Windows XP is no longer being supported

[nietzsche]

Should have switched to Ubuntu long ago.

Ubuntu and other linux platforms can be great if one only wants to perform simple tasks with their computer. Otherwise, they'll have to spend much time learning how to overcome the most mundane of tasks which could have been resolved quicker through Windows--without the need of investing so much education in oneself.

To what mundane tasks are you referring to?

(inb4 BBS googles 10 things you can do with Windows and can't do with Linux)

Whatever is deemed "task-able" which depends on the user's invested education of Linux and general familiarity of other OS which may constitute as relevant knowledge.

How many BBSs takes to change a light bulb?

154.

[BigBallinStalin]

Should we verify that with google?

[Maugena]

If we recognize the concept of opportunity cost and presume that computer skills vary across individuals in relation to various operating systems, then we can conclude that my concerns are true.

(re: "Microsfot fanboy") Why are you framing this as an ideological issue?

I've installed ubuntu and some other linux platform on about 8 old computers which were designed to run Windows XP and other versions. Hardware compatibility issues ensued. If this happened to player, would it be reasonable for us to recommend that she stick with Ubuntu and learn how to build a driver for the graphics card? (No, that's not reasonable).

If she was proficient in Linux, then sure, no problem. But I think we can safely assume that she isn't and given her preference to reduce costs, then Windows XP is a better option.

How do you not control your ideological ranting by understanding that individual preferences, knowledge, and opportunity costs vary?

The markets compensate for this by providing various operating systems. Given this, why be so judgmental?

BBS for President!

[john9blue]

in my experience windows 7 is faster than ubuntu and mint.

[AndyDufresne]

Player, I think you should just get an old word processor, and then mail your forum posts to BBS.




--Andy

[DoomYoshi]

Thread Over.

[Dukasaur]

Thread Over.

+1

[PLAYER57832]

Player, I think you should just get an old word processor, and then mail your forum posts to BBS.




--Andy

I am sure he would love that ....
lol

[bedub1]

<Removed>

[john9blue]

You should keep your computer but upgrade to Windows 8.
You should buy a new Windows 8 computer.

i don't think you should do either of these

windows 7 is an excellent OS.

windows 8 is not (from what i read and hear)

[nietzsche]

After a while in linux one forgets what's to have problems with the OS.

You really get used to at everything being stable day after day, month after month.

Things just stay fine, don't have to worry because your system gets a little bit slower every day, don't have to routinely check for malware, don't have to defrag every other day.

Oh, and the naturally integrated multiple workspaces is awesome.

But it's your choice, certainly some market/opportunity-cost arguments might seem appealing because certain words are used and one perceives that at least half of it it's true so the rest must be true because, well, the truth to analyze it would be tiresome.

[john9blue]

Things just stay fine, don't have to worry because your system gets a little bit slower every day, don't have to routinely check for malware, don't have to defrag every other day.

you only need to do this if you are dumb with computers

[Night Strike]

Unless you have a touch screen desktop or laptop and want to sync your computer, Windows 8 phone, and Xbox; then you will want to get Windows 7 instead of 8.

[nietzsche]

Things just stay fine, don't have to worry because your system gets a little bit slower every day, don't have to routinely check for malware, don't have to defrag every other day.

you only need to do this if you are dumb with computers

False.

I was pretty good at keeping my windows installations clean, I'd do a clean install after a physical format, apply the pertinent updates, get a light antivirus, then install the drivers (only the drivers files, didn't run the setup for every device, for this i would do a pre-installation, install drivers with the setup.exes then back up the driver files and format again). After the drivers I'd install the cleanest software, only recognized free source software avoiding always cracks and always downloading this software from the main site. Next a safe browser and ad-block. And I don't visit malware websites. All that among some other things that I'm forgetting now.

Even with all that care, every now and then the system started to be a little slower, a little slower, a little slower. One can just perceive certain hangs between certain tasks. Then I had to format and install the image i had created again after the full installation if not much time had passed and the apps were still up to date or only with the drivers if some time had passed.

Not the case with Linux, nothing gets where it doesn't have to go so things stay stable for long times.

[rdsrds2120]

Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to use Windows 8 like this:

http://www.hideipvpn.com/wp-content/upl ... ndows8.jpg

I, for example, use it like this:

http://gyazo.com/304554cbad8aa42323f1c4 ... 1363166906

I'm in Dekstop mode just like I would be with Windows 7 99%+ of the time, but I get the added bonus of a better kernel, faster start times, and the PC Refresh option (among other things). Desktop apps still work just fine if you have to use Windows, or don't want to learn Linux (and there's no shame in that). So far it's been pretty intuitive, but to be fair, I'm a huge fan of keyboard shortcuts.

