Computer Oddyssey

[Catrin]

I am a Ubuntu, indeed a Linux newbie due to a monster sized Sony all-in-one desktop. I bought it in 2009 with the best resources that I could buy at the time - so good that in 2017 it still does quite well though I wouldn't attempt to turn it into a gaming machine. The problem is a common problem with all-in-ones that one should keep in mind if you ever consider purchasing one. The hardware was customized so much to fit behind the monitor that it became proprietary and no driver updates were ever released which made it eventually impossible to upgrade Windows. Eventually it became a 50+ pound brick after a failed upgrade and I reformatted/wrote over the hard drive to eventually recycle the computer and bought a much smaller hybrid computer (Acer Alpha 12 Switch) for daily use. I do like the little thing, but it's too small to comfortably use to remote into my work computers at the office but it works fine for personal use.

A friend encouraged me to give Ubuntu a try to see if the necessary drivers were available, and much to my pleasant surprise the live CD worked and the old brick is up and running, and even faster than it was with Windows 7. All for $8! For some reason my wired mouse doesn't work well, but a new mouse is far less expensive than a new computer! My 26-inch all-in-one computer now seems massive in size, but as long as I can figure out how to install the Linux Citrix Receiver then I will have the perfect, for me, combination of electronics. Back in the 2000's I played with Debian for a period of time, and Ubuntu is certainly more graphical than Debian was back in the day, and while it's more user friendly it is still Linux and there is still a learning curve.

hmmm, I wonder if this is good for the brain like trying to learn a new language? Again, not bad for a whopping $8 for the OS and a new mouse!

[emily_in_nc]

hmmm, I wonder if this is good for the brain like trying to learn a new language? Again, not bad for a whopping $8 for the OS and a new mouse!

It totally is! I've been reading more and more articles recently about how we all need to plan on learning new things our entire life to keep our synapses healthy, and that learning something new is much, much more valuable for our brains than simply doing crossword puzzles, for example. I'm still working on my Spanish lessons (audio and online) since there's a decent chance we may return to Mexico at some point, for awhile at least. And even if we don't, I know it's good for my brain, especially since I'm retired and no longer have the challenges of learning new things for work.

Glad you got your computer issue sorted out -- I remember your discussing it awhile back. I know nothing about Ubuntu or most of what you are talking about, though I did use plain old unix back in my job as a software engineer and enjoyed its simple elegance. $8 is a deal!

Have fun with it!

[ny biker]

Congrats on a successful conversion. I need to embark on a cable modem odyssey -- my wifi signal keeps disappearing and I'm pretty sure the old Comcast modem is the culprit. They told me to upgrade it ages ago but I ignored them because I was afraid I'd have trouble getting the new one to work with my router, and then I'd be trapped in an endless circle of "the problem is not our device, you have to call the other device's tech support." But I can't ignore it any longer so last week I did some research and found a highly-rated modem that I could buy to use with Comcast's service, and I bought it from Micro-center which has great tech support. Now I just need to take it out of the box and figure out how to hook it all up. Of course I'm putting it off because I rarely get through this sort of thing without frustration and anxiety. I really do need to dive in and deal with it though -- once I get the new modem working, I can return the old one and stop paying the monthly rental fee to Comcast.

(One reason I'm putting off hooking up the modem is that I'm still going through the New Phone Odyssey. It took so long to back up stuff from the phone and get the contacts transferred, and I'm still figuring out how to use some of the basic apps. This morning I had a voice mail and couldn't figure out how to listen to it. I can only take so much tech frustration.)

[ny biker]

I need to get a new pc for work. I can't work at the client location for this project due to a conflict between the pollution from the asphalt plant next door and my asthma, so I work at my company's HQ and connect remotely to my work pc. And I have to provide the computer that I use at my company's HQ. So far I've been using an old laptop that runs on Vista, but it's getting slower by the day. I already have a larger monitor connected to it (the laptop screen started to grow black spots) and a separate keyboard and mouse. So the old laptop is functioning like a desktop at this point.

And so I have to decide what new pc to get. Either a laptop or a desktop would work. I only need basic internet access for it, plus Word and Excel. One option is to get something refurbished, basic and cheap, probably with Windows 7. But then I wonder, maybe I should spend a little more for something better that could be used outside of work if needed -- to replace my laptop at home if that one develops problems or to give to a relative if this job goes away due to layoffs (which is a possibility on this project). Though perhaps a basic refurbished Windows 7 machine could be upgraded if necessary. I don't know.

[Catrin]

I need to get a new pc for work. I can't work at the client location for this project due to a conflict between the pollution from the asphalt plant next door and my asthma, so I work at my company's HQ and connect remotely to my work pc. And I have to provide the computer that I use at my company's HQ. So far I've been using an old laptop that runs on Vista, but it's getting slower by the day. I already have a larger monitor connected to it (the laptop screen started to grow black spots) and a separate keyboard and mouse. So the old laptop is functioning like a desktop at this point.

And so I have to decide what new pc to get. Either a laptop or a desktop would work. I only need basic internet access for it, plus Word and Excel. One option is to get something refurbished, basic and cheap, probably with Windows 7. But then I wonder, maybe I should spend a little more for something better that could be used outside of work if needed -- to replace my laptop at home if that one develops problems or to give to a relative if this job goes away due to layoffs (which is a possibility on this project). Though perhaps a basic refurbished Windows 7 machine could be upgraded if necessary. I don't know.

Keep in mind that Windows 7 will soon no longer be supported, and not all Windows 7 machines can take Windows 10. Just something to keep in mind while you consider your options, good luck with whatever you decide!

[salsabike]

Catrin, they are still doing security updates for Windows 7, per the following:

Mainstream support for Windows 7 ended on January 13, 2015. This means that no new Service Packs are coming for Windows 7, and no new features will be added to the operating system. It does not, however, mean that Microsoft is no longer patching the operating system.
Extended support is still ongoing until January 14, 2020. That’s the date Microsoft will stop issuing new security updates for Windows 7.
This means it’s safe to keep using Windows 7 until 2020, so long as you install all updates.