Why Did You Buy Windows?

[Power Penguin]

Windows XP Home costs the price of two good pairs of jeans. Or the equivalent of a DVD player and a movie. It's expensive.

What I want to discuss in here is why you purchased XP Home or XP Professional.

[Sockfulloflove]

How about this, why didn't you buy XP?

Muahahaha, trickery at its best.


Note: I'm an idiot.

[Kevin06906]

Well, i got Windows XP Home with my new computer that i bought a year ago.

Windows Xp is awesome. No more blue screens of death and it runs stable. It has good features and it runs fast with my computer.

It's better than old ass windows 95 that i had with my old computer. Damn thing had like 24Mb of RAM and windows 95 had a blue screen everytime i had like 4 programs up. Also my old computer never stopped loading, you could always hear the computer churning inside. Really annoying. I was about to beat the living shit out of it.

It's up in the attic now, i will have to fix it, and run msconfig and get that celebrity porn that keeps popping up at startup. It fucks it all up.

[cpugeniusmv]

who said i bought it?

[-0-BACKLASH-0-]

lol

/me snickers

[seraph]

Originally posted by cpugeniusmv
who said i bought it?

Couldn't agree more!!!

[Ken17625]

Ken?

Pay for Windows XP?


What ever do you mean?

[begoodbebad]

I bought XP Home because at the time there was all the hassle with the well known XP Pro product IDs being recognised as fake by MS and SP1 deactivating the OS accordingly. Also I was still using Kazaa Lite and every d/l OS of course was corrupted. I had Win98 so naturally was desperate to change. Crashes are boring. Tried Mandrake 9 and quickly realised XP was the way to go so I spent my money on an XP Home Upgrade disc (my own ISO has become very popular with admirers of a certain small stubborn pack animal).
Since then I've discovered filesharing apps which don't corrupt files and have also realised that activation of Windows XP Pro is an option not an obligation. cough. Also discovered that there is no point in sharing a product key with half the world when you can have one all of your own if you know the gen. ahem.
Anyhow it was a good purchase all things considered and if everything else goes tits up I have XP Home with genuine product ID to fall back on.
I had my first ever blue screen on XP this week, hope its the last...unsigned driver...thanks Nikon. Even so I lost no data. XP is definitely robust.

[Induna]

Originally posted by janett999
but....isnt this ZERO PAID? nuff said


...


I'd be VERY surprised if there's somebody here who HAS paid for WinXP, or any Windows.



EDIT: Probably not then.

[Jon49]

i thought this poll was "why do you USE xp".

surely that is what the original poster MEANT to say (like im really gonna pay for xp)?

[bullsonparade]

Originally posted by cpugeniusmv
who said i bought it?

exactly what i was gonna say

[Power Penguin]

I'm interested in people that have PAID for Windows XP. I'm not interested in people using unlicensed illegal copies.

I wish to move this thread onto how Microsoft maintains it's dominant position in the software market.

[MoonMan]

I don't know anyone that has paid for a copy of Windows.. ever (except for the schools and jobs I have attended).

[serrebi101]

I got xp home leget on my comp, had xp pro for a while, screwed up my screen reader, because I wasn't running the pro ver of my screen reader, so I went back to my ledgit xp home. It's the stablist OS I've ever used.
BTW to developers, usualley the keygens are more accessible then the software program, I'm almost tempted to do accessibillity reviews on keygens, my life would be easier, lol.

[ferrarimodena360]

people either get it bundled with their hardware. or they use some key like FCKGW RHQQ2 lol ,,,,,, if u bought xp then kindly donate to kazaa lite developers, and streamripper, and hmm evything else

hey get me a free zeropaid t shirt , ship it to India as well

[Power Penguin]

To the people that purchased Windows XP with their computer from Dell etc...

The reason many people buy a computer with ONLY Windows is that OEMs (Original Equipment Manufactuers like Dell) are forbidden by Microsoft from offering dual boot (two operating systems on the same computer with a choice at startup) otherwise they would lose their supplies of Windows.

