Pssst..... There are now 3 major platforms, IMHO.Linux is gaining ground everyday. I am running Suze Linux on my laptop on a partitioned drive to test, and it runs pretty darn well, IMHO.Folks, what it comes down to is there are many options.I just choose the road with the least security vulnerabilities.MS Makes a good Flightsim product, and I fly it almost exclusively. But like any company, not every product is golden.I run Win XP Pro, and I like the security parameters that it allows me to configure, but their office program is way out of line for my expectations as to what I am willing to spend, and I have found a FREE alternative in openoffice.org. Nothing wrong with free, is there?I am not beholden to any company when it comes to software. I am a consumer, and as such, I reserve the right to make whatever choices I like, same as you. But it does not diminish the fact that there are just a bit too many vulnerabilities in MS Office, Win, and IE, and I take precautions to keep my system safer than if I used all those products.Regards,Joe

Recent security reports indicate that the most insecure OS on the market today is Linux. There are many more hackers targeting Microsoft than anyone else. If the same number of hackers targeted Linux, you'd see some major security breaches there.Jim

Hi Jim,But that is just the point. Not that many hackers are targeting Linux, Openoffice, Mozilla, Firebird, Thunferbird, etc.....If you think that is justification for using MS stuff, go on being vulnerable, I could really give a rip. Your box. I'm just trying to help, and provide FACTS, not hypotheticals.You acknowledge more hackers go after MS.My solution is avoid being the target. And My solutions is a lot more logical than your hypothetical about the same number of hackers attacking Linux. That is simply absurd in the current environment.For example, IF, and that is a HUGE...HUGE....IF....If more hacker started attacking Linux, or Mozilla, or Openoffice... Guess what. I would switch to Microsoft.Case Closed..Regards,JoePS- Oh Yeah, one more thing... If you accuse Linux of being a bigger threat, you should think about linking to the article that says that so others will be helped. I'm sure all those running Linux are concerned about the facts you are reporting here. ;-)

Joe, http://www.wininsider.com/news/comments.aspx?mid=2864This is according to a report from the Aberdeen Group, a very reliable and highly respected organization. This is not hypothetical.I use all MS stuff, and I have never been hit by ANY of the worms, etc. Why? Because I update my computer when updates are released, I don't open executable attachments from people unless I know what they are, and I have a firewall on my system. Incidentally, most of these security precautions are recommended on any operating system. I do enjoy providing links like these to folks who are so vigorously implying that I'm making things up. :)Jim

Jim, I never implied, reread my post. I only suggested you list the link, I never implied anything. Take my posts literally and you will avoid the confusion you create by something I never implied.I am well aware of most things linux now, but I didn't have the link, and you brought it up, not me. And besides, that is old, old, news from almost a year ago, That does not take into account current versions. I hardly call that a RECENT report as you did.And you did not link the study therby helping no-one. You only linked to an allegation made in a discussion forum. Nice Try though.Here is a better link, but I'm not giving them any of my info just to read a report.http://www.aberdeen.com/ab_abstracts/2002/11/11020005.htmOh yeah, and a little interesting debunk from this guy since we're listing forum discussions here:http://www.unix-girl.com/blog/archives/000432.html**********************************************Now if you want to compare patches for security flaws exposed, by all means let us do that, shall we.Keep in mind, I am th eone who complimented the XP functions, and never commented whether Linux was better or worse than XP. You are the one who brought security of Linux into this.You list all the security updates made for XP by link over the last six months.After you post those, then I will list all the ones for Linux, and then we will have a comparison, how does that sound.BTW - I will even leave out IE, Outlook, and WMP, those other security flaw ridden programs that al lthe ahckers prefer to attack. :-)So what do you say, up for the challenge or what. I mean you brought the security of Linux up, so put your own personally known facts up to scrutiny and we'll let the cards fall where they may. Regards,Joe

Are you implying that a large number of security fixes indicates that Windows is less secure? I would think just the opposite. :)I you're a penguin person, Joe, I won't change your mind. I'm well aware of that. I'm just pointing out that people who claim that Microsoft software is the most insecure software are not basing it on real data.I'm confident that Microsoft is absolutely committed to security. In fact, you state that the article I referenced is one year old. Yes, it is. And Windows is MUCH more secure today than it was then. How many security fixes have we seen in Linux? Jim

Jim,Please go back and read your first post to me about this.You levied the accusation that Linux is less secure, therefore it is up to you to either prove that theory with evidence or retract it.It is not up to me to prove your theory incorrect. You have yet to list any evidence whatsoever other than a link to a post in another forum.I never stated I believe that WIndows is less secure than Linux. You however stated that Linux is less secure.Why would even do that?Re-read what I have written, twice if necessary.And I have reread what I wrote.I said:"...overpriced, hardly updated, security problem ridden other suite again...."And that is My opinion. I never said one over the other.Regards,Joe

