Can I wean myself off Windows, for good?

[GammaGlobulin]

Hi Folks,

 

For many years, beginning around the year 2000, I used nothing but the Linux OS.

 

Eight years ago, I went back to Windows OS for teaching purposes.

 

However, now that I have a new computer, I think I will try installing a Linux OS, and I do NOT mean Dual Boot, either.

 

I am not sure, but I think that I can use a Linux OS, exclusively, for teaching purposes.

 

And, also, I cannot afford the big bucks for Windows 11, PRO.

 

Also, I do not like the fact that Windows 11 requires some sort of SIGN-IN.

 

With Linux, nobody asks you to provide so many personal details, or even an email address, or a telephone number, etc.

 

 

============

 

I am perfectly OK with Linux for teaching.

 

But, there are a few applications, such as ADOBE Acrobat, which I might need, and which are not ported to Linux.

 

Still, I can work around these hurdles, I think.

 

=================

 

 

I am tired of being nickeled and dimed to death by software companies which think they can charge me, by the month, for lousy software that they control.

 

Can I teach just as effectively without paying the Software Mafia?

I know that I can.

 

I just need to adapt.

And, I just need to get used to alternative solutions.

 

=============

 

This is not a philosophical post, and I do not care whether or not you might choose to wean yourselves off this TOXIC Software Bandwagon that many seem to be on.

 

There is NO DOUBT in my mind that I can teach just as well using FOSS, or even the opensource software available on the internet, today.

 

=============

 

Just be aware that FOSS and opensource software is NOT the same thing.

 

===========

 

 

Anyway, Folks, ....

 

Once I rid myself of the lousy software, such as Windows, and Adobe, I will feel FREE.

 

I will feel better.

 

I will never, again, worry about paying money to The MAN!

 

Note:  I will feel BETTER!

 

And, I hope you will soon feel better....TOO...!

 

 

FCK these lousy Software Companies who hold us HOSTAGE!

 

==========

 

I will CONTINUE to Go with OPENSUSE....

But, I have heard rumors that the SUSE Enterprise project is now winding down, which can't be good.

Still, maybe OpenSure community will remain strong?

IDK....

 

I have always LOVED SUSE....

 

 

[noobexpat]

Boring mate.

[GammaGlobulin]

Maybe I am NUTZO?

 

But, maybe not so crazy, actually, as most here might think.

 

And, who are the nuts, anyway????

 

Obviously, the nuts are the software companies who wish us to pay through the nose to boost profits in a diminishing market.

 

THIS IS WHY I HAVE CHOSEN TO GO.....

 

FULL OPENSOURCE.

 

After almost a decade of shifting from Linux to Windows, ....

Now, this is the time when I will shift back to installing Linux on my new computer.

 

FK Windows.

I can no longer pay the price of the intrusiveness of Windows, nor the price to install Windows on my computer.

 

............................

 

Just a very few years ago, one of my computers was dropped on the floor.

And the hard drive crashed.

And the Windows OS crashed with it.....

 

I tried to call MS to get a new license, after providing the serial number for this machine.

But, they made the entire process difficult.

So difficult that I just gave up, since the time spent was not worth it.

 

..........................

 

So, I say....

FK MS.

Some day, this company will get the message.

 

Meanwhile, I will go back to using Linux.

 

There will be some tradeoffs, such as not being able to use some software programs, natively.

But, then....FK them, because they are monopolies, and they act like NITWIT Czars.

 

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

Of course, using Linux is not for everyone.

I have used Linux-Desktop for many years, and I like it.

 

I don't use Gnome, that crappy Gnome.

 

I use KDE, which is better.

 

llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

 

The guys at Windows are nothing but LICE who feed off of the blood of good human beings.

 

And so, I will NOT be a party to this bloodsucking.

 

Instead, I will just install Linux on my new computer...and....

FK Windows products.

 

Regards....

 

Note: That guy Balmer was a TOTAL a-HOLE....truly.

