Windows 10?

[Rick Danger]

If you search on the topic of "Linux vs. Windows 10" you will see articles from late 2014 until the middle of 2015 predicting that Windows 10 would spell the END of Linux.

Now, not so much. Kinda makes you go "Hummmmmm?"

I wouldn't go as far as predicting that Linux spells the END of Windows 10. But certainly the bloom is off the rose. The next steps that Microsoft makes are critical to whether the Windows brand will blossom again.

That's of course assuming that Redmond really gives a damn!

8 Reasons to Switch from Windows 10 to Linux
Derrik Diener 9th Jan 2016

Windows 10 has been out in the wild for a while now. For the most part, people have been really liking it. It’s probably the most streamlined version of Microsoft’s operating system to date. Still, some people aren’t happy with the upgrade and are looking at alternatives.

Introducing Linux: it’s a free and open source platform which many operating systems are built upon. If you’re looking to move from Windows to an alternative, here are eight compelling reasons why you should leave Microsoft for a more free and open source operating system.

1. Free operating systems for life
All Linux-based operating systems (for the most part) are completely free. You won’t find yourself driving to a Best Buy to buy your copy of Fedora Linux. All that is required is a USB flash drive, an Internet connection and the know-how to get it installed.

There are hardly any operating systems based on the Linux kernel out there that cost money. Sure, some do cost a fee to get them going, but those are enterprise Linux distributions. When it comes to desktop Linux, the price is a modest $0. This is perfect for those who can’t spare the $199 cost to get a full-featured copy of Windows from a big box store.

2. Free programs
More free stuff. Sounds good, right? If you were to install Ubuntu Linux on your laptop, you’d have access to tons of software totally free of charge. You see, Ubuntu operates on the notion that software should be free. Sure, if you look hard enough, you can probably find some programs that cost money, but paid software is largely a minority on the Linux platform.

Yes, there are free programs on Windows too, but most of them are not first-class programs. For example: since Adobe will probably never port Photoshop over to Linux, we have Gimp. Gimp is a huge software project filled with lots of contributors dedicated to making a viable photo editor for the Linux platform (and they also have a Windows version).

3. Better security
One of Linux’s huge strengths is how seriously security is taken. When you install software it is impossible for you to do so without knowingly entering your password. What’s even better is that when you install a Linux distribution, all the software you will ever need is inside servers that are maintained by the developers of the operating system itself. They go through each and every package and verify that it isn’t malicious and even sign them. This removes the ability for malicious software to install itself (like on Windows).

4. It’ll run on anything, including aging hardware
You’d be hard-pressed to find a copy of Microsoft’s latest operating system that can run on something as little as 128 megabytes of RAM. As for Linux, this is totally possible. If you have an aging computer that isn’t compatible with Windows 10, don’t worry! There are Linux projects out there that specifically focus on old hardware. For example: Lubuntu can run on very little RAM yet allows its users to enjoy a modern, clean operating system.

5. No walled gardens
When you use a Linux distribution as your main operating system, you’re not expected to have a Microsoft account, a copy of Office 365, Xbox Live, a Skype account and a One Drive account. You’re not forced to participate in an ecosystem that you may not agree with, and Linux isn’t filled to the brim with one company’s “vision.” Instead, you get to choose your own. Who can argue with that?

6. Your privacy is taken seriously
In Windows 10 your privacy is mostly disregarded. A lot of aspects to Windows 10 are less than privacy-friendly. When you use Microsoft’s new operating system, you are telling them that it is okay for them to collect data on you. They harvest information on your device’s location, your calendar data, emails and texts, contact info, and the list goes on. If you’re interested in reading the full write-up on how Microsoft handles your privacy, Christopher Harper has written an article about it here.

If you value your privacy, avoiding Windows 10 is a must. Most, if not all, Linux distributions take your privacy very seriously. You won’t find a bubbly talking assistant on your Linux desktop collecting data and information on you for financial gain. What’s even more important is that if a Linux distribution is found to disregard your privacy, it will be quickly called out by the large community of Linux developers and fixed quickly.

7. Open source
Most, if not all, Linux distributions are made in part by open source technologies. A vanilla installation of your favorite Linux-based operating system likely won’t contain any closed-code programs. This makes it easier to give away the operating system for free, but it also means that modification of the operating system is legally allowed. This means that if you want, you can freely modify your operating system until your heart is content.

If you’re really good at programming, you can even join up with your favorite Linux distribution and contribute to it. All of the code used is open and publicly available for everyone to see, and anything is possible.

8. Customization
Have you ever wanted to change the icons or the way the folders look in Windows? What about the overall way the task bar looks? Maybe you just want to try out a new desktop entirely. On Microsoft’s operating system, this isn’t entirely possible. You’re stuck with the Windows 10 look, and there’s just no getting around that.

On Linux distributions this is not the case at all. You can take apart your operating system, and replace the icons, the desktop theme and nearly anything else you can think of. By doing this it’s possible to take Linux and make it truly unique. The same can’t be said for Windows 10.

