Windows 10 - free upgrade to those with PC using Windows 7 or 8

[Katsunami]

Originally Posted by rcentros

...because its support demands are a pain in the neck...

Once upon a time, you were right.

Since Windows NT 3.1, it's possible to run Windows as a normal user, and let administrative things be done by an administrator.

The problem is that most Windows programs were written for Windows 3.x, which didn't have support for secure accounts, and many developers just wrote where-ever they pleased. The result was that everybody had to run Windows as an Administrator, capable of **** up the system.

With Vista, it was pure bliss: "Finally! They FINALLY DID IT! YES, YES YES!"

What? They introduced UAC, and *enforced* programs to keep to their own folder, and the user's home folder (C:\Users\<username>).

When jacking up UAC to the highest setting and putting a password on "Administrator", it works exactly like the "root dialog / graphical su" in Linux and OSX.

Since then, Windows never breaks, except if you do something really stupid.

I have Windows Vista, 7 and 8.x installations that have been running for years. I actually have one user that started out on Vista, and did an inplace upgrade to 7, to 8, to 8.1... and the same install, trice upgraded since 2007 still runs (although the computer now has 8GB of RAM instead of 4GB, and an SSD instead of a normal hard drive).

Since Vista, I never have any more maintentance on most computers than running CCleaner once a month and an upgrade round of applications and drivers every half a year to a year; if necessary or wanted, that is.

===

The problem is this:

- Everybody who uses Windows thinks they *KNOW* Windows, even well enough to do Administrator tasks; but they don't, thus they do it wrong and stuff starts crapping out.

- Everybody who uses Linux KNOWS how t use it, so the (mostly) do it right, and it never craps out.

- On the Mac, it's even easier. They don't offer you enough choice (regarding OS or hardware setup) to create your own problems because of stupidity or ignorance. You do it Apple's way (even down to the hardware choices) or you don't play. If you think a 21,5 inch iMac is tiny and a 27 inch is a monster: tough luck. Go away, Apple says. We don't support anything else.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "support demands"? I use nothing but Windows and have never had any support demands (although I am an IT professional). Do you mean that less knowledgeable users have support issues with it?

No, I mean you have to worry about anti-virus and anti-malware software (updating and upkeep) and issues with the Registry (cleaning out the cruft, etc). And there's also issues with upgrading all the applications (Flash, Java, Adobe, etc.) -- all done with one command in Linux Mint. My father used Windows until a few years ago. It was a pain to support him (I'm 600 miles away) -- when he moved to Linux Mint those issues went away.

[dickloraine]

Don't know, but on my windows system all this programs have automatic updaters. They ask you sometimes if you want to upgrade. You click yes and are done.
But please not the whole deabte all over again. You don't want to show AnathorCat that he/she was right, wouldn't you?

Originally Posted by HarryT

Can you elaborate on what you mean by "support demands"? I use nothing but Windows and have never had any support demands (although I am an IT professional). Do you mean that less knowledgeable users have support issues with it?

A lot of those support demands are created by how Linux users end up using Windows, which makes Windows seem more problematic than it actually is.

One thing that makes Windows look bad from the perspective of a Linux user who dual boots is the system update process. It hijacks the machine and starts a reboot cycle that is tricky to get out of until it is completed. This is not a problem for most Windows users because it happens when they shutdown or when they choose to reboot. Unfortunately the Windows system update process typically starts when a Linux user tries to switch from Windows to Linux in order to get something done, then resumes when they try to boot back into Windows to get something done.

Another issue is software updates. In Linux, this typically managed by the distribution and happens in the background. If scheduled, Linux users will never even notice the update process. If handled manually, Linux users choose when to perform the update rather than having software prompt them when they are trying to get work done. If that Linux user is dual booting, they will be particularly prone to noticing that issue since their Windows software is performing update checks less frequently. As such, those dual booting Linux users will see the update prompts much more frequently (relative to the number of times they start the software).

Yet another issue is that many Linux users come from older versions of Windows and are typically comparing it to newer versions of Linux. Microsoft did a great job of addressing Windows' issues during the XP era and with the release of Vista. Unfortunately, many Linux users aren't aware of those issues since they came from XP, early versions of XP, or even versions of Windows prior.

I do believe that most Linux systems present fewer support demands because of how Linux is designed. On the other hand, I can't help but admit that many Linux users make Windows sound worse than it is because their often limited interaction with the OS will consolidate a lot of infrequent Windows annoyances into one session.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by dickloraine

But please not the whole deabte all over again. You don't want to show AnathorCat that he/she was right, wouldn't you?

Oh, I'm not going to. I just kind of resented the "fringe dweller" insinuation in the one post I responded to.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by murg

But clearly, if Linux actually is so much better than Windows, there should be a whole plethora of threads on the subject.

Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn't -- either way, it has nothing to do with the number of threads. The popularity of the OS is what will determine how often it is spoken of.
(And popularity need not have anything to do with quality, as the world has long attested.)

The general takeover of any Windows thread by the Linux people really shows how doubtful and uncertain they are about their choice of operating system, with the takeover being a rash attempt at boosting their self-esteem and the clawing back some of their confidence.

That is an interesting theory. The problem is that it is well known that linux people have drank the kool-aid and truly do not believe there is anything wrong with linux. Instead we proselytize out of a sincere desire to help others.

Or as rcentros said.

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by murg

But clearly, if Linux actually is so much better than Windows, there should be a whole plethora of threads on the subject.

