Windows 10 - Finally some sanity

[Arrheinous]

I can't scratch my ass around a Windows 8 laptop without it reverting all my settings to Bing...

Between trying to run Google cloud apps on IE an using the preinstalled McAfee Digital Guantanamo Bay edition I'm apparently too stupid to use my own computer safely.

 

[DrunkleJon]

That would kill windows for me. especially if they made it so you could not have an offline only computer. Then again, that would be what the old Dell green disk is for.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

That would kill windows for me. especially if they made it so you could not have an offline only computer. Then again, that would be what the old Dell green disk is for.

Yeah. Not sure how that would work. I'd expect it'd be similar to what Win8 is now. You'd a very base copy of an OS on the system and be required to log-in for functionality of basic apps.

 

[estricklin]

I've been using computers on a daily basis for getting close to 25 years now, I can remember learning DOS commands when I was 6-8 years old!! When I have to do a google search to figure out how to turn the DAMN THING OFF, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say MS missed the mark a bit!! Windows 8, is crap. Plain and simple. The overall user experience is frustrating to me; it makes you wonder what the hell MS was thinking! I can't imagine how any computer nerd, given the choice would actually WANT to use Windows 8.

DVD playback?? Why that's not important, watching movies is probably not even in the top 10 list of "things people use their PC for". Like many, of coarse I use 3rd party software for this, but the fact that it's missing is like including a can of MS spit that pops open in your face when you open the package.

As for Linux, I've used almost every version of it at some point or another, used to use red hat at work actually for 2 years, and while I do love Linux, the best bread only works in MS toasters. There are ways to run Windows programs virtually but the times I've tried it, it worked less than ideal. I ran a dual and triple boot on my personal machine for years. Even had the MAC OS X86 going at one time on an old AMD dual core. In the end, I just waved the white flag, MS wins. That doesn't mean, that I have to purchase a copy of every crap OS they try to shove down my throat though.

 

[Fenduh]

Not too familiar with inner workings of any of them, but I do know that certain engineering software will not work on Win8. Namely Bentley products. They don't load properly, they don't work properly, total crash and burn. We have to use Win7 Pro until Bentley comes up with code that works with I guess now the Win10.
And no, it doesn't work on Linux either. The database component within that software was born of DOS, and the adapted it to Windows, and over the years it has gotten clumsier and clumsier..... but they are ready to roll out or are in process of rolling out a major update which will virtually eliminate the need for the 'add on' database component.

Which Bentley product do you use? We use Promis-e V8i for schematics and wiring. We have a dedicated Promis-e server that does nothing but store Promis-e files and runs it's SQL database. It has 128gb of RAM and yet is extremely slow when opening a project and switching pages.

I'm hoping this major update that you are referring to does something to improve it's performance.


As far as Windows 10 Tech Preview...I ran it for a couple of days and it ran fine on my computer but when I realized MS was capturing keystrokes, I uninstalled it. Don't need MS to see what my porn fetish is.

 

[Newsman]

That's what I would do.

Oh, wait. Let me rephrase.

That's what I did.

Unfortunately, there are too many non-Linux apps that I need/like (i.e. Lightroom for photo editing. GIMP is NOT Lightroom!!!!)

 

[Newsman]

But it's literally one folder that you place files into (literally the "SkyDrive" folder), and they get uploaded to the cloud. Don't put files there, they don't get uploaded. It's not rocket surgery.

So, Microsoft is now targeting DropBox and other cloud storage vendors. Nice. Wish the DOJ would go after them for building these features in that compete with other free/non-free apps like they did on IE. 'Course, notice how well THAT worked!

 

[beernbourbon]

Which Bentley product do you use? We use Promis-e V8i for schematics and wiring. We have a dedicated Promis-e server that does nothing but store Promis-e files and runs it's SQL database. It has 128gb of RAM and yet is extremely slow when opening a project and switching pages.

I'm hoping this major update that you are referring to does something to improve it's performance.


As far as Windows 10 Tech Preview...I ran it for a couple of days and it ran fine on my computer but when I realized MS was capturing keystrokes, I uninstalled it. Don't need MS to see what my porn fetish is.

MicroStation V8i SS3/Geopak SS3 Civil Engineering Suite
Geopak is the one that was originally DOS based. They are combining Geopak and Inroads into something called Open Roads, and it isn't an 'add on' so to speak. It holds the database component wholly within MicroStation, so the feeling is that it will speed everything up.
What we ran into, since I do true 3D modeling, was the graphics cards couldn't keep up, lots of lag time, occasional stutters. It was horrible. So, they tossed a liquid cooled one in my desktop, and that runs only the OS an MicroStation/Geopak. Nothing else on it. It's a pure production machine. But, I don't do nearly as much production as I used to, so I'm probably going to hand it over to my lead tech, and just stick with doing reviews here on my laptop...I don't need the hard core stuff any more, but he does....

 

[beavers]

OpenBSD sucks the least of them all

WOOO!

That is all.

