programming good practices: registry etiquette and incompetent programmers

[Sam]

Speaking as a programmer, I can offer a slim reason (not a justification).
An application can be installed all over the place - almost any folder, any
drive, any machine. So, when it comes time to execute, where are all the
bits?

There is only one registry. If the installer puts the links there, they can
always be found.

At least that's what some programmers think.

Counter example: many other OSes do not use registry concept at all but
use conf files. Many of those OSes are used for mission critical tasks.
Clearly, registry is not a necessary thing for important and stable systems.

 

[Unknown]

The very first caution (Do not use this procedure on an OEM installed OS)
eliminates about 90% of all Windows users.

 

[Bill in Co.]

The people here who keep talking about "needing to maintain and clean out
the registry" are often just so clueless - which is bad enough; but when
they espouse their uneducated and inexperienced "advice" to others, it's
just criminal.

 

[Unknown]

Correct!

The people here who keep talking about "needing to maintain and clean out
the registry" are often just so clueless - which is bad enough; but when
they espouse their uneducated and inexperienced "advice" to others, it's
just criminal.