Windows 10?

[Henning]

For the average user, I would avoid the free upgrade. I have nothing against Windows 10 (been using it for 6 months), it will be a good product. But, historically, upgrading the OS has never been a good thing. Most of the bad stories you've heard about *ANY* Windows upgrade came from idiots that did an over-install on an old PC.

If your Win7 machine is running well, just stick to Win7. Win10 has little, if any, advantage. If your Win7 machine is a bit jiggy, doing the upgrade is likely to just transfer those problems to the new environment. You'll be operating under an ongoing question mark.

If you *MUST* upgrade, consider backing up all your data and settings, and doing a full clean install of Windows 10. It's extra work, but you'll have a lean/clean machine.

The safest way to go to Windows 10 is to get it on your next new computer.

PS. Win9 was skipped because there was a bunch of potential problems with programming code that referenced Windows9 (from Windows 95/98 days). The problems were not so much with Microsoft products, but a ton of 3rd party software that may be affected.

When I bought my current VIAO, it was already advertising the upgrade to 10 and that it would be free. My hardware doesn't typically last more than one major OS cycle, and I always buy the most machine available so typically a single generation upgrade doesn't cause me an issue since I am always still well above the minimum spec. Typically it's when you go for the third generation upgrade you run into problems.

 

[FORANE]

ps: has anyone figured out how to make that little windows icon go away? The one encouraging us to go ahead and purchase 10? I don't want to stare at it for the next 5 years.

Not sure if this was answered or not yet.
http://lifehacker.com/how-to-hide-t...m_campaign=Feed:+lifehacker/full+(Lifehacker)

 

[midlifeflyer]

The laptop I installed the Win10 technical preview on ran XP. I have found no hint of my old laptop not playing nice with the new OS.

In the process of trying it on a dead XP laptop.

 

[midlifeflyer]

3) One unfortunate complication is the myriad versions of Windows 10 - eight or thereabouts, I think. Confusing the end consumer with too many choices is generally not good.

I think there are to be 6 Windows 10 flavors, only 3 of which are for end consumers, and not too confusing - Home, Pro, and Mobile.

Mobile is, I hope obvious.

The difference between Home and Pro is easy. Pro is primarily for multi-computer business environments. Beyond that, if there are specific in Pro you want, you are not the typical end consumer and pretty much know the differences.

The other three are enterprise and educational editions.

 

[FastEddieB]

I think there are to be 6 Windows 10 flavors, only 3 of which are for end consumers, and not too confusing - Home, Pro, and Mobile.

Mobile is, I hope obvious.

The difference between Home and Pro is easy. Pro is primarily for multi-computer business environments. Beyond that, if there are specific in Pro you want, you are not the typical end consumer and pretty much know the differences.

The other three are enterprise and educational editions.

I stand (sort of) corrected.

I was just slightly misremembering a discussion on This Week In Tech, where they were opining on the allegedly confusing surfeit of versions.

I'm not in the Windows world at all, so I don't know what's deemed a normal number of versions. Seems simpler in the Apple world, where there's a single Mac OS (Yosemite) and a single mobile version (iOS 8), and both are currently free.

But different strokes, and as a Microsoft shareholder I wish them nothing but success!

 

[Henning]

I stand (sort of) corrected.

I was just slightly misremembering a discussion on This Week In Tech, where they were opining on the allegedly confusing surfeit of versions.

I'm not in the Windows world at all, so I don't know what's deemed a normal number of versions. Seems simpler in the Apple world, where there's a single Mac OS (Yosemite) and a single mobile version (iOS 8), and both are currently free.

But different strokes, and as a Microsoft shareholder I wish them nothing but success!

A single Mac? I just did an upgrade on one and there were multiple choices of what to buy since 7.5 IIRC. I couldn't use the latest because the hardware wouldn't support it.

 

[redtail]

For the average user, I would avoid the free upgrade. I have nothing against Windows 10 (been using it for 6 months), it will be a good product. But, historically, upgrading the OS has never been a good thing. Most of the bad stories you've heard about *ANY* Windows upgrade came from idiots that did an over-install on an old PC.

If your Win7 machine is running well, just stick to Win7. Win10 has little, if any, advantage. If your Win7 machine is a bit jiggy, doing the upgrade is likely to just transfer those problems to the new environment. You'll be operating under an ongoing question mark.

