Why reserve it, Its going to be forced onto your machine in the very near future. Then you have 31 days to retrieve any lost files. That is the last I heard yet M$ say it was a bug....
I will wait until it is forced on me, all the advertisements seem to be for the younger generation. I do not care to draw, etc. I put it on and didn't really care for it so I took it off right away. It seems like we are using the computer less all of the time, hopefully winter we will have more time.
You can avoid the automatic Windows 10 download, but it takes a little time and effort. Here's a good writeup on how to keep it off your computer. Those with slower internet connections, or limited data, might find this helpful. http://www.howtogeek.com/228551/how...-8-from-downloading-windows-10-automatically/
I tried to install it, but it won't let me. *lol* Something about my screen not supporting it. I've got a very new screen and I'm not going to buy a new one just for W10. Or a new computer, even though it's getting on a bit. It's still working fine.
I personally plan on migrating to some type of Linux within the next 2 years, (if not sooner). Reason being, I just cannot trust anything of Microsoft anymore - Certainly not after the Edward Snowden revelations, in which it was confirmed that all major operating systems from the US do indeed have got a secret backdoor... A very strong hint of which can be observed by viewing many pages that explain how Windows 10 secretly spies on everything you do by default! https://www.rt.com/usa/311304-new-windows-privacy-issues/ This is why after Microsoft ended support for Windows XP, the Chinese government too decided to dump everything of Microsoft and came up with their own version of Linux called Kylin - Because everyone who has used Linux knows that viruses and tojans can't attack it, (yes Linux is unbelievably secure). But best of all, Linux was, is, and forever will be totally for free! However the advantages don't stop there, as Linux is of course completely open source too, which means that anyone can view their source code, as well as compile it yourself, if you still have security concerns, (and if you have the programming skills to do so)... So if you have any security concerns, just read the source code yourself! But with anything of Microsoft, their source code is ALWAYS hidden... My only tragedy is that I have to use some very specialized software, like AutoCAD 3D Pro (which hasn't got a Linux version). Or the MiltiSIM electronic's designer, (which too doesn't have a Linux version). So I am stuck with Windows... But fortunately, SolidWorks (which is a very strong competitor of AutoCAD when it comes to 3D designing), does have a version for Linux too. Plus there now are some other very good electronic designing programs for Linux as well. Not as good as MiltiSIM right now, but give them 1 or 2 more years, and I am 100% confidant that they will get it right - Just as they have today got it right with so many other things which work perfectly fine (if not better) then they function in Windows. Another reason why I have decided never to poison my computer with Windows 10, is that in my line of work I meet many people, from all walks of technological life. And so this is how I have also rubbed shoulders with a few people from the intelligence agencies too. And so whenever we would talk about Windows and it's so called "security features", they would always start to give a very broad smile... So take whatever meaning you like from this, but I am never going to get Windows 10! Also, see these pictures below - This is my workstation, with 2 top of the line Intel Xeon processors, and a RAM which is bigger in size then most people's hard drives used to be a few years ago - Plus it's also got a sealed liquid cooling system for the processors, and the ultra fast solid state drives, as well as a few hybrid hard drive too. But you know what? This is an *Air Gap* computer, which means that this computer will NEVER EVER get connected to any network! For now it runs on Windows, but the day Linux too will have software which will be able to match (or exceed) my special software, (which I believe will happen within the next 2 years) - Is the day I too will be totally off this drug known as Windows... But in the meantime, to protect myself, I have one computer strictly for internet activity, which runs on linux, while the other one (on which my bread and butter depends), is strictly an Air Gap computer. Information and my creations come out of it, [by USB thumb drive] but NOTHING goes in, ever [and that USB stick too gets formatted every time (by a Linux PC) before it physically touched my workstation]! Because that I believe is the only way for me to protect my intellectual property. Microsoft will say one thing to win consumers over to their side, and will also make false promises regarding security, but the truth is that when anyone is doing something serious with their computers, they either use Linux, or have to resort to Air Gaping, as Microsoft just cannot be trusted...
Randy and I both run Linux, have for years. He refers to Windows as the worlds largest computer virus.
