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As I posted here (1), last week I decided that I would NEVER upgrade to Vista as my primary operating system. I find it completely unacceptable to be subject to capricious deactivation with 3 days warning whenever Vista decides it does not like software or hardware I might install (yes, even SOFTWARE can trigger this nonsense…see (2)(3)(4)(5) ).
My personal workstations matter to me. But, what about the coming Vista Server? Will it have self-deactivation code that is never supposed to deactivate too? What about MALWARE causing deactivation? What about Airline reservation systems? Police 911 information systems? Hospital information systems? You get the idea. Self-deactivation code inside the operating system is completely unacceptable.
Microsoft has lost its way and has gone too far now. The uncertainty is unacceptable and I’ve decided that NOW is the right time to make a move. I have 100% confidence that there will be more moves by Microsoft that displease me. I will not be investing any further in the Microsoft Windows platform. I will invest in Linux and Macintosh now.
I’ve got a “Leaving Windows” project going, and I thought someone else might find this information helpful. If you are doing something similar, or think as I do (or not), or if you find this post helpful to you, I would love to read your posts here.
[b]Refusing Vista means leaving Windows!![/b] :0
Windows and I have been friends for a long time. Windows has been my primary operating system since 1992. Quite sadly, Windows has gone from being very helpful and pleasing (Windows 3.1, big help to PC users) to deceptively attractive, “demonically” possessed, and vengeful (Vista), just like the company that sells it (Microsoft) X-( .
It is not MY computer anymore when Microsoft’s software can and will take it over capriciously. I am going to reassert dominion over MY personal computer.
Refusing Vista means I have up to only about 2 more years to stay on Windows XP in order to avoid 3rd party hardware & software compatibility issues, and losing those [u]wonderful[/u] security updates. So, I am beginning my “Leaving Windows” project immediately.
[b]The “Leaving Windows” Project[/b]
In my “Leaving Windows” project, I will be converting my personal workstations from Windows XP to Linux (desktop) and Macintosh (notebook). The project has three phases and will progress steadily but without any painful big moves.
[u]STARTING CONFIGURATION[/u]
Desktop 1…… : x86 PC running Windows XP (primary computer)
Desktop 2…… : x86 PC running Linux
Desktop 3…… : eMac running MacOS X (just for the transition)
Notebook……. : ThinkPad running Windows XP
Network…….. : All systems on 100 Mbps Ethernet LAN
[u]ENDING CONFIGURATION[/u]
Desktop 1…… : x86 PC running Windows XP
Desktop 2…… : x86 PC running Linux (primary computer)
Desktop 3…… : (retired!!)
Notebook……. : x86 MacBook running MacOS X (plus Windows XP in a VM)
Network…….. : All systems on 100 Mbps Ethernet LAN
[u]PHASE 1: SWITCH TO PORTABLE APPLICATIONS[/u]
Take inventory of all applications used. Then, switch to portable applications that run on Windows, Mac, and Linux. This enables a more gradual transition by controlling the rate of change. Today’s portable applications are [u]excellent[/u] and many are open source and free! I will not lose anything important by doing this. Some examples:
– Browser………… : [b]Firefox[/b] (instead of Internet Explorer).
– POP E-mail……… : [b]Thunderbird[/b] (instead of Outlook/Express).
– Webmail………… : [b]Yahoo Mail[/b] (HotMail is Outlook Express-only).
– Word Processing…. : [b]OpenOffice[/b] (instead of MS Office).
– Spreadsheet…….. : [b]OpenOffice[/b] (instead of MS Office).
– Presentation……. : [b]OpenOffice[/b] (instead of MS Office).
– Music………….. : [b]iTunes[/b] (instead of Media Player; Win, Mac).
– Video………….. : [b]QuickTime[/b] (instead of Media Player; Win, Mac).
– Photo/Graphics 1… : [b]Adobe Photoshop Elements[/b] (Win, Mac).
– Photo/Graphics 2… : [b]The GIMP[/b] (instead of PhotoShop).
– PDA……………. : [b]Palm Desktop[/b] (Win, Mac).
– Accounting……… : [b]Quicken[/b] (Win, Mac).
– VM…………….. : [b]VMWare[/b] (instead of MS Virtual PC).
During Phase 1, I will run and work with the portable applications on all three systems (Win, Mac, Lin) as I go and will make the transition gradually and smoothly, and without any grief. When the time is right, the cut over will occur (Phase 2).
I’ve been heading in the direction of portable apps for some months now, but never intended to leave Windows as I do now. I switched to OpenOffice full-time last week. It is reading all of my MS Word and MS Excel files just fine so far! 🙂 Nice program!
Note 1: NOW is the time to buy any Windows XP licenses that you need for a project like this. Windows XP will be very hard to find 2 years from now (7). Any expense here will be MORE than offset by savings from not upgrading to Vista and Vista-compatible applications, and using free open source apps.
Note 2: I chose to use multiple x86 desktop computers for efficiency and getting the best experience on Linux. This could also be done using one PC via rebooting or in VMs.
[u]PHASE 2: SWITCH TO LINUX (DESKTOP) AND MACINTOSH (NOTEBOOK)[/u]
In addition to the portable and native applications on the new platforms, I will run Windows XP in a VM on the MacBook. There will be a very few applications I will want to run on Windows XP for a while, or indefinitely. This is about reasserting control, not hating Microsoft or Windows.
Even though Linux runs on notebooks, especially ThinkPads, I have chosen a MacBook instead. Choosing Macintosh means I know the notebook will “just work”. Further, it provides me with a commercial platform to run commercial applications on as that need arises. There is wide third party commercial hardware and software support for Macintosh (e.g. digital cameras, etc.). Furthermore, I use iTunes for music and QuickTime for video. So, there MUST be a Macintosh or Windows computer in the mix. Since Windows is out, and I want an x86 PC as the desktop, the Macintosh must be the notebook. Of course, this is no sacrifice at all! 🙂
[u]PHASE 3: NO WINDOWS AT ALL[/u]
When the time comes, stop regularly running Windows XP in a VM. Keep it around for contingencies.
[b]The Bottom Line[/b]
I am now completely convinced that not only is leaving Windows possible for me, but that it really is not a problem at all. Paul Simon was right: There must be fifty ways to leave your lover. Just step out the back, Jack. And, set yourself free.
I may be leaving Windows, but not everybody is. The “safety valve” that is going to make this work really well is being able to run Windows XP (or even Vista ]:) ) in a VM if that ever becomes necessary for one program or function. No matter what happens, I will be able to switch full-time to Linux and Macintosh, and STILL be able to deal very well with a world where many other people run Windows.
Should Vista ever capriciously self-deactivate on someone else, I promise, I will try really hard to smile only on the inside. And, I will let them borrow my computer to check their e-mail (assuming, of course, that their mail server has not also capriciously self-deactivated!!) :^0 :^0 :^0
All the best to all of you…
P.S. I found this article very inspirational: (6).
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(1) Now it’s final. I will NEVER upgrade to Vista.
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=212977
(2) Vista WGA problems confirmed
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=221
(3) Sequence to Vista pulling the pin on the grenade
http://content.zdnet.com/2346-12354_22-56084.html
(4) What does Windows Vista reduced functionality mode look like?
http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=286
(5) Vista reduced functionality mode – Gallery
http://content.zdnet.com/2346-12554_22-56027-3.html
(6) Rockin’ on without Microsoft
http://news.com.com/2008-1082_3-5065859.html
(7) Is It OUTRAGEOUS or is it just ME?
https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=213341&messageID=2184529