Performance shock

[Ed Sutherland]

Yes, it is a bit odd people by the millions purchase a product which 
before it is even out of the box is broken -- and so publicly-recognized 
as such. I can't imagine going out to buy a TV which already has fuzzy 
reception and having the salesperson suggest this add-on or that manual 
or this "secret trick" just so that I could see a clear picture. I can't 
imagine going shopping for a coffee table and seeing one with one wonky 
leg and a big hole and thinking -- "that's the one for me; a little tape 
and some work on the finish and it'll be fine."

Yes, it is a bit odd why people buy Windows, but there is this agreement 
to be misled which is shared by consumers, software developers and 
hardware manufacturers. But reality is a form of shared perception. We 
may not like it, but it is reality.

Myself, I still have Linux on my hard drive, just as I have my jeans and 
boots in my closet -- not because I think my corporate environment will 
suddenly decide to shuck the usual uniform, but for those Fridays when 
we can express ourselves or the weekends when I can dress as I please. 
Linux isn't quite ready for the everyday world, but it makes for a nice 
respite, a good vacation -- and that's no small accomplishment.

Ed

david wrote:
> When I pointed out to the head of IT what most of the content of these
> magazines was he just laughed. 
> Talk about manufactured consent.
> 
> I don't know which is worse, a company selling a fourth rate pile of
> crap as a technical solution or the idiots that buy into the idea and
> keep going back for more despite 10 years of overwhelming evidence of
> what will happen.
> 
> Who would accept such levels of indifference, incompetance and outright
> deceitful greed from any other company in any other area of life?