|
Microsoft's Genuine Advantage
By Bubba Craner |
Microsoft Windows
Is the Genuine Advantage Worth It?
This new program will force users to authenticate their software before they can download any updates. Though pirated versions will still be able to download some updates, they will have much difficulty installing the latest security updates. Microsoft claims that this will allow them to focus on software patches directly related with fixing and preventing viruses, worms and other malicious content.
With this new program, it looks like Microsoft is actually doing something in the direction of the consumers benefit, however, analysts say that this can ultimately be more harmful to the computer world than it appears. By excluding pirated versions of software from proper updates, they are making them more susceptible to viruses and worms and therefore making it easier for those systems to play host to viruses and worms-thus infecting even more computers. Sort of a snowball effect.
Playing devil's advocate, I see it appropriate to remind you that the fairly recent SP2 update that had received so much commotion was the first worthwhile update that Microsoft delivered in quite some time. It was the first update to really address the virus and malicious content problem, and now they assume that consumers should be so willing to fork out huge portions of their income just to purchase the current and authentic versions of software they have been using and updating for so long. To me this sounds like a business move. They are just trying to capitalize on their market of uneducated (in terms of computers) consumers who think they are trust worthy. Dare we think that this is the first step towards never having to reformat our hard drives, or saying two hallelujah's for never seeing the 'blue-screen-of-death' crash again.
If you are a consumer who is really after peace-of-mind with your computer, I suggest you test-drive a Mac. As a reminder, Macintosh not only makes computers, but they make all of the operating systems, and a large majority of the software for their systems. Their computers are rock-solid and do not crash, nor do you need to restart it from time to time if you are one of those computer users who prefers to leave the computer on all of the time. Nor have they ever had a report of a successful virus attack, thus it is superfluous to purchase anti-virus software, along with the annual subscription renewals.
And just for those of you who are reading this right now and saying to yourself that Mac's are just too expensive. They, Mac, has just released a fully functional G4 for just $599.00, and their iMac's are actually priced very competitively-they are not only extremely fast with more than adequate memory and software, but they include a flat-panel monitor. Try picking out a PC with similar spec's and a flat-panel monitor and see which is more expensive.
|
© 2004 Minds Eye One, All Rights Reserved
The Can Magazine™ is a trademark of Minds Eye One
All movie titles, movie icons, movie stills/clips/trailers/other media... are registered trademarks and/or copyrights of stated holders
CanMag.Com banners contain movie/gaming icons that were created by individual holders
|
|
|
Add to Heffee!
