If you care about your “reputation points” (which I keep thinking of as “XP”), don’t go dissing Windows.
A person asked what to do about their parent’s virus infected computers. There were some “real” answers, so I jokingly suggested that they do like I do, and threaten to install Linux on them – that way, they either take you up on the offer and they never have viruses again, or they stop calling you and call somebody else, and it’s a win for you either way.
So far in the last two hours, that question has been voted down 4 times, losing me 8 XP.
Were you marked down because you dissed Windows, or were you marked down because your answer was non-responsive? Not having access to the site I don’t know whether such joke-type responses are the norm. I’d actually hope _not_ if the site is to become a serious “experts hangout” where answers to questions can be found, and not jut a webified version of your typical usenet group 🙂
So in related news the site is stacked full of Windows fanboys who will defend XP despite the issues, regardless of your (quite relevant IMHO) suggestion?
And FWIW, I’ve done exactly what you suggested – told family and non tech-savvy friends to either get a Mac or let me switch them to Ubuntu, otherwise I’ll no longer be their free tech support guy.. If there’s no legit reason for them to *need* Windows from an OS standpoint then they’ve got no excuse. Either they follow through with my suggestion or I refuse to help them anymore as I simply got tired of fixing up virus and spyware ridden Windows installs on a routine basis.
I would guess that the downvotes were due to it being a “trollish” message. I’m not accusing you of being a troll, but answers that are not helpful are often downvoted.
I consider that a good thing. Don’t take it personally–one of my questions has a negative score, and in hindsight, it deserves it.