I need help dissuading my dad.

[Laukev7]

Just after I uninstalled XP and Longhorn from my computer, my dad expressed his desire to install Windows XP on his computer as his main OS. Thankfully, I already deleted the ISOs, but I am concerned that he may download the image himself. He has heard good things about XP, and now I fear I won't be able to convince him otherwise anymore, despite everything I've said.

He already has Linux in his computer, and while he seems to like it, he doesn't intend to get rid of Windows, even though he agrees that Windows is crap. I fear that he may lose that perception if he switches to XP, and that I may never be able to make him switch.

What should I do?

[ July 16, 2003: Message edited by: Laukev7 ]

[jasonlane]

I don't know you're Dad, don't know what kind of guy he is, how he thinks. Basically tell him it would:

1. Be a personal insult if he did    
2. Explain to him that so much more is at stake

[Laukev7]

I explained everything, from spyware to the upcomimg Palladium. He doesn't care; he remains stubborn, apparently under the inmpression that he'll be able to pirate M$ products forever. He thinks that even Palladium will be circumvented by specialised pirates.

He insisted that I install XP on my computer to try it out and get familiar with it for job purposes. Which, until now, I absolutely refused to do, knowing that it was just an excuse. I made a big mistake; I thought he may come to his senses if I told him I used XP, know how it works, and got rid of it. But now, my worst fears are coming true.

[Stryker]

You could take the more aggresive approach and tell him that if he does put windows on there you'll report him to piracy@microsoft.com. If ur dad is truely as stubborn as you say he is, i'd give up on convincing him though. let him learn the hard way.

[Laukev7]

The sad thing is that I don't see what he's going to learn, other than XP is more stable than Windows 98. He has only got good comments about it from his peers.

[Stryker]

So then go with the first option.

If XP works fine for him, and he has no problems with it. That's good for him. I'm glad he found an operating system he's happy with. He can't help it if he likes it. Did u try informing him that it was illegal? Did u have him read the eula?

[xyle_one]

make sure that you take advantage of every exploit, unbeknownst to your father, to bring his system down. Make sure he clicks on the help center "i-will-delete-your-harddrive" link. anything. i know, its mean, but it could show him that xp is crap, and windows is crap in general.

that is, if you want to have a little OS war in your house

[ July 16, 2003: Message edited by: ecsyle:951 ]

[Laukev7]

I am seriously thinking about doing that, Ecsyle, but I have moral issues over this. I really don't care how mean it is; it's more about honesty. I really need a much better reason to justify such drastic actions, or else I would end up convincing someone not to use XP with false premises. I need to expose him to real problems any user could encounter, not to something I make up, and which I could also do in Linux.

And Stryker, that would be hypocritical on my part, because I also use a pirated version of Windows 98 (alongside my other OSes, of course). Besides, he knows it's illegal. He just doesn't care. For now, I want to stop him from using any later version of Windows, or else my chances to ever make him switch one day would be slim. I know I still use Windows along with BeOS and whatever other OS is installed, but I intend to switch to the Mac eventually.

[ July 16, 2003: Message edited by: Laukev7 ]

[Stryker]

quote:Originally posted by Laukev7:

And Stryker, that would be hypocritical on my part, because I also use a pirated version of Windows 98 (alongside my other OSes, of course). Besides, he knows it's illegal. He just doesn't care. For now, I want to stop him from using any later version of Windows, or else my chances to ever make him switch one day would be slim. I know I still use Windows along with BeOS and whatever other OS is installed, but I intend to switch to the Mac eventually.

[ July 16, 2003: Message edited by: Laukev7 ]

If it is hypocritical, I can do it for you. I got the IP and the time were logged on. From there it's easy to identify him and get that process started. I'm not making any threats or anything, dont get me wrong. I'm only offering help. It wouldn't be hypocritical for me to do it.

Stop using windows, then it won't be hypocritical. Tell him to go buy it. I mean... how can he see any flaws or problems in something he didn't buy? I wouldn't care... I'd be like, "that's what I get for using a free/pirated product". If he buys it and then sees he's ripped off, maybe you'll have a chance.

[Laukev7]

It could be a solution, but let's keep sabotage as a last resort. Before such actions have to be done, we have to evaluate the possible consequences. For one thing, his computer was infected with viruses a year ago, and he was still not deterred. And since he always says that Windows always worked for him, he would at the very least have suspicions that it might the result of a virus rather than what one would consider normal behaviour for Windoze. He has not installed Windows XP yet, so for now, it might be more important to keep him from switching to XP.

I don't doubt your cracking skills, but you may want to know that we are under a firewall router.

He'll never buy Windows. He feels that people are ripped off when they buy software (and I mean ANY software). He says money is better spent buying hardware. And he doesn't like Microsoft any more than I do.

[avello500]

why not hook him up with lycros. it looks alot like xp.
or just setup a theme for him.

if not just let him be and get a signed note that states you wont help him with any windows product. just so when he comes to you.
also show him press releases about the lack of knowledge in a mcse. also so him how the rest of the world is going to open source.
show him how much money a it person working on os320/ or apache makes in relation to some windows flunky.
i know my friend makes $400hr. to work with os 320 and the likes.  i think its os320, whatever ibm makes for some big servers.
just treat him with the attitude of "if you want to be a dumass, i wont stand in your way."
most people only learn from thier mistakes.
that why we dont have flying cars.

[Laukev7]

I'll go with that, then. I'll let him know that my computer crashed three times in less than a week. I guess there's little I can do; he already knows that Linux isn't that hard, and that Windows is crap. Maybe he'll change his mind when I'll buy my first Mac and show him how much better it is compared to Windows. He'll have to switch eventually, with Palladium planned for 2005.

[Laukev7]

I know what I'll do: I'll just ignore him when he asks me to download it again. He may be computer litterate, but he doesn't know where to download Windows XP, neither does he know how to burn an ISO, and it took me a whole week to download XP. He may be stubborn, but I doubt he's persistent enough to download it without my help.

BTW, if ever I had to sabotage Windows XP, how could I do it in a subtle way, so he doesn't suspect a virus?

[Stryker]

quote:Originally posted by Laukev7:

BTW, if ever I had to sabotage Windows XP, how could I do it in a subtle way, so he doesn't suspect a virus?

turn it on.


Well, actually i'd change some registry settings. go to tweakxp and do the opposite of what they say. Turn every service on, lots of startup programs. Install a lot of stuff because we know windows can't handle it, it'll bog ur system down.

Honestly though, just turn it on.

[gump420]

Agree to download it for him, then carefully make sure you have a beta copy of XP.  I used a beta copy for all of a day back when I was running an x86 box, and XP crashed all the time . . .