MacDailyNews - Where Mac news comes first

Is it April 1? Did he'll freeze over?

Feb 09, 08 - 12:46 pm Comment from: Ampar

Using Windows is a socially accepted form of masochism.

Feb 09, 08 - 12:52 pm Comment from: TFB

He'll be living in a world of...Hurt? Nome est omen?

Feb 09, 08 - 12:53 pm Comment from: TFB

Bollocks, I missed an "n" out there

Feb 09, 08 - 12:55 pm Comment from: CheekyGit

I believe a parka shop has just opened up outside the gates of hell.

Better buy those extra pair of long johns cause it's getting cold in there.

Feb 09, 08 - 12:57 pm Comment from: Mr. Reeee

Wow, and a supposedly intelligent guy, too. he was HAPPY spending $800 to "repair" his Dell?

All I could think reading the article: What an idiot. What a fucking idiot.

Feb 09, 08 - 12:59 pm Comment from: Ampar

"Harry Hurt"

I thought that was a stage name for a bondage film star.

Feb 09, 08 - 01:00 pm Comment from: Ampar

FTFA:
"I vowed to shave Michael Dell and Bill Gates with a broken beer bottle."

I'd pay to see that.

Feb 09, 08 - 01:03 pm Comment from: BiZarRo BaLlmEr

My parallel universe experiment DID work. What a fascinating place this is.

Feb 09, 08 - 01:07 pm Comment from: Ampar

Hmmm. What else could he have done with $800?

Here's a thought.
Mac Mini, 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1GB memory, 120GB hard drive. Ships: Within 24 hours. Free Shipping.

$799.00

Feb 09, 08 - 01:09 pm Comment from: ken1w

It won't be too long before Mr. Hurt will be hurting once again.

> John ultimately had to remove the data on the hard drive, wipe it clean, and then reinstall all the data and Vista. The total cost of these surgical procedures was about $800

It cost $800 to do THAT. Windows people are getting ripped off big time by predatory "technicians." Microsoft should demand a cut of that extortion money for making it possible.

Feb 09, 08 - 01:14 pm Comment from: qka

MDN: That was a misleading headline.

When I first saw it, I also thought I would learn that Dvorak was under a court order to take his meds.

Feb 09, 08 - 01:15 pm Comment from: qka

MDN - You also slipped up in not telling us that the hurting Mr. Hurt can be e-mailed at

Feb 09, 08 - 01:16 pm Comment from: HotinPlaya

@Mr. Reese

"All I could think reading the article: What an idiot. What a fucking idiot."

Thank you for that, I was raised not to use language like that

Feb 09, 08 - 01:18 pm Comment from: Ampar

"Microsoft should demand a cut of that extortion money for making it possible."

They already do. It's called MCSE.

I would have done it for $250.

PS. I did that yesterday for $250

I AM OUR FAMILY/LOCAL NERD. (as are a bunch of you i bet)


After years of being a nice relative/friend/neighbor, I had to put my foot down.
I NO LONGER SERVICE WINDOWS.
I NO LONGER SERVICE WINDOWS.
I NO LONGER SERVICE WINDOWS.
PERIOD.

Feb 09, 08 - 01:38 pm Comment from: ElderNorm

@Ken1w,
"It cost $800 to do THAT. Windows people are getting ripped off big time by predatory "technicians." Microsoft should demand a cut of that extortion money for making it possible."

Actually, I believe Microsoft does just that. How else do you explain them making so many billions each year. ?????

Its called being licensed in Microsoft technologies. LOL

en

Feb 09, 08 - 01:44 pm Comment from: MCCFR

I have a lightly different view to Fatal's.

I've told all my friends that I will continue to service their current Windows POS boxes, but - when they die - they'd better buy Mac as my life is too short to continue supporting that rancid crap unless I'm getting paid for it.

On a slightly different note, how much of an idiot is this man if John Dvorak emerges from his article as the voice of reason?

> I quickly confessed that when it came to computers, I fell into that vast gray area between being a moron and a complete idiot.

At least he admits it. So let's see, the technician saved all his data to another drive, reinstalled Vista, then added all his data back less the offending Norton AntiVirus crapware....

