The Truth.

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#1 Post by **palmboy5** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:07 am

"I heard of a woman who stated that she didn’t know she had to have antivirus software; another user claimed not to know that you had to download updates for antivirus or for Windows. Microsoft finds a way to help them with warning bubbles in Vista—and now everyone is annoyed and they want the warnings off again.
I agree that Vista was a bit overwhelming for users on that level. But what Microsoft needs to do is create Windows 7 Smart and Windows 7 Stupid, so that people who actually know how to use Windows have their version and dumb people have the other one."
~ TechieXP, PCWorld.com comments

Directive · #2 Post by **Directive** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:50 pm

Any windows or noton product I ever install came default as to auto update and install. This way "stupid" people don't have to remember.

I7Iz490N · #3 Post by **I7Iz490N** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 1:15 am

#4 Post by **palmboy5** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:27 am

Directive wrote:Any windows or noton product I ever install came default as to auto update and install. This way "stupid" people don't have to remember.

Those were only very basic examples showing that the average Joe is an idiot who needs something to hold their hands and guide them. Yes, the auto updates work, but judging by the UAC in Vista and beyond, it is clear that Microsoft knows that keeping the user ignorant is not enough. There must be a watchful guardian there to detect and let the user know when a potentially bad program wants to modify something like a register, or install itself. It is a needed annoyance for such people. However, just because the average Joe needs those alerts certainly doesn't justify its existence for advanced users.

The current implementation is not suitable. You may turn off UAC if you like, it is an available setting. It is so available that even the average Joe can figure out how to turn it off. This is clearly not good news. Now, to have some sort of qualification questionnaire to try to prevent the idiots from being able to turn it off obviously won't work, so TechieXP's suggestion is just about the best option one can devise.

Directive · #5 Post by **Directive** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:11 pm

I understand what your saying palmy, but I think that would cause more problems for the software company then solve for advanced users.

#6 Post by **palmboy5** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:00 am

You mean like.. discrimination? I can see lots of legal issues related to that, as well as the continued problem of how the user is initially tested to be qualified for Smart or Stupid when they purchase the PC.

Software-wise, Smart edition simply needs UAC turned off by default while Stupid edition needs UAC setting changing abilities removed. Very minor changes to create the two builds.

Speaking of causing problems for the software company..

There are too many editions.

Directive · #7 Post by **Directive** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 6:34 pm

LOL. Yep, too many versions. I think your smart/stupid editions should be more like an installation option. This way, if a stupid person becomes smart, all they would need is the install CD and convert it. And vice versa if applicable

#8 Post by **palmboy5** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 6:02 am

That kind of makes it too easy for those who should be using Stupid from changing it to Smart. The whole Smart/Stupid Edition thing will only work if the customer voluntarily lets Microsoft discriminate and limit their choices.

*sigh* Idealism never got anything very far, huh? :[

compL33Tazn · #9 Post by **compL33Tazn** » Tue Apr 21, 2009 4:20 am

They already make a Windows 7 stupid. It's called Mac OSX