The general takeover of any Windows thread by the Linux people really shows how doubtful and uncertain they are about their choice of operating system, with the takeover being a rash attempt at boosting their self-esteem and the clawing back some of their confidence.

I'm thinking there really are only about 15-20 Linux users in the world and they get tired of talking to each other so they hijack windows threads so they have some new people to talk too.

Cmon people, this just isn't a current Windows thread or windows is better than your Linux thread or my toaster runs on Linux and I can haz awesome toast so I'm a master Linux user if anything it's a windows 10 thread. If you want a Linux thread make one. I tend to think though it wouldn't get past one page because because all the people that use Linux are too busy hijacking the windows threads.

Just sayin.

[Glorfindel]

Originally Posted by Dulin's Books

if you are using the developer preview/insider program Windows 10 it will be a free upgrade to the RTM version, for consumers, as long as you do the upgrade within the first year. there will be costs involved for enterprise licensees.

Yup, you can also keep testing new stuff as it is released.

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

I tend to think though it wouldn't get past one page because because all the people that use Linux are too busy hijacking the windows threads.

This is a discussion forum. People want to discuss things and the conversation will drift if there is nothing new to say about the original topic. If you are unhappy with the direction of the conversation, then the best thing to do is contribute something new that will engage people in the original discussion. Otherwise people will continue talking about whatever was being talked about, which appears to be how Linux has hijacked this thread ... and that is a wee bit ironic because it involves continuing to talk about Linux.

[Glorfindel]

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

I'm thinking there really are only about 15-20 Linux users in the world and they get tired of talking to each other so they hijack windows threads so they have some new people to talk too.
Cmon people, this just isn't a current Windows thread or windows is better than your Linux thread or my toaster runs on Linux and I can haz awesome toast so I'm a master Linux user if anything it's a windows 10 thread. If you want a Linux thread make one. I tend to think though it wouldn't get past one page because because all the people that use Linux are too busy hijacking the windows threads.
Just sayin.

Actually, there is a linux support thread... going on 19 pages

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

I'm thinking there really are only about 15-20 Linux users in the world and they get tired of talking to each other so they hijack windows threads so they have some new people to talk too.

Cmon people, this just isn't a current Windows thread or windows is better than your Linux thread or my toaster runs on Linux and I can haz awesome toast so I'm a master Linux user if anything it's a windows 10 thread. If you want a Linux thread make one. I tend to think though it wouldn't get past one page because because all the people that use Linux are too busy hijacking the windows threads.

Just sayin.

I suggest you distract us all by saying something "on topic", then.

Interestingly, it appears that the current discussion all started when you were having problems mounting a CD due to Windows driver issues?
And then someone made a disparaging comment about linux having no potential.

And then a whole lot of people responded back. It is amazing how many Windows users are positively curious to know whether Android users are linux users.


Aside -- what is this about toasters? Just because one Windows user tried to compare Android to a toaster, does not mean anyone else should or did fall prey to the same folly. I am pretty sure we are ALL agreed that toasters don't matter.

So why does everyone keep on arguing about it anyway? Who are you all arguing with?

[Jack Torrance]

Originally Posted by BWinmill

This is a discussion forum. People want to discuss things and the conversation will drift if there is nothing new to say about the original topic. If you are unhappy with the direction of the conversation, then the best thing to do is contribute something new that will engage people in the original discussion. Otherwise people will continue talking about whatever was being talked about, which appears to be how Linux has hijacked this thread ... and that is a wee bit ironic because it involves continuing to talk about Linux.

Originally Posted by eschwartz

I suggest you distract us all by saying something "on topic", then.

Interestingly, it appears that the current discussion all started when you were having problems mounting a CD due to Windows driver issues?
And then someone made a disparaging comment about linux having no potential.

And then a whole lot of people responded back. It is amazing how many Windows users are positively curious to know whether Android users are linux users.


Aside -- what is this about toasters? Just because one Windows user tried to compare Android to a toaster, does not mean anyone else should or did fall prey to the same folly. I am pretty sure we are ALL agreed that toasters don't matter.

So why does everyone keep on arguing about it anyway? Who are you all arguing with?

I'm thinking a sense of humour is lacking in a few posters.

Originally Posted by Glorfindel

Actually, there is a linux support thread... going on 19 pages

They are a chatty bunch uh?

[AnotherCat]

I said

Originally Posted by AnotherCat

...For reasons I cannot understand they seem to flock to Windows threads and take over; that even though they represent less than 5% of the PC user population . Much like politics really, the 5% representing fringe political persuasions shout the most and so the remaining 95% of us, for whom life is progressing swimmingly or who are not inclined to make idiots of ourselves, don't get heard .

You said in a Windows headed thread

Originally Posted by rcentros

Oh, give me a break. Nothing like hyperventilating psychobabble in an attempt to make an anti-Linux "point." I've used Linux exclusively for about seven years now...

Thanks for proving my point.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by Jack Torrance

I'm thinking a sense of humour is lacking in a few posters.

I tend to have a very good sense of humor, actually.
But occasionally I resort to being serious, when faced with someone who isn't very good at being funny.

One good metric for "funny": If you can't be funny without insulting other people, it *might* not be all that funny, actually. Feel free to laugh at your own wit.

I'll join in once you come up with a good joke.

[AnotherCat]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

I tend to have a very good sense of humor, actually. ...

Given widespread opinion on the matter of humour, outside of the forum, it would be a very great surprise if you did not .