Conclusion
Every year the reasons to switch to Linux increase. There’s no doubt that the Linux platform has matured past being an “operating system for hackers” to being something that everyone can enjoy. Hopefully this list will help those unsure of abandoning Windows 10 for a better platform that respects freedom of choice, privacy and software freedom.

https://www.maketecheasier.com/switc...s-10-to-linux/

[Rick Danger]

While Microsoft is busy running "The Bug Chicks" commercial with a pair of women using Cortana because they are too lazy to type a search string into Google - ahh, sorry, BING, our friends in Cupertino have enlisted Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant to show how Siri can interface with other apps and a TV to deliver a new television viewing experience.

Microsoft has figured out how to interface their voice app, their browser, and their search engine. Whuppee-damn-do! Apple has figured how to marry their voice app with third party apps and a TV to stretch the envelope onto an entirely different platform.

I leave it up to you to judge which is the more impressive accomplishment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CxQW3bzIss

[sparky10]

' Thank you ' to all who responded to my post about using Windows 10 stand alone
http://vintage-erotica-forum.com/sho...postcount=1071

The Pro not Home version would be used. However unless there is an easily applied registry or policy ' hack ' as described it will be unusable.

Customers even if capable will not tolerate applying updates. First there is the time and hassle, second there is the risk from changes to the system and third they maybe running a long term test that can not be disrupted.

Looking ahead systems cease to constantly used any more but are needed from time to time. This could be 20 years ahead. Right now while diminishing I still have support NT systems from the last century and expect to be still supporting 2000 and XP systems in 10 years time.
The idea of not being able to log in until a heap of updates have installed would not be tolerated. Would / could the system still connect to the internet as we know it as potentially the equivalent of trying to use dial-up now. ( Does any ISP still offer dial-up ?). Even if it did the only way to be sure the functionality has not been changed by the updates would be a full validation. While supposedly by name Windows 10 will never be replaced the update could effectively be as big a change as an ' upgrade ' from 7 to 10.

Dell currently will still supply Win 7 Pro pre-installed. Even if they can not so long as the hardware has Win 7 support we can work around that. It is not that long ago I put XP on a couple of new Dell i3 desktops. The main issue was no XP support for the Haswell graphics beyond 1024 x 768, or was it 800x 600, so I just put in a very basic £20 card.

Clearly Windows 10 seems not to be the way forward.

[9876543210]

sparky10,

Does any ISP still offer dial-up ?

Yes, dial up is still available almost nationwide although its highest use is in rural areas where cable and DSL are still not available. Satellite is making inroads into rural markets but its pretty expensive so lots of people can't afford it. And, to use satellite, you still have to have a landline connected to your computer. Also, in some cases wireless is also gaining ground but speeds and bandwidth can be real problems.

[trailmaster]

I have read many of the posts in this thread, and it seems that the members are divided as to whether they like Windows 10, or hate Windows 10. I would like to know from the computers experts that make posts on this thread, is Windows 10 ok for a computer user like me who only uses the computer for a few things like: E-mail, surfing the web, buying things on-line, and doing my banking using the computer? Thank you.

[pigulici]

I don't think I am a ''expert'' (who decide this, on what criteria?), but I work on a pc repairshop, so, you must decide for yourself, from legal point of view you have the choice between Win 10 and linux, even you choose win 7/8, at some point you have to stay without updates or be forced to go with win 10; as it is now, I think win 10 it is almost mature, so good to be used daily, as security point of view, I have never trusted windows, I always have my laptop/pc in dual boot windows with linux (now windows 10 +linux mageia 5, before was win 7 + linux mageia 4), all the sensitive part (like the one with money: buy stuff online, pay bills, check banking online) I do in linux, the rest(surf, email, games...) on windows(I have to use Photoshop and have few big games that work ok only in windows), so hard to decide in your place, also I don't do sensitive stuff from my smartphone(android) too...

[beutelwolf]

Originally Posted by trailmaster

I have read many of the posts in this thread, and it seems that the members are divided as to whether they like Windows 10, or hate Windows 10. I would like to know from the computers experts that make posts on this thread, is Windows 10 ok for a computer user like me who only uses the computer for a few things like: E-mail, surfing the web, buying things on-line, and doing my banking using the computer? Thank you.

Well, I teach Computer Science at Uni...

None of these really make W10 a nono, but none of them really make it a good idea either. For that list of criteria a ChromeBook is probably a good choice, and usually a fairly cheap one too.

Of the things you list I'd be most concerned about is banking, because Windows is probably the least secure of the OSs on offer.

[Rick Danger]

Originally Posted by Trailmaster

I have read many of the posts in this thread, and it seems that the members are divided as to whether they like Windows 10, or hate Windows 10. I would like to know from the computers experts that make posts on this thread, is Windows 10 ok for a computer user like me who only uses the computer for a few things like: E-mail, surfing the web, buying things on-line, and doing my banking using the computer? Thank you.