If you *MUST* upgrade, consider backing up all your data and settings, and doing a full clean install of Windows 10. It's extra work, but you'll have a lean/clean machine.

The safest way to go to Windows 10 is to get it on your next new computer.

PS. Win9 was skipped because there was a bunch of potential problems with programming code that referenced Windows9 (from Windows 95/98 days). The problems were not so much with Microsoft products, but a ton of 3rd party software that may be affected.

I tend to agree. I learned the hard way about "upgrading" (I was one of those idiots), which is why I decided to rip out the HDD in my new laptop and replace it with a SSD, to experiment with Windows 10 Tech Preview. (well actually, I just wanted to experience the lighting speed of Solid State Drives).

Also put one in my desktop, which I only use for my flight simulators and video editing. I never liked Windows 8 and how they screwed around with everything that was right with Win7.

So far, I'm happy with 10.

 

[Rigged4Flight]

I just cant get behind apple's control culture to get on the i-bandwagon. Let the hardware folks compete for price.

There is that. I really don't like how rigidly Apple products structure what you can and can't do, so that will probably be a constant annoyance. And I may very well come running back to Bill Gates' arms after I spend some time exclusively on an Apple platform. I don't have any illusions that whatever green grass I see won't be full of thorns and weeds when I start walking in it. I'm just damn tired of this particular brand of weeds and thorns and I'm hoping a change of scenery will improve my disgruntled disposition.

That's because the MAC user experience never had anything to give up, it always sucked. LINUX has never figured out how to climb as high as sucking.

well said

In the process of trying it on a dead XP laptop.

Good luck! Just remember that no OS has ever fixed broken hardware.

 

[Ghery]

Windows 10 is supposed to be available on July 29. My Windows 7 laptop will stay with Windows 7. It works and I don't have a problem with the UI. Windows 8 and 8.1 were designed more for tablets than PCs and it shows when you run it on a laptop. I'll update the laptop that is running 8.1 (and it has a touch screen, which I don't use). Not as much stuff on this machine, so a 100% backup prior to the upgrade should be much easier.

Now if I could just get the touchpad to behave. Did I say how much I hate touchpads?

 

[woodchucker]

Not sure if this was answered or not yet.
http://lifehacker.com/how-to-hide-t...m_campaign=Feed:+lifehacker/full+(Lifehacker)

Easy peasy, thanks!

 

[woodchucker]

I'm not a big fan of Apple products for two reasons. The first is the single-button mouse. Yeah, I know, I could learn it. But my whole life has been with left and right click options, and for some reason that single button really bugs me. I don't know if they make two-button mouses (mice?) now. The second is the control issue. Because I'm an educator, a lot of stuff schools do is based on IOS stuff. Our school gave us all loaner iPads to use. They wanted us to do teacher stuff with them, but I have no use for it. So I put ForeFlight on it and it's my flight companion. So, I'm pretty much forced into the iGadget route, otherwise I would most likely be using something Android based. I also build my computers from the ground up, and it just seems easier to install Windows (or Linux dual boot).

Not sure what the XP bashing was about. Maybe if you experienced Windows ME you would think differently? hahaha. That really sucked! I ran XP for years and years, and only quit using it when they stopped the support. Granted, it always took forever to boot up, but it was a relatively stable platform.

 

[dmspilot]

I'm not a big fan of Apple products for two reasons. The first is the single-button mouse.

You can use any mouse you want.

 

[cowman]

Yeah I use a standard PC mouse with my Mac. I right click on stuff and everything.

The trackpads also configurable so if you press the right side it makes a right click.

 

[denverpilot]

Ummm. You do realize there are five different ways to initiate a "right click" on a modern touchpad Mac, right?

http://www.cnet.com/how-to/five-ways-to-right-click-on-a-mac-trackpad/

And of course the whole "plug in any mouse you want" thing... Personally I have a number of giant Kensington mice that my big paws like. Been using them for years.

Cool part is, I leave the magic touchpad connected to the Mac Minis at the same time and put it between the monitors above the keyboard for any "swipe" type window manager stuff I want to do. Want to switch full screen app windows, just reach up and swipe across the trackpad with a couple of fingers.

