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Possibly moving to a Linix operating system
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Nov 18, 2017 09:04:17   #
a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel
 
Jim-Pops wrote:
...If you do switch over to Mac make sure the computer has 16 mg of memory. Helps with multi tasking.


Make that GB and you will be fine.

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Nov 18, 2017 09:20:21   #
Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington
 
After a Windows 8 computer was attacked twice (despite up-to-date McAfee and a paid version of Malwarebytes), I bought a Chromebook.

Chromebooks use a Linux-based operating system called Chrome OS and are designed to be your online buddy

The Windows 8 laptop that replaced my ravaged one hasn't been online in a year. This is where I still do the majority of my photo editing, so I have to use a flash drive to transfer finished images from one to the other for use online.

However, the newest Chromebooks are compatible with most Android apps, including Snapseed. And I already occasionally use online photo editing apps such as Polarr and befunky.

Not a solution for everyone, obviously, but an option for the less technically savvy to consider.

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Nov 18, 2017 09:21:48   #
Bison Bud
 
Wow, lots of good info. already! First off Apple is not an option for me, because I don't like the way they do business. I bought an I-pad early on and was shocked to find that I couldn't even boot it up and try it out without giving them a credit card number! I ended up taking it back and getting an Android tablet instead and have been very pleased with it. Anyway, I am very interested in Linux and all the advice about loading it to disk or memory stick to try it out is great advice. I may even go ahead and load it on my locked up laptop instead of reloading Windows. While I am not an IT pro, ( they were still sorting punch cards when I took computer lab in school), I have spent most all of my career working on computer controlled machines and can generally stumble my way through new software and will try Linux. Thanks for all the great advice so far, I really appreciate it!

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Nov 18, 2017 09:24:45   #
Jim-Pops Loc: Granbury, Texas
 
a6k wrote:
Make that GB and you will be fine.


Sorry, I know better.

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Nov 18, 2017 09:27:19   #
aflundi Loc: Albuquerque, NM
 
Hey Bud, it's a little hard to parse from your comments enough about you to know if Linux would be a good match.

I've been using Unix and Unix-like OSs as my primary desktop since the mid 1980s. I have been forced to use Windows at work, and I keep a notebook with Windows to do firmware updates, etc., but while usable, I absolutely detest Windows. I'm not particularly fond of Macs either. They seem to me to be devoid of tools, inelegant, and little more than a glitzy front. Unix (and Linux) is a *much* richer environment. I can only find Windows tolerable by installing the Cygwin software (which brings thousands of Unix utilities, tools, and environments to Windows) and VNC so that I can work remotely on Unix and Linux machines. Windows becomes little more than a display for me.

For people that like to program, and like to combine (most on the command line) the modular tool set to do useful things on the fly, Linux (or one of the BSD Unixes) is pretty much a must-do.

For the last decade or so, Linux has had pretty good desktop environments available for those that have the Desktop/Windows/Mac mindset, and it does OK at that, but why move to Linux if all you are doing is more-or-less trying to run it like Windows? That'd be a complete waste of Linux, and you would likely be frustrated because of the differences.

My experience is though that most people aren't really looking for what Linux has to offer. Windows, despite all its problems, is probably still the better choice for most people -- mostly because they and their friends are used to it, and it runs the software they want.

If you do still think though that Linux might be worth while, just get an old, junked computer that is too old and resource-poor to run Windows and install Linux on it. Linux is far more efficient of computer resources. Give it a whirl.

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Nov 18, 2017 10:00:43   #
elliott937 Loc: St. Louis
 
Sophos. I have had the pleasure of having many brilliant students in my classroom. I listen closely to those whose who major is I.T. Several years ago I learned that there is an antivirus program called Sophos designed for the iMac world. It is free for the individual owners, like you and me. I've done so, even though perhaps there has been no need. Perhaps it gives me a better night's sleep. I've never heard a single student of mine who is using a MacBook computer in my classroom talk about any kind of virus invasion. So if any Mac user would feel better with an antivirus program, Sophos is worth looking into it. But I will never argue with any other Apple computer owner who says there is no need, since I've never heard a student tell me of any problem. So there it is, Sophos, if you so desire. But the Apple world is the place that gives me great peace. Photoshop? You and my computer play nicely!