This is classed as a trade secret by Microsoft and the contract is not available to the public to read. Microsoft like to keep their strong arm tactics secret.

Hence Linux (a free operating system) that many people would like to try and could be useful to a great many people is not given a look in.

[ROMANTICGUY50]

Originally posted by Power Penguin
I'm interested in people that have PAID for Windows XP. I'm not interested in people using unlicensed illegal copies.

I wish to move this thread onto how Microsoft maintains it's dominant position in the software market.

I bought it. I like it very much. I had problems with it at first. It did crash two three times. I have got all the new updates and it has worked fine. I would never go back to :devil ME:devil
again. It is the worse OS I have ever seen or used.. I have friends that use 98SE., but she has an older computer. so she can't upgrade. I still, at this time think XP Home is the best bet. I was not sure at first. I have SP1 with it. So far I have not had to reboot my computer again. but I would rather have XP than ME.

[Power Penguin]

Originally posted by notbob
so?

nobody holds a gun to anybody's head to install windows,

But that's exactly what Microsoft DO do to OEMs. If you were Dell or similar and a customer asked for Linux and Windows, as a dual boot, they would be forbidden to do so by the contract they signed with Microsoft.

[Sockfulloflove]

Although I like Linux, I would never recommend it to someone who is brand new or just starting out to use a computer.

[Sho0tyz]

because it's nearly impossible to buy a laptop that doesn't include windows in the price.

[moneoa]

I have never paid for any windows version EVER, at all, not once.(actually I have never paid for a microsoft product at all ever)
Xp pro is o.k, can never find home version for download tho......
but it was free after all. notbob: sorry buddy, your kind of a chump too even 30 bucks is more than its worth.

[rainbowdemon]

Originally posted by MoonMan
I don't know anyone that has paid for a copy of Windows.. ever (except for the schools and jobs I have attended). I guess I did. Windows 2000 Pro came with my computer. It's my first comp. I have never used any other os ,so (?) I have nothing to compare it to. It seems all right to me.

[Power Penguin]

Originally posted by moneoa
I have never paid for any windows version EVER, at all, not once.(actually I have never paid for a microsoft product at all ever)
Xp pro is o.k, can never find home version for download tho......
but it was free after all. notbob: sorry buddy, your kind of a chump too even 30 bucks is more than its worth.

So in other words, if you happen to be a programmer, you have to starve.

[MoonMan]

Originally posted by rainbowdemon
I guess I did. Windows 2000 Pro came with my computer. It's my first comp. I have never used any other os ,so (?) I have nothing to compare it to. It seems all right to me.

If you put it that way, I guess I did too since Windows ME came with my PC. It was OEM though.

[Krell]

moneoa - this is not a warez thread, keep your downloads to AND names yourself.

Power Penguin - stick to the topic and stop baiting.

notbob - insert whatever you want here, i mean really, this is too easy for you.

[Power Penguin]

Originally posted by notbob
so in other words it doesn't matter what we say, your whole point is flame bait?

if you don't like windows, don't buy a dell or hp--build your own and put some flavor of linux on it

you want programmers to be paid, yet you want us to (presumably) download a free linux somewhere

what is your point?

My point has already been stated "I wish to move this thread onto how Microsoft maintains it's dominant position in the software market."

I am not rabidly anti-Microsoft, but I am against the way Microsoft uses predatory practices to out muscle competition. If Microsoft didn't engage in these practises, we, the consumer, would have better computers.

I really don't care for thoughtless posts about how clever you feel about getting hold of XP Corporate edition.

P.S. NotBob we all get YOUR point clearly now : you can build your own PC or buy a barebones PC and install your own OS. OK, OK. Not only have you missed MY point, you're repeating your OWN.

