[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Top Ten Worst Uses for Windows here

[jose747]

Articles like this are very useful for people dont like waste money in simple applications and for who design technical applications that require security.
Congratulations Mr. Stiennon.

[JimH443]

And the number one worst use for Windows is.... <drum roll>

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SOLITAIRE!!

[weatherguy]

Grit your teeth if you're a vet who uses the VA medical system. While the medical records themselves are run on a propriety system it is all wrapped up in WINXP. There are dozens of full fledged hospitals and hundreds and hundreds of free standing clinics--and they are all connected by high speed internet. The wrapper, if not the protocol itself is WINXP.
OH, yeah, a few months ago I had an ultrasound. State of the art electronics, sensors, gadgets galore--WINXP. I asked and the tech said all he does is plug it in and updates the software over the Internet. Should I have asked if it was an "HTTPS" site or should I just hope for the best?
~weatherguy

[Number3124]

The absolute worst use for Windows is,



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General use!

[cfischer]

You imply that only Windows has security problems, memory issues, needs to be rebooted or needs patches. Boo. It's mindsets like yours that convince people they never need to patch or update their non-Windows systems. Do you know how many machines I've had to fix because of that mindset? At least Windows has a set patching schedule! And if a company has done it's job, its easy to build a secure embedded version of XP. Try not to be so one-sided in your mindset. I use many different OS's and they all have strengths and weaknesses, and they're all in systems all over the world. It's really the way things are put together that makes the difference, and how diligent the companies are about security.

[EMMANUEL]

Richard Stiennon, I HAVE NOTICED THAT U PEOPLE AT PCWORLD ALWAYS LIKE TO CRITICIZE AND BASH WINDOWS ON EVERY THING THEY DO, FROM FROM XP, VISTA ETC. I DO NOT KNOW IF U ARE WORKING FOR APPLE OR LINUX.BUT THE TRUTH IS THAT ONE OS(WINDOWS,MAC,LINUX) CAN NOT DO EVERYTHING NO MATTER HOW BIG IT IS AND U KNOW THAT. SO WHY CRITICIZE WINDOWS FOR NOT DOING EVERYTHING.

[JimH443]

I believe the point of the article was precisely the same point you made. All they did was take that thought to the next level. Since Windows isn't capable of doing everything, why are people trying to use it for everything?

[mpheadley]

The general reliance on computers to control very important things especially when connected to the internet is very frightening no matter the operating system. Who needs silly horror movies with freaks in masks?

And the idea that Windows is used to do silly simple tasks is also horrible, but in a different way: to our wallets. Typical government waste! It's like a rule, isn't it? To spend money where it isn't necessary?

I must comment though on the notion that PC World attacks microsoft. I find the opposite is more true (and I'm not necessarily against it, ha!). PC World finds every mundane thing that goes wrong with Apple! So I think they generally try to nitpick at computers in general in hope that people will fix problems.

[Number3124]

What the heck happened to my post?

[AuroraDizon]

There are bugs that happen sometimes that make the posts go blank. If you see one report it to either a moderator, or in the PCWorld Website forum. I'll go ahead and turn this one in for you. Nothing to be worried about they usually fix themselves, or bcappel fixes them for us :).

[MarioJP]

I find myself losing interests to pc world all of a sudden. Whats that you say you want me to cancel my subscription to pc world??. Splendid i do that next asap.

PC world is becoming just like those European "if competition too fierce lets sue the bastards" What is wrong with fierce competition.

Comcast,AT&T Verizon and yes the most hated company of all goes to Microsoft. Can't blame them for being too big and taking almost most of the marketshare. But hey what do i know. I am just a consumer that likes the 360,windows,comcast and yes at&t. And i am not narrow minded either i have tried Linux and other third party hardware/software.

And another thing No matter how secure you are if they want you they get you. You just gotta have common sense and don't rely on technology too much. Speaking of technology . Since when do humans finally start thinking and say "maybe i should keep my critical information OFFLINE". Its almost as saying you want our government to babysit your kids lol.

[mphenterprises]

Hi Mario. I can understand your stance; however, if I may ask, what does your post have to do with this particular Discussion? This particular Discussion is regarding the Top Ten Worst Uses for Windows (as stated by the author of the article). I see nothing in there in relation to competition or security. If you have a particular issue with either the PCWorld Community or PCWorld in general, please start a new Discussion under that specific Community.

[MarioJP]

Oh sorry i thought it was going to turn into another debate.

[jrbales]

While the article started off well (the static green arrow is indeed a laughable as well as financially irresponsible use for Windows), the article quickly turned into an excuse to bash Windows and Microsoft. If you're going to insinuate that Windows is a bad idea for a given purpose, give some examples of real life events where it has been proven that Windows created a negative impact (for instance, regarding Windows in the Medical field, give some examples where a problem with Windows has cost a person their life or has created medical problems for them. It's one thing to make a broad statement but quite another to back up your statement with facts. At the University I went to, you would never have gotten by writing a paper like this without providing verifiable sources.

[JamesEvens]

I'm not laughing; mostly because these are either wasteful use of resources or in other cases potentially hazardous. One would hope the critcal equipment and infastructure would be stand-alone and not networked, which would at least lessen the risk.

[bobklahn]

For your factory controls, and probably your train, they very well likely won't use Windows? We don't. I work in industrial automation, and we use dedicated controllers, programmable logic controllers. Windows doesn't come into it. It's all proprietary systems.
Much more efficient.

[JimH443]

The last place I worked made the tire molding / curing machines for Goodyear. As the machine is booted up, the Windows CE logo is plain to see.

[bobklahn]

Ever look at the scanners they use in grocery stores to do their inventory? We use the same sort of scanners for our storeroom. When you turn it on it boots up with DRDos.

And we have touch screen machine displays and controls, which run under MSDos.