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Do you feel safe with Microsoft controlling every computer on Earth?

We all know where it started, Windows (The actually launch of everyday computers) was created, then it was "Borrowed", then marketed, the company made a fortune, paid off the REAL creator and become the most amazing thing in this last century. That is basic the history of Microsoft.

Now, let's take a quick look at viruses...

If you make something, no matter what it is, who would be the one that knows the design best? You of course. Are there really people out there with nothing more to do in life than write virus programs? If so, how did they get access to Microsoft's guarded encrypted codes? There might be a few good hackers, but Microsoft always claims they are on top of these things so really the only ones who can cause problems to programs are the Microsoft programmers themselves.

A peek closer...
Let's say I make a webpage, I can create a cookie that is put on your computer telling me if you visit that page, how many times that you have visited, your Operating system... all the way down to your Name, address and IP. Doesn't Microsoft do everyday? For those of you on DSL or Cable, shut your computer completely off, then set back and watch your modem still receive and send data. Hmmm...if your not on your computer, who is? This is when Microsoft installs and uploads imformation. If anyone else does it, it is considered Spyware. Guess they are above the Law.

Look at today's world...

How many of us have ever stopped to think about the reality of computer systems involved in everyday operations?

If computers suddenly stopped tomorrow, most people, under 25 years old, would not know how to give change back from a 10 dollar bill. Computers are all they have ever known. They punch in the numbers and it tells them how much you should get back. We couldn't pump one ounce of gas, couldn't go to a grocery store and buy anything. Most of us would be without utilities. Many of our ways of communication would not be available.
Computers control everything from simple sign in's to your favorite sites to Medical diagnosis equipment. They are the brains of establishing the way we talk to family on the phone all the to launching missle strikes (By the way, wouldn't it be wise for any country to program it's missles to strike in case it doesn't get a certain command code from a computer every certain amount of time, just in case the enemy hits first?) Is this what the Government was worrying about during the 2K scares?

How it could be...

We all know by watching the news, that a few "trusted" people have committed crimes, serious crimes. How many people work or have worked for Microsoft? Who's to say that one of the employees or ex-employees doesn't want to get revenge on the company. If they know the right system, seems like they could cause quite a few problems. No one really knows what a person is capable of. Wouldn't it be better if other companies controlled a portion of these things too? At least not everything would be at risk.

We are dealing with this issue everday without realizing it. Do we want to trust a company 100% that was built on deception, theft and lies?

Truthfully, should only one company have this power?

I read the above with dismay.... dismay because while we can eliminate the teaspoon of sugar in our coffee as a small step to living healthier, when it comes to something of this magnitude, we little people can do no more than voice our thoughts should anyone care to listen. Our only protest is to ban the computer from our homes.... but what about the one in the bank with all our info on it, or motor vehicles branch.....even the cash register at Mark's Work Wear tracks you.

Looks to me like we have to take our lumps for living in this era, and HOPE that somewhere up in the heirarchy of gov'ts (USA in particular) there is an army of computer geeks with their eyes on the happenings in that field.

There.... now I will finish my morning coffee...then go do something old fashioned.... strawberry picking.

Excellent post, Classic!!! Thought provoking, intimidating, infuriating, exasperating, etc. etc., lol. Do I like the idea that one company basically rules the internet? Nope. Mind you, I prefer Microsoft over "Big Brother", lol. There's been many a great book written (fiction~so they say

) closely tied to this sort of thing. I am hoping this thread gets some dialogue going. I would love to hear people's ideas, thoughts, fears with regard to all of this! I am not able to get into it at this moment, due to time contrainsts... damn, lol. As Arnie once said, "I'll be bok!"

Any of you remember back in the 60's and 70's when AT&T had control of all the phones? We had no options. It was their way or no way.

Well, since we now live in the computer age, it would be hard if not impossible to live without them. Do I like the fact that Microsoft has so much power? NO........but like Herm says, we pretty much have to take things as they are, because we can never go back to things the way they were. Unfortunate, maybe, but it's just the way things are.

How do you find time to do all this thinking, Classic? I guess we have no choice but to be part of this ever-changing world and technology, but it saddens me somewhat that children today really need to use their brain so little. Anything and everything is available to be found on the internet, including exams and answers. Like you said, Classic, most kids today would not know how to give change if the register didn't tell them how much to give. Personally, I think that a lot of these "steps forward" have actually been steps backwards.

Although I still do write cheques for a few of my subscriptions, etc., I worry that I will lose my computer and not be able to do online banking. What an inconvenience that would be! I guess you have to take the good with the bad.

Here in Canada, it was Bell who controlled our phone systems. I've gone with cable now and it's much cheaper, but I never got a message saying that all circuits were busy and to try my call again later when I was with Bell....again, you take the good with the bad.

Well, that's the most typing I've done in awhile. Guess I'd best go do the dishes, since I don't have one of those magical machines that does them for you.

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