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

[Lightner, Jeff]

If 8 is as bad as you say it will be replaced by 9 quickly like Vista was replaced by 7 after the screaming got loud enough.

However, since people are STILL running XP in many places but migrating to 7 I doubt M$ will be forcing folks to upgrade to 8 as quickly as you imply.





-----Original Message-----
From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On Behalf Of Ron Frazier (ALE)
Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2012 4:58 PM
To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts
Subject: [ale] OT if you must use windows, upgrade to windows 7, not 8, within a year

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 messages prior to 03/31/12 with my personal address will go to the wrong address.  Please send all personal correspondence to the new address.)

(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to call on the phone.  I get about 300 emails per day from alternate energy mailing lists and such.  I don't always see new email messages very quickly.)

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

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