The question is what happened to the data that went into the technician's spare drive? No worries, he's probably honest, respectful of the privacy of his clients, and conscientiously securely wiped that data off his drive.

Either that or he's laughing at the fucking idiot's personal files. All the way to the bank too.

Rules for the paranoid:

1) Back up
2) Buy new drive
3) Install system in new drive
4) Add data back from your backup drive
5) Destroy old bad drives yourself
6) Pocket the change

Feb 09, 08 - 01:49 pm Comment from: marko

we all have our price... what is yours?

This article should be required reading for anyone planning to buy a new computer.

Feb 09, 08 - 02:10 pm Comment from: Cubert

Use this rationale with your PC-using colleagues:

If you bought a car that broke down at least once a month, would you buy the same car again?

Feb 09, 08 - 02:11 pm Comment from: Dave Mac

Yep, like fatal I'm the local nerd for the neighborhood and friends. I've converted everyone I still support to Mac's, the others I send to Best Buy.

Feb 09, 08 - 02:12 pm Comment from: pastrychef

What an idiot. First, he paid that much for a Windows machine. Then, he paid that much to get it fixed?!?

He writes for the Times, he should've just asked Pogue what he recommended before throwing away his cash.

Fool.

Feb 09, 08 - 02:53 pm Comment from: Micro Me

I'll never figure it out. Every day in my workplace, I watch my PC using colleagues struggle to achieve tasks that are a breeze on my Mac. And yet if I suggest a Mac to them, I'm greeted with everything from mild amusement to outright derision.

Recently, I allowed one of my staff to downgrade from an eMac (which ran like a clock, attached to our WIndoze network) to a Dell of about the same vintage. The move has caused her nothing but trouble. IT are there almost daily sorting out some new disaster, sometimes of her making, sometimes of theirs.

And yet here's the weird bit. She's happier on the Dell than she was on the eMac because..... "it's what we've got at home, and it's what everybody else here has."

From what she tells me, her Dell at home causes endless trouble also.

"Stockholm Syndrome/Cognitive Dissonance"? Maybe. There's something else there too, that I can't put my finger on.

Like I said, I'll never figure it out.

Feb 09, 08 - 02:55 pm Comment from: Big Al

He wrote an Anti-Vista piece and left the reading audience with the obvious conclusion.

Buy a Mac, don't be an idiot like me.

I think it is a brilliant piece of journalism. Pulitzer prize material. Give that man a reward.

Feb 09, 08 - 03:00 pm Comment from: tbsteph

I'm sorry, but this story has some real credibility issues. First, he had someone else move his files to the new laptop. Sounds like his problems started right here, not with Vista and or the Dell hardware. Second, why no calls to Dell? They offer free support for the first year. Third, he admits being a neophyte relative to computers etc. His so called "savior" robbed him of $800 bucks but he's happy! Sounds like he is a techno idiot alright but one with cash to burn.

Are Dells or Vista as bad as this article wants us to believe? NO! I'm not a microsoftie apologist either as I run both Windows and OS10. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. One thing I would agree with, for a new user Mac's are somewhat easier to learn.

Feb 09, 08 - 03:18 pm Comment from: elgruga

Its no mystery.

Most people hate change and particularly 'difference'.
To be among the Windows crowd is safe and it is a community, however dysfunctional.

Sadly we are entering the third generation of dysfunctional Windows-users soon, Like Father, like son, etc.

You can offer them $1000 and they will still buy the WinCrap because they NEED to be a part of the majority crowd, which is basically what Stockholm syndrome is.

Its also a way to avoid work - when the thing crashes, all the tech guys and have a coffee while you wait.

If we had an intelligent world of humans:
Windows would NOT exist.
Macs would be even better.
We would not be poisoning our environment.
We would not be at war,
Etc. Etc.

For me, the Borg has always represented the ugly and sad side of humans - Mac has always been, somehow, the world of equality and peace.

Which makes sense because the Borg is run by assholes.

Fact is boys and girls, 95% of humans are assholes (or have the asshole potential) and its not just computers.

