There’s more to the conversation than security
Posted on September 28, 2004
Filed Under Uncategorized
John Gruber of Daring Fireball has an entry that is similar in tone to the one I posted here a few days ago, about the relentless attack of Windows spyware, malware, viruses and other nasties.
New Windows updates, new anti-virus software, new ad-blocking software — regular people are starting to realize that the cycle never ends, that they are never going to successfully secure Windows, and that the easiest and best solution to the Windows security problem is not to use Windows at all.
I was right with him until the last point. Using that logic, no one would live in New York City. You can’t sleep in your apartment with your door unlocked like you can in other cities. You have to not only lock your car, you have to use a device called “The Club” to protect it further (and even with The Club our car was stolen when we lived in NYC). You are warned to not look people in the eye when walking down the street. Security and the higher-than-the-national-average crime rate are a huge concern for New Yorkers. And that was before September 11, 2001. So the easiest and best solution is not to live there, right?
But… the museums! The shopping! The culture! Broadway! Wall Street! Central Park Zoo! The shopping! The lights of Times Square! The shopping! Being able to get a snack at 4 am and the streets are crowded! If you are a New Yorker, (or have been or want to be) you can immediately list 100+ reasons why it’s worth it to live in New York City even if you have to take more steps to insure your personal safety than if you lived anywhere else. A New Yorker would argue that it’s worth it, for all you get in return.
Many Windows users who will not consider switching platforms likely feel the same way. Yes, you have to be vigilant. For security, the Mac is an easy, carefree ride. But if you need to exchange files with other folks, if you want a large selection of software, if you want a better chance of getting your tech support question answered on the first try…then the whole switch thing goes out the window. The reality is that as annoying and maddening as the security dance on Windows is (and I just upgraded to Symantec Internet Security 2005 this morning…just about the same price as renewing my subscription), I don’t think it’s reason enough to convince someone to give up Windows. It’s an easy out…it’s not the only factor to consider. And I’d counter that someone who switches for that reason alone, without really considering the strengths and consequences, is going to be unhappy with their decision in the long run and won’t do the Mac platform any good (particularly if they’re a blogger).
My point here isn’t to say that Windows is better than Mac. It never is. I’m typing this on my Mac right now because ecto is a better blogging tool. But the Mac die-hard’s argument of “the only thing you should think about is not thinking about security, so dump Windows” is wearing thin. Even when it’s from a very respected source.
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5 Responses to “There’s more to the conversation than security”
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you said what i think in a way that is much more eloquent and well thought out than i could have ever done
As a sysadmin, I can tell you that the safest computer is one that is not connected to any network or any power.
Having said that, I haven’t exactly found the “Museums, Culture and Shopping” that “New York City” has to offer. Having visited plenty of times, I see no need to live there in order to reap the benefits. Well, I guess one bit of culture I miss out on is the fact that 80% of the top tier “Shows” (games) come out in “New York City” first. I guess that if a show makes it out of New York to the rest of the country it’s probably worth seeing. (Popularity and success don’t always equate to quality, so it may not be a good filter.)
[Did I lose my idiom somewhere in that paragraph?]
BTW- Why did you move away from New York? I’m in the process of moving further away from city life. I’m headed to Bonny Doon.
Thank you, as always, for your blog and your honest opinion!
We left NYC in 1996 when Laini was 6 months old. As great as it is, I knew I wanted to raise my kids in the ‘burbs. Eric’s company was relocating to Stamford, CT and they offered to help us buy a house and pay all closing and relocation expenses. We said “Sure!” and here we are.
I guess what I’m saying is the whole security thing is way overrated. I’d love to see a Mac vs. PC debate where the Mac person isn’t allowed to mention viruses or spyware and the PC person isn’t allowed to mention software choice or cost. What’s left? Interface? Mac OS X and Windows XP are so close nowadays that except for tit for tat differences, I would almost call it a draw. Like I prefer Windows menus (each window has its own menu) and the task bar to the Dock, but I’ll take the Mac OS X Finder window anyday over Windows Explorer because finding a specific file is so much easier and faster on a Mac.
Oh. Check out this when you have a few minutes.
http://www.xvsxp.com/
Farily balanced. (As opposed to the Fox slogan)
I did see that site a while back, Jeffrey. I kept meaning to blog it and forgot about it. Thanks for mentioning it.
It is fair and I would agree with most of it. So much is a matter of personal preference.