[ale] OT if you must use windows, upgrade to windows 7, not 8, within a year

[Ron Frazier (ALE)]

Hi guys,

Forgive me for mentioning the "W" word.  I'm posting this for the 
benefit of those of you who must use windows for whatever reason.  You 
want to think about upgrading to windows 7, not 8, within a year.  I use 
both windows and linux for different purposes and at different times.  I 
don't think I've posted this here before.

According to what I've read,. Microsoft has totally gutted the user 
interface of Windows with the introduction of Windows 8 and what used to 
be called the metro interface.  They're trying to make one interface for 
tablets, phones, and pc's with large screens, which has a whole bunch of 
large pretty icons designed to be touched with your finger, and which 
don't work well with a keyboard and mouse, which seems like an 
incredibly stupid idea to me.  (What does that remind me of, oh yes, 
Unity.)  I have read a number of accounts relating to the lack of 
usability of the new interface, and many people hate it with a passion, 
saying it is essentially unusable on a PC, or it's much harder to be 
productive on it.  I personally don't intend to even try it.  I think 
it's a tremendous step backwards.  If you have PC's that you personally 
own or maintain and are not company maintained, you may wish to consider 
upgrading to Windows 7 in the near future.

Even though Vista will continue to be supported with security patches 
for some time, Windows 7 will stop being sold 1 year after Windows 8 
goes on sale.  Windows 8 is about to be released, so it will probably be 
impossible to buy Windows 7 after about October 2013.  At that point, 
your only alternative to upgrade a Windows Vista or XP machine will be 
to install Windows 8, which the users will probably hate, or Windows 9 
or whatever they're up to at the time.  I believe Windows XP support 
ends in 2013.  I have a chart somewhere on the lifecycle dates for each 
Windows system, but I don't have it handy at the moment.

As you know, it is critical to have an OS on the PC which is getting 
routine security updates.  It is preferable to have one that is familiar 
and easy to use.  Therefore, if you must use Windows, I recommend 
acquiring a copy of Windows 7 OEM from NewEgg or Tiger Direct or Frys 
within the next year and installing it on any non company PC's.  These 
run about $ 100 each.  I would recommend making a full backup of the 
hard drive first.  You want the full Windows install disc, not the 
upgrade disc.  This makes it much easier to reinstall if there is a 
system crash.

I haven't totally decided what to do yet, or when, but will probably 
upgrade most or all of my PC's.

Here are some links to look at regarding the "new" Windows interface.

https://www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&site=&source=hp&q=hate+windows+8&btnG=Search 


http://www.pcworld.com/article/261567/windows_8_hate_it_already_why_waiting_for_windows_9_wont_help.html 


http://www.pcworld.com/article/251282/windows_8s_metro_ui_7_things_you_may_just_hate.html 


etc.  etc.

I hope this info is helpful to you.  I haven't totally figured out what 
I'll do yet.  I may just have to break down and buy several copies of 
Windows 7 OEM --- or just switch to Linux.

Sincerely,

Ron


-- 

(To whom it may concern.  My email address has changed.  Replying to former
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address.  Please send all personal correspondence to the new address.)

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Ron Frazier
770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
linuxdude AT techstarship.com