Philidor | 07/15/04
Being a zealot doesn't automatically make you wrong.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/15/04
By definition, a zealot has lost touch with reality.  Anton Philidor | 07/15/04
TRUE...But even someone who has lost touch with REALITY can have a POINT!  Laff | 07/15/04
Yes. ...uhm Okay.  Anton Philidor | 07/15/04
While it is true that people are more than capable of using even the TRUTH  Laff | 07/15/04
But, it still doesn't mean he is all wrong.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/15/04
Emulation as application.  Anton Philidor | 07/15/04
By that definition, I think you yourself would be a "Zealot".  Linux_Developer | 07/16/04
In that post, I just reporting the usual reaction...  Anton Philidor | 07/16/04
Thanks, Anton. You brightened up my day for me. 9.5  Linux_Developer | 07/16/04
Thanks  Linux User 147560 | 07/16/04
Being able to control startups would REALLY help  Michael Kelly | 07/15/04
You can identify all startups  Anton Philidor | 07/15/04
That's great for an adminstrator who knows of the problem...  Michael Kelly | 07/15/04
If only you were right.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/15/04
Boot viruses  Anton Philidor | 07/15/04
which ones?  JoeMama_z | 07/15/04
We hear you wail  Robert Crocker | 07/15/04
Destroy to save  Anton Philidor | 07/15/04
You ignore so much...  Robert Crocker | 07/15/04
Catching up.  Anton Philidor | 07/15/04
User vs. Enterprise  Robert Crocker | 07/16/04
Good story link  Anton Philidor | 07/19/04
Too quick to dismiss the security issues.  enduser_z | 07/18/04
Users do expect security; problems an exception  Anton Philidor | 07/19/04
eh?  Iain_Peters | 07/15/04
Diagnosing zealotry  Anton Philidor | 07/15/04
What if.........  freetonk | 07/15/04
Man I love these feedback wars.  bjbrock | 07/15/04
It is fun.....:)  Laff | 07/15/04
The only thing I don't like is trolling.  Linux_Developer | 07/16/04
The talbacks here are so cute (and mostly clueless)  B.O.F.H. | 07/15/04
Thank you for the information.  boomslang_z | 07/16/04
You are right about spyware, but legacy support really is the core problem  toadlife | 07/16/04
It isn?t just legacy apps or support!  B.O.F.H. | 07/16/04
You sure know how to change the subject  toadlife | 07/16/04
Your issues addressed...  B.O.F.H. | 07/17/04
.  toadlife | 07/17/04
no the core of the problem is people can not  V Sanders | 07/16/04
That application is useless  toadlife | 07/16/04
Good really wins here but.....  pj-xmesh | 07/15/04
How to detect and get rid of spyware?  pcfreedom | 07/16/04
Don't bother asking here, but try these. . .  boomslang_z | 07/16/04
You guys have no clue  sunnylowe | 07/16/04
uhm... spyware isnt illegal in most cases  Stuka | 07/19/04
I have been waiting for the wireless fixes  V Sanders | 07/16/04
I have a easy solution  V Sanders | 07/16/04
wrong wrong wrong  V Sanders | 07/16/04
It Would Seem  ParadigmOdyssey | 07/17/04
What you are describing has existed for several years...  wonderbored | 07/19/04
problems with windows?  terracell | 07/18/04
As Einstein would say...  wonderbored | 07/19/04
Good Catch!  steevcoco | 07/20/04
Ladies, Ladies...calm down happy...  eulagree | 07/20/04
Windows...  eulagree | 07/20/04
Windows...  eulagree | 07/20/04
I Am...  eulagree | 07/20/04
Most well-written ZDNet article I've ever read!  syrynxx | 07/21/04
spyware  jadboggess | 07/22/04
service pack 2, more then just a service pack  V Sanders | 07/28/04
download winxp sp1 and 2  albat2006@... | 04/27/06

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