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Nov 18, 2017 10:04:30   #
PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago
 
elliott937 wrote:
You have described the hell I went through, about ten years ago, when I went through three PC computers. Hell, pure and simple. Then I switched to Apple, and bought my first iMac. Peace, finally. I never saw a Blue Screen of Death, I never saw a problem again.

I would still be using that iMac G5 from 2005 if it were not for Adobe switching from the IBM chip to the Intel chip. I wanted to update, so I purchased the 27" iMac I currently use. It's five years old now, I think, and working very well. Oh, that G5 from 2005? It still works, perfectly. I can't put the PSCS5 on it, but it has the CS2. It's more than 10 years old and still working. When ever I go out with my camera, I use that "old" computer to burn my images to a DVD, then use CS2 to make thumb shots for a jewel box cover.

Apple iMac is the only way I will ever go again. Yes, the initial price is higher than a PC. But take that price and consider its life. Very inexpensive. I paid about $1,000 for my current 27" IMac. But I plan to continue using it for at least 10 years.......with lots of peace of mind.
You have described the hell I went through, about ... (show quote)


I am with you Elliott. I switched 2 years ago to Apple to years ago with a Mac Book Pro and last year to a IMAC 27 that is emulated with a cable to my IMac. The best of both worlds. Love the on line support of Apple nd workshops available at no charge. ZERO issues.

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Nov 18, 2017 10:36:55   #
a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel
 
Bison Bud wrote:
... an Android tablet instead and have been very pleased with it.


You may be interested and maybe happy to know that Android is a variant or based on Linux. So is Chrome. And in ancient times, the Mac OS started out that way and still retains a lot of the same characteristics.

If you prefer Android, and many do, then stay with it. But I think you are wrong about needing a credit card to initialize an iOS device. It would certainly try to get you there because your AppleID is how you buy stuff from the store, but it's not AFAIK necessary. There is a lot of free stuff on that store, too. You chose to put all your trust in Google via Android. What could go wrong?

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Nov 18, 2017 13:11:05   #
Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado
 
Both my wife and I worked for Lockheed for many years. They run most of their software relating to the gov't in Linux OS. It is a true 64 bit processing system, and they have talked directly to Macs for many years. Now they have the ability to talk to Windows. They talk to Windows only because many company users and customers use a PC, but the PCs brought many problems with them. The cost of software security is continuous (on a daily basis) and very high due to the PC connections. Most of the Linux software is used on Silicon Graphics machines, which the dark world of Defense Dept also works on. Linux is not an easy software to use but is very versatile with many different softwares that can be embedded and applied. Not sure if this helps, but it is a very good system.

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Nov 18, 2017 13:21:10   #
Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA
 
I used unix and linux at work for years, and on my home computer for a while more than 10 years ago. At that time I ran a dual boot system with Windows and Red Hat Linux. I finally dropped the linux because I started using Adobe CS6 for Photoshop and for Premiere Pro and Audition for video and audio editing. I don't believe adobe products are available on linux, and I don't believe any other products are as easy for me to use now that I have learned the basics on them, or have as many features.
I also found the Windows 8 and 10 updates to be cumbersome and turned off the updates. I don't use any virus protection except what Windows provides with Win 10. If anyone wants to know how to turn off updates I'll print the instructions, they are not that complicated, but need to be done from the command line since windows 8 and 10 doesn't offer that feature with the mouse.

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Nov 18, 2017 13:34:49   #
melismus Loc: Chesapeake Bay Country
 
Please do tell us how.