[JennEmile]

bought?? I do not understand...I thought everything was free. :mellow

[aqlo]

You can't help getting bob's point it has a barb on it, that way he doesn't really have to keep poking you you do it to yourself, the key is to stop struggling and sort of lift yourself Off the point if you can

I also am interested in how Redmond keeps their market share up but I don't think morality plays and grass-roots polls in NOT-buying headquarters are going to explain it

PS: I got it "free" yeah, the fact that when we spend our bosses money our whole attitude changes might tell you something important after all

[Power Penguin]

The way Micosoft keeps it's market share up is to capitilise on it's monopoly position by outspending competitors. Just one example :

During the time of Windows 95, Microsoft used it's takings to kill off Netscape's superior browser technology by giving away (free) Internet Exporer technology. They then told OEMs that they couldn't bundle Netscape navigator with Windows (even if people wanted it) or they would scrap the contract, and be forced out of business.

They caught on to the Web late, and were panicking.

They built it into Windows 98, claimed it coudn't be removed, so as to turn the WEB into M$WWW. and sell even more copies of Windows.

You can't get Internet Explorer for Linux can you. This proves it was only given away free to DESTROY a competitor.

[moneoa]

Sorry Krell was just making a point,
will quote posts not names and keep my dirty secrets to myself
I wasn't using the forum to condone, encourage, whatnot.
Though I will say market share is easily maintained by aggressive business practices (there are lawsuits about this you know) but that is a subject for some other thread

[PowerMan57two]

Originally posted by MoonMan
I don't know anyone that has paid for a copy of Windows.. ever (except for the schools and jobs I have attended).

Agreed. I don't know anyone either in person. I am sure the new windows in 2005 people will have to pay for it. Their cracking down on piracy. MS that is.

[begoodbebad]

Looks like this thread was started just so it could turn into another whinge about MS. Yawn. Everyone knows Windows comes with most PCs sold in stores. And big businesses are clever at making money and sometimes they are cruel to the little guy and bully the retailers. Wow, amazing, so what's the next big revelation? Let me see we could discuss how the government listens to phone calls of criminals.SHOCK! Or how about "Sometimes my boss/teacher/mom/dad is grumpy and mean to me"? HORROR! Or maybe "It always seems to rain on my day off and life is unfair".

[k-lite_junkie]

buy? what is this buy word... i don't think it's in my vocabulary.

[digitalelph]

A few years back before I got into p2p, a friend gave me a computer that had no operating system on it. Not wanting to put alot of money into this pc, I picked up a copy of Mandrake Linux from a national chain store for around 25 bucks. (I was on dialup and had no desire to download ISO`s). Immediately I was beset with problems as several of my components did not have drivers available. After searching for drivers and spending alot of time trying to get the thing configured, I ended up buying an upgrade copy of Win98. It recognized all my devices and manufacturers website`s had drivers fully available.

I realize that current Linux distros have taken great strides in hardware compatibility and installation ease, but my personal choice is still Windows Xp Pro. On my pc, it is stable, fast and the software that I prefer to use is readily available. Either by freeware, retail purchase or p2p.

As for Linux, I believe it has a viable place in the world today.
It`s ideal for server use and business applications thanks to it`s UNIX roots. As for a desktop system however, I think its audience will remain those that are comfortable "under the hood". While it`s open source roots are a definite strong point, I also feel it is it`s greatest weakness. Open source means you have different distros, different ideas about what form the os takes.

Now you could say, "ok, then have all the community focus on one distro with a unified programming team and a focused idea of what this os is going to look like, perform, etc". But then you just have another version of windows, eh?

SO it boils down to this....use what works for YOU. Lets not waste time arguing about who has the best OS, just enjoy what you like using.

Can`t we all just get along??.....lol


:fire

[Psilaxs]

Actually, i wish i had the money to give back to MS from all the operating systems i NEVER paid for.

I'm serious (Especially the newest Operating system i downloaded) My computer has given me much joy and pleasure, from chatting on IRC, or this BBS, to playing my favorite computer game, to watching movies. My computer does everything i want it to, and it is because of windows that is it able to do so.

Sure i could have gone with linux (as i have tried about every new "user friendly" iteration of) and usually stopped short of pulling my hair out just trying to get it to recognize small things, like my mouse or monitor.

I love windows, am i a fan of some of the dirty things MS has done? Of course not, but they are not the only one guilty of intellectual theft, it runs rampant through the ENTIRE computer industry.

