Why do people shell out good money for Windows products when there are free alternatives that actually work better that are virus free?
2007-02-15 10:10:03 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
See "Spin" under marketing in the dictionary....
2007-02-15 10:20:55 · answer #1 · answered by Rick 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Microsoft vs. free alternatives
- Third party vendor support for Microsoft is much higher than any other operating system
- Microsoft offers deep discounted software to students (convince the drones early)
- Hardware driver support is more stable (although Vista is proving to be a challenge it seems).
- Licensing requirements for free alternatives may not be compatible for every situation. You could argue the same for Microsoft license.
- Intellectual property indemnity issues (search for articles describing the Microsoft/Novel partnership - SUSE Linux).
I'd love to see Linux or even Solaris (I'm a Sun user from way back) take more of a market share from Microsoft. Competition will ultimately help the consumer. I don't know that I'd say the alternatives are virus free though. Exploits can happen with any OS. It might be more fair to say exploits are less likely or the effects would be reduced based on security models. I think the biggest holdup with alternate operating systems is lack of software. Projects like WINE will certainly help for running MS Win32 application and Open Office will help for productivity but building up the gaming market would probably help drive people to install the free alternatives. Maybe some Linux group could develop a Linux only game that draws people to the platform.
2007-02-15 18:21:57 · answer #2 · answered by Jim Maryland 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In many companies buying windows is a must as everybody knows the interface, they have contracts, multi licenses, support and they can use other companies interfaces easily to communicate, process orders...
I bought Windows myself as a single user because I'm a player and that linux has many compatibility problems with new games.
2007-02-15 18:15:48 · answer #3 · answered by bemanni 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Beacuse it's easier and it's what most people now know. Microsoft spend BILLIONS on advertising and product placement... so of course people are going to to to a store and ask for MS Windows to be loaded - and in most cases thats all you can get!
2007-02-15 18:14:20 · answer #4 · answered by d_khar 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I like Windows and Mac OS X but I use Mac OS X. Mac OS X is a good alternative. And you never know, Loopy XP!
2007-02-15 18:22:32 · answer #5 · answered by loopy_and_yoshi 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most people think that pay=better, and not that free=opensource is better. It's the way that we've been conditioned by the society that we live in. Some people wake up, some continue to hibernate. :)
2007-02-15 18:15:19 · answer #6 · answered by Abstract 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've kinda gotten pretty used to windows....dare i say i even like windows :)
of course, i've never actually paid for a legit license....the disc image coming off a p2p works just the same as one out of nice shiny expensive box
2007-02-15 18:18:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
In my case it's because my workplace used Windows XP, so I've got to use it at home. Got to keep my hand in, and also swap programmes without any conflicts.
I've now gotten used to XP and now like it a lot. I don't think I'll change. :-)
2007-02-15 18:16:53 · answer #8 · answered by Tabby 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
give us an example that is EASY to use like microsoft windows
2007-02-15 18:13:14 · answer #9 · answered by willy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
because there popular.
everyone wants to have something thats...you know...out there.
2007-02-15 18:13:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