Windows 10...

[wsantia1]

Just noticed that little icon on the right side of my taskbar on my laptop.

[BillT]

I have some CAD and 3D printing programs that only run on windows.
Mostly I do Macs.
For a few special things I am using Linux as a learning experience.

[BallAquatics]

Not everyone finds Linux an easy switch tho, Dennis......the learning curve, after using Windows for many years, gets discombobulated a bit...

Getting it installed on your computer is the biggest hurdle.  After that, it works pretty much the same as all the rest of the graphical user interfaces.  The command line is definitely different from Windows, but how many typical users ever go there.....

Dennis

[Mugwump]

Not everyone finds Linux an easy switch tho, Dennis......the learning curve, after using Windows for many years, gets discombobulated a bit...

Getting it installed on your computer is the biggest hurdle.  After that, it works pretty much the same as all the rest of the graphical user interfaces.  The command line is definitely different from Windows, but how many typical users ever go there.....

Dennis

I'm wondering Dennis, can the proggie names be tweaked/renamed something more familiar???

[BallAquatics]

Not sure I follow..... many are called the same, Firefox is still Firefox, Google Chrome is still Google Chrome.....

Dennis

[Mugwump]

Not sure I follow..... many are called the same, Firefox is still Firefox, Google Chrome is still Google Chrome.....

Dennis

Of course, but the apps for other proggies/icons aren't named with familiar titles..... LibreOffice, Rythmbox, Shotwell,

[BallAquatics]

Well if you use a desktop that lets you put shortcuts there you can call the software whatever you wish.....  just like in Windows.

If you use a desktop like Unity, it only shows the icons without any application names, but it's certainly not hard to figure out what does what.

Dennis

[Mugwump]

Yes, I guess you can mouse over too....?....I may take the plunge if I can repartition for it....

[BallAquatics]

I would suggest starting out with a distro like Ubuntu Mate (https://ubuntu-mate.org/), or Linux Lite (https://www.linuxliteos.com/).  Both of these have an interface similar to what you are used to with Windows.

The standard version of Ubuntu switched from Gnome to the Unity desktop back in 2011 and throughly pissed off the Ubuntu followers in a very similar fashion to how Microsoft did with Windows 8.  They have listened to the users and fixed much of Unity, but it's still very different from what most are used to using.

I would also recommend that you get an inexpensive external usb hard drive and create a Windows system restore image before trying to run two operating systems on the same computer.  It's simply cheap insurance for when things go wrong.  It  should be available under the maintenance menu in both Win 7 & 8.

Computers are just like any other tool.  When I first brought home my craftsman table saw I couldn't build cabinetry or fine furniture.  With trial and error, and lots of practice, I learned how to build what I wanted.  It was the same with my first computer.  I wasn't building websites and writing custom software in just a couple of days.

I encourage everyone to experiment with their computer system.  It's very rewarding and keeps our minds sharp.  And to those who say, "I can't do that!", my response is that we all learn to do what we really want to do.....

Dennis

[LizStreithorst]

I'll sit here and wait for the smart people I trust to try it first and tell me how wonderful it is before I give it a try.  I'm only good at new computer things when I'm backed into a corner with nobody to help me but myself.  I dread the new Windows 10.  Thank God the icon has not appeared on mine yet.  What about virus protection?  Will MalwareBytes run on it?

[BallAquatics]

I think my biggest question about the 'free' Windows 10 upgrade would be what if it sucks???  Can I go back to a usable Windows 7 or is that option gone once I run the update???  I would want assurance that I can go back if 10 turns out to be just as big a stinker as 8.

FWIW, I have zero experience with Windows 8 other than playing with the free trial MS sent out.  I don't know of any local business running it.....

Dennis

[BillT]

Dennis, its for that reason that I am waiting to hear how it goes from someone else.

[Mugwump]

Uh Oh....I have the '10' icon......

[BallAquatics]

Uh Oh....I have the '10' icon......

Doesn't it make you feel nice and secure that they have a back door into your computer to do whatever they wish  LOL

Dennis

[LizStreithorst]

I thought that one would appear after New Faithful shut herself down to install an update.  No icon appeared, thank God.

I want someone or sometwo of the smart people to install Linxus.  If they love it I'll try to do it while shaking in my boots and peeing my pants.  Dennis, does it have photo ware that's as easy to use as the old Micorsoft Office Picture app that came with XP?  It's the only one I'm smart enough to use.  Even Photo Bucket is over my head