Biceps

July 01, 2010 at 1:02pm

I think our friend from Novell is ignoring the fact that there is a difference between caution and fear.  Caution is what one practices when installing new software on their computer (whether it be a Windows or Mac or Linux machine), and fear is what happens when I hear someone say "I don't need an antivirus scanner, because I only use my Mac".

I can think of worse things than a simpler install/uninstall capability for Windows, especially if we could get all that junk out of our registries, the first time, every time.  However, Mr. de Icaza seems to think that I want my computer to be a giant iPhone.  NO THANK YOU!

I (and all power users, and MOST Windows users, I believe) value our own definition of flexibility over some cookie-cutter 'app store'.  Window is great exactly because its software creation is decentralized, competitive, and (mostly) backwards compatible - and I can install whatever I want. 

'Simple' is after all, a synonym for 'stupid'.  User friendliness is important, but it should never trump usefulness, customization or flexibility, in my opinion.

Blues22475

July 01, 2010 at 10:01am

Always research what you're going to install. It doesn't matter how seemingly "unimportant" the app is. As it's easy to install malware unknowingly, but its' even easier to pop in the name of the app in Google.

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Ignorance is man's greatest enemy.

greencpu

July 01, 2010 at 8:11am

As someone who runs an IT department, I can say without reservation, I WISH my users were afraid to install software.

---www.sci-guys.com - sci-fi and other cool stuff---

PawBear

July 01, 2010 at 8:07am

 While I think it would be nice if all users understood their machines it's unrealistic to expect this of most people.  I understand that they want a computer to be like a tv, just turn it on and do it.  They don't want to know about updates and maintenance and crashes.  However, they do understand price.  That's why they buy windows machines.

I've always believed Ms could make computing easier while leaving the door open to "geeks".  I refuse to believe that with all their resources they can't make it so.  As it stands now it's no wonder Apple can get so much mileage from "It just works".

"Either we conform the Truth to our desires or we conform our desires to the Truth."

I Jedi

July 01, 2010 at 6:58am

I think that the real issue here is that a lot of computer users are not too intelliegent when it actually comes to the PC. If I were a leader at Microsoft, I would try to create some sort of a campaign, where I actively promoted my users to actively try to learn the basics of the "Do's" and "Don't's" of a PC. People, in general, treat computers like they were designed solely for the few and brave: I.e. NASA. While a vast majority of these users do not care to know how their PC works, I think it is important that anyone who does own a PC at least give a damn to understand the fundamental of how their PC works. Time and time again, I have seen way too many people throw out perfectly good computers because they thought it was broke do to an old OS install, virus, or system crash.

As I always tell people I fix computers for, if you're going to own a PC, you have to take care of it, just like a car. They both need regular maintenance and check-ups.

MdX MaxX

July 01, 2010 at 6:56am

I think a regulated application repository would definitely make it easier for newbies to keep their computers safe.  But they can't dumb down Windows for everyone else... 

therestorestore

July 01, 2010 at 6:38am

As someone who makes money by fixing computers I deal with people all day every day. I run into a few awesome users who know a fair amount about computers, some who think they do but don't and lots of people of the "my cup holder is broken and my foot pedal won't work" variety.

I am stunned by the amount of people who adamantly refuse to ever install ANY updates of ANY kind and think they are being shrewd by not doing so. Invariably it is their son or brother or uncle or whatever who "knows all about computers" who said they shouldn't install those updates, you don't need them anyway.

So the issue becomes complex. I inform them that "yes, you should install all Java, Flash, Adobe Reader and Windows updates, and also you should install your antivirus updates, because they plug security vulnerabilities." But you also GOTTA tell them about the rogues, because if they get into the habit of actually DOING updates, as soon as something pops up telling them to activate their antivirus 2010, bam, they're hosed and it's MY fault.

Yeah, it's complicated.

So, I say "Look carefully at this. This is YOUR antivirus. If you see a different kind of antivirus pop up, DON'T CLICK IT!" 

It's like giving a toddler a loaded shotgun and trying to explain about different calibers and pellet size and how you can't shoot a slug with chokes on. 

 

 

Silencer

July 01, 2010 at 6:44am

...most (smart) people are afraid to install stuff on Windows.  With good reason.

 

When I heard of this App Store, my first thought was about all of the toolbars and homepage changes I have to de-select when installing things. Putting reliable apps into a Linux-like repository would help Windows.

 

I fail to see why the kernal would need to be altered.  Can't they just pre-test the software before adding it to the App Store?  Most legitimate software, is compatible with with most other software, and doesn't break Windows.

 

"a new way of distributing apps"... Synaptic.  Not new really.

 

techparadox

July 01, 2010 at 6:24am

First, I want to preface this by saying I DNRTFA, but these were my reactions from the post here.

"Everyone is scared of installing applications on Windows"...  Whaaaaaattt?  Seriously?  Has he ever worked with common end users?  If anything most of them are installing too much crap to begin with and are oblivious to what they're installing.  They don't read the installer screens while installing whatever bloatware app they just downloaded to put cute smiley faces in their emails and they end up with a thousand toolbars cluttering up their IE installation.  Then they blame the computer for running slow.  I'd be willing to wager that anyone who is scared to install anything on Windows is some newbie who thinks that the monitor is the "computer" and the computer is "that tower thingy under the desk."  People like that are in need of some basic instructional courses (which could probably be had at their local community college).