Just Say No to Microsoft - How to ditch Microsoft and why it's not as hard as you think

There are so many reasons to Just Say No to Microsoft the blue screen of death, Outlook email viruses, the never-ending influx of Windows patches... And yet, with Microsoft owning the lion s share of the desktop market, how can anyone escape the Beast from Redmond and still function? It s not as hard as you think, and author Tony Bove is only too happy to show you how to become liberated.
Bove injects a healthy dose of humor into Just Say No to Microsoft, but his objective is sincere: to help you break your Microsoft addiction and free yourself from reliance on its ubiquitous software. After tracing Microsoft's rise from tiny startup to monopolistic juggernaut, Just Say No to Microsoft chronicles how the company's practices have discouraged innovation, stunted competition, and helped foster an environment ripe for viruses, bugs and hackers.
From there, Just Say No to Microsoft outlines the many available replacements for Windows and other Microsoft products, including the Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), Media Player, and Internet Explorer, and explains why your computing life will be better if you make the switch. With Bove s thorough explanations of alternative operating systems like Linux and Mac and open source solutions, you can kiss the entire Windows operating system goodbye. And, Bove demonstrates how you ll be able to interact successfully with your less-fortunate friends and colleagues who are still tied to Microsoft.
With a foreword from PC Magazine columnist John C. Dvorak.
"You are about to read one of the most interesting Overviews of modern Desktop Computing History that's ever been written."
From the foreword by John C. Dvorak, PC Magazine Columnist

List of contents

PART I: YOU SAY YOU WANT A REVOLUTION Chapter 1: Playing Monopoly Is No Longer Fun Chapter 2: All You Need Is a Mac Chapter 3: Linux: Land of the Free, Home of the Brave PART II: REHAB FOR YOUR MICROSOFT ADDICTION Chapter 4: Slay the Word and You ll Be Free Chapter 5: De-Microsoft Your Office Chapter 6: Media Lib: Microsoft-Free Music and Video PART III: THE WHOLE NETWORK IS WATCHING Chapter 7: The Message Is the Medium for Infections Chapter 8: This LAN Is Your LAN Chapter 9: Browsers and Your Own Private Identity PART IV: GETTING ON WITH YOUR COMPUTER LIFE Chapter 10: Twelve Steps to Freedom from Microsoft Chapter 11: Where Do You Want to Go Tomorrow? Appendix: The Truth Is Out There Citations

About the author

Tony Bove has been a director of enterprise marketing for a large software company, as well as a communications director and technical publications manager. He also developed the Rockument music site, www.rockument.com, with commentary and radio programs focused on rock music history. In addition, he is a founding member of the Flying Other Brothers band www.flyingotherbros.com). Tony Bove - together with Cheryl Rhodes - has coauthored over a dozen books on computing, desktop publishing, and multimedia. He also cofounded and edited Desktop Publishing/Publish magazine.

Summary

There are so many reasons to Just Say No to Microsoft—the blue screen of death, Outlook email viruses, the never-ending influx of Windows patches. And yet, with Microsoft owning the lion’s share of the desktop market, how can anyone escape the Beast from Redmond and still function? It’s not as hard as you think, and author Tony Bove is only too happy to show you how to become liberated.

Bove injects a healthy dose of humor into Just Say No to Microsoft, but his objective is sincere: to help you break your Microsoft addiction and free yourself from reliance on its ubiquitous software. After tracing Microsoft's rise from tiny startup to monopolistic juggernaut, Just Say No to Microsoft chronicles how the company's practices have discouraged innovation, stunted competition, and helped foster an environment ripe for viruses, bugs and hackers.

From there, Just Say No to Microsoft outlines the many available replacements for Windows and other Microsoft products, including the Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook), Media Player, and Internet Explorer, and explains why your computing life will be better if you make the switch. With Bove’s thorough explanations of alternative operating systems like Linux and Mac and open source solutions, you can kiss the entire Windows operating system goodbye. And, Bove demonstrates how you’ll be able to interact successfully with your less-fortunate friends and colleagues who are still tied to Microsoft.

With a foreword from PC Magazine columnist John C. Dvorak.

"You are about to read one of the most interesting Overviews of modern Desktop Computing History that's ever been written."

From the foreword by John C. Dvorak, PC Magazine Columnist

Product details

• Authors: Tony Bove
• Publisher: No Starch Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.01.2005
• EAN: 9781593270643
• ISBN: 978-1-59327-064-3
• No. of pages: 264
• Weight: 510 g
• Illustrations: w. figs.
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > IT, data processing > Operating systems, user interfaces; Microsoft