[Krypt0]

Originally posted by ferrarimodena360
.... or they use some key like FCKGW RHQQ2 lol

lol.. strangely enough, my XP Pro Corp key looked just like that... how odd!

[12345678910]

First off, for everyone who wish to type two sentences which look similar to : "bought?? I do not understand...I thought everything was free" : please grow up. Many people know how to boot up KaZaA / KaZaA Lite or Emule or whatever there favorite P2P program is and download an ISO. You aren't any smarter than the thousands of other people who have done the same thing, so why even type such rubbish?

My dad purchased Windows XP Home edition. I love it. The only factor in which I do not favor is the fact that you may have to purchase another license to install it on another machine. We, the consumers ( the ones who paid for it ), paid for a product, why do we not get to use it for whatever we want? It's simply because Microsoft wants to be in control. Everyone knows this. It has been the same way for years now.

As far as Linux goes, I have not used it so my opinion based on the operating system is limited. I will say that most of the people who use a Linux distro are :

- Anti Microsoft
- A hacker
- Just wants to check it out and see what it is like

Why did my dad buy XP Home?

Because we didn't want the hassle of having a corrupted pirated version and we wanted to have a CD that we could re-use ( crash, another system ) if we needed it. Does it make us the devil because we spent money for a MS product? No. Does it make us stupid? No. Is it stupid to download an ISO, install a pirated version of XP, bash MS, and then say that Linux is the best thing ever? Yes.

Listen to notbob. He gives it to you straight and simple.

Lata,
12345678910

[Ken17625]

First off, for everyone who wish to type two sentences which look similar to : "bought?? I do not understand...I thought everything was free" : please grow up. Many people know how to boot up KaZaA / KaZaA Lite or Emule or whatever there favorite P2P program is and download an ISO. You aren't any smarter than the thousands of other people who have done the same thing, so why even type such rubbish?

I say it because it's fun.

Let's see, instead of paying $100 (rough estimate, it's more obviouisly for the pro version), I paid $0.

Damn that feels good.

And ya know what? This "version" is just fine, as you can see.

[Krypt0]

very well said Ken17625

[Undying Wizard NHD]

they sell tht crap ? somone should tell Kazaa tht


j/k



didnt buy it my friends pc broke and he gave me his oem copy

winxp home

[12345678910]

Originally posted by Ken17625
I say it because it's fun.

Let's see, instead of paying $100 (rough estimate, it's more obviouisly for the pro version), I paid $0.

Damn that feels good.

And ya know what? This "version" is just fine, as you can see.

I understand some people who find humor in it, but I think some of the members here get a power trip for some reason or another.

Lata,
12345678910

[collideous]

I bought an XP Pro upgrade because:
[list=1]
It does what I want an OS to do.
It's stable & extremely reliable.
There's tons of software, freeware & shareware.
[/list=1]

I spend much of my day at work on a Mac. If I had a spare PC, I'd start fooling around with Linux. If I had money to throw around, I'd get myself a G5.

[shawners]

My wife uses our computer to make money.. We have an Incredimail software, ACT software for the business.. i have a cd burner that burns Mp3.. I agree with you penguin that they have a monopoly and do bad things to force others out of business.. But unless UNIX makes a big campaign change.. GETTING MORE THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE SUpport!!! EVEN MACINTOSH AND APPLE DON'T use linux, they have the Jaguar.. So they need to start finding a pc maker to make themselfs better.. I think linux needs to go to big business and try to be their Operating system and network.

[matt merch]

thats another reason for building your own pc no FREE software that they bundle and charge you for

[JennEmile]

Originally posted by 12345678910
I understand some people who find humor in it, but I think some of the members here get a power trip for some reason or another.