 

(I will do without that a-Hole, and I hope you will, too.)

 

 

..............

 

There are some things you cannot easily do with the Linux Desktop.

But, I can do everything I need to do with OpenSUSE, for sure.

 

FK  MS

 

 

 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

 

I will go with Linux, for the future of my teaching.

 

FK....Windows.

 

This might require a bit of adaptation, though.

 

 

[jerrymahoney]

(REDUX from 29 FEB 2024)

 

Every year or so when I went back to US, I bought a new laptop. I now have 5 working laptops 2 with SSD running Window 10 that all work well the newest from my last US trip 5 years ago just before COVID set in.

 

Each time now I go to the security update page I get the notice that this computer will be incompatible with Window 11 and Window 10 support will end October 2025. 

 

So I decided to buy a Chromebook for all my financial data post Windows 10 official support and use the otherwise obsolete 5 laptops for everything OTHER than financial data which will stay on the Chromebook.

 

And much lighter for traveling

 

NB Microsoft now says they may extend non-corporate Windows 10 support for a limited time post-OCT 2025 for an as yet to be determined price.

 

And GGB -- I have lots of PC type software some free some paid including some bootlegs that run well which I use all the time

[GammaGlobulin]

14 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

(REDUX from 29 FEB 2024)

 

Every year or so when I went back to US, I bought a new laptop. I now have 5 working laptops 2 with SSD running Window 10 that all work well the newest from my last US trip 5 years ago just before COVID set in.

 

Each time now I go to the security update page I get the notice that this computer will be incompatible with Window 11 and Window 10 support will end October 2025. 

 

So I decided to buy a Chromebook for all my financial data post Windows 10 official support and use the otherwise obsolete 5 laptops for everything OTHER than financial data which will stay on the Chromebook.

 

And much lighter for traveling

 

NB Microsoft now says they may extend non-corporate Windows 10 support for a limited time post-OCT 2025 for an as yet to be determined price.

 

And GGB -- I have lots of PC type software some free some paid including some bootlegs that run well which I use all the time

 

Interesting.

 

So, do you like the Chromebook?

 

The Chromebook was introduced quite some time ago, or at least, the concept of a Chromebook, which was intended to have much of its storage in the cloud, instead of on HD, itself.

 

For sure, it seems that MS is attempting to reap more money from Windows users.  And, it seems that some companies are hoping for a Monthly Subscription paid by users.  Maybe YouTube is doing the same thing?

 

And, WHO is running these companies, NOW, anyway?

 

Maybe, these companies are being run by a totally different generation, compared to the generation who originally founded these companies.

 

AND, maybe this new generation will drive these companies into the ground, if they continue to antagonize their users.

 

Some day, if they keep this up, then the majority of their customer base will leave.

 

However, what is the alternative?

 

Apple OS

Windows OS

Linux OS

 

Not much of a choice for the common computer user.

 

 

[jerrymahoney]

6 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

So, do you like the Chromebook?

So far mixed. It is small and fast for 7500 baht but it mostly relies on Android software and apps have to be downloaded from Google play store. But you can plug in a USB hard drive and run movies music from that. 

 

One nice thing is that you can run multiple Gmail accounts on Chrome which you cannot do on a PC.

 

And I am prepping for the time when no financial stuff can be on Windows 10.

[Lacessit]

I've tried various versions of Linux, IMO Linux Mint is the easiest for my purposes.

 

I really doubt Windows has anything to offer me I do not have already. LibreOffice, Openshot video editor, VideoDownloader, scanning and printing is all I need.

 

My last memory of Windows was acquiring a virus so virulent nothing could be done for the laptop that was attacked by it.

 

It continues to baffle me why people shell out good money for an OS which is under daily assault by hackers, when free Linux hardly ever gets molested.

[bubblegum]

Windows 11 1 language version costs 800-- Thai baht.