Randy is 100% correct! Actually I think majority of people (and I really don't understand why) seem to be afraid of Linux. So perhaps that is why it is not so popular. However once they are forced to use it (even for just 15 minutes), they walk away thinking how stupid we were all this time... So this I guess explains the tremendous growth in the Linux community in the last 5 to 3 years. And the fact that viruses, trojans, and other malware also can't attack it, also seems to have made it very popular! Seriously, for home users Linux is totally for free! And it is way more secure then Windows will ever be... http://www.ubuntu.com/ And with it you can install LibreOffice (also for free) which is every bit as good as Microsoft Office, and without any bloat that Microsoft loves to shove down our throat, (which ultimately slows down the PC). So again, no need to buy any costly software for desktop publishing... https://www.libreoffice.org/ Chrome and FireFox browsers also have a free Linux version... So what more does a home PC need to have? But people question about photo manipulation software, and automatically assume that there won't be anything in Linux that can match Adobe Photoshop. However they are wrong over here too, as in Linux you can have GIMP, which is every bit as good as Photoshop, if not better - It also doesn't put any load on your PC either (unlike Windows), plus it too is totally for free! https://www.gimp.org/ What else? Want to go for some extreme software? Well, if you want 3D animation, as well as actual real world 3D printing, then you can try your hand with Blender - Which (believe it or not) is also for free! And it is so powerful that I seriously doubt there is anything for Windows to match it! https://www.blender.org/ So I now ask, who in their right mind would want to pay for something, which in the Linux community is already available for free??? Only areas where Linux is lacking behind a little, is 3D engineering software, (like AutoCAD). But in about 1 and a half to 2 years, this too will change! However SolidWorks (which some people say is now better then AutoCAD) has a version for Linux too, so from January I'll be learning to use that! So I am really ready to throw Windows in the dustbin! But on second thought, maybe I will install Windows 10 on a computer I don't use anymore. Yes, I think I'll keep it in the living room as a joke PC - And will occasionally use another computer (installed with Kali Linux), to attack it remotely! So other then that, realistically speaking, I honestly don't see much use for Windows 10. By the way, Kali Linux (also for free), which can hack the living daylights out of any Windows PC - Is available here: https://www.kali.org/ Oh and by the way, those who may be feeling very sentimental about some "for Windows only" software, (like games which come with windows) - Then in Linux there is something called Wine, which enables you to run some old software of Windows. Happy now? Problem solved??? https://www.winehq.org/ And yes, Wine for Linux too is completely for free! On a personal note, I very strongly feel that Microsoft (in the last decade) has been behaving like con-artist, who is focused only on slowly and steadily leaching away money from your pocket, little by little... I have come across a few retired pensioners, who only used their PC to stay in touch with their grand kids and other relatives far away. They were seriously annoyed they 100s of calls they got from Microsoft, urging them to upgrade, or do this, or that, (just so Microsoft could squeeze out a little more money from them)... And when they refused, they were given warning, that your OS will soon stop working unless you upgrade. A lot of them complained that they are retired people, who can't always afford to spend so much to buy new PCs every 2 to 3 years... All they really required was a computer connected to the internet, with which they could email and have webcam sessions with their family members, (as well as a little desktop publishing, to write a few letters here and there)... But Microsoft insisted that they should "experience" their latest masterpieces, (if it can be called a "masterpiece")... So the moment I introduced them to the free, secure, and completely hassle free world of Linux - They really thanked me for it! However don't thank me I said, thank Mr. Linus Torvalds, because of whom we have this freedom of choice! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Torvalds Best of all, with Linux you can be using a PC that is 10 years old, and it will still function very fast! Just try it once and I swear you'll really be amazed by the results! Seriously, who needs Wondows 10? By the way, In linux, you don't ever need to de-fragment your hard drive either...
I, too, recommend one of the Ubuntu variations of Linux for everyday use. I run Ubuntu with the Unity desktop. Toni uses Xubuntu with the XFCE desktop. The nice thing is that you can install them all and switch between them to see which you like best. There's more info on the desktop environments here. http://askubuntu.com/questions/65083/what-kinds-of-desktop-environments-and-shells-are-available I switched Toni over to Linux a few years ago when one of our daughter's friends hit a website that installed a virus on her machine. After that, it would no longer boot. I installed a larger hard drive, installed Linux, and copied all of her files from the old system. After adding a few free packages to replace her old editing software (yes, GIMP), Simple Scan to run her scanner, and a few other things, she was back in business. I didn't have to install printer drivers, Linux did that the first time I plugged the printer in. We've had no problems since we dumped Windows. I do have my laptop set up to boot either Linux or Windows, but I only go to Windows on the rarest of occasions.