I'm no expert either. But I used to teach college too!

I think I've made my case why I'm not in favor of Windows 10. I was ready to go with the free update on July 31st of last year. That is before I started reading this thread. Way back on June 13, 2015, Mister A435843 very generously posted a copy of the Windows 10 Primer (hence deleted). After reviewing that publication, I decided I would not go ahead.

I have to say nothing feature-wise has made me regret that decision. And Microsoft's shenanigans since it's release have absolutely reinforced this view.

I have to agree with Mister Beutelwolf. For what you propose to do, I'd avoid Windows 10 and all it's associated nonsense. Especially if you are looking to upgrade an existing computer that is more than two (2) years old. From everything I've read, trying to apply a Windows 10 update to an older machine is a real crap shoot. At best it won't apply. At worst you will be left with a crashed machine that you cannot roll back. If you are in the market for a new computer, a Chrome Book or an Android tablet would indeed be a cheaper alternative.

I also agree that the Windows platform has the most inherent security weaknesses. Not just the OS, but browsers, plug-ins (like Adobe Flash), and other applications. Smartphones running Android are not that great either. To be blunt, I don't use online banking, and limit online shopping to debit cards that are walled off from my bank account. We've all seen cases of large retailers and credit card servicing companies who were hacked and went weeks before they detected the breach. And while big banks love running ads about their security capabilities, they would have a vested interest in NOT letting regulators or consumers know they've been compromised, if they can avoid it.

[9876543210]

trailmaster,

Originally Posted by trailmaster

I have read many of the posts in this thread, and it seems that the members are divided as to whether they like Windows 10, or hate Windows 10. I would like to know from the computers experts that make posts on this thread, is Windows 10 ok for a computer user like me who only uses the computer for a few things like: E-mail, surfing the web, buying things on-line, and doing my banking using the computer? Thank you.

Good to see you've started doing a bit of research on Win 10.

As to your question. I think it really boils down to how much you value your privacy. If thats something you really don't give much thought to then Win 10 should work just fine (depending on how old your machine is).

But if you value your privacy then Win 10 is an abomination and should be avoided. Just FYI.

I BETA tested Win 10 for several months last year, tried to keep in contact with MS about problems I ran into and finally got rid of it. Never heard back from MS and I was absolutely flummoxed when they decided to release Win 10 to the general public last July (when it was nowhere near ready for the average user).

This week I have a relatively easy week so last night, being kind of bored, I remembered I had Win 10 on a small 60 GB SSD so I swapped drives in order to see what, if anything, had changed.

The most important problem was that Win 10 would not activate without either a $200 purchase or reinstalling Win 7 and then reinstalling Win 10 (may or may not work).

I was surprised about the amount of ads Win 10 has (one ad every couple of minutes). Some MS apps do not appear to be able to be deleted (OneNote and Cortana?) as well as several others. And maybe most annoying, MS now wants everyone to register to download and use the idiot Solitaire games we've used for years. Yeah, good luck with that, I'm not doing that.

So, I know you're considering an Apple machine but I'd recommend looking into Linux prior to spending the money on an Apple. Look into Linux Mint (Cinnamon) or the Ubuntu derivatives (they're all free to use and are pretty similar to Win (especially Mint).

Good luck!

[Rick Danger]

Originally Posted by 9876543210

The most important problem was that Win 10 would not activate without either a $200 purchase or reinstalling Win 7 and then reinstalling Win 10 (may or may not work).

Fascinating......please elaborate!

I was surprised about the amount of ads Win 10 has (one ad every couple of minutes).

If you actually never really used this Windows 10 machine, except for testing, I would be interested to know what the content of the advertising is. By the way, I HATE ADS! You've supplied yet another reason to resist changing to Windows 10. If I want ads I can turn on my TV. I don't want a lot of junk chewing up memory and processor overhead on MY computers!

Back to Mr. Trailmaster's question. As Mr. A435843 has pointed out, both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 have a few years of support from Microsoft remaining. Sort of. Recently Microsoft announced that they would drop support of Windows on machines running the Intel "Westlake" processors in 2017, except for Windows 10 (of course!). To many of us this is an outrageous breach of a protocol that Microsoft has maintained for thirty two (32) years. Who is to say that Redmond won't invent another excuse to chip away at their own published support schedule in order to continue forcing Windows 10 down our throats?

Secondly, as A435843 pointed out, data mining is one of the major criticisms of Windows 10. And apparently the data collection routines cannot be defeated by known means. Even if I trust Microsoft is using this data for legitimate purposes, if I am a savvy hacker I'm probably hard at work on developing malware to allow me to divert some or all of these streams to a collection point of my choosing.

This week I have a relatively easy week so last night, being kind of bored, I remembered I had Win 10 on a small 60 GB SSD so I swapped drives in order to see what, if anything, had changed.

Bored? Time for a good scotch or bourbon!