Don't be scared of Win8 people. It isn't all that bad and while yes, it's optimal with touch devices, you don't lose anything by going 7 to 8. You still have your traditional desktop, but with updated file streamlining, improvements to the Task Manager, and faster boot times. Behold!






BMO

[bedub1]

<Removed>

[AndyDufresne]

You know that topic about Chinese Shills? I think RDS is a Microsoft Shill (ethnicity yet to be determined).


--Andy

[2dimes]

Brit, his graph keeps saying, "init".

[nietzsche]

Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to use Windows 8 like this:

http://www.hideipvpn.com/wp-content/upl ... ndows8.jpg

I, for example, use it like this:

http://gyazo.com/304554cbad8aa42323f1c4 ... 1363166906

I'm in Dekstop mode just like I would be with Windows 7 99%+ of the time, but I get the added bonus of a better kernel, faster start times, and the PC Refresh option (among other things). Desktop apps still work just fine if you have to use Windows, or don't want to learn Linux (and there's no shame in that). So far it's been pretty intuitive, but to be fair, I'm a huge fan of keyboard shortcuts.

Don't be scared of Win8 people. It isn't all that bad and while yes, it's optimal with touch devices, you don't lose anything by going 7 to 8. You still have your traditional desktop, but with updated file streamlining, improvements to the Task Manager, and faster boot times. Behold!






BMO

Come on rds, you are better than this. Where does this graph come? msn.

In a similar way an android-based tablet can wake up in 1 second.

And in a similar manner windows 7 can wake up from being suspended rather quickly.

BTW I've tried Windows 8, I was baffled, I couldn't do anything! I couldn't even shut it down!

That graph means nothing. When I was in the field I'd see a new graph like this every day, new technologies, new labels for the same technology, it's no different than a salesman doing the same trick with different words. In fact, it's the same thing, a salesman doing a sale.

Even in actual "independent" benchmarks you have to read the fine line, a slight variation in something can cause a big discrepancy from the vendors' claims.

Windows 98SE was stable, Windows 2000 acquired stability, XP SP2 was good too, and Windows 7 is not too bad. But Linux is better than all of them, hands down. Perhaps in the time of 98SE and 2000 Linux wasn't as pretty or as compatible as it's now, but now Linux looks great, works with most hardware and it's super stable (as always).

[rdsrds2120]

Come on rds, you are better than this. Where does this graph come? msn.
In a similar way an android-based tablet can wake up in 1 second.

Coming from MSN doesn't automatically falsify the claim. If not for my experience with Windows 8 booting up more quickly than my Windows 7 system, I wouldn't have posted it.

And in a similar manner windows 7 can wake up from being suspended rather quickly.

BTW I've tried Windows 8, I was baffled, I couldn't do anything! I couldn't even shut it down!

It's not hard to shut down, just different/unfamiliar. It's pretty easy, actually.

That graph means nothing. When I was in the field I'd see a new graph like this every day, new technologies, new labels for the same technology, it's no different than a salesman doing the same trick with different words. In fact, it's the same thing, a salesman doing a sale.

Even in actual "independent" benchmarks you have to read the fine line, a slight variation in something can cause a big discrepancy from the vendors' claims.

Windows 98SE was stable, Windows 2000 acquired stability, XP SP2 was good too, and Windows 7 is not too bad. But Linux is better than all of them, hands down. Perhaps in the time of 98SE and 2000 Linux wasn't as pretty or as compatible as it's now, but now Linux looks great, works with most hardware and it's super stable (as always).

I'm not claiming that Linux isn't stable, but good grief, so is Windows 8. My overall stance is this:

Windows can provide you with all of the services you need, and Linux is just a different flavor of OS. Some may like another flavor, and that's ok. There's also no reason to turn up your nose at Windows simply because it's Windows. Windows 8, for example, is cheap and super easy to install. The average person doesn't know how to partition a drive and isn't familiar with installing Operating Systems. To fully understand what's best for the average consumer, you have to shift your perspective away from what you know as a technically inclined individual to someone who is not.

BMO

[Metsfanmax]

Windows can provide you with all of the services you need, and Linux is just a different flavor of OS. Some may like another flavor, and that's ok. There's also no reason to turn up your nose at Windows simply because it's Windows.