Yes Ubuntu is fine for home use, actually it's great! However I have discovered that first time users (specially those who are hesitant to leave their Windows environment), adjust very well to Linux Mint. As it's look and feel is very close to Windows... So for those who are not too technical minded, Mint Linux is a very good option to train with, (to keep them from having panic attacks at every turn)... http://linuxmint.com/ However my own personal favorites are of course Tails Linux, and Kali too, (the same ones which Edward Snowden & Julian Assange use)! https://tails.boum.org/ All are of course variants of Debian Linux, so I was thinking of giving Debian a try also. https://www.debian.org/ To come up with my own version of Linux is too big a task for me right now, but if I would somehow become a teenager again in today's world, with so much computing power and information at my hand, (along with the same stamina and arrogant pigheadedness which I once possessed in my misspent youth) - Then I'm sure I would have given it a shot! But for now Ubuntu and Mint work just fine for me, I honestly don't have any complaints! However with each passing day I become more and more curious about Debian also. Actually, come to think of it, using Linux (be it of any type) is like driving a real classic sports car from the 60s! While using Windows (after I've tried Linux) now feels exactly like driving a clown car 24/7... Still, many say that Windows works great for them, and they also haven't had any bad experience with it. So they remain happy with it - Therefore I wish them all good luck, and hope their OS continues to work fine for them! But for me, Windows isn't good enough anymore, (certainly not after I was made aware of it's security flaws)...
OK I admit I am computer stupid,, I have windows 7 on this old machine and have dial up,, what is Linux ?? Almost all of the above is like a foreign language to me !!
Alright, let's see if I can explain this... Go back to the 1950s, and computers were so huge (physically big and heavy) that they occupied a whole building of their own. They also (most of them anyway) operated on programs which were fed to them by punched cards. As the hole punched through a card sheet would represent a 1 (one), or no hole could represent a 0 (zero) - Like on and off, the basic binary set of commands which computers and other machines would understand. In much the same way punched sheet music could be fed to an automated piano. Because of which the piano could play the same thing, over and over again, without any mistakes... So that basically was the concept of computer programming back in those days. However a little after this, with the arrival of magnetic media (tapes), it was realized that far more information could be packed into a tape, which otherwise would fill a whole warehouse of punched cards. So this is how Computers grew in power, and transistor ICs also started to become more and more cheap, (replacing electronic valves). But by the late 1960s computers had become so powerful that now they could easily handle direct text input. And so that is now the first truly digital computer programming took off! However by the 1070s, computers had become so powerful that now they could be called "supercomputers"! But aside from this, now many of them were also connected with each other (by phone line). And so to use them everyone needed a standardized programming language, programs written in which could be understood by any computer, and could also to transmitted over great distances (to other computers in different locations)... But this standardization meant that first computers needed a standard operating system, (OS), upon which other programs could be installed, to do whatever task. Sort of like a shell, within which programmers had the freedom to do whatever they liked - As all the basic commands (to make the computer do this or that) were already pre-programmed in it. So no longer did programmers had to write a program from scratch, dealing with each individual computer's own protocols and switching microscopic transistors on and off - Instead they simply said (in the programming language) to do this, and do that. As everything was now riding on a OS. So in came the UNIX, which was one of the first standardized supercomputer OS! Upon which countless programs were built in a very short time! So by the 1970s, banks wrote their own programs for accounting (now fast becoming known as "software"), military also wrote their own programs to handle their hardware. And scientists also started coming up with their own tailor-made software - However majority of them were riding upon the UNIX operating system! OK, fast forwarding to the 1980s now - This is where we saw the arrival of the home computer. Initially it was seen as a joke by the serious computing world (which operated the mainframe supercomputers). But this turned out to be one of the greatest hidden revolution in human history! As because of this now kids too (at a very early age) got to experience what a computer was, and what it could do... Yes, most played games on it, but there were a few who really understood it's potential. The seeds of network connectivity also started to sprout! But for a long time this still wasn't taken seriously, as these home computers (now fast becoming known as PCs) were not powerful enough to run something mainstream, something serious like UNIX. As these computers had a very small processor, as well as a tiny RAM (usually 640K only for IBM compatibles). Good for kids to train on, and for other small computing experimenting, but not for much