[jerrymahoney]

My first computer that I bought was a refurbished  iMac with added memory. Then I started doing Braille work and the Braille software my group used was PC only. That was 25 years ago. Other than a few motherboard crashes and the computer junked, no big deal for me.

[GammaGlobulin]

4 hours ago, jerrymahoney said:

you can run multiple Gmail accounts on Chrome which you cannot do on a PC.

 

Really?

 

I am using over 24 Gmail accounts on my Windows computers.

 

I have nine Gmail accounts named after the planets, ...

 

Mercury

Venus

Earth

Mars

Jupiter

YOUR ANUS

Saturn

Neptune

Etc.....

 

I also am using other Gmail accounts on my Windows computer, such as:

 

CPC.licks.Maos.Anus AT gmail.com

 

Which, I might add, is my favorite.

 

 

[Mike Teavee]

53 minutes ago, jerrymahoney said:

So far mixed. It is small and fast for 7500 baht but it mostly relies on Android software and apps have to be downloaded from Google play store. But you can plug in a USB hard drive and run movies music from that. 

 

One nice thing is that you can run multiple Gmail accounts on Chrome which you cannot do on a PC.

 

And I am prepping for the time when no financial stuff can be on Windows 10.

Touchpad has gone on my (11 year old) Macbook Pro & was assuming I would need to buy a new Laptop as I have some hefty Excel spreadsheets that I use for my financial planning/tracking so curious as to how you find using the Chromebook to manage your finances. 

 

I had one 4-5 years ago & found it great for the vast majority of things (I.e. surfing the Internet) but Sheets is (or at least at that time was) no replacement for Excel have things gotten better?

 

I've just done a quick search & it seems you can now run a limited version of Excel on Android, has anybody tried using this? 

 

I guess another option would be to get an Office 365 subscription but like the OP, I begrudge paying a monthly subscription for software especially as I would only be using a small part of it. 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

20 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I've tried various versions of Linux, IMO Linux Mint is the easiest for my purposes.

 

I really doubt Windows has anything to offer me I do not have already. LibreOffice, Openshot video editor, VideoDownloader, scanning and printing is all I need.

 

My last memory of Windows was acquiring a virus so virulent nothing could be done for the laptop that was attacked by it.

 

It continues to baffle me why people shell out good money for an OS which is under daily assault by hackers, when free Linux hardly ever gets molested.

 

OK.

So, I agree with you., in that, I will soon stop using Windows....forever.

 

I just need to use a very few applications which are not yet ported to Linux.

 

And, for these, I just need to find a workaround.

 

You like Mint.

OK.

 

But, I like SUSE distro, and I like to use KDE for my desktop.

 

I have been using SUSE for over two decades, I think...and so...

This is what I am used to.... maybe.....

 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

25 minutes ago, bubblegum said:

Windows 11 1 language version costs 800-- Thai baht.

 

Thank you.

 

I would buy a genuine version of Windows 11 PRO for 800 Baht.

Where to buy?

Please let me know.

This would be a good deal.

 

Also, the software must be fully registered with Microsoft Corp.

 

Please update where to buy for this price.

 

Tks.

 

 

[jerrymahoney]

6 minutes ago, Mike Teavee said:

I use for my financial planning/tracking so curious as to how you find using the Chromebook to manage your finances. 

All I am talking about is logging into various bank and credit card, etc. websites. 

[jerrymahoney]

When I read about all those who use LINUX, Ubuntu, or some other GNU-ware, I just think about the old 2009 Microsoft ad:

 

 'I'm just not cool enough to be a Mac person'

 

 

[Lemsta69]

5 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

And, also, I cannot afford the big bucks for Windows 11, PRO.

 

Also, I do not like the fact that Windows 11 requires some sort of SIGN-IN.

 

You can get a Win 11 Pro OEM license for next to nothing. I bought a Win 10 Pro license from this mob in Dec 2020 and it's still working, even after I upgraded to Win 11 and did multiple fresh re-installs.