* Sigh *I did back it up with the report from Aberdeen. I cannot force you to believe the report. You either do or you don't.Your exact statement was this:"I just choose the road with the least security vulnerabilities."Now that seems to me like it was you who made the claim. I posted my post and backed it up with solid research. This really isn't that complicated!I don't want to go into this anymore. It doesn't serve any purpose, and AVSIM is sitting there with their finger on the lock button. :)Jim

You listed ZERO research.All you did was link to an allegation in a Forum with absolutely no evidence.And yes, IMHO, there are other programs out there with less security vulnerabilities than MS's current stable of products.For Browser, I use Firebird rather than IE.For OS I use WIN XP Pro and on my laptop, I am running dual boot to explore linux as an option.For simmimg, I mostly use MSFS9.For Mail, I use Thunderbird, a mozilla derivative.The main thing we both should be proposing here, IMHO, is something we most likely agree upon.People should keep their puter's updated, their OS's updated, and block most things that attempt to connect, deny cookies, except for Avsim of course..... And learn how to prevent intrusions, security threats, etc.....We can write all day long on differences but it will most likely not help many people get as secure as our systems may be.They have to do that themselves.Take care,Joe

I don't agree that I posted zero research. I posted the news post from wininsider about the Aberdeen report. My doing so seems to have upset you pretty much, but I'm not sure why. Folks around here are pretty high strung these days.Signing off.Jim

Contrary to your beliefs, I don't get upset very easily, and this hardly qualifies as upset for me. It was I that posted the link to the aberdeen report, but I refuse to divulge my personal information to read a SPONSORED report. (I wonder who the sponsors were?)You however listed zero evidence. How is one to know what you submitted is fact when you only listed a discussion forum sentence.We will just have to disagree I guess, as I am happy with what I said, and you can state what you like.By the way, I did the saem thing you did. I say sponsored report, which came form the discussion debunk I listed, so in your theories it must be true as well, right?It was a spoinsored report according to my link and that brings the whole report being biased, IMHO.Works both ways, huh JIm?I have to take my kids to baseball so I won't be able to respond for a couple of hours.Take Care,Joe

Hi Jim,"Does anyone other than me find it ironic that this group is here for people who are enthusiasts of Flight Simulator, a Microsoft product, to share experiences with that product, and yet it has of late become a Microsoft-bashing forum instead"....if you re-read my posts you will observe that that was not my intention, far from it. Unfortunately some others have made it so and that is a great pity.My aim was simply to point out that Microsoft are currently receiving several wake up calls and the situation could get much worse. If they continue to refuse to acknowledge the needs of their customers to interact more with the developers of their software it could prove, in the end, to be a very expensive mistake. I have no wish to see Microsoft fail. Like the vast majority, I use and depend on several of their products and while the monopoly issue is hard for many to swallow it does at least ensure worldwide compatibility.This drive is simply to apply some further pressure in the earnest hope that those with the power within the Microsoft organization can be persuaded to implement certain changes many of us see as being crucial for the future survival of the business AND Flight Simulator ;)Burying our heads in the sand as we voice assumptions that Microsoft will prevail, come what may, is not sensible in this very competitive age. They do need our continuing support, just as we need to witness changes in the levels of support offered to us. I trust they are listening and taking note. It is not yet too late.Mike

Don't catch any foul balls! :)Jim

"Pssst..... There are now 3 major platforms, IMHO."The Windows platform is on over 90% of PC's in use today worldwide. It's a bit of a stretch to say Linux is a major when it's on probably less than 2% of PC's used. I see you call this an opinion, no worries.I've always been a big MS fan, but it would be nice to see other platforms do good just for the anti-monopoly streak in me.As far as using Linux, I might dual boot when I get a bigger harddrive for CG work, but right now it's nice to cover 98% of all compatability problems by using Windows.I think Longhorn, (the new Windows in post alpha/maybe beta), will have a severe impact on how they're gonna go in the future. Time will tell.

Being originally from Chicago, I feel very sorry for that guy.I blame Dusty Baker for the Cubs loss, who doesn't seem to know when to pull a pitcher. I mean, allowing 7 runs from Wood before pulling him is ludicrous.Then the Chicago Sun-Times prints the guy's name in the paper who tried to do what 9 out of ten of us would have done. Instinct is human nature that when a baseball comes near you, you try and catch it.But then again, I can't stand Dusty baker anyway, as I think he's a R..... Ahh never mind. ;-)Do a search for him at my forums and you will see what I think of him.Regards,Joe