else... However, 2 people soon changed history - Bill Gates of Microsoft, and Steve Jobs of Apple Computers. As they realized the potential of home computers. So they kicked off the PC evolution from this point onward. Apple computers created it's own operating system, with which one could now do professional desktop publishing from their own home, as well as empowering other people from different professions (who were not programmers) to use computers to their advantage! Microsoft also was doing the same thing with IBM and IBM compatible PC, writing programs, mainly operating systems, upon which other programs could ride! Take for example Microsoft DOS, the Disk Operating System, which you had to install, after which all other programs (and games) could be installed... But computers (be they IBM compatibles or Apple) were still not powerful enough to run any serious stuff, which required UNIX OS. So this is how, by the early 1990s, home computers had become an indispensable tool in everyday life - I myself got my first PC in 1992, a 386 DX 33MHz, with 4MB of RAM, and an 80 MB hard drive. It had MS DOS 5, which we later upgraded to DOS 6.2. And it Also came with Windows 3, which we soon upgraded to MS Windows 3.1... By now home computers had taken a life of their own, they also had some cool stuff like the mouse, (which even the supercomputers at the time didn't have). And some PC were powerful enough to run a very light version of UNIX too! However UNIX was now a bit unfriendly, as it didn't not have a graphical interface as good as Windows and Apple. Also, one had to be seriously technical minded to use UNIX - Besides, by now software written for the home PC (Windows software) had become so vast, that UNIX never could match the popularity... It still remained the operating system of choice for the mainframe supercomputers, but for the home PC, only Microsoft Windows, and Apple's own OS were the OS of choice. This of course created a problem, as Windows was still riding over DOS, which had a 640K limit of RAM. Back when DOS first came out, 640K of RAM was seen as an unimaginably huge amount of RAM. But by the mid 1990s, it started to feel ridiculously small. However the architecture of DOS and Windows was such, that in order to use the extra RAM which was now available, they still first had to use this 640 limit, and through this they wold go to the higher RAM and complete all major tasks - A very serious bottle neck... Apple by the way handled themselves with a bit more grace then Microsoft did, but underneath the hood they were all suffering the same problems. Nobody had actually expected that home computers would grow so much in power so quickly - And so now (with the arrival of the first Intel Pentium processors in the mid 1990s), it was time was a drastic change in OS. However now the problem was, that if they would change the whole architecture of Windows from the inside, enabling it to fully utilize the whole RAM for example, (without first going through the marrow 640K stairway) - It would mean that many old programs for Windows (written by 3rd party) will no longer work. And so naturally, many end users would have been greatly offended, as they would how have to buy completely new software, written specifically or the new Windows 95. Such software by the way was not written, as only the OS Windows 95 was available. So Microsoft faced a very tough choice, to either cut off their roots and start afresh (and create a OS which will be similar in power to UNIX, with all the good graphical interface of Windows). Or, retard everything a little, and thus make it backward compatible? So Microsoft in the end decided to stay loyal to their old consumers, and made everything backward compatible - Which again left an ugly shadow of that same 640k limit, which the PC had to fight first, in order to gain access to the higher RAM. Which naturally slowed everything down, and also created software bloat, unwanted and rarely used lines of code in the program, which only came in the way (making Windows trip upon itself from time to time)... OK, now somewhere around this time, a lone person named Linus Torvalds made a post that he was trying to build a new OS for the PCs, which will be based on the rock solid foundations of UNIX! And it will also be totally for free, as well as open course, (meaning that the un-compiled code would be shared with the public). Unlike Microsoft, which guards it's source code like a hawk... Anyway the majority laughed at this poor man, some dismissed him as being too overambitious, and idealist at best. But some did join him in this task - So this is how they came out with the first few versions of Linux, a new OS, built upon UNIX (thus making it impossible to crash). But since this was an effort of a few hand full enthusiasts, with no profit, meant that nobody wanted to invest into it, even though this was a far superior OS, which also did not slow down your PC (like Windows). So Linux soon became forgotten... However some time afterwards Microsoft came out with Windows 98, which was far better then Win 95, however it still suffered in the same way (as Microsoft had promised 100% backward compatibility). So next they came out with Windows ME (Millennium Edition). It was promised that this time here will be no hidden morrow stairway of 640K anywhere inside, and aside from this, Windows ME would also take care of the Y2K Millennium Bug! But this too was a serious disappointment. Still, one day they finally came out with Windows XP, and by this time they (by the time they came out with it's service pack 2) - They had gotten it right!