They drink coffee that tastes like shit.
They eat food that tastes and looks like shit.
They drink beer that tastes awful.
They wear horrible clothes.
They think that putting kids into school at 4 or 5 is a good thing.
They think invading other countries is good.
They live in a state of constant fear.
They will do ANYTHING the Man tells them to.
They listen to Doctors.
They think that Science can cure pollution. (LOL!)
etc.etc.

Most people are low-quality assholes, no independent thoughts, cruel and stupid - if we didnt have some laws, they'd be running around eating each other.

At least when they are wasting time with windows, they arent doing any harm elsewhere....

Feb 09, 08 - 03:19 pm Comment from: Davewrite

Corporate IT guys and PC computer 'nerds' will always promote Windows. For them the more complicated and bad the OS is the better because it cements their power (and their paycheck). Remember the priesthood in the past didn't want the Bible translated from Latin to English (their power would evaporate). Likewise imagine the precarious position of the revered IT guy or the haloed PC expert in the family if EVERYBODY could use computers with EASE! The boss might think the highly paid IT guys might be redundant. Unfortunately novices keep asking these PC tech guys which computer to buy (of course they'll smack easy to use Mac)-- akin to asking a tobacco company whether it's a good idea to stop smoking or change brands.

wOW. anyway. I need a Girlfriend please.


I miss you all here,

Feb 09, 08 - 03:31 pm Comment from: qka

@ Davewrite

You may not remember those it, but once upon a time, the IT priesthood were the keepers of the mainframes, when individual departments started sneaking in minicomputers.

Eventually the IT priesthood co-opted the minis, only in time for individuals to start sneaking in Apple II's to run VisiCalc (the first spreadsheet) and then the original IBM PC's.

Since then they have co-opted the desktop PC. They were a bit in front of the wave for a change when they adopted the BlackBerry and provided mobile e-mail ahead of the masses forcing it upon IT.

However, watch for the iPhone and other innovative portable devices to be the next battle ground.

Dvorak used to be a Mac evangelist, he wrote columns in one or two of the Mac magazines. But, he left and has finally realized his error.

Feb 09, 08 - 04:14 pm Comment from: ChrisW357

... Wholeheartedly agrees with Ampar's first comment. With that money spent for repair, seeing as this guy's not a power user, a Mini would've done just fine. And he'd have no more OS headaches like the ones Vista causes!

Feb 09, 08 - 04:46 pm Comment from: Jubei

Maybe Dvorak just had sex and is still overdosing on endorphines at the time. I mean heck, who would want to sleep with Jabba the Hut?

Feb 09, 08 - 04:50 pm Comment from: Zune Tang®

I come away from reading this article even more proud of the Windows community than I already was. Great guys like John are out there to keep the dream alive for Windows enthusiasts everywhere. And don't you MAC losers tell me about how "everything just works" on your expensive, slow and proprietary toys. I'm not buying it. Especially the "Grandma updates her webpage all by herself and video chats with the kids" garbage. Puhleeeeeze.

Secretly you all wish you could be a part of the wonderful Microsoft Windows fraternity with its 'geeks' and 'nerds' and super-helpful IT staff, but you can't, because they can't fix your game-challenged MACs. Dorks.

Your potential. Our passion.™

Feb 09, 08 - 05:07 pm Comment from: Rainer

Eight Hundred Dollars?
OK, Windows-Nerd-John is probably paid by the hour, so it's not unrealistic (at a 200$/h price-tag)
But: when people have problems with their Windoze-boxes, I advise them that after 20 to 30 minutes of trying to fix a problem (more often than not just spyware/viruses), the most effective way to solve the problem is to reinstall everything.
Even at 200$/h, this should not take more than 3h.
In the past, MSFT was not too shy to point out the positive effects on the economy of a Windows-release. It seems, they did not exaggerate
Personally, I refuse to support Windows at work and at home.
It helps that I can claim I only do Linux, BSD and Solaris systems at work (which is true).
When the ancient Notebooks my parents use (with FreeBSD 4+6) finally die, I will replace them with MacBooks.

Feb 09, 08 - 05:09 pm Comment from: derekcurrie

Folks, this sounds remarkably like a Head-F*ck to me. It's sucker bait. Why would anyone ask for Dvorak's opinion on anything? We know perfectly well that he will say ANYTHING depending upon what ulterior motive he is milking on any particular day. Meanwhile this 'Hurt' guy is giving away the show, IYAM, with his pun of a name.

