Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed

Subject: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 08 Jun 15 - 11:38 AM

The motherboard has just gone on my PC and it looks like the only alternative is to buy a new computer.

Not being a techie, the first thing I've done in the past was to download a jargon buster and figure out from that what sort of specification I needed. EG., what size hard disk do I require? Do I need to buy one that's NFC enabled? (BTW, there's no need to answer those points. I'm just using them as examples.)

Strangely, I've just crawled all over the Internet and can't find anything suitable. If anyone knows of a link to one, I'd be extremely obliged if they could post same here.

Many thanks.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Reinhard
Date: 08 Jun 15 - 01:12 PM

For the jargon, try Tech Jargon Buster: technology terms explained - November 2014.

There are lots of PC Buying Guides online. For non-gamers, something like the budget box from the TechSpot PC Buying Guide should be enough. I'm not a hardware enthusiast and therefore would rather buy a complete PC with a similar configuration, not the components as a druid-yourself kit ;)

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,Fred McCormick
Date: 09 Jun 15 - 03:56 PM

Reinhard. Thanks. That will be just the job.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Jun 15 - 08:44 PM

An LAPtop is 250 USD.

Reject all versions of Windows.

Go LInux....hook your old HD as an external Ian and transfer the "important stuff.



you know and you know and know and then it happens

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Jun 15 - 11:00 PM

Do what some of my neighbors do - call the geek in your neighborhood and have them walk you through the options. I get those calls from neighbors several times a year. My next door neighbor got a touch screen laptop a few weeks ago, after we walked through a couple of stores to let her get her hands on them. I also set up a good tutorial so she could learn at her own pace about the Windows 8.1 operating system. And the final step that made her happiest - I loaded the Windows 7 games into her Windows 8 computer. She missed Solitaire.

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 09 Jun 15 - 11:03 PM

P.S. I'd rather they call me and ask those questions than to hear from them later about how much they spent to get some business to work on their computers and not solve the problem. And then I can work on the computer for them, but it costs more that way (I don't charge, but they pay for their parts, and because they know how much the businesses charged for not fixing it, usually there is a tip involved).

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 09 Jun 15 - 11:41 PM

we might need to be discussing the pros & cons and practicalities of a free upgrade to Win 10 fairly soon...

[that'll probably merit it's own thread..???]

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 12:13 AM

The damn little Windows icon is in the system tray on my computer and refuses to go away. I like Win 7 and am not about to upgrade until someone else works out the bugs. I wish the icon would GO. AWAY. I guess I'll have to research that! :)

SRS

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Amos
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 12:57 AM

I recommend a Mac. It make life simpler.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Mr Red
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 04:06 AM

Mac/Linux/Android/Win

Reject all evangelists that tell you their favourite is the one to go for.

The bestest computer you could ever have is just like the one you had, only 10 times as fast.

So stick with the Operating System (OS) that has taken you up the steep learning curve, and filled your expectations. However if you are familiar with (Say) Windows then any new OS version will have novel (=unfamiliar) "improvements" for a time, but that learning curve won't be as steep. It is nigh impossible to get a brand new PC with Win7 though some Laptops come with the Professional version. Win 8 is universally criticized, opt for the old interface immediately, unless you have a touch screen. Right now Win10 is being touted as a free upgrade (coming soon), but it looks for all the world to be a portal for selling you stuff. Avoid XP - it is no longer supported and Vista will be the next to be dropped. So Win 7 (if you are a PC-er) is the minimum recommended.

A second hand PC may be the answer.

A good idea would be to look for USB3, future proofing with backward compatibility to 2 & 1.1. (Universal Serial Bus - since you asked)

I chose a used Laptop with SSD (Solid State Drive) because it is quicker to load and run, but disk sizes tend to be smaller because of the price, and looking at specs of SSD I am not sure it saves anything on battery time. I got a fast external 1Tb HDD (Hard Disk Drive) (USB 3).

