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

[kacir]

Originally Posted by Katsunami

I have been thinking about going dual boot for my next computer.

256 GB SSD running Windows 10, for games and the CD-ripping software (and any stuff for which I need Windows, often only temporarily), and one 128 or even 64GB SSD running Debian Linux, built from a netinstall for daily usage.

I have purchased this notebook three years ago with Windows 8. After two weeks I have updated it to Mint Linux. I wanted to have Windows as a dual boot or a virtual machine. I have paid for it, after all. I did not have a choice [of not purchasing the OEM windows] when I wanted THE best Black Friday deal for a notebook with processor better than Core i3.
The problem was:
- I strongly disliked Windows 8, so I had no motivation to piss against the wind to install it. I am also very fortunate that all software I need to use at home has Linux equivalent available.
- I did not get installation media with the notebook, just a recovery partition. Do not get me started on the topic of providing only recovery partition, without even means of backing it up in many cases
- The serial number for Windows for this notebook isn't on a sticker on the underside, but burnt in the BIOS
- at the time Windows 8 demanded an UEFI and I needed to switch to the legacy BIOS for installing of Mint Linux. So using separate partitions for dual boot would be a major PITA.

So, I have finally taken a plunge now that Windows 10 can be installed with a valid serial number from older version on a clean machine without updating previous installation

I have installed Oracle Virtual Box for Linux, set up a machine with 32GB virtual disk, 2 processor cores and 4GB RAM assigned to it. The computer has 12GB ram (updated since I purchased it) and a large SSD disk.
I have downloaded an installation ISO for 64bit Windows 10 and pulled windows serial from BIOS. (*)
The installation in the Virtual Box took about 15 minutes [using installation image on the SSD]. The activation was performed seamlessly - no questions asked, I just used my Windows 8 serial number.
After installation I activated the Virtual Box additions - a virtual CD with drivers for Virtual Box stuff, such as graphics. With this the resolution for Windows is changed when you resize the window with Virtual Box. Everything is recognized and works seamlessly.
The Windows 10 inside Virtual Box is very smooth with quick responses and boots in about 7 seconds. Even things like 3D modeling in Google Sketchup are smooth and seamless. This is thanks to an SSD, and visualization support in modern processors. I have an older generation of Intel core i7 processor with 4 hyperthreading cores and enough RAM, so I can run browser with several hundred tabs open and Calibre with large library and other resource-hungry programs alongside the Virtual Box with Windows 10 running light tasks - I do not plan to use it for anything substantial at the moment.

I hope that there will be an update that lets us to change the color and decoration of active and in-active windows.

(*) - getting the serial from Bios is much easier than I thought, just have a look at the contents of the [virtual] file /sys/firmware/acpi/tables/MSDM . The serial number is there as a string, easily recognizable.

[Freeshadow]

Do not get me started on the topic of providing only recovery partition, without even means of backing it up in many cases

^that

[frahse]

You guys talking about machine code reminds this programmer from the old days of a Dilbert Joke.

I may have the names reversed.

Dilbert said "well, I wrote my first data base program using only Ones and Zeroes."
Wally said "that's nothing. I had to do it using only Zeroes."

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By the way what do we do now to upgrade to Windows 10? Do you have to pay money?

[davidfor]

Originally Posted by frahse

You guys talking about machine code reminds this programmer from the old days of a Dilbert Joke.

I may have the names reversed.

Dilbert said "well, I wrote my first data base program using only Ones and Zeroes."
Wally said "that's nothing. I had to do it using only Zeroes."

Looks like it could be this one: http://dilbert.com/strip/1992-09-08

I've done the first frame and then had to explain what a "mainframe" was, but, I've never tried the others. I think I now have a new years resolution!

[frahse]

Originally Posted by davidfor

Looks like it could be this one: http://dilbert.com/strip/1992-09-08

I've done the first frame and then had to explain what a "mainframe" was, but, I've never tried the others. I think I now have a new years resolution!

That was a good one!

There are many "war stories" for those harsh cold nights when the winds howl, and old programmers gather around a warm hearth and reminisce and try to tell the most harrowing tale.

