Haven't been in business long eh?
I found that removing Windows from most of the computers and installing a internet datalink which ONLY allows them to peruse products whilst selling, OR for those who do use a Computer for more than that to only have limited access, that it SAVED a lot. Why...those dang stupid Window games and people installing spyware, gonzo buddy or whatever it's called, and everything else under the sun and using OUR computers to play instead of work with. Amazingly, limiting access also suddenly cut down on how much wear and tear our tech department was doing and how much they had to do "repairs" on computers.
However, I didn't touch certain areas of the company such as the money management...and a few other areas in the company. But certain areas WERE having problems when I first started there, in the area I was working for the time I was there.
I suspect Windows actually leads to a LOT of wasted time in some instances.
My father on the otherhand was MUCH worse. He of course banned all playing of games (though enforcing it is another thing), however where he works and when he visited for a while he had ALL stations facing a door or open area so the person could be observed whatever they were doing, AND unless they were REALLY doing a good job, if he caught them abusing company property (such as computers) and were disposable...they were fired.
I don't think I quite agree with his philosophy, but then they were always rather tyranical when I was at home with them about computer usage there as well (I don't know how many of you remember when I was a youngster and visits to their place and how they acted towards internet usage).
As far as MS goes, I can actually understand their desire to have only one OS per machine. What GALLS me is that they have you authenticate or they lock you out of your own system. What happens when their support for XP ends. Some idiots say that MS will give a universal unlock code...I think they are just that...idiots. I expect instead it will be a forced upgrade instead. If your XP goes belly up (and I've HAD THAT HAPPEN), you can't reinstall, even if it's on the same computer at that point...and you are SOL. Instead you'll have to pay 99 - 199 for that "upgrade" to Vista instead.
That's why I've ALWAYS been against the authentication process, because it really can work against the customer. In a BAD way.
Actually Dash I am fairly certain I have been in it a bit longer than you might think...
However you seem to be ignoring the fact that with MS I control the user rights. Users install nothing if I don't want to allow them too. I control the internet, the ports open, the bandwidth. Hell I can even limit how many e-mails a person is allowed to get. Granted that gem is actually in the Novell Realm.
However let me explain it this way. I work for a college. Our business is teaching.... more over one department teaches Computer Graphics and Interactive Media. Now I dunno about you but I doubt I would be getting many students to enroll in the program that had all open source software. Better yet, I would have a hell of a time finding those kids jobs. I have to be able to support what the predominant "industry standard" dejour is. I am sure if all I needed the computers to do was one thing and one thing only I could avoid all sorts of pitfalls. However that ain't happening any time soon... CGIM has about 50 applications that are on a lab image. From 3dsMax, to Adobe Illustrator, to Quark, to Frontpage, Word, Excel, and even Half-Life 2 (Game design class). That is one department with 3 labs of 15 machines. (Each lab has different sets of software)
Then in Science I have the Molecular Modelling software (Molsoft) that is insanely delicate. Not to mention the 20 other programs that are specific to that department.
Then English, Seminary, Music, Athletics, Computer Science, Business...
I hear all sorts of "1 job wonder" stories from all the ABM people (Anything But Microsoft). However these people fail to recognize, that in the real world people use, like, love, and buy MS in mass quantities. This is unlikely to change in the very near future. Forcing an anti-MS objective on my work place is would be as counter-productive as telling a factory union that all their members had until Wednesday to convert to Islam.
Furthermore in my experience I have found the true "open minded" profesionals that give MS their due, and use Novell, Linux, and a toaster oven if it is the best for the job to be much happier than the person who will break their neck to avoid the MS banner just because they don't like William Gates III.
Again this is just my opinion...
I use what works, I balance money vs. easy of use and amount of support required. I have unlimitied demands place on very finite resources. This means that I would be an idiot to not use MS in a lot of cases.
GE-Raven
Topic: If its good enough for Microsoft ... (Read 18537 times)