When Windows runs smoothly, all the inhabitants of the kingdom of Microsoft are at peace. They all sing the praises of Microsoft in perfect harmony beneath the cloudless skies on the green, rolling hills. There is no danger nor fear. Everything is right with the world. Windows is king.
However, sometimes attacks come from within or outside the kingdom that cause the peaceful singing and holding of hands to be overcome by a wave of violence in the land. This undercurrent of uncertainty -- even in times of peace -- produces an oppressive atmosphere of terror which the people of the land of Microsoft constantly live under.
The attacks came suddenly and unexpectedly for some friends of mine. The first problem was that the computer began to have a lethargic feeling, which was not unexpected since it was getting up in years. Eventually, though, Internet Explorer could not connect to any web sites, which meant something needed to be done. In scanning the computer, I found that 6 enemy viruses had infiltrated Windows' defenses. I removed them but still found other enemy forces that were more insidious though not as destructive: over 50 pieces of spyware, which I removed as well. After re-installing the mouse driver and clearing Internet Explorer's proxy settings, everything seemed to work.
How long will there be peace in the kingdom? When will the violence return? No one knows for sure. There is a constant knot in the pit of each stomach as no one knows with surety what disaster will happen next.
Most inhabitants of the land never visit the borders of the kingdom, but if they did, they would observe a dismal scene. The borderlands are engulfed by the ominous shadow of the towering wall that surrounds the whole of the kingdom. Near the wall, the terrors of the world outside are obvious. All sunlight which dares to penetrate the borderlands is choked off by the black smoke which swirls overhead. Every breath of air feels heavy and reeks of the smoke of the campfires of the enemy. The deafening roar of the invading hordes assaults the sense of hearing.
In being so close to the wall, it can be observed that as high and massive as it is, it is also in a state of utter disrepair. Large cracks have formed, and scattered piles of rubble lie fallen around it because of the inferior quality of the original material used to construct the wall. Scattered patches in the wall have been made, but much more of the wall remains in a decayed state; ever so slowly crumbling piece by piece.
There is a crescendo in the roar of the hordes outside the wall. At the pounding of a battering ram, rubble sprays from the wall. A crack appears. Another impact is heard and another until a section of the wall collapses. Enemy invaders pour through the wall like water through a breeched dam.
The sound of a trumpet is heard in the castle of Microsoft. Horses' hooves gallop quickly to take their riders to the site of the breech. Commanders McAffee and Symantec lead the way. The defenders fight at the breech, but it is already too late; the enemy has already destroyed the nearest village and has gone on to the next. The defenders divide their forces into two units; one to fight at the breech and one to fight the invaders in the second village. They reach the second village just in time to see it engulfed in flames. The enemy is vanquished quickly, but two villages lie in ruin.
The collapsed wall is reconstructed hastily in the midst of battle, and a patch is developed within two weeks time. The riders return to the castle victorious as the people cheer them on. "Long live Windows! Long live Windows!" they shout. The people go back to their mindless work as the army awaits the next assault. Such is life in the kingdom of Microsoft.
Nice allegory!
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