 

https://www.electronicfirst.com/windows-11-professional-retail-key

 

You can install Win 11 using a local account very easily, just follow the instructions in this article:

 

https://www.makeuseof.com/windows-11-set-up-without-internet-connection/

 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

10 minutes ago, Lemsta69 said:

 

You can get a Win 11 Pro OEM license for next to nothing. I bought a Win 10 Pro license from this mob in Dec 2020 and it's still working, even after I upgraded to Win 11 and did multiple fresh re-installs.

 

https://www.electronicfirst.com/windows-11-professional-retail-key

 

You can install Win 11 using a local account very easily, just follow the instructions in this article:

 

https://www.makeuseof.com/windows-11-set-up-without-internet-connection/

 

 

 

I doubt it.

 

Might be baloney.

 

IF I were to buy a license, then I would buy from Microsoft.

 

But then, I might also buy a Dog Collar from M$, as a gift with purchase.

 

There are many bogus offerings floating around, which are not the real deal.

 

I would not pay a penny for anything not confirmed from Microsoft.

 

As Barnum once said.....

 

You are a SUCKER.....when something is just too good to be true.

 

 

[Woof999]

2 hours ago, Lemsta69 said:

You can install Win 11 using a local account very easily, just follow the instructions in this article:

 

Yep, at first it seems like they want you to have a Microsoft account, but there is also an option to skip and sign in without one. You can also make it login automatically, not that you should. This is not a reason to use Linux, although there are many, just none that float my boat.

[Lemsta69]

2 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

I doubt it.

 

Might be baloney.

 

IF I were to buy a license, then I would buy from Microsoft.

 

But then, I might also buy a Dog Collar from M$, as a gift with purchase.

 

There are many bogus offerings floating around, which are not the real deal.

 

I would not pay a penny for anything not confirmed from Microsoft.

 

As Barnum once said.....

 

You are a SUCKER.....when something is just too good to be true.

 

 

 

You're the sucker if you pay big bucks to Microsoft for a Retail product key instead of a cheap OEM key from the internet.

 

If you don't know what an OEM key is then Google it.

 

At any rate, even if the product key I bought from that website is a recycled one, it makes no difference because my current Windows install is showing as Activated and everything is working as expected. 

 

You have to type the product key in manually you know, there's no crack or keygen program involved ergo zero risk of virus or malware.

[GammaGlobulin]

11 minutes ago, Woof999 said:

 

Yep, at first it seems like they want you to have a Microsoft account, but there is also an option to skip and sign in without one. You can also make it login automatically, not that you should. This is not a reason to use Linux, although there are many, just none that float my boat.

 

Windows is becoming ever more intrusive.

 

Correct, there is the option to opt out, for now.

 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

9 minutes ago, Lemsta69 said:

 

You're the sucker if you pay big bucks to Microsoft for a Retail product key instead of a cheap OEM key from the internet.

 

If you don't know what an OEM key is then Google it.

 

At any rate, even if the product key I bought from that website is a recycled one, it makes no difference because my current Windows install is showing as Activated and everything is working as expected. 

 

You have to type the product key in manually you know, there's no crack or keygen program involved ergo zero risk of virus or malware.

 

Yes.

I know what an OEM key is.

I have had several given to me by ASUS in the past.

 

Thank you, though, for clarifying.

 

 

[freeworld]

29 minutes ago, Woof999 said:

 

Yep, at first it seems like they want you to have a Microsoft account, but there is also an option to skip and sign in without one. You can also make it login automatically, not that you should. This is not a reason to use Linux, although there are many, just none that float my boat.

Install windows 11 while disconnected from the network. Dont need an account to install.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

I found this topic very interesting. Thought I would throw in my 2cents worth.  I worked in IT&T for 30+ years and I know the issues, but I want to just use the things not manage and run them - too old/grumpy to do it.

