posted on January 28, 2010 05:26:16 AM new
For those of you hanging on to your XP's .... it's safe to buy a new system. Windows 7 is wonderful! It's user friendly - fast - and plug and play.
My workhorse xp desktop died - everything was lost but not so bad because I backed up within the last year. It was still a nightmare and more about that later.
I got a new machine running windows 7 premium 64-bit and I dreaded having to download all the drivers for my ancient scanner, printer etc. - especially with the incompatibility issues some had with Vista. Not to worry - the drivers were immediately found when I plugged them in the USB. I haven't figured out how to transfer the music I burned (not purchased) to my ipod but I am sure there is a way. The "accesories" even include stickies so I can do away with the paper kind I have stuck every which place.
About losing the hard drive - Make sure you back up your pictures, music etc! I used a Firewire external hard drive and wish I would have been more faithful about backing up. Thank goodness for humongous memory cards on the cameras! I didn't delete photos since the last backup. I just signed up for online storage which will synch with my computer automatically and not depend on me.
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posted on January 28, 2010 10:05:23 AM new
I axed Windows altogether and changed over to a Mac. In fact, I bought a 13 inch mac book pro on December 26th, and just received an 21.5" iMac yesterday b/c I loved the notebook so much.
It has been years in the making... but it was by far the best decision I have made.
I am tired of MS selling such crappy software systems to consumers. Vista was such a fiasco, that instead of fixing it, MS decided to bring us Vista 64 bit. That was even worse.
How many billions did MS make off of Vista only to scam consumers to cough up $150 for Windows 7. How long has MS been making software??? Why should consumers keep coughing up their hard earned money to support such nonsense?
I know tons of businesses and colleagues who won't jump on Vista or Windows 7. XP is just fine for them and last time I checked was still for sale at Best Buy... I wonder why?
I just saw MS has released Office 2010 Beta... and right away, they are squeezing consumers and small businesses by no longer creating upgrades. You have to buy the full version. I'm glad Open Office is stealing consumers away from MS.
posted on January 28, 2010 02:12:14 PM new
As a Mac person, I bit the bullet and bought the wife an Asus Netbook for Christmas. She uses Win-doze at her business and so I thought it would be the best purchase. It runs a Win7 starter edition. Physically, it's a nice little computer, but it only takes about 5 minutes using it to realize that Windows takes 3 clicks and a bunch of obscure prompts to do what OSX does in one. For example; I have two operating networks here at the ranch, using separate service providers. The house has phone line DSL and the barn is on a wireless setup. My Macs recognize whatever network has the strongest signal and default to that network automatically. In the house, my laptop sees the house router first. In the barn, the barn router shows up first in the list. No strange prompts and I don't have to dig into any settings to change it. I click on the wireless signal meter at the top of my desktop and there's a list of routers. Click once and I connect. While 7 may be a vast improvement over any other Windows system, it's like choosing whether you want to be hit on the head with a cast iron skillet once, or several times. No thanks.
[ edited by profe51 on Jan 28, 2010 02:21 PM ]
posted on January 29, 2010 04:20:17 AM new
7 is definetly an improvement over Vista. I think MS should give a free upgrade to everyone who bought a machine loaded with Vista. Vista was such a disaster that it cost many of us hours upon hours of unnecessary headaches.
I had sworn that my next computer would be an Apple but the price of this netbook was too much of a temptation. As I find myself not using computers nearly as much as I used to, the netbook has quickly turned into my most used system. Will keep my HP for photo editing and financials but the netbook is the way to go for emails and such.
"like choosing whether you want to be hit on the head with a cast iron skillet once, or several times" Amen! Also explains why I have another win-doze machine. At this point I've gone brain dead
posted on January 29, 2010 04:36:06 AM new
I'm suprised so many people still have faith in microsoft. I got sick of all the spyware and other crap and switched to Linux. Its easier to install than windows and its easier to use. And its free.
Tony.
In a world without walls or fences who needs Windows and Gates?
posted on January 29, 2010 07:20:48 AM new "I'm suprised so many people still have faith in microsoft. I got sick of all the spyware and other crap and switched to Linux. Its easier to install than windows and its easier to use. And its free"
I really can't see any appreciable difference with Windows 7. It's "user friendly" only because like all other versions of Windows, it is the same crap that we are used to.
I have an old computer to play around with so I may try to become a geek.
posted on January 29, 2010 02:16:56 PM new
helen, if you've got an old beater to play with, give Linux a try. I have a Linux machine that works as a file server, and it's rock solid. Linux isn't nearly as geeky as it used to be.
In general, Microsoft is irrelevant and has been for several iterations before Win7. With the exception of someone who might have to use some obscure program written only for Windows, there is no reason to put up with M$'s constant updates, virus issues etc. See the other thread about the scary new Internet Exploder worm-virus-nasty security flaw whatever you want to call it. People STILL use that program? WHAT FOR??? In threads like this across the internet you'll always find some perception of cost being the bottom line deciding factor. "I wanted a Mac but the Dell was only 499". How much is your time and grief worth? Initial dollars out of pocket as the only consideration is penny wise and pound foolish in my opinion. I have an old car that lives in the barn. It gets 30 mpg. It cost 26000 dollars (a princely sum) when it was new in 1980! Now going on 30 years of age, it has 490,000+ miles on it's original engine and transmission. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it tomorrow to see you on the east coast. While expensive at first, it's paid for itself many times over. You get what you pay for.
posted on January 29, 2010 03:07:26 PM new
Helenjw, if you want to get that old computer going try Linuxmint, its easy to use and everything works right out of the box.
http://www.linuxmint.com/
Tony.
In a world without walls or fences who needs Windows and Gates?
posted on January 30, 2010 11:27:52 AM new
I have to get a new router
Windows 7 and 64 bit doesn't like my old router. Well it does but it doesn't. Only if I like being unsecure. If I try any kind of security measures it ignores the router. Even though it *sees* it - it won't connect with it. I see other people have the same problem.
Can't get Zyxel either because I have a Motorola Modem LOL.
LOVE the Veriface )
Plugged it in and it said "you have 11 hours left on your battery" Take THAT you netbook users!
posted on February 1, 2010 02:11:21 PM new
Our most recent purchase is a barely-used 21 inch iMac and an HP all-in-one I found at the shoe store down the street that's going out of business. The iMac still has warranty left, plus they'd bought AppleCare for it so I think I got quite a nice deal. The Apple Store reloaded MacOS X for us -- the sellers paid for it.
This duo is now installed in the new office. I was afraid I would have to take the 27 inch iMac from home, which would deprive us of our command center -- it dominates our breakfast bar and is handy for watching House reruns on fox.com.
There's almost no reason to have PCs now except for TurboLister. (And no, I'm not buying emulation software, so don't go there.) The Dell laptop has never worked right and even after an OS reload still doesn't -- apparently I missed installing some drivers.
I do like my little blue Acer Aspire One. I'll take it if we're going somewhere I know has wi-fi. If only I could get the craplets off it. Soon, when I have time.