Bobspez wrote:
I used unix and linux at work for years, and on my home computer for a while more than 10 years ago. At that time I ran a dual boot system with Windows and Red Hat Linux. I finally dropped the linux because I started using Adobe CS6 for Photoshop and for Premiere Pro and Audition for video and audio editing. I don't believe adobe products are available on linux, and I don't believe any other products are as easy for me to use now that I have learned the basics on them, or have as many features.
I also found the Windows 8 and 10 updates to be cumbersome and turned off the updates. I don't use any virus protection except what Windows provides with Win 10. If anyone wants to know how to turn off updates I'll print the instructions, they are not that complicated, but need to be done from the command line since windows 8 and 10 doesn't offer that feature with the mouse.
I used unix and linux at work for years, and on my... (show quote)

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Nov 18, 2017 14:07:07   #
Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA
 
It's just 4 typed commands to stop Windows updates. I've used it on Win 8 and Win10 Pro 64 bit:

Run a cmd.exe command prompt as administrator to open a command promt window.

From the command prompt window start up a Windows PowerShell

C:\windows\system32>PowerShell.exe
Windows PowerShell
Copyright (C) 2014 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

From the PS prompt enter the follwing three commands:

PS C:\windows\system32> stop-service wuauserv
PS C:\windows\system32> set-service wuauserv -startup disabled
PS C:\windows\system32> get-wmiobject win32_service -filter "name='wuauserv'"

It only needs to be done once. You will get a confirmation that updates are disabled...


ExitCode : 0
Name : wuauserv
ProcessId : 0
StartMode : Disabled
State : Stopped
Status : OK
.............................................................................................................................

To restore automatic updates from the powershell prompt use these three commands.

PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> set-service wuauserv -startup automatic
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> start-service wuauserv
PS C:\WINDOWS\system32> get-wmiobject win32_service -filter "name='wuauserv'"

You will get the confirmation that updates are automatic again...

ExitCode : 0
Name : wuauserv
ProcessId : 5896
StartMode : Auto
State : Running
Status : OK


melismus wrote:
Please do tell us how.

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Nov 18, 2017 19:25:16   #
10MPlayer Loc: California
 
I tired Linux for a while. It's a little different from setting up Windows. You need to partition your drive if you want to keep Windows, which I would do in case you don't like it. Once installed it goes through your machine to find what drivers you need then it goes on the Internet and gets them for you. It's all automated and seamless. Then you have lots of good free open source software to use. These replace Word, Excel, Powerpoint etc. I understand the photo editing software is pretty good too. I believe you can use a Windows emulator to run Windows software like Lightroom and Photoshop but you'd have to check on that. If you want to do it and you're reasonably competent with computers it's not too hard to set up. I tried it for a while but I'm an old dog and didn't feel like learning new tricks. So, I went back to Windows.

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Nov 18, 2017 20:10:49   #
rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA
 
aflundi wrote:
For the last decade or so, Linux has had pretty good desktop environments available for those that have the Desktop/Windows/Mac mindset, and it does OK at that, but why move to Linux if all you are doing is more-or-less trying to run it like Windows? That'd be a complete waste of Linux, and you would likely be frustrated because of the differences.

If I move to Linux, it will be for one of two reasons:

(1) I am offended by the way MS tried to ram Win10 down my throat, so my next main computer might be Linux

(2) The guy who sold my Nikon scanner tells me that it will run on WinXP, or on Linux. I'm running it on WinXP down in our basement right now, but we may need to consolidate to just one desktop computer.

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Nov 18, 2017 21:03:00   #
aflundi Loc: Albuquerque, NM
 
rehess wrote:
If I move to Linux, it will be for one of two reasons:

(1) I am offended by the way MS tried to ram Win10 down my throat, so my next main computer might be Linux


Yeah, that pissed me off too.

Quote:
(2) The guy who sold my Nikon scanner tells me that it will run on WinXP, or on Linux. I'm running it on WinXP down in our basement right now, but we may need to consolidate to just one desktop computer.


I've never tried it, but I see coolscan, coolscan2 and coolscan3 listed in the "sane" configuration directory (/etc/sane.d/) so it looks like there's good reason to hope.

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