> (This article is a translation and adaptation of one text that was written
> in portuguese language that I found here.)
> I understand problems passing from Windows to Linux which was declared by
> one individual. I felt I should experiment Windows too, since all of my
> friends are telling me all the time how great it is.
> I went to the Microsoft site to download it, but it was not available. I
> was frustrated because I spent quite a time uselessly trying to find a
> download link, so I decided to ask my friend and he told me where I can buy
> it.
> I took my car and drove myself to the mall, where I found a shop that sells
> software. I asked the seller for a windows OS and he asked me which version
> I want.
> - “I want the most complete distribution”, I said proudly.
> - “599 euros please, pass to the cashier”, he said, putting the box into
> the bag.
> I swore and left the shop swiftly.
> One of my friends gave me a copy of Windows XP, but told me not to tell
> anyone. I thought it was a bit odd, because I copy my Linux distro all the
> time to give it to my friends. Whatever…
> I took the CD, inserted it into my CD drive and restarted system and waited
> for the Live CD boot. That didn’t worked. Only thing CD asked me was to
> install it. I called my friend over the telephone and he told me that
> Windows XP cannot be booted from CD,
> OK, I have decided that I will install it. I followed instructions from the
> screen, but I got nervous since it never asked about other operating systems
> installed. I know whichever Linux I install, it always asks about creating
> new partition or other related questions. I returned my call to the friend
> and he told me that Windows XP eliminates all and any operating systems that
> is already installed.
> Well, OK, I restarted my Linux and backed-up all data before I returned to
> install my Windows copy.
> Installation was quite simple, save the part when it asked me about serial
> number where I needed to type bunch of letters and numbers. My friend was
> now pissed off that I call him all the time and he came to my home, and
> typed his number inside.
> He repeated that I should not say anything about this to any living soul.
> He went, and I restarted computer to give it a first run.
> I was shocked when it let me change system configurations without asking
> for root access. My friend now swore when he heard my voice again over the
> phone. He told me that root access was given at initialization. I found how
> to create another user with no root access and I logged in. Then I realized
> that if I want to change something, instead of asking me for root password,
> I needed to log-off and log-in as administrator (which is name here for
> root). With this, I realized that there are so many people who log as
> administrator and I started to feel creeps.
> OK, time to work. I went to Start -> Programs, to open a spreadsheet
> application, but I couldn’t find any. My friend told me that Windows does
> not have any of those applications by default and that I must download from
> internet.
> “Oh”, I thought,” this is basic distribution of Windows”. I went to
> “Add/Remove programs” in control panel, just like in Linux, but there were
> no programs to add. It just let me remove programs. I couldn’t find a button
> or menu item that me allow to install applications. This is odd!
> I phoned my friend again, and he told me that I need to find by myself
> applications that I want to install, so after Googling, I found
> OpenOffice.org application to download and install. Now I could finish my
> work with a spreadsheet.
> To tell you the truth, I didn’t have fun at all. I don’t understand this
> technology well. Why there is drive A, and then drive C, where is drive B?
> This was certainly some basic distribution. It didn’t include any
> applications to boost my productivity and I had to waste my time to look for
> them. My friend told me that I need antivirus application as that does not
> come with distribution either.
> I do not understand what computer virus is. How can dead object get an
> infection?!
> I found using this windows distribution very difficult. It might possibly
> be good for some people that understand computers, but for me, no thanks. I
> am going back to my Linux.
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