Mouse for everything else.

 

[woodchucker]

Live and learn. I was using Macs at a school I worked at, and their mice only had the one button deal. And really, that's not the main thing. I mostly grew up using Windows (starting with 3.1), so that is pretty much the deal.

 

[Dr. O]

Just to show my age I cut my computer teeth in the early 70's with PDP machines at the factory.
I have Win install disc sets (yes, discs) for versions going back to Win3 - I started with MS-DOS
Before that I was an Apple guy starting with the very first Apple II that Apple had to hurriedly replace with the 'new' version of Apple II (still have it in a box somewhere) It pounded out medical insurance forms hour after hour in my office for a decade or more (I wrote the code in Basic and then compiled it) interfaced with an IBM Selectric as the printer.
In Windows the most reliable was and still most reliable is, Win95.
I/we (radio club) have had 95 running as controller on Ham Radio Repeater Systems where the computer will run 24/7 as the server and controller for the system for years without a single glitch. It is only when the hardware fails that they shut down.
Obviously WIn95 will not work well on the internet of today
But for our use as a remote server controlled over a radio link it was/is perfect. As I typed this I glanced up to the bookshelf where my dog eared, 3" thick, copy of Que Windows 95 Platinum Edition resides. It was my bed time reading material.

I use an Ipad, not really that thrilled with it - though I really like ForeFlight on it.
Also have an Android pad - again OK, but not the end all be all.
The PC I am typing this on is running a copy of Win7 and using Pale Moon as the browser. For just surfing the web I see no reason to upgrade.

 

[midlifeflyer]

I stand (sort of) corrected.

I was just slightly misremembering a discussion on This Week In Tech, where they were opining on the allegedly confusing surfeit of versions.

I may have seen the same article; the one I saw was talking about how, unlike prior Windows, there would be more limited flavors of Windows 10.

I'm not in the Windows world at all, so I don't know what's deemed a normal number of versions. Seems simpler in the Apple world, where there's a single Mac OS (Yosemite) and a single mobile version (iOS 8), and both are currently free.

Depends on the definition of "free." Windows can be installed on any PC from any manufacturer and comes pre-installed when you buy a new PC. Apple OSes can only be installed on Apple hardware (hacking excepted), at a much higher initial price.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Good luck! Just remember that no OS has ever fixed broken hardware.

Don't worry about it. "Dead" in this case means "sitting around old and unused and just waiting to be experimented on."

It will be an interesting experiment since I've had trouble even installing Linux on it (even some of the cleaner, smaller distributions).

 

[FastEddieB]

Multi-touch on Apple products goes way, way beyond a single button mouse.

Now with Force-Touch, there's yet another dimension.

I can see the logic of one button on a pointing device, if you think about how we point at and emphasize something on a whiteboard.

I had a Kensington trackpad with 4 programmable buttons and ways of "chording" them, which was handy. Then again, it would have been handier with 26+ buttons - but then again, then it would just be a keyboard, and I already had one of those!

 

[SoonerAviator]

I think if you are willing to buy in to the Apple-verse by having every gadget an Apple, then it makes sense as they do work well with one another (ipad, ipod, iphone, appleTV, etc). However, I've just never been a fan of Apple. I don't feel like they're superior/inferior in terms of general usability or performance for what I use computers for (microsoft office, email/web, occassional games/flight sim), especially given the price premium they command in the market.

I never really had many issues with Win95 or XP, and XP ran well enough for me that my next machine was a Win7 unit. Still running Win7, which had been operating flawlessly until 3-6months ago, when the computer started really bogging down. It was running 1.8-1.9GB of my 2.0GB memory between my most commonly used programs. So, I installed an extra 4GB of memory and it's back to running like a champ. So, not an OS problem as much as a hardware limitation, and cheap fix.

I've spent a few weeks on a Win8 laptop (non-touchscreen) and thought it functioned well once I learned how to use the tiled interface. I still prefer the Win7 layout due to familiarity, but I'm sure if I owned a Win8/10 machine I'd pick up on the nuances just like my current machine. I have an iPhone for work, an Android for personal phone, and run Windows on PC's. My Roku works with all of them. I don't see any reason to lock into one OS or another for any of my devices when they operate pretty seamlessly across the different platforms as-is.