This. I too come down on the Linux side of things, but the Linux people need to stop boycotting Windows on principle. Attract more with honey and all that.

(Also, I'm posting from Windows right now. )

[nietzsche]

Windows can provide you with all of the services you need, and Linux is just a different flavor of OS. Some may like another flavor, and that's ok. There's also no reason to turn up your nose at Windows simply because it's Windows. Windows 8, for example, is cheap and super easy to install. The average person doesn't know how to partition a drive and isn't familiar with installing Operating Systems. To fully understand what's best for the average consumer, you have to shift your perspective away from what you know as a technically inclined individual to someone who is not.

BMO

Yes, to be honest one can get used to Windows. In the same way some wives get used to battering husbands, and even look forward for the next punch.

BTW. You don't need to pre-partition if you are going to install only linux. When installing, there's a wizard where you can setup if you want different partitions but it also shows you whats the recommended settings for swap and home. And even if you want a dual-boot, windows and linux, the only thing you have to take care of is installing windows first, then the linux setup cd does all the job of making the partitions and installing grub and all.

But also, you do not know how stable Linux can be. Thing is, one gets used to the way one adapts to WIndows. You think it's normal to have to have an antivirus eating up your resources, you think it's normal to regularly check for malware, you think it's normal to defrag and fix the registry and all that. After 3-4 hours of work I would be able to make XP fairly stable, but eventually I had to perform clean ups and little by little, day by day, it would get slower. This doesn't happen in Linux.

But you have a point, one can live happily ever after with Windows, it provides you with all you need. It's like saying people weren't happy in the past because there were no computers or something related. But the moment you get used to Linux, you simply don't go back, you've seen the difference.

[2dimes]

I forget the plague that came after XP but other than being a resource hog Vista fixed all the problems. Then windows7 supposedly improved on that by easing up on the need for resources.

I remember, the exact thing you describe about XP. It sucked. The only thing I hate about vista is buying third party anti virus with pop up ads.

[rdsrds2120]

Yes, to be honest one can get used to Windows. In the same way some wives get used to battering husbands, and even look forward for the next punch.

BTW. You don't need to pre-partition if you are going to install only linux. When installing, there's a wizard where you can setup if you want different partitions but it also shows you whats the recommended settings for swap and home. And even if you want a dual-boot, windows and linux, the only thing you have to take care of is installing windows first, then the linux setup cd does all the job of making the partitions and installing grub and all.

But also, you do not know how stable Linux can be. Thing is, one gets used to the way one adapts to WIndows. You think it's normal to have to have an antivirus eating up your resources, you think it's normal to regularly check for malware, you think it's normal to defrag and fix the registry and all that. After 3-4 hours of work I would be able to make XP fairly stable, but eventually I had to perform clean ups and little by little, day by day, it would get slower. This doesn't happen in Linux.

But you have a point, one can live happily ever after with Windows, it provides you with all you need. It's like saying people weren't happy in the past because there were no computers or something related. But the moment you get used to Linux, you simply don't go back, you've seen the difference.

Elitist!!

BMO

[premio53]

Linux used to be for geeks only. The vast majority of people don't realize how easy and efficient Linux has become. My mother who is 80 years old had her hard drive crash last year and she had many valuable photos and financial records on it that would have been hard to replace. She took her computer to the "Geek Squad" at Best Buy and tried to have them transfer all the information from her old hard drive to a new one. After keeping her computer awhile they informed her that there was nothing they could do and since she did not have a backup of anything (computers no longer ship with a backup copy of Windows) they could only replace her old drive and charge her a hundred and something dollars for a brand new copy of Windows 7 on top of labor costs and parts.

To make a long story short I went down to the store and asked them why they just didn't pop a copy of Linux in since I had done that earlier and read everything on her old drive. They told me that "corporate" would not allow them to do that because of the Gnu license. I took the computer back, bought a hard drive adaptor for around 30 dollars and did it myself.

The freedom one has with linux is refreshing. Spend a $150 for Microsoft Office? I use Open Office free and can do anything with it Microsoft Office does. Computer crashes and need a new one? I can buy any old computer for very little money and put Linux on it free and it will run trouble free without slowing down or crashing like a new system with Windows X inevitably will and I will not have to constantly check for viruses or trojans.

The bottom line is Linux is superior to windows in many ways. I suggest anyone wanting to try it start with Linux Mint and simply run it off the CD without installing it.