Got Spyware? Throw out the Computer! 591
geeber writes "The New York Times (reg. required) has an article about a new response to spyware - throw out the computer and buy a new one. The notion is new computers can be had for $400 so it's a cost effective and 'rational response.'" From the article: "While no figures are available on the ranks of those jettisoning their PC's, the scourge of unwanted software is widely felt. This month the Pew group published a study in which 43 percent of the 2,001 adult Internet users polled said they had been confronted with spyware or adware, collectively known as malware. Forty-eight percent said they had stopped visiting Web sites that might deposit unwanted programs on their PC's.
Moreover, 68 percent said they had had computer trouble in the last year consistent with the problems caused by spyware or adware, though 60 percent of those were unsure of the problems' origins. Twenty percent of those who tried to fix the problem said it had not been solved; among those who spent money seeking a remedy, the average outlay was $129."
Re:Bit of a waste, surely? (Score:5, Funny)
Just as long as they give me their "old" computer.
I knew it (Score:4, Funny)
Ford goes on. (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Bit of a waste, surely? (Score:2, Funny)
First hand experience (Score:1, Funny)
Dumped an old computer and bought a $1800 one with a LCD screen. Blamed it on the 'oldness' I guess. Couple weeks later, still have to return it to the manufacturer to get it fixed.
Sssshhhh! (Score:5, Funny)
Don't tell anybody! I'm counting on this new idea to cause a glut in the market of used PC's. I can pick them up real cheap for extra Linux boxen.
Re:Stupid recommendation (Score:5, Funny)
It does get your 20 minutes [theregister.co.uk] per PC though.
My suggestion is: buy 24 $400 computers and switch every 20 minutes. That way, you can get a solid 8 hour day of work. When you're done, return them to the place you got them from and ask replacements, so you're good to go for another day
Re:What does that make the Windows TCO? (Score:5, Funny)
Average lifespan of a BSD computer 10 years.
So the choice is between a computer that turns into a zombie in 4 minutes, or a one that keeps on dying for 10 years is it?
Comment removed (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Bit of a waste, surely? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Bill says "thanks" (Score:2, Funny)
Step 2. ???
Step 3. PROFIT!
Re:What does that make the Windows TCO? (Score:5, Funny)
GEEK: Bring out your obsolete boxen!
Bring out your obsolete boxen over here!
[clang] Bring out your obsolete boxen over here!
[clang] Bring out your obsolete boxen over here!
[clang] Bring out your obsolete boxen over here!
[clang] Bring out your obsolete boxen over here!
NETCRAFT: Ah! Good, Good! Here's one for you -- and here's your one gig of porn.
*BSD: I'm not obsolete!
GEEK: What?
NETCRAFT: 'S Nothing -- here's your one gig of porn now.
*BSD: I'm not obsolete, I'm not!
GEEK: Oy, what's this here? He says he's not obsolete!
NETCRAFT: Oh, Yes, Yes, he is.
*BSD: I'm not!
GEEK: He isn't obsolete.
NETCRAFT: Yes, Well, he will be soon, you see. He's dying.
*BSD: No I'm not! I'm gaining market share!
NETCRAFT: Oh no, you're not -- you'll be stone dead and useless in a moment.
GEEK: Oh, I can't take him like that -- it's against regulations y'know.
*BSD: I don't want to go in the dumpster! I don't want to go in the dumpster!
NETCRAFT: Oh, don't be such a baby. It's just like being on Hibernate!
GEEK: I can't take him like that.
*BSD: I feel useful! I feel useful!
NETCRAFT: Oh, do us a favor... c'mon.
GEEK: I can't.
NETCRAFT: Well, can you hang around a couple of minutes? He won't be long. Less market-share than Punch-cards and Paper-tape.
GEEK: Naaah, I really got to go on to IBM's -- they've lost OS/2 this week.
NETCRAFT: Well, when is your next round, then?
GEEK: Oh, I won't be back around here till next Thursday.
*BSD: I think I'll go do a compile, now!
NETCRAFT: You're not fooling anyone y'know. Look, mate, isn't there something you can do here?
*BSD: I feel useful... I feel useful. I'm just gonna do a little compile!
[bzzzzzzzzzzzzttttttt]
NETCRAFT: Ah, thanks very much.
GEEK: Not at all. See you on Thursday.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Bit of a waste, surely? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Bit of a waste, surely? (Score:3, Funny)
Saw this done in the 80s! (Score:1, Funny)
In one incident I found an IBM XT (the first common PC, cost about 4k GBP in '84, as I recall) locked in a cupboard in HM Treasury. They had got a virus on it, and had 'secured it'. It had been there nearly 2 years.
God knows how much 4k GBP in 1986 equates to nowadays! Mind you, it did stop it spreading...
Definition of insanity. (Score:3, Funny)
1. Clueless user gets rid of old Windows PC
2. Clueless user installs or has installed the same old software he had.
3. Still clueless user continues same behaviors he was doing, only on a new computer.
4. New computer becomes infested or otherwise hosed up.
4. Repeat.
One of the definitions of insanity is repeatedly doing the same behavior and expecting different results.