Having an HDMI (High Definitin Multimedia Interface) output might be useful, especially if the screen resolution is good and you want to feed it into your TV. My monitor shows PVR feeds or from the PC as a second screen, all via a 3-way switch. (I don't have a TV per se). Not altogether ergonomic from a laptop but for video editing the second screen has its benefits.

Laptops are convenient on many fronts, but if you don't want to go places with your "stuff" eg photos, videos etc stick with the Box/Keyboard/Monitor.
Wireless mice are a boon, especially with laptops - those trackpads are not the most ergonomic even if they are self-contained.

And get AV software (Anti-Virus) or if you have a Mac get a "Defender" = thinly disguised AV. And don't for one minute believe all that shit about Macs not getting viruses. It may have a ring of truth only because they get parasites. The criminals that write the malware have a vested interest in targeting idiots who "don't think" and a true parasite would be undetected by all but the cleverest geeks. I have heard the opinion of an expert that puts 90% of all DNS attacks (Denial of Service - on websites) was originating from Macs. Even if the % is wrong, the message ain't. Do you do banking on your PC? Hmmmmmm......

OH - and good luck.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 07:37 AM

ok... as of today's win 7 updates, I've just reserved win 10 for my Laptop..

It already needs a reinstall anyway, and a new hard drive might be a nice improvement...😎

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 07:51 AM

Last upgrade I did for my (Linux) desktop PC was to change it from an AMD X2 dual core with 2MB RAM to an AMD FX quad core with 8MB RAM. I kept the other components.

I needed more RAM for something I was doing either with Eclipse or Netbeans (programming IDEs) and probably would have got away with just adding another 2MB to my existing system.

I didn't want to be throwing more money at DDR2 RAM though so opted for a new motherboard and upgraded the processor while I was at it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: EBarnacle
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 10:44 AM

I was speaking with one of the people who wrote the code for Windows 10 not too long ago. As with Windows 8, this is designed primarily for machines with touch screens, such as tablets and smart phones. Windows 7 will be supported for at least the next 5 years.

The downside of migrating to Windows 10 is that it will not work with software that was compatible with earlier versions of Windows, such as fully licensed Office, etc.

The plan is that most of the major software will be by subscription instead of buy it, install it and forget it. There will be an increasing reliance on the Cloud rather than hard drives.

Do you trust your secure information to a third party?

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 11:32 AM

Until I have time to get better informed,
my inclination is to reserve win 10 on all qualifying computers,
and then maybe install it on trial on just one...???

What I am actually doing right now is compiling a wishlist of brand new PCs
supplied with no builder installed operating system;
with the definite plan of installing Win 7 Pro.

I've just taken the risk on buying a Win 7 Pro Product Key Label
for 25 quid off Amazon.
Annoyingly, bastard microsoft have pulled the plug on the 'official' Digital River hosted source of Win Iso downloads.

The Amazon seller I purchased the key off emailed a link to a dodgy 'warez' looking Indian download site...???
Fortunately I found another download link on a fairly reputable UK PC Refurb shops server.

Then I thought, sod it, and bought a Win 7 Pro MAR Refurb Dvd & product key off another Amazon seller for 35 quid...

So if all goes to plan, and I've not been ripped off, I should have two viable Win 7 Pro service pack 1 installs for total 60 quid...

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Stanron
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 12:11 PM

Reject all people who tell you to reject stuff!

If your machine dies and your new machine has to have a new operating system why pay for it when you can get one legally for free?

If XP dies and you have to change to 7 or 8, that's a new OP and you will have to learn it. If you have to get 10 it will be even worse. You will have to learn a new operating system anyway so why not get a brand new Linux system for free? It won't be any harder to learn.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 12:20 PM

BTW - these are the specs for the PC I would have bought by now for approx £400
if the big combi microwave hadn't packed up and needed immediate replacement 2 or 3 weeks ago...


