Windows Controls 97 Percent of PCs

Vikingod · Aug 23, 2006, 02:06 PM

Source: ENT Mag
__________
Despite Microsoft's failure to release a new desktop operating system in the past five years, Windows' previous versions still give the company control of nearly 97 percent of all PCs worldwide, according to a leading Web analytics firm.

Amsterdam-based OneStat.com announced the figures in a report issued last week.

WaltC · Aug 23, 2006, 03:49 PM

Interesting how word play often reveals personal agendas, isn't it?

The facts revealed in the article entitled "Windows Controls 97 Percent of PCs" could also just as accurately have been revealed by the following article title:

"97 Percent of PC owners choose Windows."

Just goes to show how the same raw facts can be manipulated into diametrically opposed contexts which imply drastically different things. In the author's context, the facts are presented negatively; in mine, the same facts are presented positively. I wonder sometimes if people actually think about anything before they set pen to paper.

The fact of the matter is that although Windows runs on my machines at home, neither Microsoft nor Windows "controls" those machines. I control them utterly, including the conscious choice of the OS I choose to run on them, not to mention all of the other software I run on them. I'd imagine it's exactly the same for 100% of the remainder of the 97% of the individuals the author is talking about.

A neutral, objective way to have presented these facts might have been with an article entitled:

"Survey reveals that 97% of all the personal computers in the world run Windows."

The notion of the OS, or the company publishing the OS, "controlling" a machine is just plain wrongheaded. The object of an OS--any OS--is to support the hardware the user chooses to buy so that the *end user* completely controls his machine, including all of the software aside from the OS that the end user chooses to run. Quite simply, Windows supports more 3rd-party hardware and more 3rd-party software than any other OS ever written and published, which of course explains neatly why 97% of the world's personal computers run Windows. That's it--it's a completely objective outcome that is very easily understood. It is, in fact, exactly why *I* run Windows these days.

Sadly, I think these kinds of article titles are drummed up by people seeking headline sensationalism in order to draw attention to their articles. Readers need to stay a step ahead of them so as to avoid being caught in the prejudice traps that this kind of journalism sets for the inexperienced. On a positive note, other than his unfortunate and inaccurate use of the world "controls" in the context the author has chosen, the article itself is thankfully long on facts and short on editorial conjecture.

In the information age, I think a new spin on an old saying is worth repeating. It used to be we'd say, "Beware of strangers bearing gifts." But in the info age, it might be better to say, "Beware of strangers bearing headlines"...

Aug 23, 2006, 02:06 PM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Windows Controls 97 Percent of PCs Source: ENT Mag __________ Despite Microsoft's failure to release a new desktop operating system in the past five years, Windows' previous versions still give the company control of nearly 97 percent of all PCs worldwide, according to a leading Web analytics firm. Amsterdam-based OneStat.com announced the figures in a report issued last week.

Aug 23, 2006, 03:49 PM	#2
WaltC DriverHeaven Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: Deep in Martian soil where it's warm and the air is good Posts: 245 Rep Power: 0	Interesting how word play often reveals personal agendas, isn't it? The facts revealed in the article entitled "Windows Controls 97 Percent of PCs" could also just as accurately have been revealed by the following article title: "97 Percent of PC owners choose Windows." Just goes to show how the same raw facts can be manipulated into diametrically opposed contexts which imply drastically different things. In the author's context, the facts are presented negatively; in mine, the same facts are presented positively. I wonder sometimes if people actually think about anything before they set pen to paper. The fact of the matter is that although Windows runs on my machines at home, neither Microsoft nor Windows "controls" those machines. I control them utterly, including the conscious choice of the OS I choose to run on them, not to mention all of the other software I run on them. I'd imagine it's exactly the same for 100% of the remainder of the 97% of the individuals the author is talking about. A neutral, objective way to have presented these facts might have been with an article entitled: "Survey reveals that 97% of all the personal computers in the world run Windows." The notion of the OS, or the company publishing the OS, "controlling" a machine is just plain wrongheaded. The object of an OS--any OS--is to support the hardware the user chooses to buy so that the end user completely controls his machine, including all of the software aside from the OS that the end user chooses to run. Quite simply, Windows supports more 3rd-party hardware and more 3rd-party software than any other OS ever written and published, which of course explains neatly why 97% of the world's personal computers run Windows. That's it--it's a completely objective outcome that is very easily understood. It is, in fact, exactly why I run Windows these days. Sadly, I think these kinds of article titles are drummed up by people seeking headline sensationalism in order to draw attention to their articles. Readers need to stay a step ahead of them so as to avoid being caught in the prejudice traps that this kind of journalism sets for the inexperienced. On a positive note, other than his unfortunate and inaccurate use of the world "controls" in the context the author has chosen, the article itself is thankfully long on facts and short on editorial conjecture. In the information age, I think a new spin on an old saying is worth repeating. It used to be we'd say, "Beware of strangers bearing gifts." But in the info age, it might be better to say, "Beware of strangers bearing headlines"...