I just upgraded my laptop from a HP TC4200 to a TC4400... small number change big performance change. Twice the Ram, SATA not PATA, dual core not single core... and at ebay prices.
Fresh install of the OS. And when I start up I get Norton 2006, protect yourself invitations... When I look at Windows Security it says that I am fully protected and that anti virus is running. Norton tells me that I must "continue" to have full protection (and Microsoft says I am fully protected even when I close the "Norton Continue" prompt)....
So get this.. I push Continue. I am given a screen that gives me the option to "Accept" or "Do not Accept" their terms. Funny thing is if you push "Do not Accept" you actually are not given any options. The system does not turn off. You don't get a "how can I get you to change your mind" dialog. Nothing. The program just sits there. There is nothing one can do except push the RED X-BOX. I will in a minute...
I have two full corporate versions of Norton/Symantec Anti Virus. I have been migrating (first happily, and now less and less so) to AVG Anti Virus. I realize one is important, but this is a brand new build, I need to make up my mind, and I am irritated by both companies now. AVG's weak suit is how much the bog down your system and how they keep loading b*F&y#crap onto your Browser bar. Someone else was doing that today also... Sun-Java. I will not give Yahoo one penney becaus of all these things they are trying to load with other packages.
We talk about "Net Neutrality" which is super super important. But "Pile On" computing is as important. It is not just about what you accept and don't accept it is about the fact that they go deeper and deeper into everything you do.
We only live so long. We don't need this as an irritation.
Let's make a "clean system" build and move on.
all for now.