"Intel Core I5 4460 HD PC 120gb SSD 16gb 1600Mhz R1 Computer
Gigabyte H81M-S2H Motherboard
16gb DDR3 1600mhz Performance Ram
Onboard Graphics
Corsair CX600 80 Plus Bronze Certified 600w Power Supply
120gb Kingston V300 Solid State Drive"

Sold as a 'barebones' starter gaming PC,
but seems reasonably powered with good upgrade potential
for recording with a USB audio interface...???

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: EBarnacle
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 12:47 PM

The only change I would suggest, based on recent experience, is a larger hard drive.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 01:04 PM

Yeah.. the supplied PC case has front slots for easy install/removal
for another couple of drives....

All the other components are basic fair budget quality,
which I costed wouldn't be a lot less than £400 retail for a self build.

So fingers crossed I can afford it soonish...


.. and considering it would replace a slow and unreliable
Win 7 Home basic Pentium 4 with 2 gigs ram....

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Mr Red
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 06:11 PM

Linux system for free? It won't be any harder to learn.

I am not a naive user and I found Linux difficult to get my head round. At the time (Radio Station) we had a guy who's principle income is sorting PCs of all vintages for people. He didn't fly though the learning curve. And all that free stuff - is also different (or did I mean alien?). And BTW he told me he won't be installing Win10 until at least SP1.

Reject evangelists. Go with what you know, and the learning curve is 10/20% compared with an alien OS.

If Win 10 will not run "fit and forget" Office then I don't want it. Trust a third party? With all my songs? My code? Hmmmm.... And pay for the privilege? I think NOT.

& I have been programming computers since 1969 - from embedded machine code & FORTRAN to C++ and currently a shed load of VBA/JavaScript. If I find Linux alien then a guy who just wants a tool that works not a geek hobby is advised to stick with what they know. A lot of differences I have experienced with Micro$oft were with Office 2007 cf 2003. Win XP, Vista and 7 are much closer.

Anyone ever tried driving a vehicle with the steering at the back? It is alien and scratches and bumps occur till you have driven well up the learning curve. Or the bank! Strange takes time. For minor benefits? And usually a few losses you cannot work around ergonomically.

Why are there no industrial Macs? Or Linux? Because you cannot get the cards that do very specific things, and the software to interface with the OS. In the industrial computer field it is PC or struggle (at a cost). Industry invest a lot of man-hours in the learning curve of its employees, they stick with one OS. For good reason.

The OP-er is the focus for the discussion. If the guy used an OS and he wants to be up and running just like he used to he will expect it to look like it used to. I don't recall he asked what was the most intriguing OS to learn. He wanted jargon explained. Methinks he is already way down the track of "similarity".

USB 3 and SSD and possibly HDMI are the most valuable assets to consider and they don't pre-suppose an OS AFAIK.

Good Luck Fred.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 06:31 PM

I got an email today - Ebuyer is knocking these budget PCs down to £119.99 to clear..

http://www.ebuyer.com/658956-lenovo-e50-desktop-pc-90bx0018uk

Basic specs...

"Lenovo E50 Desktop PC

Intel Pentium Quad Core J2900
4GB RAM
500GB HDD
DVD Writer
Windows 8.1 Bing 64bit + Upgrade to Windows 10"


...nothing special, but a PC for the price of a tablet.

Might do for non demanding tasks like day to day web browsing and writing up mudcat posts...???

Usually I would impulse buy some bargain like this,
then try to find a use for it...

But at the moment I gotta stay focused on the PC I actually need...

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Stanron
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 07:28 PM

Mr Red

Of course I don't know which Linux operating systems you have encountered. A current Linux magazine has an article descibing, I think, 59 different Linux systems you can install today. Some of them you need to install piece by piece using terminal commands and only after extensive study. Others, such as Mint Cinnamon, are simpler and quicker to install than most of the Windows systems I have installed (up to XP). It also works like XP, with a start button (called 'Menu' but otherwise much the same), a task bar at the bottom, windows open and close in a similar way and the main difference is the way drives are named and the way you search for stuff.