Disengage and return to sanity.

Feb 09, 08 - 05:21 pm Comment from: derekcurrie

Oh great, the trolls come out to play, or should I say 'Hurt' themselves:

Zune Tang® {{rolling my eyes}} sez: "And don't you MAC losers tell me about how "everything just works" on your expensive, slow and proprietary toys. I'm not buying it."

Troll: We KNOW you don't 'buy' it. You don't even try it. You have not-a-clue about Macs. Therefore, you have the authority to tell everyone your ignorant point of view and tell the knowledgeable people they are wrong. Hmm. What's missing in your brain? I know! Logic.

Guess what I'm doing today on my Mac? I'm working in Windows XP Pro! I've been using Microsoft rubbish since 1989 and kept up with every iteration of further rubbish they perpetrated on the public. I do this for work. I always laugh when people tell me they use Windows for pleasure. Stockholm Syndrome indeed.

For pleasure, power, passion and efficiency I stick with Mac. It's not perfect, but it's the best there is for now. You're making yourself suffer without it. But maybe that is your point.

Sounds like a lie to me. What data could you have on a 3-day-old computer that you couldn't retrieve from the old computer that you replaced. Sound like pure BS.

"Minnie Mouse has big tits!"

Feb 09, 08 - 05:44 pm Comment from: blucaso

derek, derek, derek, poor derek.

Repeat after me....

ZuneTang is using Sarcasm. It is a joke. It is supposed to be FUNNY. (Unfortunately, it's a lot less funny when you need to explain it.)

You may now unbunch your panties and resume your regular nerdery.

And you might consider asking your parents why they didn't include any Capital Letters in your name. No wonder you're so sensitive.

Microsoft

Your mess. Our marvel.

Did I miss something or has hell freeze over yet again ?

@Micro Me: "Every day in my workplace, I watch my PC using colleagues struggle to achieve tasks that are a breeze on my Mac."

I work mostly at home on my Mac and only occasionally report to the office, where the dozen or so employees there all have Windows machines. Since I am seldom there, I am amazed at how many times I have observed the newly hired full-time IT guy troubleshooting somebody's Windows machine. The frequency of glitches seems to be regarded as normal and acceptable. But it seems evident that if everyone who does not require Windows-only specialty software were to switch to Macs, there would be a few more scarce dollars available on the bottom line. The time is almost ripe to make a pitch to the CEO....

Sounds like this guy was double-victimized by computer consultants.

I'd have to find out what he paid the first idiot, who managed to not just copy his data over from the old machine but also copied over application info and overwrote the new machine. (What a wonderful abortion that must be, bits of Vista and XP chucked together.)

Then the second guy charges him $800 for a re-format and re-install.

What a couple of pricks.

When my father in law switched over to Mac I just took his old drive, tossed in a $20 USB external case, and he has full access to his old data and can copy over to the Mac only the stuff he find he really needs. How much trouble (and money) could this guy have been saved if the first asshole consultant had just charged the $50 for the less than an hour it would have taken to pull the old laptop drive and put it in a 2.5" USB shell.

Talk about Stockholm syndrome...this putz got raped by Microsoft, Dell and two consultants and is happy as a pig in shit.

Glad to see this guy is back on his meds again.

Feb 09, 08 - 09:16 pm Comment from: NeonRed

$800 ? Value added? With extra profits like that it is no wonder Techies recommend Vista.... $0 dollars extra profits if their PC was a mac. No new car there! No better illustration that there is a sucker born every minute. A MS Vista sucker... or should we describe. instead pc mentally and logically challenged

My Mac just save me $800.00. WooHoo!

Feb 09, 08 - 11:19 pm Comment from: iDon't

I'm sending bills to family and friends that I've help with their PCs, No more Mr Nice Guy!!!

Yes, he could have spent that $800 on a Mac mini: or, he could have installed Linux on his existing computer, and spent the change (that would be $800) on his kids' college fund.

That way his kid might grow up to be smart enough to exchange "getting ripped off by Microsoft" for "getting ripped off by Apple".