| Do you like windows?? |
| I use it regularly, it is my favourite operating system |
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30% |
[ 39 ] |
| I only use it because i dont know how to use any others |
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5% |
[ 7 ] |
| I have a dual boot and use two operating systems |
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15% |
[ 20 ] |
| I only use it because of its compatibility |
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17% |
[ 22 ] |
| I dont like and i dont use it |
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23% |
[ 30 ] |
| I dont really mind |
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7% |
[ 10 ] |
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| Total Votes : 128 |
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Uprising
Phoenix
Joined: Jan 10, 2012
Posts: 2920
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 Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 11:29 am Post subject: |
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| The worst thing you can do on windows computers is run apple applications on it. |
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Cornflake
Rattles when shaken
Joined: Oct 31, 2010
Posts: 30545
Location: Hertfordshire, UK
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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| TallyMan wrote: | However, I think a lot current computer users nowadays have the attention span and intelligence of a carrot. Based on some of the support requests I get, I swear that if you gave some people an interface that only had a single big button on it saying "CLICK THIS BUTTON TO SAVE YOUR FILE" they would still contact me asking what to do or what a file was! I'm not exaggerating either. I've received some god-awful questions over the years. The biggest problem is that people simply don't read what is in front of them. Help files are generally a waste of time too. I always produce clear help documentation with software but often get queries that are answered in the help. I see the same thing on this site. There is a FAQ that nobody reads, they always create a new thread asking the same damn questions!  |
Sad but true.
I support my sister and her PC (Fista, spit) on which she does the finances for her sons' plumbing company.
It's an odd and sorrowing thing: she is certainly not stupid but I have to wonder what goes on when a dialog saying "Do you want to start the backup now? [Yes] [No]" makes her ask me "So what do I do now?"
I always feel like I'm being sarky when I say to her "So... do you want to start the backup now or not?" 
We've been through this several times and I've compiled a step-by-step list of things to do (for this commercial software, loaded with copious and unread help files and demos) to get a backup done: plug in USB stick, watch for the "Drive is now ready" message, click on File|Backup etc etc and yet despite having her successfully go through this - she asks instead.
So I tend to chuckle cynically when "It's easier to use" chatter comes up - especially when practically everything yer average user sees these days is all stab-n-click stuff.
Just how difficult is it to point and dribble, sorry; click on some action?
The OS is irrelevant: it's the user who is not "easy to use".
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Cornflake
Rattles when shaken
Joined: Oct 31, 2010
Posts: 30545
Location: Hertfordshire, UK
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Burzum wrote: | It was intended as a joke... Just so you guys know  |
Joke --> 
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 <--- My head.
Note altitude. 
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TallyMan
Rebooting
Joined: Mar 31, 2008
Posts: 36591
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Cornflake wrote: | | The OS is irrelevant: it's the user who is not "easy to use". |
You aren't kidding! Since writing the above post I got an enquiry via the contact form on my website. Someone asking a couple of questions about one of my freeware programs. Those questions are already answered on my site. However, as I generally try to be helpful I sent him a quick email reply to the email address he gave in the contact form *****@inbox.com
I thought that was the end of it. I'd wasted enough time answering his questions duplicating the information that was already on my site that he couldn't be bothered to read. Then I got a long automated email from inbox.com, the gist of it saying I had to click on a link to prove I wasn't a spammer. OK, it is only one click... A webpage opened wanting me to enable JavaScript in my browser and to enter a bloody captcha phrase! F**k him and screw inbox.com! I closed the browser tab. 
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Shorttail
Blue Jay
Joined: Feb 04, 2012
Age: 26
Posts: 94
Location: Aarhus, Denmark
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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| TallyMan wrote: | | How did you get on with setting that up? I use TrueCrypt for encrypted devices (external hard drives) and encrypted drives (as TrueCrypt files) on the main Vista (spit! ) disk. However, I've always been too nervous to try setting up the operating system on TrueCrypt (C: ) in case the conversion process went tits up. |
To be fair, I was really nervous, though a tutor of mine said it worked fine for him. I went through the tutorial on their site and eight hours later it was done. I haven't had a single problem with the boot loader, but then again I've kept everything foreign to Windows 7 on virtual machines.
I used TrueCrypt in the past just as storage, but a complete encryption is pretty simple. A lot of the options don't work on boot (you can only use AES, only use one of the hash algorithms, stuff like that).
Also, the encryption phase (took a little less than an hour per 100 MB) can be paused, so it doesn't have to be in one session. I haven't bothered with multiple OS'es, but I don't think it's too difficult either.
