# It's Just An OS, Bitches! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 9, 2001, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638 "2001-08-09T18:24:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/21 "2001-08-09T21:53:09Z")
We are taking steps to handle this … problem. It might be for the best if everyone simply drops the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/22 "2001-08-09T21:57:02Z")
[little girl voice on] **Finagle** , you’re funny![/little girl voice] (Um, **UncleBeer** , does that mean you don’t want anymore posts in _this_ thread? I’m not quite understanding what you’re saying.) ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/23 "2001-08-09T22:02:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Demo \* > \*\* > > 1. That whole “no difference in functionality, usability, or design simply” thing. It’s been a while since I took logic, but I believe putting words in someone’s mouth falls under the category of **Ad Hominem**. > > 2. “For someone who can’t understand why people get worked up over something that matters to them ( **like religions, or operating systems** ), you seem to be taking my post very seriously.” (Bolding mine) **False Analogy**. > > \*\* Well, it’s _clearly_ been a long time since your last logic course, because none of your posts in this thread have shown any understanding of it. “Ad hominem” means that you attempt to invalidate your opponent’s argument by attacking the person rather than the argument. Rather like your “bitch” comment in your first response. Which, incidentally, would have been forwarded to a moderator if I hadn’t been equally guilty in calling someone a “putz” yesterday (in a somewhat more deserved situation). As for your second point, you are familiar with the term a “religious argument”? It stands for any argument in which neither side is going to change their mind because the subject of the argument is not subject to resolution based on known facts. OS wars are a religious argument. So are opinions about gun control and abortion. They tend to get very heated. They’re also not going to go away just because Demo shakes his finger and goes “Now, now”. I stand by my original post. You don’t want to get flamed, even mildly, don’t post in the pit. Don’t use an inflammatory topic heading. And if what you’re really complaining about is people flaming each other in MPSIMS, strain your limited linguistic abilities enough to express yourself clearly in the OP. ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/24 "2001-08-09T22:16:34Z")
> [@](#): > > “Ad hominem” means that you attempt to invalidate your opponent’s argument by attacking the person rather than the argument. … **break** Yeah, I know. Attacking a [person’s character, like by putting words in their mouth? > [@](#): > > **break…** Rather like your “bitch” comment in your first response. Which, incidentally, would have been forwarded to a moderator if I hadn’t been equally guilty in calling someone a “putz” yesterday (in a somewhat more deserved situation). Heh, you were going to forward that to a moderator, but you didn’t because _you_ called someone else a name? Wow, you really _are_ a bitch! ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/25 "2001-08-09T22:21:51Z")
> [@](#): > > Um, UncleBeer, does that mean you don’t want anymore posts in _this_ thread? I’m not quite understanding what you’re saying. I don’t really have a preference. My advice though, which you are, of course, free to ignore without the slightest repercussion, is to move on shortly. This thing has been more than beaten to death over the last half dozen threads. ---
**Author:** ![Abe\_Babe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@Abe\_Babe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Abe_Babe)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/26 "2001-08-09T22:22:26Z")
Windows sux. heeheehee :runs away and slams door behind him: :comes back out “Crap! That was the closet”: :runs away and slams OTHER door behind him: ---
**Author:** ![Mercutio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/51bf81/32.png) [@Mercutio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mercutio)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/27 "2001-08-09T22:30:27Z")
It’s all about _Windows_ **Bob** Motherfuckers! ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/28 "2001-08-09T22:30:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by UncleBeer \* > \*\* > I don’t really have a preference. My advice though, which you are, of course, free to ignore without the slightest repercussion, is to move on shortly. This thing has been more than beaten to death over the last half dozen threads. \*\* Ah, I didn’t realize. Sorry, I guess I should have searched, or something. You can go ahead and wrap this one up if you please. **Finagle** , I don’t really care to argue with you any more. It’s become boring already. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/29 "2001-08-09T22:47:29Z")
> [@](#): > > You can go ahead and wrap this one up if you please. Like I said, my advice was merely that, advice. I just think this thread may serve as a temptation to the disputants, who’ve been asked in no uncertain terms to stop their sniping. Let’s let the BBQ mods make the final determination on this thread, okay? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2001, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/30 "2001-08-09T23:12:34Z")
I fucked Bill Gates’ mother too. ---
**Author:** ![tiggeril](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tiggeril/32/7234_2.png) [@tiggeril](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiggeril)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/31 "2001-08-10T00:00:13Z")
_unf_? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/32 "2001-08-10T00:09:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Demo \* > > **Finagle** , I don’t really care to argue with you any more. It’s become boring already. \*\* By a strange coincidence, “boring” is the same excuse my 6 year old niece uses when she’s losing at Chutes and Ladders. ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/33 "2001-08-10T00:09:54Z")