I do recommend the OP do a full backup and wipe the computer to do a clean install of Windows 10 if he decides to upgrade. Things always just seem to work better when the install isn't on top of a prior registry/version.

 

[oldShar]

You don't think 'they' will change whatever OS you decide to switch to? Ever? Apple? Linux? Has anyone ever seen two linux installs that looked alike, I haven't.

Funny you should mention!!

They had a hacker scare a couple of months back and now it isn't uncommon to have an O/S update, for security purposes, nearly every day or every other dayof the week (Linux)

 

[denverpilot]

Depends on the definition of "free." Windows can be installed on any PC from any manufacturer and comes pre-installed when you buy a new PC. Apple OSes can only be installed on Apple hardware (hacking excepted), at a much higher initial price.

I buy machines without Windows pre-installed all the time. No point in paying the Microsoft tax if you aren't going to use it. Never have failed on getting them at a lower price, either.

The official document on licensing Windows 2012 in datacenter environments is only 18 pages long. Never seen a vendor more hell bent on wasting my time.

It's a really easy business decision to do everything possible to keep that virus from spreading in the server farm. Installing Windows servers is a guaranteed drop in productivity for the whole staff by a number of orders of magnitude.

 

[midlifeflyer]

I buy machines without Windows pre-installed all the time. No point in paying the Microsoft tax if you aren't going to use it. Never have failed on getting them at a lower price, either.

The official document on licensing Windows 2012 in datacenter environments is only 18 pages long. Never seen a vendor more hell bent on wasting my time.

It's a really easy business decision to do everything possible to keep that virus from spreading in the server farm. Installing Windows servers is a guaranteed drop in productivity for the whole staff by a number of orders of magnitude.

I was referring to the ordinary consumer who, just a WAG, is not too likely to buy a computer without an OS.

Yes, I've bought (and built) PCs without pre-installation also.

 

[denverpilot]

I was referring to the ordinary consumer who, just a WAG, is not too likely to buy a computer without an OS.



Yes, I've bought (and built) PCs without pre-installation also.

Judging by the last few quarters numbers, the ordinary consumer is buying Apple.

 

[RalphInCA]

Judging by the last few quarters numbers, the ordinary consumer is buying Apple.

And this "ordinary consumer" is happy to do so. I've had FAR less headaches since switching to Apple.

 

[denverpilot]

I was referring to the ordinary consumer who, just a WAG, is not too likely to buy a computer without an OS.



Yes, I've bought (and built) PCs without pre-installation also.

Judging by the last few quarters numbers, the ordinary consumer is buying Apple.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Judging by the last few quarters numbers, the ordinary consumer is buying Apple.

I caught it the first time.

 

[midlifeflyer]

And this "ordinary consumer" is happy to do so. I've had FAR less headaches since switching to Apple.

Personally, I never could figure out the attraction. I'm pretty much a "what does it do?" person and there has been nothing I've seen a Mac do that makes the increased cost worth it for me. I've always understood its attraction in the media area because it's interface and tools have historically been better for those artistic areas but for the business use that's been primary for me since I started playing with computers almost 30 years ago, I didn't see it as anything special.

Even my iPad fits in. It was the only tablet around and I was very impressed with what WingX and ForeFlight could do, even when they started out 4-5 years ago. I'd much rather invest the extra bucks in my next iPad than in a Mac vs a PC.

Strictly personal view not applicable to anyone but me.

 

[SoonerAviator]

Personally, I never could figure out the attraction. I'm pretty much a "what does it do?" person and there has been nothing I've seen a Mac do that makes the increased cost worth it for me. I've always understood its attraction in the media area because it's interface and tools have historically been better for those artistic areas but for the business use that's been primary for me since I started playing with computers almost 30 years ago, I didn't see it as anything special.

Even my iPad fits in. It was the only tablet around and I was very impressed with what WingX and ForeFlight could do, even when they started out 4-5 years ago. I'd much rather invest the extra bucks in my next iPad than in a Mac vs a PC.

Strictly personal view not applicable to anyone but me.

Agree. Same situation for me. I don't do anything on a computer that really "taxes" the hardware, and one operating system is the same as another for selecting applications. Especially not enough to pay a premium for the Apple.