I remember an old war horse. A 19 bit French machine. ("T1000 à mots de 19 bits.) A T2000 had 20 bits.

A "White Walker" from George RR Martin might ride one of those beasts with the sheet metal torn off and the bones of the racks showing through.

[Greg Anos]

The latest on Win 10.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonke...rets-revealed/

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by Ralph Sir Edward

The latest on Win 10.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonke...rets-revealed/

So Win10 collects data. Big deal. We already knew it collects data. Don't like it, don't use it. It is a big selling point and essential that it collects data - otherwise you won't be able to start writing an email on one device to finish on another.

I like my new Win10 machine. For browsing I let Google collect some of my data as well by using Chrome/Google instead of Edge/Bing.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

So Win10 collects data. Big deal. We already knew it collects data. Don't like it, don't use it. It is a big selling point and essential that it collects data - otherwise you won't be able to start writing an email on one device to finish on another.

Did you read the article? It agrees with you, with the one difference that it thinks MS needs to be more transparent about what exactly the "it" is so we can make an informed decision about if we like "it" and want to use "it" especially considering how hard they try to shove "it" down our throats.
I agree.
Google is a web service running in thier own house and I had to seek them out to use their services. I feel pretty clear that they obviously track what happens in their house. Not so for the os that downloaded itself into my house.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

So Win10 collects data. Big deal. We already knew it collects data. Don't like it, don't use it. It is a big selling point and essential that it collects data - otherwise you won't be able to start writing an email on one device to finish on another.

I like my new Win10 machine. For browsing I let Google collect some of my data as well by using Chrome/Google instead of Edge/Bing.

Yep. They all do it these days. Information is the currency of the 21st century.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

So Win10 collects data. Big deal. We already knew it collects data. Don't like it, don't use it. It is a big selling point and essential that it collects data - otherwise you won't be able to start writing an email on one device to finish on another.

Um, actually, starting an email on one computer and finishing it on another does not require your OS to collect any data at all, or even to know that you have an email address.

I do it routinely on linux, which doesn't collect any data about me.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by kennyc

Yep. They all do it these days. Information is the currency of the 21st century.

20th century currency is also currency, and taking it without informed consent is a crime.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Um, actually, starting an email on one computer and finishing it on another does not require your OS to collect any data at all, or even to know that you have an email address.

I do it routinely on linux, which doesn't collect any data about me.

Unless you built a personal cloud system for the purpose, I think the point was that the email draft is in someone's server, so they clearly have possession of that data and some way to know it's yours.

Though I disagree that that rather tautological fact is comparable to what the article is describing.

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by ApK

Unless you built a personal cloud system for the purpose, I think the point was that the email draft is in someone's server, so they clearly have possession of that data and some way to know it's yours.

Thought I disagree that that rather tautological fact is comparable to what the article is describing.

I didn't really have much time when I fired off that point, so I will expand on it.

I think the fundamental difference is that an email client is downloaded and installed for the express purpose of processing user data, and relaying it through e.g. the Gmail servers.

Duckie seems to be indicating that email is a proof of justification for collecting user data, as a reward for processing it.

The latter is what Win10 is doing, and it certainly isn't a necessary addon to the former -- as evidenced by the fact that even Google doesn't do it! (They MUST serve as a relay, but not being suicidal they have an actual privacy policy worth mentioning the existence of. Which is important when you are specifically handling peoples' private emails.)


Now, at least the Win10 <--> Google Search comparison was realistic enough that I could read it without actually falling off my chair laughing.

But I don't really think they are in the same position, since getting away from Win10 is nontrivial (many people are scared of tech and most of the rest still can't boot from a USB if their life depends on it), and it is difficult to get a computer with something else. (Windows 7 is going to become increasingly hard to get. Mac is a relative fortune, Chromebooks lack functionality, both have limited availability, and MS-vendor deals have effectively locked out most of the market from attempting to compete with them, unless you happen to be Apple or Google.)

tl;dr
People concerned about Windows 10 privacy are NOT driveling idiots for caring.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by eschwartz

tl;dr
People concerned about Windows 10 privacy are NOT driveling idiots for caring.

Ah. We're agreeing again. I like when that happens.

[leebase]

Anonymized data collection doesn't bother me