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Hell, yeah!

34 (39.1%)

Heavens, no!

17 (19.5%)

Whatev, brah!

36 (41.4%)

Total Members Voted: 87

[olemars]

I don't really like macs, but I seriously want a macbook air. I don't even care if it works, it just have to sit on my desk and look pretty.

[ToonyMan]

"Honey!  What was that snapping noise?"

"Nothing, just me typing on my new Mac Book Air!"

"That snapping sound doesn't sound good!"

"I know,  I just broke it!"

[LegoLord]

Heh.

I don't even think they make anti-virus software for macs...

True, you get a mac, you won't find many working on virus protection for it.  Pretty much, with macs, if you actually do run into a mac virus, you're screwed.

[Sean Mirrsen]

I think I've seen a copy of Kaspersky anti-virus in a Mac store somewhere in our town. Or maybe it was just some game with a funky green background, it was some time ago.

[qwertyuiopas]

Non-windows things are only immune to malware because most of the malware programmers are trying to hit as many people as they can - this means designing the malware to work on windows.  If linux, for example, were to become more popular and more widely used than windows, then linux would lose most of its malware immunity and drop to the level of security windows currently "enjoys."

In short, you should try to keep the immunity thing a secret; it only works if few know about it.  You may as well not switch; in a few years, the way the immunity news is spreading, it won't be so immune.

Actually, linux has this neat way of limiting the folders and files you can change, even if you are an administrator, without specifically allowing it. That way, as long as you aren't running as root, or with sudo, any virus you get will be unable to infect the entire computer, only your portion.
Plus, exploits get fixed faster.

But othet than that, it isn't immune to viruses either, but you can feel safe knowing that if it is a shared computer, the other users can't get viruses that affect you. You have to go out and get them yourself(from the internet or any shared infected files they leave around, although I think that the system and program files are protected)

[Vucar Fikodastesh]

Actually, linux has this neat way of limiting the folders and files you can change, even if you are an administrator, without specifically allowing it. That way, as long as you aren't running as root, or with sudo, any virus you get will be unable to infect the entire computer, only your portion.

That sounds familiar. Wasn't there something in Vista like that?

[SolarShado]

Every version of windows based on the NT kernel (not 100% sure if vista is, but it's in this group too) is multiuser at a low level and has (the capability for) strict file permissions.

They're more complex than Linux's (last i checked anyway), but i still get the impression it doesn't protect you as well...

EDIT: Re: Linux's "immunity" to malware: I suspect it'd actually be easier to find security holes, but yes, they get patched quicker. Even if Linux were to become popular enough for malware authors to make it their main focus, you might would still be better off. Linux has a bigger R&D department than any commercial OS, so to speak.

[Yanlin]

But one must remember. 100 trained soldiers > 1000 peasants.

[Ampersand]

Judging by how well Elves do in world gen, I'd have to say nay.

[Yanlin]

Ahem. 100 dwarves > 1000 elves. Is this analogy better for you?

[SolarShado]

But one must remember. 100 trained soldiers > 1000 peasants.

Too many possible variables for this to be true every time. That's 10:1.

And i'd say that a couple of those peasants are actually ninjas in disguise

[Alexhans]

Me pressing the power button of my machine > The whole world of dwarves and elves... (goes poof)

[Yanlin]

But one must remember. 100 trained soldiers > 1000 peasants.

Too many possible variables for this to be true every time. That's 10:1.

And i'd say that a couple of those peasants are actually ninjas in disguise

Will you guys stop taking my analogies out of context?

Here's the blunt form:

100 professional DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS DEVELOPERS> 10000 casual programmers.

[Ampersand]

Only a lot of Linux distros do have professional developers. The only difference between casual programmers and professional developers is that one gets a paycheck.

[Alexhans]

Only a lot of Linux distros do have professional developers. The only difference between casual programmers and professional developers is that one gets a paycheck.

lol. QFT.

Yanlin:  WTF was that?? Who is that guy and why does he look so excited/enraged/angry?