install (risky) third-party software to change up how our OS works and feels?
The later statement negates the earlier. Compare MacOS x Windows, iOS x Android and all of them versus Debian, Arch or Mint Linux. The simple fact that I CAN install third party apps to change the look and feel (example, I use Nova Launcher on my Android phone and Classic Shell on my Windows gaming rig) implies that I have such freedom. As a contrast, Apple's OSes usually don't give me such option (I may be wrong about MacOS, thou).
Yes, it's risky, but it's entirelly optional. It's not that Windows Vista,7,8, 10 or whatever are broken, it's just that it's impossible to please everyone. For people who needs or wants, it's good to have a choice. Just make sure restore points and backups are up to date and go for it.
I think what /u/Divergence0 was saying is that we should be given these tools in the first place. I shouldn't have to sneak into a registry and replace a hidden file to change my Windows 7 lock screen. It should be an administrator option from the start. Similarly, changing my Start button or installing gadgets that are even remotely useful require strange "hacks" as well. We shouldn't have to break into the operating system to change something as harmless as an icon.
Well, I can understand open source OSes like Debian having all those tools, after all it's maintained by volunteers. For Microsoft, shipping several different desktops, menu styles and tinkering tools comes with a cost. I'm happy that they at least make the OS flexible enough that I can use a third party tool to change the corner cases that'll make it better to me.
Keep in mind that ALL OSes comes with the same limitations, even the open source ones. Both BSDs and Linux distributions are a core set of tools (GNU OS for Linux and BSD tools for the others) complemented by a HUGE library of third party stuff. Same goes for Windows, MacOS, Android, etc.
Like I said, it's impossible to please everyone, and I don't expect OS makers to try, I just like that with some I have the freedom to change it. Linux gives more freedom to do so than Windows, Windows more that MacOS, that's all.
I shouldn't have to sneak into a registry and replace a hidden file to change my Windows 7 lock screen. It should be an administrator option from the start.
Yeah, SOME issues like that are harder to accept, though it can be explained. I believe some restrictions or hidden settings in Windows are there to please OEMs, so they can customize it with their images and logos in a way that'll be hard for an end user to change. OK, it's a dick move from MS and the OEMs, but let's be honest, it's a corner case.
The later statement negates the earlier. Compare MacOS x Windows, iOS x Android and all of them versus Debian, Arch or Mint Linux. The simple fact that I CAN install third party apps to change the look and feel (example, I use Nova Launcher on my Android phone and Classic Shell on my Windows gaming rig) implies that I have such freedom. As a contrast, Apple's OSes usually don't give me such option (I may be wrong about MacOS, thou).
Yes, it's risky, but it's entirelly optional. It's not that Windows Vista,7,8, 10 or whatever are broken, it's just that it's impossible to please everyone. For people who needs or wants, it's good to have a choice. Just make sure restore points and backups are up to date and go for it.
I think what /u/Divergence0 was saying is that we should be given these tools in the first place. I shouldn't have to sneak into a registry and replace a hidden file to change my Windows 7 lock screen. It should be an administrator option from the start. Similarly, changing my Start button or installing gadgets that are even remotely useful require strange "hacks" as well. We shouldn't have to break into the operating system to change something as harmless as an icon.
Well, I can understand open source OSes like Debian having all those tools, after all it's maintained by volunteers. For Microsoft, shipping several different desktops, menu styles and tinkering tools comes with a cost. I'm happy that they at least make the OS flexible enough that I can use a third party tool to change the corner cases that'll make it better to me.
Keep in mind that ALL OSes comes with the same limitations, even the open source ones. Both BSDs and Linux distributions are a core set of tools (GNU OS for Linux and BSD tools for the others) complemented by a HUGE library of third party stuff. Same goes for Windows, MacOS, Android, etc.
Like I said, it's impossible to please everyone, and I don't expect OS makers to try, I just like that with some I have the freedom to change it. Linux gives more freedom to do so than Windows, Windows more that MacOS, that's all.
Yeah, SOME issues like that are harder to accept, though it can be explained. I believe some restrictions or hidden settings in Windows are there to please OEMs, so they can customize it with their images and logos in a way that'll be hard for an end user to change. OK, it's a dick move from MS and the OEMs, but let's be honest, it's a corner case.