A New Mac...Running Windows XP??!!

Yesterday, while I was chatting with a Chinese friend, she told me something interesting.
Apparently, her laptop had been damaged, so I asked her about the state of her computer.
She said "It's hopeless. Windows suggested me to turn off the system, but it refused to do it, so I forced the turn off. Since then, Windows has not been able to boot and rescue system does not work, either."
Then, I suggested her to go dual booting Linux-Windows once she got her Windows serviced. She said "Yes, I think you're right. I should do that."
Then, she told me she was using a Mac her boss had lent her.
This is the interesting part...according to my friend, her boss bought me Mac, wiped out the system...and installed Windows XP on it!
I couldn't believe what she had just told me. What on earth would someone do that for??
I asked my friend: "And does it work well? I mean, XP is quite resource-hungry..."

She replied "Of course not! I've noticed several problems already! This is such a waste!"

Really, besides the waste, I think there's something deeper here. It's quite a nice example of mind domestication...Although the human brain is highly adaptable and capable of learning, how come people sometimes prefer to keep clinging to old paradigms, and even impose them when they do not apply? Using XP (or Windows) is fine if you like it, but you should also be willing to learn new tricks sometimes...who knows if they are going to save you someday...

Crossword Puzzle of Some Linux Distros...

Since all work and no play makes Megatotoro a dull boy, I squeezed out some time to make this little crossword puzzle. It shouldn't be that hard to finish it, I think. HAVE FUN!!!

Seven Signs that You Have Been Brainwashed by Microsoft

Considering the last events I've been able to observe, as well as Mechatotoro's contributions, I compiled this short list of manifestations of a Microsoft-only mentality, just for fun.


1. You think free/libre software is unreliable and dangerous, but then you download cracked versions of programs and feel proud about it.


2. If your Windows system breaks down, you are able to do all your computing off a Linux live CD, but then you look for a (pirated?) Windows copy and install it.

3. When your Windows system does not act as expected, you blame the computer. However, if Linux doesn't fulfill your expectations, you say "This OS is junk!"

4. When you hear about Linux or Apple, you think "communists" and "nazis," but you don't complain about using software that limits the functionality of your PC on purpose or treats you as a pirate by default unless you prove it otherwise.

5. You say you don't want to try Linux because you don't want to learn new things. However, you learned to use the latest Windows version and the new MS Office with no complaints.

6. You write "advanced Word-using skills" on your resume, but when someone asks you to send a document using "compatibility mode" you say you don't know how to do that.

7. You hear tech-savvy people recommend browsers like Opera, Firefox, and Chrome. But still, you use an outdated IE version even though you have the latest version of the other browsers installed.

So far, these are the ones I've seen or been told about by people around me. Do you know about any others? :P