Lata,
12345678910

But YOU THINK! Get off your own self-righteous power trip. Before you type what you think, why don't you try to ask the person who posted his thoughts in this forum what he meant by them. OH, that was me! Well let me assure you, I get no power trip from it. I thought some people may find it funny. :mellow

[WRFan]

Why Did You Buy Windows?

who says I bought it? lol. maybe the question should be edited to "why did you download windows?" An honest guy would go even further and ask "why did you steal windows"? But then again, if he were honest, it wouldn't occur to him that there are actually people out there who are evil enough to steal windows, while Bill Gates doesn't have enough money to pay the food for his children.

SUPPORT BILLY! GIVE HIM YOUR MONEY SO THAT HE CAN AFFORD FOOD FOR HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN! BUY WINDOWS TODAY AND YOU WILL GET TWO BSOD FOR FREE! THIS OFFER IS VALID TILL THE END OF AUGUST ONLY (afterwards you'll get more bsods)! :devil

[jonnymnemonic]

And I'm not ashamed of that. Generally speaking, I buy pretty much all software that I use to make money, and Windows XP is something I put into that category (since it allows me to use the things that I directly use to make a living).

That doesn't mean I don't get good deals; my significant other is a counselor, so we get great deals on software and hardware. So I didn't pay a LOT for it.

For a while, I did use the pirated FCK version of XP for a bit, but it got to be more of a hassle being illegal than the few bucks it cost me to be legal, and (for me at least) time is money. (Yeah, yeah, so why am I fooling around on this site, I know, I know.)

Stuff that saves me time I am willing to pay for. Stuff that I use to produce income I am willing to pay for. Stuff that I get great entertainment value from I am willing to pay for. I've got no problem giving someone money for something from which I receive reasonable value.

Call me names if ya want. You know what they say, sticks and stones, blah blah blah. ;)

[begoodbebad]

It's interesting that people here paid for XP even though they know about Linux and they are more than capable of downloading and installing XP for free. It's obvious that it's a product people think offers value which is pretty amazing to hear on a filesharers site. Maybe the RIAA could learn something here about value, perceived value, and the profits(financial and otherwise) to be gained through universal approval.
XP Home Upgrade costs about £75 in UK, I think thats a little over $100 US. It's also the same price a full version of 98 used to sell for. I feel that anyone who paid for 98 should be awarded a free legit version of XP by MS out of a sense of guilt, compassion and karmic balance.
Considering the essential and fundamental nature of an OS on your PC and also considering that people are happy to pay for a product that they perceive to be of high quality, an aid to productivity, a business tool, and general usefulness, then £75 looks like a good deal. And however shitty MS are to their competitors and agents they are actually very good to their customers, lots of support and advice is available for free and they supply a fair amount of extra stuff from their website that isn't on the installation disks (not just patches lol).
I think the Pro versions are way too expensive and so is the full Home edition. The OEM editions are no good unless you get the MS disk and not just a restore disk.
Having said all that and given MS a little praise where it's due I have to admit even though I bought XP Home Upgrade the version I use now, XP Pro, was acquired by other means, and I have no intention of ever paying for another OS after XP, but anyhow thanks Bill it was neat and I am your true bastard lovechild from that night of debauched rampant lechery you wish you could forget (check the adult section of sharereactor for the full svcd).

[mojo-ris-in]

Why do people buy Windows XP?
1) Easy to install
2) Compatible with most commercial software and hardware
3) OS that most people are comfortable with
4) Linux is still not ready for the everyday consumer
5) It is far more stable than the Win95 kernal series of OS's

Let's face it, the majority of people want to turn the machine on and have it work and do what they want. While Linux has come a long way, it still has it's issues for non tech savvy people. Until they can make it as easy to install, configure, and operate like Windows is, MS will keep the upper hand in the OS department.

[tamarisk]

the reason windows is popular is because it comes with new pc's

[Korn377135678]

Originally posted by Power Penguin
I'm interested in people that have PAID for Windows XP. I'm not interested in people using unlicensed illegal copies.

I wish to move this thread onto how Microsoft maintains it's dominant position in the software market.

P2p site and your thinking most people here have paid for xp?You have better luck asking at some os forum.

