CaptainTux's Journal: Remote tech support for idiots

I used to be a "live and let live" kind of guy. I hated Windows and chose Linux instead but I really didn't have anything against Windows users per se save for me thinking they were a bit naive about the corporation that controlled their destinies. All that changed this week as I attempted to help a friend 1200 miles away diagnose and fix a Windows system crash.

What occured has basically convinced me that many Windows users are not simply naive but also careless. I have been warning my friend not to download software from unknown people and sites for well over 10 years. And yet, for some inexplicable reason, he felt it was a wise idea to download and install an "upgrade" to ZoneAlarm obtained from a near total stranger on IRC. The software hosed his system and I've spent the last 3 days trying desperately to reconstruct what happened from a series of phone calls with someone who didn't even understand why downloading software from strangers was bad.

In the end, we were able to restore his system to a stable and functional state. But this was hopefully a wakeup call for him and I hope we never have to go through this again because of his stupidity and carelessness. I can now understand why many Windows users are staying away from Linux: you have to take responsibility for your actions when running Linux. If your system is hosed it's probably your fault. Maybe the best weapon against Windows is the education of its' users. Just maybe...