_unf_ is just another way to spell “fun”! ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/34 "2001-08-10T00:22:06Z")
Sorry, I just had to add something: > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Finagle \* > \*\* > > I stand by my original post. You don’t want to get flamed, even mildly, don’t post in the pit. Don’t use an inflammatory topic heading. > > \*\* Oh, I see, you should expect to get flamed if you post in the Pit, yet you were ready to take **Demo** ’s “bitch” comment to the mods? Let me add another term to your philosophical lexicon: cognitive dissonance. Or maybe just hypocrisy. Of course, I’m sure you’ll argue that there are degrees of flaming, and **Demo** ’s flame went over the line. To which I’d argue back: stop being such a pussy. ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/35 "2001-08-10T00:45:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tiggeril \* > \*\*_unf_? > > 😃 \*\* No, no, it was **nine** _unf_s. Just one _unf_ means that someone needs viagra, more iron in one’s diet, or _something_. ---
**Author:** ![Finagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b19c9b/32.png) [@Finagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Finagle)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/36 "2001-08-10T01:15:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by woodstockbirdybird \* > \*\*Sorry, I just had to add something: > Let me add another term to your philosophical lexicon: cognitive dissonance. Or maybe just hypocrisy. Of course, I’m sure you’ll argue that there are degrees of flaming, and **Demo** ’s flame went over the line. To which I’d argue back: stop being such a pussy. \*\* Well, maybe I’m just an old fogey, but “Don’t put words in my mouth, bitch” is way over the line for what had, up to that time, been a totally rancourless discussion of the OP. Enlighten me. Has “bitch” become devalued in usage among the college age crowd so that it’s not considered extremely offensive? I’m not really that thin-skinned, but if I’m going to be insulted, I’d rather that it was done with some degree of wit and creativity. BTW, I may be being a hypocrite, but it’s hard to judge, not being impartial and all. But “cognitive dissonance” is not really appropriate. From quick reading, (it’s been 25 years since undergrad psych class), cognitive dissonance is (simplified) the resolution of conflict by a rationalization of a change in behavior or belief. For example, if I were losing an argument, I might say to myself, “Boy, this is boring. I’m out of here.” ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/37 "2001-08-10T01:35:42Z")
I fucked Finagle’s mom, too. ---
**Author:** ![Demo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/demo/32/8472_2.png) [@Demo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Demo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/38 "2001-08-10T01:42:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Finagle \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Demo \* > > > > **Finagle** , I don’t really care to argue with you any more. It’s become boring already. \*\* > > By a strange coincidence, “boring” is the same excuse my 6 year old niece uses when she’s losing at Chutes and Ladders. \*\* And I’m sure you’re the kind of uncle to force her to keep playing until you win the game, too. Ya can’t just let it go, can you? Sorry, when I mean it’s boring, I mean it’s boring. I’m not in defense mode, really. Would you be happy if I just said “You win”, or something to that affect? Again, I’m sorry, but arguing with you just doesn’t seem like a worthwile cause to me anymore. Look, it’s obvious that I think you’re way off base on this particular topic and it’s obvious that you feel the same about me. It’s also obvious that we are not going to come to a resolution on this or any of the above issues. I was trying to drop the whole thing to avoid channeling even more negative energy into it, but I guess that was hopeless. If you want to continue the debate, I’m sure these fine people don’t have to be subjected to it anymore. Our argument has gone far off topic and, it seems, the topic itself has been covered before anyway. My e-mail is below if you care to drag this deeper. ---
**Author:** ![drewbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drewbert/32/15890_2.png) [@drewbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewbert)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/39 "2001-08-10T01:43:18Z")
**Demo** , it would appear that even _mentioning_ a particular OS, or indeed corporate executives involved in making said OS, is simply a losing proposition around here (and many other places online, for that matter). You couldn’t get flamed faster if you covered yourself in napalm and struck a match. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2001, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638/40 "2001-08-10T03:49:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Finagle \* > \*\* > > BTW, I may be being a hypocrite, but it’s hard to judge, not being impartial and all. But “cognitive dissonance” is not really appropriate. From quick reading, (it’s been 25 years since undergrad psych class), cognitive dissonance is (simplified) the resolution of conflict by a rationalization of a change in behavior or belief. For example, if I were losing an argument, I might say to myself, “Boy, this is boring. I’m out of here.” \*\* Strange. I always thought cognitive dissonance referred to the conflict that arose when there was a divergence between what one believed and the way in which one acted. Hence the more negative term “dissonance” being accented, rather than the more positive “resolution” that your definition favors. It’s been a long time for me, too, though. My bad. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-just-an-os-bitches/75638.md?page=3)