The big disadvantage is if you depend on specific Windows based software. Office programs are available and compatible with Windows file formats and Mint Cinnamon comes with Libre Office already installed. I am currently unable to get video editing software to do what I want but audio editing is fine, notation editing is fine and the internet, using Firefox, is exactly the same.

Incidentally I have driven more than one vehicle that had steering at the back and not all of those were boats. Dumper trucks have rear wheel steering, and I think fork lift trucks, although admittedly the actual steering wheel was in front. But I do get your point about some Linux systems being difficult to use. Some are and some aren't. Most systems provide a DVD iso file which can be burned into a bootable DVD so the system can be tested without commitment. I also take your point about the OP er wanting pretty much what he had, but I suspect an awful lot of people have found out that with Windows, what you want is rarely what they think you want, or what you get. My thought was that there may be others following this thread who might be willing to experiment and explore.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: EBarnacle
Date: 10 Jun 15 - 08:09 PM

I have never had reason to knock Lenovo computers. They produce reliable equipment. The only thing I would try to change on this device is the Windows 8 as the supplied software.

When/if you go to windows 10 anything that works with Windows 8 should work with Windows 10. Yours truly and most of the other posters on this forum are not fans of Win 8.

I was just given a laptop with Win 8.1. As soon as I crack the password, it gets upgraded to Win 10 so I can learn to use it. I'll report back later.

OTOH, I was given Vista machine recently. Everybody damns Vista but this thing keeps chugging along.

See whether you can get Win 7 installed from the supplier. If not, you've got a pretty good plarform there and a free upgrade to Windows 10 within the next year.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 11 Jun 15 - 03:30 PM

For many many years I've used two OSs side by side, Windows (various versions) and RISC OS. I like the way RISC OS does things, but the range of applications is limited, hence the need for ANother OS. I've avoided Linux because I had to use Windows at work, and reckoned frequent swapping between two OSs is confusing enough without adding a third. Although I'm now retired I am accustomed to various Windows applications, not all of which are available for Linux, hence sticking with Windows.

However it's a pain to be (more or less) forced to install a new version of Windows every so often, at significant cost, and one application that I use quite a bit is already somewhat flaky on Windows 7, and there's no later version available.

If Windows changes to subscription I may abandon it.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Mr Red
Date: 12 Jun 15 - 05:25 AM

Years ago we had a RF emmission test rig, to see if our designs radiated illegally. The guy came to calibrate it and we said why is it still running on Win 2.0?
He just said "time this boot-up". And you know - on a modern machine it loaded in 1/10 the time of Win95 (it was over 15 years ago). The only proviso in this tale is that it was a stand-alone, single-use machine, not on the internet and you didn't load floppies willy-nilly.

There are problems using the internet on older OS's and that is support. The AV guys are not going to support them for ever. But they sure will support them longer than Micro$oft. Though I would suspect with Apple "defenders" (who are they kidding?) that may not be as long.

Linux is a wonderful concept and for geeks is a beautiful TOY. A lot of big organisations use it but then they have rooms full of geeks. Android is based on it. Me? I want a tool. And I already have 4. Running Various versions of Win that I understand (to some extent). So geek that I am, I can forego the pleasure of more TOYs. I use 3 PC's regularly (only one on the net though). Why would I want one more alien environ? Even the HTML, Wordpress, VBA & JavaScript (enough already!) I program in is only a means to an end (even though I enjoy it). To produce:
cresby.com
stroudvoices.co.uk
stroudceilidhs.co.uk
dursleyamn.org.uk
cheltenhamfc.org.uk
oralgratification.org.uk
stroudfm.co.uk

The brain can only take so much, and the result is what we want, not the always journey.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 12 Jun 15 - 07:14 AM

Linux has proved itself to be an excellent Operating System for applications ranging from big corporate servers to small embedded devices. It's not a toy.

As for desktop. The popular desktop distributions (Ubuntu, Mint, [my own choice] OpenSuse, etc.) are not difficult to set up. These distributions contain software that will enable most people to be productive in most areas.

