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by Pointedstick » Fri Mar 11, 2016 1:13 pm
I'll admit a bias. And it's true that Windows is the superior OS for playing games and using specialized software not available on other platforms. But for the general user, I don't see the advantage. We're all techy types here--even those of us who don't work in tech. I come from a culture where basically everyone is completely technically illiterate. Since I was like 10 years old, I was helping adults with computer problems because nobody in my social circle knew anyone who was good with computers except for me. I worked in help desks and IT all throughout college, and ran a freelance computer repair business for 6 years. As a result, I feel like I have a lot of experience understanding how most people actually use computers of all sorts.
My long-term observation is that giving a normal, non-techy person Windows is likely to lead to disaster. The computer will progressively become slow and clunky over time due to a lack of required software maintenance. They'll install malware, spyware, ad pop-ups, and their web browser will become full of search toolbars. The physical hardware will start to degrade because they probably bought a bargain-basement Dell or HP that wasn't made very well and isn't especially durable. Eventually nothing will work and they'll throw the computer out, get a new cheap one (buying expensive computers all the time gets expensive), have the same experience, and conclude that computers suck.
I realize that at this point I'm not describing this forum audience. But it's important to keep in mind that we are all substantially above average here. What seems obvious and easy for most of us gives a lot of people real trouble.
It's true that if you have some technical inclination, you can keep a Windows computer clean and avoid all this (I regularly perform this service for the Windows PCs of my extended social network). Of course, with such technical inclination, you can probably do Linux, and a Mac will be easy peasy. So that leaves a natural audience for Windows consisting of people who are technically inclined and want to play games or use specialized software. For gaming, let's face it: consoles are the future for big fat 3D next-gen gaming. Windows PC gaming is dying a slow death as consoles and mobile devices take over. Games not requiring super duper 3D performance are becoming more cross-platform all the time, and many of them are mobile-only at this point. Steam is doing a huge Linux push and more games available on Steam than ever before are fully multi-platform.
So that leaves technically-minded hardcore PC gamer holdouts and people who need specialized software. And yes, for those people, Windows is probably still the best bet. But if that doesn't describe you, you should consider why you're still using it.
Last edited by
Pointedstick on Fri Mar 11, 2016 1:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Human behavior is economic behavior. The particulars may vary, but competition for limited resources remains a constant.
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