 

[trboyden]

You're right, most big companies have gone over to Linux on the server side. Seems to have been a lot of break-ins and data stolen from these same big companies lately as well... Linux's openness is also it's bain. There are so many people contributing code now, that there is no way to properly monitor all of the check-ins for backdoors and other security related issues. Plus all OSes depend on security software developed by the NSA. There is your backdoor in every OS right there. Add-in under-paid, under-qualified sysadmins and there goes the whole ball of wax. I still use all three major OSes, but I am under no disillusions that any of them are any better than the other. At the end of the day, it's a personal preference of what helps you get your work done best.

 

[Snicklefritz]

linux.

That is all.

+1

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

MicroStation V8i SS3/Geopak SS3 Civil Engineering Suite
Geopak is the one that was originally DOS based. They are combining Geopak and Inroads into something called Open Roads, and it isn't an 'add on' so to speak. It holds the database component wholly within MicroStation, so the feeling is that it will speed everything up.
What we ran into, since I do true 3D modeling, was the graphics cards couldn't keep up, lots of lag time, occasional stutters. It was horrible. So, they tossed a liquid cooled one in my desktop, and that runs only the OS an MicroStation/Geopak. Nothing else on it. It's a pure production machine. But, I don't do nearly as much production as I used to, so I'm probably going to hand it over to my lead tech, and just stick with doing reviews here on my laptop...I don't need the hard core stuff any more, but he does....

In another lifetime, I was rendering terrain models for Golf parks after my coworker did the photogravimetry (kern anaalogue refitted for interface to pc). All done on a Win3.1 machine. Back in those days we still backed everything up on reel to reel tapes. Took FOREVER!

 

[beernbourbon]

In another lifetime, I was rendering terrain models for Golf parks after my coworker did the photogravimetry. All done on a Win3.1 machine. Back in those days we still backed everything up on reel to reel tapes. Took FOREVER!

I have heard tell of such archaic methods, but thankfully I was never a part of them.
Of course we get upset when it takes an intolerable2 seconds to initiate a command....lol

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I have heard tell of such archaic methods, but thankfully I was never a part of them.
Of course we get upset when it takes an intolerable2 seconds to initiate a command....lol

Funniest part is that, at that time, THAT was cutting edge. "An analogue stereo plotter connected to a PC, Wow!"

Prior to that, we had to borrow processor time on a VAX system. Talk about waiting for a command to initiate. You could finish lunch before getting the results back from that thing. And that was considered fast.

 

[IJesusChrist]

Windows 8 was such a ****ing piece of crap...

It's like you're at a kiosk at a car dealership or something. It feels terrible, its not intuitive, it makes no sense for a personal computer.

/rant

 

[EthanH]

I just want to say that I'm impressed w/ the civility of this conversation. I say this having borne witness to thousands of OS forum discussions on tech websites, where having a thread go 8 pages w/o anybody saying some variation of "you're an idiot if you don't agree with me" is nothing short of a miracle.

 

[balrog]

Why does it seem like every-other Windows OS is complete garbage?

Agree. BroInLaw was convinced there were 2 MS teams, took turns pooting out OS. Of course, he also doesn't like my homebrew, so....

I hate how many apps require a microsoft account login for basic functionality.

Agree. Learned hard way to make local user only. ONLY.

Most of our company's computers still run XP.

On an enterprise level, changing over can be hard.

Feel. Your. Pain. We still have to have an AT machine, stored 3 in a vault for future, in order to run ABradley stuff that they refuse to upgrade.

"An analogue stereo plotter connected to a PC, Wow!"

Prior to that, we had to borrow processor time on a VAX system. Talk about waiting for a command to initiate. You could finish lunch before getting the results back from that thing. And that was considered fast.

Calcomp Plotters. Ahhhh. LSI/11, programming the front panel by flipping the levers to create bytes then the STORE lever. Ahhhh. Miss those days, I do not. Paper tape teletypes, card punch(eat) machines, Line Printers that shook the floors. 9" reels, cake platter "disks", 8" floppies, daisy wheel printers. The good ole days.

Win8 is fine; it doesn't wow me enough to move off Win7. Or Ubuntu.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Agree. Learned hard way to make local user only. ONLY.

I am tempted to revert back to a Local only account. But, I really do like the Live Tile functionality on the start screen. I like it as a screen saver. It would be perfect as a lock screen with user configurable tiles. Link a RSS feed to a tile and let it run as a ticker, or link a website to a tile say a local movie theater to blip current movie listings, etc...

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Calcomp Plotters. Ahhhh. LSI/11, programming the front panel by flipping the levers to create bytes then the STORE lever. Ahhhh. Miss those days, I do not. Paper tape teletypes, card punch(eat) machines, Line Printers that shook the floors. 9" reels, cake platter "disks", 8" floppies, daisy wheel printers. The good ole days.

Calcomp pen plotters, ahhh. Nothing like getting 98% through a plot on thick vellum only to have the pen run dry.


Actually, I digress, I was THRILLED when the pen ran out mid plot. Because it meant more time NOT being in the blueprint room smelling ammonia.

 

[dkwolf]

Hence 'supposed'. Funny thing is it still is on a lot of computers with no signs of fading away.

