XWB
in service - 11 years
Posts: 16,115
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Post by XWB on Feb 17, 2015 15:15:47 GMT 1
Last time I worked on Windows was ~ 4 years ago.
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Post by fanairbus on Feb 17, 2015 15:41:06 GMT 1
You are in a privileged position XWB! I 'investigated' swapping to Apple and when the 'geniuses' there had told me that my business e-mails (held in the notorious Office Professional Business Contact Manager (BCM)) could be transferred, I bought the latest, large-screen AppleMac. The geniuses lied, the e-mails couldn't be transferred and I engaged a long complaint to 'Customer Services' (about as inappropriately named as they could be). In the end I happened to be in California and knew that the EU MD (based in Ireland of course) was there at the time so I walked into Apple's Cupertino Drive HQ and insisted that my personal leeter of complaint was handed to him. It was a little bit like challenging US Customs practices but I succeeded on the day and eventually I received a refund but a denial of compensation for the mis-selling and misery suffered. I now am back with Mr Gates for my sins using a Windows mobile phone and Windows tablet and ignoring BCM except as a reference to increasingly-aged e-mails, though this is still necessary.
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Baroque
in service - 2 years
Posts: 3,991
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Post by Baroque on Feb 17, 2015 18:13:40 GMT 1
Well, I'd like some good explanations for once. What is it about Linux that made you guys switch over? I'm not too much of a computer techie, but really curious whether there's anything I could benefit from. I've been all Windows all along, never bothered with either MAC or Linux, and never understood them...
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Post by peter on Feb 17, 2015 18:21:47 GMT 1
Well, I'd like some good explanations for once. What is it about Linux that made you guys switch over? I'm not too much of a computer techie, but really curious whether there's anything I could benefit from. I've been all Windows all along, never bothered with either MAC or Linux, and never understood them... I have had Windows ever since it saw the light of day. Just keep it up to date, make sure to have all (security-)updates, and I never, ever had a problem. |
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Baroque
in service - 2 years
Posts: 3,991
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Post by Baroque on Feb 17, 2015 19:42:34 GMT 1
I have had Windows ever since it saw the light of day. Just keep it up to date, make sure to have all (security-)updates, and I never, ever had a problem. First Windows I've ever used was 3.1, as a little kid...for Paintbrush, lol. But yes, I always keep my systems up to date and as a long time Norton user, never had a problem spending $40 a year distributed over 5 household devices for protection. It has served me well. |
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a3801000
in Preparation for Body Join
I'm back!
Posts: 116 
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Post by a3801000 on Feb 17, 2015 21:55:36 GMT 1
Well, I'd like some good explanations for once. What is it about Linux that made you guys switch over? I'm not too much of a computer techie, but really curious whether there's anything I could benefit from. I've been all Windows all along, never bothered with either MAC or Linux, and never understood them... I guess every Linux user has his/her own reasons. This here gives you a nice overview with some more in depth info if you wish. Why Linux is better For me personally being involved in internet, wireless and communication security for a living, I use a specialised Linux distribution (Kali Linux) and enjoy the many possibilities Linux offers in regards of penetration testing. I further don't like to pay Mr. Gates, being sniffed at by governments, being slowed down by Windows and, and and. I would not really say that Linux is "better", it really just depends what you use your computer for. |
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quidam
in Preparation for Body Join
Posts: 118
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Post by quidam on Feb 18, 2015 13:24:37 GMT 1
Well, I'd like some good explanations for once. What is it about Linux that made you guys switch over? Well, in my case I just realized that the only proprietary software I used was Windows XP itself. I've been using Open Office, GIMP etc. for a long time. Living in country with 500$ average income makes you looking for alternatives  My XP instalation was very slow, so I gave Ubuntu a try. To my surprise an ancient 6 year old PC started to work flawless, fast and I didn't need to worry about any additional drivers, no anti virus too. The beauty of Linux is choice. You don't like how your OS behaves? Just change it in control panel. There's no suitable option? There's surely one in another distribution It's simply more fun - it brings memories of my first Atari 800XL and first PC with DOS and later Windows 3.11. I have new PC right now and my system partition is 10GB small, system and all applications included! An 128GB SSD is all I need for everyday use, try that with Windows The greatest problem are apps. If you really need MS Office or Photoshop for your work (or a lot of games for that matter) than there's practically no choice but to stick with Windows or Mac. All in all I recommend giving Linux a try, just for fun. There's no need to install it, one can run it from usb drive. There's also very nice option to install it alongside Windows and have best of two worlds On the other hand, when you are happy with your OS there's no reason to change - freedom of choice is something really great |
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Baroque
in service - 2 years
Posts: 3,991
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Post by Baroque on Feb 18, 2015 17:33:20 GMT 1
Well, here, unless I make a custom order online, it's pretty hard to get a brand new PC that does not come pre-installed with Windows. The only other off-the-shelf option I've seen is Chrome OS. In my line of work, this is indispensable. So much so that my employer allowed me to purchase the full Office 2013 Enterprise Suite from Microsoft at the discounted rate of just $10, installable on two home devices. Not as important, but very, very useful for home use. Also indispensable...in my line of play!  Now you've got me wanting to try it. I usually don't like to do this, but I could try it on my old XP laptop. Got some instructions? |
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a3801000
in Preparation for Body Join
I'm back!
Posts: 116
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Post by a3801000 on Feb 19, 2015 2:40:15 GMT 1
Now you've got me wanting to try it. I usually don't like to do this, but I could try it on my old XP laptop. Got some instructions? You can easily and safely try it on any computer as a so called "Live" version does not install anything. Burn your preferred Linux on a CD or USB stick, change your BIOS to start from CD, resp. USB first and off you go. Your system will then start Linux and give you the possibility to try it out. Once you turn your system off and take off the CD/USB your system will start your usual WIN again. I'ld recommend Linux Mint as a first try. Desktop is not too far off Windows XP and easy to have a go. All instructions you need are here (.pdf file, page 7) and here is a download link (go with the standart cinnamon version, 32 bit if your Computer runs with 4GB RAM or less, 64 bit Version if you got over 4 GB RAM) Hope that helps. |
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quidam
in Preparation for Body Join
Posts: 118
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Post by quidam on Feb 19, 2015 9:24:39 GMT 1
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My XP instalation was very slow, so I gave Ubuntu a try. To my surprise an ancient 6 year old PC started to work flawless, fast and I didn't need to worry about any additional drivers, no anti virus too. 