One item I do dislike is iTunes. I will take WMP or other media players over iTunes any day of the week. I just don't like how it operates and don't like the hassles of syncing non-Apple products with it. It's the only thing that really gets on my nerves.

I am waiting for a new Android tablet to be released in the 8" range so that I can move to electronic charts and such. The wife has a Nexus 7 that she loves, but it's a little older than what I'd want to start with.

 

[exncsurfer]

I am waiting for a new Android tablet to be released in the 8" range so that I can move to electronic charts and such. The wife has a Nexus 7 that she loves, but it's a little older than what I'd want to start with.

Grab your wife's nexus 7 and test drive a couple apps, you might be surprised, its pretty snappy still, to be 'a little older' device.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Grab your wife's nexus 7 and test drive a couple apps, you might be surprised, its pretty snappy still, to be 'a little older' device.

Yup. I'm using a Asus 7" tablet as an EFB backup. Screen in the sun is a bit worse than my iPad but it's pretty snappy.

Only thing is, I would take a look at both 7" and 8" tablets. That's an age/eyesight thing and the reason I don;t use an iPad mini.

 

[SoonerAviator]

Grab your wife's nexus 7 and test drive a couple apps, you might be surprised, its pretty snappy still, to be 'a little older' device.

Oh, I don't disagree. There's nothing inherently wrong with the Nexus 7 at all. I was just hoping for an 8" option, and don't want the 9" iPad/Nexus 9. I've heard good things about the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro, but I'd rather have native Android if I can.

 

[denverpilot]

I caught it the first time.

Tapatalk bug. Double post because it said the first didn't go through.

 

[Jim_CAK]

. . .

Only thing is, I would take a look at both 7" and 8" tablets. That's an age/eyesight thing and the reason I don;t use an iPad mini.

Same here. I just upgraded my iPad and was seriously looking at an iPad mini. I thought it fit the cockpit better. I just can't afford to give up the screen real estate. I got the iPad Air 2. Easier on the eyes.

 

[Henning]

Personally, I never could figure out the attraction. I'm pretty much a "what does it do?" person and there has been nothing I've seen a Mac do that makes the increased cost worth it for me. I've always understood its attraction in the media area because it's interface and tools have historically been better for those artistic areas but for the business use that's been primary for me since I started playing with computers almost 30 years ago, I didn't see it as anything special.

Even my iPad fits in. It was the only tablet around and I was very impressed with what WingX and ForeFlight could do, even when they started out 4-5 years ago. I'd much rather invest the extra bucks in my next iPad than in a Mac vs a PC.

Strictly personal view not applicable to anyone but me.

The issue with every Apple product has always been, "what doesn't it do?" for me. All along they have always restricted my ability to do something I need to do, and that continues today with iOS. "But now you can run Windows on an Intel based machine like every other, and get the cool Apple logo!" For three times the money? No thanks.

 

[overdrive148]

In Windows the most reliable was and still most reliable is, Win95.

I/we (radio club) have had 95 running as controller on Ham Radio Repeater Systems where the computer will run 24/7 as the server and controller for the system for years without a single glitch. It is only when the hardware fails that they shut down.

Obviously Win95 will not work well on the internet of today .

The AWOS here runs off Win95

 

[airdale]

Same here. I just upgraded my iPad and was seriously looking at an iPad mini. I thought it fit the cockpit better. I just can't afford to give up the screen real estate. I got the iPad Air 2. Easier on the eyes.

I mount a Nexus 7 using a suction cup on the side window. It is almost right under my nose and much more easily readable than a larger tablet would be down on my knee or even on the yoke.

The only real downside is that all the touch buttons are proportionally smaller on the smaller screen.

 

[Henning]

I mount a Nexus 7 using a suction cup on the side window. It is almost right under my nose and much more easily readable than a larger tablet would be down on my knee or even on the yoke.

The only real downside is that all the touch buttons are proportionally smaller on the smaller screen.

I use a iPhone 6+ with Garmin Pilot on the glareshield brow as a display, and on the iPad in my lap to work with. Not a bad combo.

 

[denverpilot]

 

[wsuffa]

iOS: " I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that. "

http://www.imdb.com/character/ch0002900/quotes