My advice on Windows 8.

[SARGE]

Originally Posted by glc Sarge, wait for Windows 9.

So, is Win8 one of those throw-in OS like ME or Vista, just buying time for the OS they're really working on, i.e., Win7 and now Win9? One thing I did see when installing Win8, it had all my drivers for Asus board and video card. After re-installing Win7 last night I couldn't get on the Net. Had to find my Asus cd and pull the LAN driver off it., then install video cd. So I can see some pluses. I'm just at the point where I don't want to have to think too much anymore and Win8 required that.

[David M]

I think the big picture idea was to create an OS that can compete with portable touch screen devices...but then the committees that run Microsoft decided to try to make it a replacement for Win 7 and try to make it compatible with all platforms. They were also probably told to think outside the box but instead of coming up with useful ideas that are outside the box they came up with weird stuff that is definitely different, but useless and frustrating to have to learn. At Apple it used to be that everything had to get past one guy. It was either excellent or was crap and got dropped. Well at Microsoft everything seems to be done by committee, therefore crap can get passed by a 5-4 vote.

It will be interesting to see if Windows 9 is something completely new or essentially Windows version 7.1. Or maybe it will be a completely clean user interface with nothing but a blank white screen? Maybe I should not be giving people in a state that just legalized dope ideas? Could that be the crux of the problem? If you have ever been stoned you come up with all kinds of brilliant ideas but when you sober up you only then realize how stupid they are. Maybe they never sobered up?

[SARGE]

Begs the question David, what is wrong with Win7? Alot (most) of Fortune 500 companies still stuck on even older OS. Maybe Win8 just an invention by MS to use a touchscreen to compete with smartphones and ATM machines? I ain't reaching across my desk to do that when I can use a keyboard and mouse, so what's the use? When Fortune 500 companies and galbud's company start going to all touchscreen tablets, maybe. Me, I'm dancing with who brung me. Just not going all way back to Win95, b4 your time, btw.

[David M]

I don't think there is any particular problem with Windows 7 compared to older Windows operating systems. Businesses just don't want to spend the money on a new operating system when the old one is working fine. They also don't want to have the disruption of their business or risk their computers being down in order to upgrade. What forces a business to change is either some sort of hardware breaks or they can no longer run new software that they need on their old hardware or OS or both.

There really isn't any other incentive for a business to upgrade. They are not like enthusiasts who want the newest thing simply because it is new or are professional computer techs who now have to learn it in order to stay competitive and to keep their customers happy.

I go back to a Macintosh SE, Windows 2.0 and when only universities had the internet. I worked for one and had my own account, it was cool. I learned C-Basic in college and had to test my code on their mainframe, back 1980. My girlfriend learned punch cards back in 1979. I had sympathy for her. I can't say I ever worked on the UNIVAC, that was indeed before my time.

[SARGE]

David, for grins I still have my copy of Win98 SE upgrade that requires a previous version of Windows to install. For further grins I still have several copies of floppies of Windows 3.1 that I always used when installing it., to use as a "previous version". Now, if I can find a floppy drive somewhere locally at mom & pop with USB connection, could have some fun. Who knows what the dinosaur would do on an SSD drive? Wonder if there would be a mobo and/or RAM compatibility issue nowadays? To me, Win98 SE was the slickest there was. That would be a project for me and fun.

[David M]

I still have two floppy drives out in the garage in a box if you ever need one. The first two computers I built on this forum had one.

[SARGE]

Originally Posted by David M I still have two floppy drives out in the garage in a box if you ever need one. The first two computers I built on this forum had one.

I need one. Send me your particulars and cash will be in mail allowing for shipping, etc. I'm looking at a box now that should be ready, has an old XP on the drive. Been sitting here since glc first called them XPeeeeee. Knock some dust off and looking forward to having some fun. Thanks.

[David M]

I can't charge you Sarge. PM me your address.

[SARGE]

Originally Posted by David M I can't charge you Sarge. PM me your address.

Done and thanks.

[glc]

Sarge, motherboards haven't had a floppy controller for a few years now..........

[SARGE]

Originally Posted by glc Sarge, motherboards haven't had a floppy controller for a few years now..........

So all my pics and stuff from long ago, just lost? Lots of stuff in storage on floppies, boxes full of my kids.

[Bob338]

I still have an old box, with floppy, that I saved for possible legal problems concerning documentation for both a prenuptial agreement and some real estate matters. It's functional. I'd be happy to 'loan' it to enable retrieving of old floppy data. You'd have to pay shipping both ways but it's available!

[David M]

Sarge, does the board you are going to use have a floppy controller? I would like to send you my floppy drive but I would like to know that it is going to work for you.

[strollin]

Sarge - You can buy an external USB floppy drive, something like this: 144 External USB Floppy Drive

I have one and it's handy to have around for just those few occasions when you need it.

[glc]

Sarge, I have that exact USB floppy drive for when I need it. I just checked stores, Fry's and Best Buy don't have any but Microcenter does.

[Preston]

Originally Posted by jdeb In my opinion, the only thing it makes better is open source software because people are starting to realize that it is not in the OS but in the applications. I will tell you something else, the desktop is not dead... the OS's are.

Yes. Well said.

[SARGE]

One at Microcenter by Inland, box says "supports Windows 32bit OS versions only". I'm running 64bit. Will try it in a bit and see. Should have read box when at store. They had a more expensive one, the one listed above. Pretty much same reviews and looks like 64bit is a no-go anyway.

http://reviews.microcenter.com/3520-...ws/reviews.htm