Windows 10

[lunchman]

Something to check before upgrading to Windows 10 - make sure your manufacturer is ready with drivers, etc. for your model of computer. My wife's Sony Vaio upgraded nicely from 8.1 to 10, the upgrade went smoothly and it seemed to work ok but - there were some programs, in particular the new browser (Edge) that were dog slow. Now, I should have checked beforehand as I work as a support engineer in the computer industry, but I had no idea Sony stepped out of the computer business and wasn't ready with drivers. They state so on their website and recommend NOT going to 10. Usually I wait, but this time I jumped on the bandwagon too soon.

Fortunately, they provided instructions to go back to 8.1 which I did. You only have 30 days to do so before the menu item in Settings disappears. You can find the instructions on the web if you don't like Windows 10. And going backwards was just as easy as going forwards. There was only one program that needed to be updated again. I'll give Microsoft kudos for the trouble free installs which were painless.

I did like the new interface with the Start menu and the live tiles. I hate the dual Start screen/Desktop in 8 and 8.1 and that was my main reason for upgrading.

For my personal systems, one of which is a netbook I run Ubuntu and have for at least 5 years. My desktop system is a home brew running Windows 7 and though I opted to be included in the Windows 10 upgrade will simply stick with 7.

-Dom

 

[incasarl]

If you're on Windows 8 I'd make the upgrade, just because of how bad Microsoft botched it.

Windows 7 - you might as well wait until Microsoft have ironed out all the bugs. Windows 7 afterall does the job and is very stable, to be honest I'm slightly reluctant to upgrade aside from the fact W10 is supposedly faster..

 

[sae]

If you're on Windows 8 I'd make the upgrade, just because of how bad Microsoft botched it.

Windows 7 - you might as well wait until Microsoft have ironed out all the bugs. Windows 7 afterall does the job and is very stable, to be honest I'm slightly reluctant to upgrade aside from the fact W10 is supposedly faster..

When's the free upgrade period over?

 

[Shane Holland]

[member=38144]sae[/member], pretty sure you have a year to "reserve" your copy, with no obligation to install immediately.

Yes, free! This upgrade offer is for a full version of Windows 10, not a trial. 3GB download required; internet access fees may apply. Estimated retail price of Windows 10 Home shown, actual retail prices may vary. To take advantage of this free offer, you must upgrade to Windows 10 within one year of availability. Once you upgrade, you have Windows 10 for free on that device.

 

[GarryMartin]

[member=38144]sae[/member], pretty sure you have a year to "reserve" your copy, with no obligation to install immediately.

Shane is correct, but with one caveat. You have until July 29, 2016 to "reserve" and install Windows 10. So you can reserve now and install some time in the near future as Shane notes, but in order to take advantage of the free upgrade, you must have also installed Windows 10 before July 29, 2016.

 

[JeremyH.]

How hilarious is it that Linux is vastly easier to operate than Windows and OS X ? It runs better... but many can't use it do to limitations for software available.

One could argue that OS X is easy, and it is, until you try to do anything beyond web surfing.

Windows (not 8) appears easy to use but you're pretty much guaranteed to have it muddled with spyware and stuff if you don't know what you're doing.

All that said I use windows 7 currently. However I'd like to point out that if any of you know anyone on Windows 8, install ClassicShell and and remove the startup screen; preferably before they off themselves. If you do those two things Windows 8 is essentially just windows 7. (I don't say 8.1 because it doesn't matter, both are liable for self harm inflection whether directly or from tossing computers at walls)

 

[Wuffles]

One could argue that OS X is easy, and it is, until you try to do anything beyond web surfing.

You do know what OSX is based on right?

 

[JeremyH.]

One could argue that OS X is easy, and it is, until you try to do anything beyond web surfing.

You do know what OSX is based on right?

unix

But you're only talking about a kernal. The mask between the kernal and user makes this a worthless comparison. Besides no one likes linux because of it's kernal these days, they like it because it's crazy easy, faster, and free if you don't have specific needs for software.

 

[Wuffles]

One could argue that OS X is easy, and it is, until you try to do anything beyond web surfing.

You do know what OSX is based on right?

unix

But you're only talking about a kernal. The mask between the kernal and user makes this a worthless comparison. Besides no one likes linux because of it's kernal these days, they like it because it's crazy easy, faster, and free if you don't have specific needs for software.

Well, no. I'm talking specifically about the line "One could argue that OS X is easy, and it is, until you try to do anything beyond web surfing." which is not correct regardless of Kernel.

Where's your expertise in this matter to make such broad statements?

 

[JeremyH.]

If you're implying actually compiling the kernel that's passe at this point for personal computers.

I can't figure out why you're asking for expertise? From an ease of use standpoint someone that's a non-expert, and even better stupid, is a better measure.

 

[Wuffles]

If you're implying actually compiling the kernel that's passe at this point for personal computers.

I can't figure out why you're asking for expertise? From an ease of use standpoint someone that's a non-expert, and even better stupid, is a better measure.

I think perhaps you're missing my point. I wanted to know why* you think you can state "One could argue that OS X is easy, and it is, until you try to do anything beyond web surfing." so confidently.

*By why, I mean what qualifies you to make such a statement.

 

[CrazyLarry]

If you're implying actually compiling the kernel that's passe at this point for personal computers.

I can't figure out why you're asking for expertise? From an ease of use standpoint someone that's a non-expert, and even better stupid, is a better measure.

I think perhaps you're missing my point. I wanted to know why* you think you can state "One could argue that OS X is easy, and it is, until you try to do anything beyond web surfing." so confidently.

*By why, I mean what qualifies you to make such a statement.

Clearly a bit of a kermit...

Both Apple and MS have made huge strides laterly to address deep seated weaknesses in the way code was written without audit or reference, learning mostly from OpenBSD and FreeBSD whilst linux is more free for all than ever: so says Theo De Raadt.

As far as useability goes factually incorrect there too with both OSX and Win8+ now able to run on multi core intel hardware with native virtualisation ordinary end users can run some fairly staggeringly powerful software at home without multiple machines or a big geek setup! ... 3D video rendering in real time... not exactly 'web browsing'

Now does OSX feel like fisher price? YES! annoyingly so.
Is windows 8 / 10 irritatingly anti user until you've scalped it and put the old mouse / keyboard / human compatible interface back? YES! absolutely.

Do I want to go back to windows 95 or a mac classic or linux you have to compile yourself or download 6Gb to install no way jose!!!