On Sep 9, 2004, at 12:11 PM, The Fool wrote:
Well some people go on and on about how terrible windows is and how IE crashes, and etc. and it's all bullshit.
I've had my windows NT system up for more than a month without a single
problem. I have more than 80 IE instances open (queued up to read when I
get a round tuit). No problems, no viruses, no malware, no spam, no
popups, no etc. And I still haven't used more than half of my RAM. I've
several visual studios open, Visual basic, dozens of emails I haven't
responded to yet, winamp, and so much more and not a single problem.
I've only occasionally reached the hard OS limit on window handles
(12,000+).
You understand that anecdotal evidence is just that, right?
I mean you've just described the level of stability that many Mac or Lin users can lay claim to as well. (Also OS/2, DOS and even Win3.1.) And since I doubt you've recorded every single possible error event with rigorous accuracy -- that is, you're recalling, not documenting -- there might be the occasional bobble that's got through, that you've overlooked.
There are, however, some known security issues with *some* Win boxen that are documented and exploited regularly. As long as those holes are patched you've got a system that will be as secure as any other, even for handling votes; similarly, an unprotected Lin system is not the best choice either for setting up votes.
The difference -- and it's crucial, IMO -- is that Win systems are more prominently targeted and the integration of VBScript into the OS makes it inherently more prone to security issues. This means that a Diebold system running on Win has to be watched much more closely than it would be on a 'nix system -- assuming both machines were set up properly to begin with -- and over time, will be less secure if its OS is not patched regularly.
I'm not saying Win sucks because of that. I'm pointing out a weakness. The weakness on Lin is that it's damned hard to operate for many, and I can't imagine polling-place volunteers being easily able to get a Lin box running if it needs a reboot.
These factors really need to be weighed before any decision is made about how our enfranchisement is maintained in the remainder of this decade. (It won't be an issue after 2010; some other tech will exist.)
On the personal level, the fact is that we use the OS we want to use. We use the one we're comfortable with. Getting defensive (or offensive) over it is as foolish as a bunch of high school punks arguing over whether Chevy or Ford is the better vehicle.
Grow up, kids. Sheesh.
-- WthmO
If you can't beat 'em, have 'em flogged. --
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