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General discussion (archive)Ever wish that Microsoft Windows had never caught on?(86 posts)(86 posts)
(86 posts)
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This is my favourite topic
Posted June 22, 2011
I find myself thinking that a world where computers still ran on DOS would be nice occasionally, because it would mean that basic computer literacy would be required in order to use computers instead of having Windows do everything for you, allowing any moron to use it.

Opponents of this line of thinking proclaim that since Windows made computers so much more accessible, if it had never caught on, computers would never have become as ubiquitous as they have.

What do you guys think?
Posted June 22, 2011
I know how to use command-line interfaces, but GUIs still make my life easier.
Posted June 22, 2011
completely disagree...

you stated one of the reason. net would be so much more boring because of it and harder to use. no real youtube, no steam and no gog as there wouldn't be the market for digital platforms.

there would also be tens of different versions of dos so compatibility for games would be a bitch.

to transfer money from one account to another you would have to actually go to the bank to do that. or it would be difficult and expensive to do over the net.

websites would be lacking with information. news would be delivered slow.

without windows you would actually be forced to watch things on outdated machines like televisions. god like i fear that idea...

without windows ability to write essays would be hindered by your technical aptitude.

lt would suck highly if we did not have windows...
Posted June 22, 2011
There were graphical shells for DOS and utilities like mem-maker. You never had to be a genius.

PCs were popular before the rise of Windows.
Post edited June 22, 2011 by Snickersnack
Posted June 22, 2011
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lukaszthegreat: completely disagree...

you stated one of the reason. net would be so much more boring because of it and harder to use. no real youtube, no steam and no gog as there wouldn't be the market for digital platforms.

there would also be tens of different versions of dos so compatibility for games would be a bitch.

to transfer money from one account to another you would have to actually go to the bank to do that. or it would be difficult and expensive to do over the net.

websites would be lacking with information. news would be delivered slow.

without windows you would actually be forced to watch things on outdated machines like televisions. god like i fear that idea...

without windows ability to write essays would be hindered by your technical aptitude.

lt would suck highly if we did not have windows...
+1

couldn't have said it better myself.
Posted June 22, 2011
i wish that macs caught on, if most games worked on a mac, i would own one by now.
Posted June 22, 2011
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noname875: i wish that macs caught on, if most games worked on a mac, i would own one by now.
What's so great about mac?
Posted June 22, 2011
I could care less about Microsoft and their products.
I grew up with Unix and GNU/Linux and the only reason I have Windows installed aswell is gaming.
Posted June 22, 2011
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Snickersnack: There were graphical shells for DOS and utilities like mem-maker. You never had to be a genius.

PCs were popular before the rise of Windows.
PC were popular but not the extent we have now. the current situation developed because windows went mainstream, simplifying usage of computer.

and the idea behind op's post was not "What if there was no Windows but Doors?" but instead he meant "what if there was no operating program such as windows or anything similar to it. that we would still be forced to operate computers through dos"

this is how at least understood his post and that's how i answered.
Posted June 22, 2011
Eh, there were several other graphical interfaces available at that time (GEM, GeoWorks, etc), not to mention other graphical OSes - if Windows hadn't been successful, one of the others would, and we'd still have pretty much the same computers we have now.
Posted June 22, 2011
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noname875: i wish that macs caught on, if most games worked on a mac, i would own one by now.
they are overpriced pc being completely under control of Apple. it is like dell and microsoft united and at the same time banned every other pc manufacturer from the market (like HP, Alienware, Bob the local IT guru from your Mall)

terrible idea is terrible.
Posted June 22, 2011
Never . . . started out using big drafting boards / T squares then DOS CAD programs (CadKey anyone?) The windows version was sooo much easier and powerful . . . never, ever considered using the old DOS version as we converted all our files to the newer version which got easier and easier. 3D in DOS . . . hummnnn

Shudder when I think of the old dbase database interface, the directories with 300 files to keep up with. MS Access was a breath of fresh air with the one file concept, VBA and quick interface design / maintenance.

DOS WordPerfect 5.1 compared to WordPerfect 6.0 . . . 6.0 Windows version much better.

DOS Photoshop . . . arrow key interface???

I am no fan of M$ but I have made a decent living using their products over the years. . . . =)
Posted June 22, 2011
I hate windows. They let the sunlight interfere with my gaming.

But seriously, I've had some computers without Windows. And I gladly plop down the money for it now.

Linux ate up a hard drive partition.
Mac was so danged expensive.
And my DOS machine was clunky and slow to do anything.

Windows is a beautiful thing.

As I talk to kids today, though, I quickly see that things are going to go to the Mac. I give MS 10 years before they're either dead or they come up with a reason to sway the next generation.
Posted June 22, 2011
Sounds like there are a few people that want the good old time back. Not including me. Going through command line shells isn't that everything will and want to do.
Let the unix nerds have their own place to hang :P
Post edited June 22, 2011 by deques
Posted June 22, 2011
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deques: Sounds like there are a few people that want the good old time back. Not including me. Going through command line shells isn't that everything will and want to do.
Let the unix nerds have their own place to hang :P
unix = command line only... this time has long passed.
It's still perefered by most people because it's the fastest way of getting things done.

Unix and GNU/Linux had many different GUIs long before Microsoft and Apple.
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General discussion (archive)Ever wish that Microsoft Windows had never caught on?(86 posts)(86 posts)
(86 posts)