Comments on: Will you be too scared to use the Internet? http://helpmerick.com/will-you-be-too-scared-to-use-the-internet.htm Easy to understand computer help Wed, 23 May 2012 11:31:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Anonymous http://helpmerick.com/will-you-be-too-scared-to-use-the-internet.htm/comment-page-#comment-3970 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2355#comment-3970 These problems arose because operating systems stopped allowing the user to control their own computer. One upon a time, if the user did not explicitly run a program, the program didn't run. That made spyware, adware, viruses, worms and dragons of all sorts difficult or impossible. I would instantly buy an operating system that brought total control back to me. Unfortunately, there is no hope of this, because the goal of computer manufacturers is to make the computer an "appliance" more like a TV than a computer. You get all kinds of crap on your TV, and you will get it on your computer too. I run with javascript and activx and pictures turned off except when I specifically need them. I refuse to have Flash on my computer at all. It's a bother, yes, but I never get viruses or malware. And browsing is MUCH faster. I actually bought a new computer with XP and stored it for when my current one fails. It's my attempt to fend off the inevitable for as long as possible. These problems arose because operating systems stopped allowing the user to control their own computer. One upon a time, if the user did not explicitly run a program, the program didn’t run. That made spyware, adware, viruses, worms and dragons of all sorts difficult or impossible. I would instantly buy an operating system that brought total control back to me.

Unfortunately, there is no hope of this, because the goal of computer manufacturers is to make the computer an “appliance” more like a TV than a computer. You get all kinds of crap on your TV, and you will get it on your computer too.

I run with javascript and activx and pictures turned off except when I specifically need them. I refuse to have Flash on my computer at all. It’s a bother, yes, but I never get viruses or malware. And browsing is MUCH faster.

I actually bought a new computer with XP and stored it for when my current one fails. It’s my attempt to fend off the inevitable for as long as possible.

]]> By: Rick http://helpmerick.com/will-you-be-too-scared-to-use-the-internet.htm/comment-page-#comment-3971 Rick Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://helpmerick.com/wordpr/?p=2355#comment-3971 Your approach to computer security and your statement that the computer is becoming more appliance like are accurate. However, without Java and Flash, the Internet is pretty stale. I know I talk about cloud computing a lot, but I think that if cloud computing keeps advancing, the major decisions will be made at the cloud (administrator) level and users can safely use the applications on their end in a very appliance like manner. For those who won't more control, like you and lesser extent, me, that can still be done as well through the traditional operating system and application paradigm. Your approach to computer security and your statement that the computer is becoming more appliance like are accurate. However, without Java and Flash, the Internet is pretty stale. I know I talk about cloud computing a lot, but I think that if cloud computing keeps advancing, the major decisions will be made at the cloud (administrator) level and users can safely use the applications on their end in a very appliance like manner. For those who won’t more control, like you and lesser extent, me, that can still be done as well through the traditional operating system and application paradigm.

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