I have 3 laptops - one running Win10 and totally locked down with full security etc - I use that for banking etc. One running Win7 that I use for online movies youtube etc. The third is sitting waiting for stand alone Win12 - if not, then whatever I decide later.

All software is either free or bought online - much much cheaper.

The virus/malware industry is a nowadays a bit of a scam - only corporates really need it - and even then it is not guaranteed - but when using online banking it would be foolish not to be 'secure'.

I never (will) use a banking app on the iphone, or any other app that has/requires details of my banks - they are not computers and are inherently insecure - using those sort of apps in a place like Thailand is very risky. 

The malware industry is a bit like the VPN - when all most people really need is an IP clone network - just dont use public/open networks.

My Win 7 laptop is totally open and has never had a problem - only a hardware fail - just reloaded from the backup.

Linuc etc are great for bare bones machines for gamers and others who dont want CPU wasted running a bloated OS.

Chromebook was a great concept and works fine - except when you want an app they dont have or does not run well - plus I like local storage.

 

[connda]

Run VirtualBox in Linux and then set up a virtual machine instance in VirtualBox to run Win10 so you can run the few Windows apps that you may need like Adobe Acrobat.

Plenty of tutorials on Youtube to help you along.
https://youtu.be/OWmD8obq4eQ

 

[Pickwick]

16 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I never (will) use a banking app on the iphone, or any other app that has/requires details of my banks - they are not computers and are inherently insecure - using those sort of apps in a place like Thailand is very risky.

I'd be (genuinely) grateful if you could expand on why you think bank apps are less secure than internet banking. I have never worked in IT so I have no expertise, but months of research before coming to Thailand led me to believe apps were more secure (with the caveat that you have downloaded the real app in the first place). Especially if used with WiFi disabled, fingerprint (or similar) to access the app and a secondary measure, such as a password prompt, within the individual apps, when any money is being transferred out. You could, of course, add a VPN to add another level of security.

 

What am I missing that makes the above less than secure than internet banking? Please note: it's a genuine question and not a challenge to prove me wrong. I am always eager to learn from those with more experience/knowledge.

 

I will also add that I am using an HP Chromebook at the moment. The only reason I bought it was to come to Thailand on an extended holiday and wanted to travel light with no checked luggage. I was surprised at how well the combination of ChromeOS and Android worked for me. I do have multiple Google accounts in use and on one I do have the Android part disabled, which is easy to do. I generally like to have the Firefox app running as a back up browser, however.

 

You can use Linux too, and I tried, but I am out of my depth with Linux and was never comfortable using it so reverted to ChromeOS. Surfing/Video Calls/Email/Netflix etc all very easy. I had a bit of work to do when I first bought the Chromebook and used Office 365 without issue over a six month period. I do like most of the Google software (though only require basic spreadsheets in Sheets, so cannot answer one of the questioned posed in a previous post).

 

The only problem I encountered was on an older website I found when trying to practise Thai tones. It had some software you could download to practise your tones but the download files were only available for Windows or Mac. 

[Lemsta69]

52 minutes ago, freeworld said:

Install windows 11 while disconnected from the network. Dont need an account to install.

 

You can only do that now if you use the workaround that I posted above. I just did a fresh install of Win 11 using a USB stick that was created by the MS Media Creation Tool and the "I don't have internet" option is not there anymore for the Pro version.

[freeworld]

11 minutes ago, Lemsta69 said:

 

You can only do that now if you use the workaround that I posted above. I just did a fresh install of Win 11 using a USB stick that was created by the MS Media Creation Tool and the "I don't have internet" option is not there anymore for the Pro version.

Did it last week, installed pro version Win 11 from a USB created by MS media creation tool.

[n00dle]

FFS -- these posts should come with a clear warning  so we know to move on. 

[Lemsta69]

9 minutes ago, freeworld said:

Did it last week, installed pro version Win 11 from a USB created by MS media creation tool.

 

Well I did it last week too and I had to force the offline install option via the command line. Another case of YMMV I guess.