So? You can still find computers with Windows 3.1 installed on them. Doesn't mean it's still a viable operating system. And slowly, the same will happen to XP as software upgrades force OS upgrades, and file sizes and hardware requirements force system upgrades.

 

[passedpawn]

I've got a laptop with XP on it. I use it for one particular function (torrents). I scrubbed it a year ago, reset to factory installation, and don't use it except for that one function. I like the idea of using old laptops for single functions like that.

I'm working on Win7 now. It's money money money.

 

[dkwolf]

And still wants to push the Windows as a subscription based experience. I read that is what pushed OneDrive into the market. Get their files first, the push the OSLive.

They've started offering a subscription-based version of Office now. $99/yr, and you get access to all of the office products and free upgrades. Plus can install on one desktop and one tablet. (The next price level up allows 5 desktops and 5 tablets)

 

[balrog]

I've got a laptop with XP on it. I use it for one particular function ... I like the idea of using old laptops for single functions like that.

+1 -- Like logging my ferm chamber

They've started offering a subscription-based version of Office now

Just you wait, Henry Higgins, just you wait! The OS will be SAS before you can say "I think I Just felt a walletectomy".

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

They've started offering a subscription-based version of Office now. $99/yr, and you get access to all of the office products and free upgrades. Plus can install on one desktop and one tablet. (The next price level up allows 5 desktops and 5 tablets)

Ayup. Office 365. Knew about that. Have read they intend to do it with OS too.

 

[RD400F]

Microsoft is interesting...most of the time they make a bunch of stuff that's just OK but Windows 2000 (not ME)/XP/Server 2003 were awesome. Server 2003 in particular was light if you trimmed it down and fast as well. Then came Windows 7 and that was a real winner. I tried Windows 8 and it took me 10 minutes to decide it was utter garbage, just like Vista and Windows ME.

However since WINE under Linux runs all the Windows stuff with a bit of tinkering, I switched last year and haven't looked back. I've been playing with Linux on and off for 10 years and I can say it's come a really long way since. Currently running a Ubuntu variant but might switch to Arch at some point this year.

 

[Newsman]

However since WINE under Linux runs all the Windows stuff with a bit of tinkering, I switched last year and haven't looked back. I've been playing with Linux on and off for 10 years and I can say it's come a really long way since. Currently running a Ubuntu variant but might switch to Arch at some point this year.

I have to wonder if Lightroom would work under WINE. That and one other piece of photo editing software are most of what I need Windows for.

 

[MindenMan]

Windows 10, Windows 10, Windows, well, you get the point. With the exception of some of the HP Security Ware that Win 10 didn't like (that I won't miss anyway), everything else on my system is 100% happy. I added a SSD a couple of weeks ago, cycled the battery and my battery meter calculated 6 hours and 18 minutes. The 8460p battery when new (5 or so years ago) was rated at 6 hours and 30 minutes (the 6 cell version battery I currently have). Windows 10 calculated 8 hours and 20 minutes, after the install was finished. Point A to point B, I can't tell how much faster it actually runs as of right now, but with 8 GB of RAM, an i5 processor, and a Solid State Hard Drive, I'm not sure how much more Windows 10 can add if any. I keep you posted.

 

[Newsman]

Where I'll agree with you, however, is on the general malware/spyware/virus front. Most malware/spyware requires a user to actually install it or run it, usually due to their own poor security practices. Linux isn't targeted by most of these folks because so few people use Linux and generally the users of Linux are more tech-savvy about protecting themselves from these sorts of threats.

Also, you have to MANUALLY install stuff in Linux as it will ask for your password, even if you're an Admin user. If you're just "Joe User" without Admin privileges, you can't install anything, unlike Mickeysoft where EVERYONE is an Admin by default

 

[Homercidal]

Also, you have to MANUALLY install stuff in Linux as it will ask for your password, even if you're an Admin user. If you're just "Joe User" without Admin privileges, you can't install anything, unlike Mickeysoft where EVERYONE is an Admin by default

Not exactly true. Some Linux distros don't care if you log in as root and fck it up! Others have the security feature enabled, but you can turn it off if you think you know how to operate a computer.

Windows 7 went a ways into protecting the system, but it's not as straight forward as Linux in it's approach. They try to keep the average person safe, and make admins frustrated. It's possible to get around that as well if you care to. Not sure about Win8, as I basically completely ignored that one. I've talked all the people I know into spending $5 on a Windows 7/XP interface for it (Start8, if you are curious.) More or less makes Windows 8 fell just like Windows 7.

I'm looking forward to Windows 10. Mostly because I've only heard good things about it. I haven't actually seen it yet. I should dig up a HDD and give it a shot.

 

[Newsman]

Not exactly true. Some Linux distros don't care if you log in as root and fck it up! Others have the security feature enabled, but you can turn it off if you think you know how to operate a computer.

Good point. I was thinking of the RedHat derivatives and *buntu. MOST Linux versions I've seen discourage you from logging in as root/admin. But yes, there's nothing to stop you from doing that. I think there was one I tried that just would NOT let you log in as root.