Granted, I did it on a rather new computer with little on it. I suggest you back up everything you want to keep throughly. Also you need to save a boot loader fixer, since some crappy anti piracy software can screw it up.
| Cornflake wrote: | | "He who plays with root eventually kills tree". |
( 'w')(\ nyoro~n
| TallyMan wrote: | | However, I think a lot current computer users nowadays have the attention span and intelligence of a carrot. Based on some of the support requests I get, I swear that if you gave some people an interface that only had a single big button on it saying "CLICK THIS BUTTON TO SAVE YOUR FILE" they would still contact me asking what to do or what a file was! |
The best graphically designed software I have ever used is a dvd to usb tool. It had a fairly small window, with four or so icons. First was the name, second said "drag iso file here", third was a check for formatting, fourth was a button that said "do it!". I truly felt catered for. ~.~ |
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MyFutureSelfnMe
Phoenix
Joined: Feb 27, 2010
Posts: 1288
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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| This is the most worn out debate on WP. |
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AstroGeek
Phoenix
Joined: Jan 29, 2011
Age: 19
Posts: 1477
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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| TallyMan wrote: | | A large part of it seems to me that the newer generations of computer users aren't like us oldies who studied and/or worked I.T. or had a passionate hobby interest in computers. The newer generations of computer users tend to not be interested in any technical aspects. They just want to be able to browse facebook, do some online shopping and swap messages with their friends. Which is fair enough, horses for courses. |
Depressing, but I see what you mean. I'm strongly of the opinion that they should have a mandatory computer programming course in middle schools and maybe even parts of high school. Additionally everyone should be taught how to make full use of documentation, where to get free software, how to troubeshoot, and how to use the command line (although I suppose the Windows command line is kind of useless). People can do so much with computer if they just know how! |
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40djbrooks
Snowy Owl
Joined: Dec 07, 2011
Age: 42
Posts: 144
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| Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 7:51 pm Post subject: |
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Microsoft wants to up their game with a cross platform operating system so people can relate better with their technology. I think it may not be a bad thing in time, but we all so used to the current way we communicate with our devices.
The question I think needs to be asked, should we just embrace windows 8? It is going to be some time for everyone to catch up and if the cost justify upgrading. |
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pete1061
Phoenix
Joined: Nov 13, 2011
Age: 43
Posts: 958
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 1:40 pm Post subject: |
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IMO, the software for Linux is cheezy and second-rate.
I see not real practical advantage to Linux.
That's just my opinion.
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You are very likely an Aspie
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MyFutureSelfnMe
Phoenix
Joined: Feb 27, 2010
Posts: 1288
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 1:55 pm Post subject: |
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IMO every single Linux kernel developer should stop what they're doing immediately and commit themselves full time to WINE.
But then, I have a more practical than philosophical view of software. |
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SpiritBlooms
Phoenix
Joined: Nov 15, 2009
Posts: 1024
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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The software for Linux is steadily improving. OpenOffice seemed so clunky when I first used it a few years ago, but now it's a lot better. So is Gimp, though I still prefer my PSP.
| MyFutureSelfnMe wrote: | IMO every single Linux kernel developer should stop what they're doing immediately and commit themselves full time to WINE.
But then, I have a more practical than philosophical view of software. |
I agree, to a point. There's a lot of software out there, that it seems to me just a little more tweaking of Wine would make fully available in Linux. I'd love to see that. I suppose though that there are limitations to what can be done with it, proprietary, copyright or trademark issues no doubt. But getting Paintshop Pro to work in Wine made a huge difference to me. Gimp was useful for graphics, and versatile, but still not the same, a bit clunky. In fact the area of graphics seems to me to be the biggest hurdle for Linux changeovers. The graphics software too often feels so clunky. Astrology is an interest of mine, and I'd like to see better software available for that in Linux as well. That would have been a major stopping point for me if not for the Internet sites that allow free chart drawing, such as Astrodienst.
I also think that Linux users need to speak out more. When I find software that I think would be useful to me, but is available for Mac and Windows but not for Linux I'm going to speak up, write to the source and say so. If they hear from enough Linux users - and there are a lot of us - they will change this pattern. They just don't realize we're here, or think we only want free software - which I like, I'm a fan of open source, and have put some of my writing out there for free to help pay something back, since so many generous programmers contribute so much to the open source and Linux world. But if something is useful to me and costs a reasonable amount, I will pay for it. I would hate to see the open source and free software disappear, but I'm also willing to pay for something that will work in Linux if I need and like it. |
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MyFutureSelfnMe
Phoenix
Joined: Feb 27, 2010
Posts: 1288
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 6:59 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't think software developers don't realize you're there. Most of their engineers probably work at least part time on Linux for that matter. It's a calculated decision not to support Linux. Adobe was pretty clear about this with Photoshop. |
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Shatbat
Fénix
Joined: Feb 20, 2012
Age: 20
Posts: 4114
Location: South America
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 8:44 pm Post subject: |
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I use windows, mostly because I have no reason to get Apple brand computers, and thus their operating system (I may be able to install their OS on a regular computer too but... why) and Linux... I'm seriously thinking about learning to use it, and at some point in the future I know I will but... as someone who enjoys computer games, and easy installation of software in general, I'm staying with windows. I don't have major problems with it, so I have no reason to switch just yet.
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pete1061
Phoenix
Joined: Nov 13, 2011
Age: 43
Posts: 958
Location: Portland, OR
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| Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 9:27 pm Post subject: |
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Though I do have to say that I am not impressed with how win 8 is turning out.
There may be a Linux or Mac box in my future.
Microsoft appears to be abandoning the desktop users for the trendy new tablet market.
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Shatbat
Fénix
Joined: Feb 20, 2012
Age: 20
Posts: 4114
Location: South America
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| Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2012 5:49 pm Post subject: |
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| pete1061 wrote: | Though I do have to say that I am not impressed with how win 8 is turning out.
There may be a Linux or Mac box in my future.
Microsoft appears to be abandoning the desktop users for the trendy new tablet market. |
Aren't desktop computers in the corporate level one of the biggest sources of profit for microsoft?
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