[shawners]

I believe the UNIX folks are making the virus and worms to be used on windows to get people to use linux, i never heard of a worm attacking or a virus attacking a linux machine.. Or are they not worried bout the 15 dollar operating system to post that news or its not really a threat?

[begoodbebad]

Originally posted by shawners
I believe the UNIX folks are making the virus and worms to be used on windows to get people to use linux, i never heard of a worm attacking or a virus attacking a linux machine.. Or are they not worried bout the 15 dollar operating system to post that news or its not really a threat?

Shawners, borrow a wrench, undo those two big bolts, swivel your head around so it faces forwards like everyone elses and then tighten the bolts again.

If you still find the same thoughts filling your head it may be time to quit shooting squirrels and join the army.

[TheIceMan]

Buy?????????????? are you f*cking kidding!

[fernandez]

One of the most famous worms was actually a Unix worm.
Just search for morris worm on google.

There are also worms that infect Linux.

[triniti]

I think the poll should say "Why haven't you purchased windows?" The only reason I ever slightly paid for it was because it came on one of my computers.

[serrebi101]

I will never go out and buy a windows xp cd, why? because it is ms.
And that had no place here, but I get a power trip whenever I instal a cracked software, I mean, it's like yes!
lol

[muffenme]

:fire

I bought windows 98 SE upgrade, I did make a copy of it and one day my CD drive desided that it was hunger and smash my Windows CD up. I then made a copy of Windows 98 SE Full edition because the upgrade requires a version of Windows installed in it.

I ratter Windows 98 SE even though I have a copy of Windows ME and Windows 2000 Pro, the ME version is an orginal that I traded with my friend.

I have used a little of XP and I still not sold on it.
ME sucks.
Lunix version 7.0 and before is to hard to configure and some of the feature don't work.
Windows 2000 isn't a gaming OS and I got that because a guy gave me it and the reason because a emulator totally crashed so badly the the only way to get it going again is to reinstall it.
Overall would I buy XP, no. I stick to my BSOD in Windows 98 SE and continue to go crazy when something goes wrong and to spend hours on the problem to clean it up, oh I gest that didn't change much either in the new OS. I am refering to the Blaster worm that seem to be only effecting XP and 2000. It does crash NT 4 and 2003 but it has no effect on Windows 98 and before, I think ME is also not effected either.

:hole

[FrozenShadow23]

Me, buy software?? Mua ha ha ha....
I aquired WinXP corp edition, but I mostly use linux. I imagine that was what this poll/thread was about correct? A linux ad? Umhmmm thats what I thought....

/me wishes to end the OS war after Mac dies.

Side Note: I wonder when people will learn to spell enough so that their posts are halfway comprehensible. Swear to god...

[12345678910]

Originally posted by JennEmile
But YOU THINK! Get off your own self-righteous power trip. Before you type what you think, why don't you try to ask the person who posted his thoughts in this forum what he meant by them. OH, that was me! Well let me assure you, I get no power trip from it. I thought some people may find it funny. :mellow

I didn't find it funny.

I think Ken did a fine job.

Would you not rather read intelligent, well written answers instead of two sentences informing everyone of how 1337 you are?

Yea...me too...

Lata,
12345678910

[crackerjacker]

yeah I own windows 98. and the upgrade version i got for 20 bucks.
It came with a computer I brought a long time ago.
I brought it 5 years ago.

hmm as far as using other os i have used several versions.
caldera pretty nice

turbo linux hmm * yeah i used that version*
and beos i believe i used it.

as far as what os is the best it all depends on what you want to use your os for.
i have very old linux distros from like maybe 4 or 5 years ago.
i have a nice cd that came from a magazine *some linux magazine* that has many free applications.

for now i use windows :)
and windows 98 is what i will only use.
:)

[Lamourlady]

Originally posted by Ken17625
Ken?

Pay for Windows XP?


What ever do you mean?


Originally posted by Lamourlady
Lamourlady?

Pay for Windows XP?


What ever do you mean?

[RJ5500]

Originally posted by Lamourlady
Lamourlady?

Pay for Windows XP?


What ever do you mean?

Couldn't have said it better myself :cross