I've been reading a lot of postings to various message boards, newsgroups and talkback boards on how evil Microsoft (often spelled as Micro$oft or more simply M$) is. The foam-at-the- mouth rantings after
publication on anything even remotely related to that company are nauseatingly predictable.The argument goes something like this: Microsoft is equated with everything evil and foul in world. Lucifer himself is kind and gentle compared with Bill Gates, and every product ever produced by his company has at least one hidden evil intention. All of Bill's products are purposely created to produce greatest amount of harm for most people. Bill and his entourage are planning to take over world and destroy everything and everyone, especially any competing companies.
These postings are actually very amusing. They are often so childish, so silly that it's incredible to believe that these people are serious. Sometimes I wonder if rational minds exist behind many of these messages.
For example, an article about Klez virus (which did not even mention Microsoft by name) produced some fascinating replies. One reader wrote:
"Only Windows users would put up with such a scam. Windows security is like building a house with no doors and being forced to hire a security guard to walk around your home while you're living there."
It's fascinating how people can write such uninformed drivel. Another reader had similar opinions.
"Most thanks for viruses go to M$ and their sorry excuse for an e-mail system Exchange coupled with their new, dynamic protocol called VTP (Virus Transport protocol). Kudos to Bill for designing such an elegant virus propagation environment. Who needs enemies when you have M$?"
More silliness from an ignorant person who probably has allowed viruses to slip through his defenses.
Let's look at an analogy. Let's say you purchase a car. The car does not come with an alarm system, and locks are of standard issue. You decline to purchase an alarm system and more advanced locks.
Now a car thief breaks into your car and steals it. Who is to blame? The car manufacturer for creating a car with simple locks and no standard alarm system? The thief for stealing your car? The city for allowing thieves? The police department for not guarding your automobile 24x7? Perhaps your child distracted you before you locked door - is child responsible?
Or are you responsible because you didn't educate yourself on how to protect your valuable car? Are you responsible for not purchasing better locks and perhaps an alarm system? Is it your fault that you parked your car in a bad place in town?
