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Mad as Hell IX -- Back to simple |
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By Winn Schwartau
19 Jul 2005 | SearchSecurity.com
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Disgusted by security issues and poor performance, Winn Schwartau makes the switch from Windows to the Mac and details the bumps in the road along the way in his "Mad as Hell" series.
The Linux folks say, "hardware is cheap. Build a box to do 'A' and another box to do 'B' and network them." I like that. It's simple, doesn't require an SPF, and when something fails, I don't lose all of my functionality.
That's what was so cool about DOS, too. It was simple, and we got the job done. However, look where we are now! We have added incredible complexity into a basic desktop system that really, simply, is just supposed to do a few things.
Microsoft ships with most of its security features turned off. They do this for a very smart reason:
it's easier for them. As we all know, security can all too often hamper functionality. So Ma & Pa could easily think that something doesn't work, when in fact, a well-intentioned security feature is hindering them from doing what they want to do. Microsoft is doing the smart thing -- profit-wise, and ease of use for Ma & Pa wise, but their decision is one of the great O/S security blunders of all time.
SUGGESTION: Microsoft keeps making its O/S more and more complex to make it capable of doing more and more of the arcane tasks people want to do. Why not define a "SOS" or Simple Operating System that meets the needs of the vast majority of people who buy PCs for simple every day tasks. Get rid of the infinite complexity, and therefore [systems engineering hat on] simplify the interface between SOS, BIOS and hardware.
KISS. You know what it means. KISS SOS. I like that.
About the author
Winn Schwartau is one of the country's leading experts on information security, infrastructure protection and electronic privacy. Schwartau is president and founder of Interpact Inc., The Security Awareness Company, which develops information security awareness programs for private, public and government organizations.
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