In a time where we are seeing fuel prices skyrocket we are confronted with extra fees for shipping parcels and any number of other ancillary effects of this. Most importantly, the folks I already mentioned are trying so hard to sell because they can no longer afford to either fuel their Hummers or their homes.

When life teaches you a lesson such as this it's time to start listening.

There is another product that people love to spend money on - their home computers (networks). Having so much disposable income during the last decade, they have purchased more computers than they need. With these computers comes the operating system known as Windows, which of course they pay for as well. However, it doesn't stop there. The hardware requirements to run Windows increase with every release so most of these people simply buy a new computer. After all, they've never installed their own operating system, much less ever built their own computer. They had all that loot...

When Windows Vista arrives the hardware requirements for this beast will be enormous. So much so that simply buying the operating system alone and trying to upgrade their computers might prove futile. How upset will people be when their once chipper (pre-internet infestation, Thanks! Windows for allowing that) computer is now crawling or simply not booting.

Along the lines of running Windows it becomes very necessary to protect your machine. Most users are not savvy enough to know how to accomplish this with built-in tools or freely available Open Source or free software. These people merely shell out $45 for this tool, $25 for this one and many shell out as much as $100 annually to be part of an anti-virus subscription service. One that will fail more times than not in protecting you.

Who am I to tell people how to spend their money? Well, nobody - but I remember the last time energy was as expensive as this - the early 1970's. I remember freezing in the winter and not having gas for our car on many occasions. After all the seven (7) of us had to eat and pay a mortgage on a Welder's salary.

This time around we have the emergence of China as another customer for oil. They are growing and building and consuming at a rapid rate and it is beginning to take its toll on the global market. It cost over $40 to fill my 1998 Nissan Maxima yesterday -- and that was the cheap stuff.

I don't even have to bring up the fact that most Americans currently have less than perfect credit and are running a credit card debt of ~$5000. Need I also remind you that these credit card companies will market to children? My 7 year old daughter received an invitation for a pre-approved MasterCard last year. AYFKM? The American consumer is so tantalized and required to spend that we are loosing grip on our strength of conviction. It's hard to pay with cash nowadays. Merchants seem to not trust customers that want to pay with cash. Sheesh.

Your money is your problem - I could care less how you spend or not spend it. However, as a member of this society, with friends and neighbors - many or whom are in financial straights - I need to ask you - why keep pissing your money away on Microsoft or Dell? Are you seriously thinking that you are getting the most computer for your money? I know you don't care - you want to turn your computer on and have it work. Me too. That's why I use Debian GNU/Linux.

My hardware is not current, it's about 2 years old. I run a web server and many other apps that let me play and be productive. I watch DVDs on my computer occasionally and copy our favorites so our children's grubby hands don't render them unplayable -- no - the MPAA and distribution never comes into play. Screw the, their products suck and they sue their customers -- that's not a company I like doing business with. However, like you, I like movies - for whatever reason.

Anyway so I don't get into some tirade about media companies, I'll get back to my point - your money. I have said I don't care how you spend it and that's true. I do care about your logic and your children. Your children will interact with mine and peer pressure being what it is I would rather not compete with big media. My kids have their own Linux box running what I do - Debian. They tried and didn't like Windows because it looked horrible and the (educational or product-placement) games we purchased were terrible. We even did research and I gotta tell you - it's disgusting what gets rated as a good educational software title. GCompris and other titles for Linux blow any Windows educational title that we have ever tried away. My kids actually learn from the Linux offerings....and me, and real life.

Considering the state of economy that we are in I think it's very important that we begin to heed the advice of our parents - Save Your Money! Don't you think your parents would be a little let down if they knew that you bought a new computer every 2 years just to support a Windows operating system? Sure, I know the last Windows release was 2001, but you get the point. Vista is coming and you'll be tempted to buy it - or a new computer to support it. You would be a fool, though, if you did. Vista is now so devoid of any promised feature that it it Windows XP SP3 and nothing more. Don't believe me, do some research for yourself, or have your kid do it.

Of course there is another way. Linux has had the same (and far more) features that Vista is hyping for years. The only trouble is that these features actually work. These features and the Linux operating system present you with one more very attractive (important) feature - you may keep your existing computer. Save your money for heat and your kid's braces or education. Linux will happily run on very old hardware - that PII you bought in 1997 will do nicely - just add some RAM or use one of the lighter Desktop Environments for Linux. You will be very pleasantly surprised.

I want to close this short article out by saying the past few years in America have seen tremendous change. The past couple decades have introduced astronomical home prices, car prices, cost of staying alive, etc., etc., etc. These past few years have also introduced troubling technology and and far more government and corporate snooping into our private affairs. Take for example the individual refused a loan because of an algorithm. Are you kidding me? You wait - if you think I'm just some prophet of doom you are incorrect. You will see how much you will struggle and continue to struggle. The rich will continue to profit on the mind-numbing numbers of poor (what middle class?) and the increase in "protective" corporate and government controls on our lives will only exacerbate our problems.

Turning lights off in empty rooms, car-pooling, cycling, hybrid cars, compost piles, alternative energy sources, etc., etc., etc. are all fine ways to begin keeping more of your money - for that time when you really need it. Spending money on Microsoft and Dell and the other corporations like them is simply foolish. Look around. You have a terrific alternative - Linux. Besides the myriad other benefits to running Linux, like far greater inherent security, no anti-virus fees or software to run, stability, ease of operation, beauty (yeah - there is plenty of eye-candy available for Linux), more user control over the computing environment, cost, cost, and cost - the list really does go on. Why don't you stop jumping off of the same bridge everybody else is and start making wise decisions (I don't mean to insult you, it's mostly not your fault) for your self.

Keep your computer and your money, dump that Microsoft anchor, and start using your computer instead of fixing it all the time. If you want, I can help with upgrades, tech support, or I can build you an amazing computer that you will most likely never need to upgrade - whether hardware or software. Hell - if you're scared of or don't trust Linux for some crazy reason, then Buy an Apple!

machiner - 27 August 2005

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