"Putting in process restraints on getting code is better than
technology changes in the operating system."
Jim Allchin, Microsoft vice president, explaining his reason
for not improving Windows security. June, 1999.
Helpful Sites and Programs
The Microsoft Windows Refund Newsletter
Did you know that if you buy a new PC computer, and you do not plan on using
the Windows that came with it, you can get a refund? This site provides
directions on how to do it.
Woody's Office Watch (WOW)
"Add the usual mix of tips, tricks, answers to your burning questions,
bugs and workarounds [and documented security defects], pithy
hardware and software reviews, update notices and tutorial on features
you probably never knew existed, and you'll see why Office users --
novice to guru - say, 'WOW? WOW!'"
Free newsletter. Back issues available on-line.
The MSBC Superlist
"MSBC's The Alternative is the internet's first and foremost guide
to replacing Microsoft products on your computer and in your life."
Their "The Alternative" section offers a massive list of substitutes for
Micrsoft products, divided into categories: Business, Development,
Hardware, Home and Education, Internet, Non-MS OSes, Servers, and Service.
BigFix
"BigFix delivers tech support when you need it most -- before
bugs crash your system. The instant you install BigFix, you get
messages that directly relate to you and your computer. From
Y2K problems to virus alerts, you get just the info you need,
exactly when you need it."
I never register Microsoft products. Why bother? They never
use it to contact you about critical bugs, they only use it when they
want to sell you something.
I haven't tried the above free program, but I'm listing it here
because I support the idea. (Note to Bill: On your next round of idea
stealing, try swiping this one. It's not only unique, it's also helpful --
unlike your Windows Update "feature" that blindly overwrites buggy system
files with more buggy system files.)
Boycott Microsoft
"I believe that as Computer Scientists and computer professionals, that
we have a duty to support alternatives to Microsoft technology, to
ensure the continued openness and freedom of Computer Science research
and teaching, as well as the growth and open nature of the Internet and
related technologies."
I don't otherwise list "boycott" sites because they just favor the
system or product the author uses. How does it help boycotting one
company and locking yourself in with another?
This site gives rational reasons for choosing other options (that's plural:
options) and provides lists of alternatives. Make up your own mind
while you can!
Demoroniser
"This page describes, in Unix manual page style, a Perl program
available for downloading from this site which corrects numerous errors
and incompatibilities in HTML generated by, or edited with, Microsoft
applications. The demoroniser keeps you from looking dumber than a bag
of dirt when your Web page is viewed by a user on a non-Microsoft
platform."
It's written and provided by John Walker, founder of Autodesk.
Another favorite line I have to include here: "As is usually the case
when you encounter something shoddy in the vicinity of a computer,
Microsoft incompetence and gratuitous incompatibility were to
blame."
98lite.NET
"98lite is a unique application I developed that breaks the tight
integration between Windows98 and Internet Explorer, opening up a range
of new possibilities for configuring Windows98. These possibilities are
realised by implanting the leaner and faster Explorer shell from
Windows95 onto the improved core of Windows98."
Since IE in Win98 is used for other things besides Web browsing
(directory displays, etc.), you have to reboot if anything related to it
crashes, or gets updated. So much for "plug and play". I'd rather
Windows remain a utilitarian operating system and not a
butler/nanny/chainsaw-wielding maniac, thank you. So visit this site if you
want to put this "innovation" to sleep.
Windows 95 Annoyances
"This page contains a list of annoying 'features' of
Windows95, and workarounds for most of them."
Windows 98 Annoyances
"Windows 98 Annoyances is the most complete collection of information
assembled for and by actual users of Windows 98."
Windows 2000 Annoyances
"The website devoted to the first operating system named after the
biggest computer bug in history. "
Providing step-by-step instructions or tiny, free programs, this site lets you
fix all of the crap you can't believe Microsoft actually decided to
impose on the population. Or did Gates actually find real people to
stock their million-dollar useability labs who said, sure, I love making
the same changes to the same programs over and over and over again
rather than having one of your 3,000 programmers code it to remember one
or two simple values?
Isys Information Architects, Inc.
Their Interface Hall of Shame "is an irreverent look at ineffective
interface design."
After visiting this site, you'll cry, "thank the Great Fubar someone
else agrees this program is stupid, I thought I was the only one
going insane!"
They also have a complementary Interface Hall of Fame.
Cooper Interaction Design
"Programs are constantly pointing their grubby little
fingers at humans, blaming them for anything that goes wrong."
Not much online -- you'll have to buy Alan's book, but it's worth
the price. Check the "porfolio" option for three online samples,
in which they basically show how people can enjoy a product if
you un-Microsoft-ize the front-end.
Anti-Microsoft Dictionary
"The definitions of words Microsoft uses often differ from that of
common usage (such as integration, innovation, or bug). ... This
unofficial glossary tries to define terms used on both sides of the
Microsoft debate."
Learn what Microsoft really means so you can quickly get to the truth of
the matter.
Microsoft Corp.
"The Windows Family of operating systems spans the complete range of
computing needs, from handheld machines to scalable network servers."
Consider this site a valuable thinktank on how not to do things, as
everything said here is only for the benefit of stockholders.
Pick any of their products and ask yourself if you'd be proud to
tell your family or friends that this is something you created,
that you're responsible for it being sold to the public as a
declaration of quality software, and that you consider it to be an
example of your best work.
