[LINK] Web malware a 'loosing battle'

[Craig Sanders]

On Tue, Dec 18, 2007 at 03:44:16PM +1100, Ivan Trundle wrote:
> LIsted below is an awful lot of effort for a mug computer user. 

no, it's not. installing ubuntu is easier and quicker than installing
windows.

boot the ubuntu installer CD.
answer a few extremely simple questions.
done.

then boot ubuntu and start firefox/iceweasel. go to Tool/Addons menu.
click on "get extensions". install the four plugins i mentioned.

> It also implies a redesign of the overall 'package' 

huh?

mouse, windows, GUI. point, click.  it's all the same.

ubuntu won't run all the viruses, though, so if that feature is
important to you then you'd better stick with windows. 

ditto for the Digital Restrictions Management stuff in vista - if you
really insist on letting microsoft corporation and the RIAA (etc) decide
what you're allowed to do on your own computer then stick with windows.


there are a handful of windows-only applications with no linux
equivalent and which can't run under either wine or cross-over office.
for those who need them, set up a dual boot system - linux for most
stuff, and windows (with no networking at all) for just the handful
of windows-only apps.

more advanced users can set up vmware or xen to run windows apps
without rebooting.

> that Windows users must suffer.                                                    

if they're no longer using MS Windows, then they're no longer
suffering




> So then, is there not a wonderful marketing opportunity for a retailer
> (or supplier) to build and offer all of the listed options here? The
> buyer can then sit back, relax, and consult the manual whenever they
> need to push buttons or switch levers, etc.

sure, an end-user can pay someone to do the above few simple steps
for them. why not. the retailer may even be able to do a better job.
stranger things have happened.



> (...or they could simply use a Mac - now ducks for cover...)

that's another possibility...and it's pretty easy to install both
Firefox and Thunderbird on OSX (having used both Safari and Apple
Mail at work, i know that FF & TB are much better...and FF has the
privacy-protecting plugins available for it).

Macs, however, cost significantly more than PCs for what you get.  i.e.
you get a lot more disk/ram/cpu power for your dollar buying a PC.


craig

-- 
craig sanders <cas at taz.net.au>

BOFH excuse #306:

CPU-angle has to be adjusted because of vibrations coming from the nearby road