[sorry moderator(s) as all this text wouldn't fit in one post]... But the problem now was that since the whole world was using Windows, every computer virus too was now tailor made to exploit the inherent security weaknesses that Windows could never (and I very strongly believe that they still can't) get rid off. As there are too many security holes in Windows. Microsoft always promises that they have fixed it now, but soon Windows springs a new leak from another portion... So they come up with a new service pack, with more promises - Only to have egg thrown at their face by some other hacker! Which is why, when they say that with Windows 10 they have FINALLY gotten everything right, I still can't help but take it with a grain of salt... Because in my opinion, Windows is built upon faulty and cumbersome architecture, that once upon a time worked great on small low powered home computers (as they didn't need to be accurate) - But now should be thrown straight into the trash bin! But if you now get rid of Windows, what will your PC run? Is there another OS out there??? Answer is YES!!! As Linux too has today finally grown into a full user friendly OS, with almost everything that will not only match but will also exceed Windows in every way! And best of all, it is completely for free! So why pay Microsoft anything, when we can get something that is superior as well as very secure then Windows? Yes, since it is based on the old UNIX system, the original software which supercomputers used once upon a time, means that it has no useless lines of code in between (for the sake of backward compatibility). So Linux does not crash, viruses too can't attack it, computer too runs faster and a lot cooler, hard drive also doesn't need any de-frag, (and so will not start to give corrupted data)! And now there is so much free software written for Linux (by the Linux community) - That it would be unbelievably silly to opt for Windows, and pay Microsoft anything... Seriously, who needs a cumbersome and over bloated piece of junk like Windows, when Linux gives us everything and more, and that to for free!!! By the way, you can download Ubuntu Linux for your PC from this place: http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop And if you don't have broadband internet connection, then you can easily have some friend download it for you (as it is completely for free), and have him or her burn it on a DVD and mail it to you! There are many different types of Linux out there now. Like if you want the ultimate anonymity, use Linux Tails (link given in my post above). Or if you want a very powerful and sharp hacking tool, either to test your own computer network security, (or you start some hacking yourself), then go for Linux Kali (link also in the post above). But for home use I highly recommend Ubuntu Linux. Always remember now - Linux is UNIX, the same OS which supercomputers have used all this time - And today it is available to us for free, (tailor-made for the home PC now)! Install Linux if you want to feel like driving a fast classic sports car! but install Windows, if you want to feel like driving a clown car all the time...
Funny you should refer back to the 1950's....my dad started working for IBM in 1953 as a Field Engineer. And yes, the computers were huge and there had to be an elevated flooring system under them to keep air circulating to prevent over heating. I took Key Punch classes late in (1964) my last year of high school at the IBM office near downtown Dallas, being the family member of an employee I got in easily. I spent two weeks in classes, getting prepared for a job as a key punch operator. I still have some old IBM punch cards that my Dad had. Randy and I also worked at the company, Carterfone, ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carterfone) that was responsible for the FCC decision that allowed the Carterfone (a marine ship to shore connection device) and other devices to be connected directly to the AT&T network (that was the only phone company at the time) .....meaning that there would be no computer to computer hookup over the phone lines, no buying a telephone at Walmart, no answering machines, fax machines, and modems, etc being connected to the phone lines if Carterfone hadn't won that law suit in 1968. I had used Photoshop on a friends computer and when I started using GIMP it was almost exactly like Photoshop but as it turned out easier to learn and use and it's free.
Ha ! Remember I am old enough to have lived through all those times,,I remember them. What I meant was,, can I do all the same things I do now using Linux OS,, is it faster than Windows ? OK cancel that last question, anything is faster than Windows. I am thinking about an online store,,is that a problem? Toni,, around that same time I worked at AT&T on Bryan and Haskell,,wasn`t the IBM office near there ? We were combined with Western Electric.