My own usage includes LibreOffice (spreadsheet, word processing), GIMP (graphics editing), FireFox, Chromium and Thunderbird (web/email) and Audacuity (audio editing).

I also do use programming environments, although I download these from the company websites rather than look to my distribution. On my desktop, I have Netbeans, Eclipse and, more recently as a project I wanted to look at had been built with it, Android Studio.


For Mr Red. I do not claim to approach being a professional programmer but I can put some smaller projects together and have things work reliably. Experiences include using the Apache, php, mysql platform for web stuff, using Java, python and at least once for a PIC chip, C. My last little project was interfacing between our Visonic burglar alarm and my home automation code.

Of course that it all trivial stuff. To look at the real stuff, I can't really see Windows being needed to develop the Linux Operating System - can you?

I'd guess you own experiences are based on earlier (10 years+ ago) Linux distributions that were much harder to set up and perhaps a commitment to VBA.

Anyway, for other home users. There can be reasons for using Windows, eg. perhaps you need some professional package that only exists on Windows. Perhaps you have got yourself locked in to some application (eg. maybe Libre Office Calc may be a perfectly good solution but you've put a lot of time and effort into VBA scripts).

It could even be that you simply do find Windows the best or find Linux not for you. Contary to what any of us may wish to say, there is no "one size fits everyone" Operating System.

One thing I would say regarding not liking Linux. My own advice to those considering a change is to download and try a few different live distributions (burn the image to disk, boot up, try it without having to install anything) from the popular distributions. My own choice is OpenSuse with the KDE desktop. That particular one should, I think, look reasonably familiar to those who've used Windows at least up to Vista (I've not used a more recent version of Windows).

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: EBarnacle
Date: 12 Jun 15 - 05:09 PM

Richard, I believe I may not have been clear. Windows 10 itself will be a single purchase. Secondary programs provided by Microsoft, such as the replacement for Office will be by subscription.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Richard Mellish
Date: 12 Jun 15 - 06:17 PM

There could be a problem if the older, pay once, versions of the applications won't run properly, or at all, on the new OS version. But the simple solution to that is just to stop using them and switch to alternatives such as Libre Office.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Mr Red
Date: 14 Jun 15 - 05:11 AM

Libre Office is a wonderful concept, but like the learning curve of the human brain there is a parallel curve called "compatibility".

I used Libre Office as a test, and if all you want is a spreadsheet matrix, or word processor text manipulation then it will do a lot. It is a tool like others, and styled to look as close as it can to Micro$oft Office, though I suspect 2000/2003 versions.

But if you have built a suite of automation based on MS VBA (macros), you may well (I did) come up with subtle differences with no simple work around. Compatibility is not complete, and may be mediated by Micro$oft patents or copyright. So you ask yourself, do I want to play at programming and re-aquainting myself with decisions I made 10 years ago, and marvel at my inconsistency, and naiveity? The blow to my ego is trivial, the time to find all the bugs is not. They may not surface unless I read and compare the results in minute detail. I have already spent 10 years refining and de-bugging, can I be resigned to all that again?

Again it is learning knew stuff. When all we want is a tool. Getting a new "tool" because it is new (to us) is on par with "TOYS for the boys".

I have a tool, it is red it is worn at the edges, my brain instinctively knows to "xxy" before I "ZZZ". It feels comfortable in my hands. If I buy a new tool I may well cut myself before my brain teaches my hand to move as the tool "MMM's". So I get another tool that looks and feels like the old blunt one did.
It is a Victorinox Swiss Army knife, a Wenger one would have done the mostly same jobs, has a certain rarity cache, but the Victorinox is familar. Fits my hand. So it is with computer OS's, and all that other software.
We all champion what we chose, because to do otherwise would make us look like we chose badly. But is a Ferrari any better than a Lamborgini? NO, they are both phallic extensions. But jump into the other and what could happen while the brain familiarises to the knew one! Computers mistakes likewise - cost & bruise egos, but at least wouldn't kill.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Mr Red
Date: 14 Jun 15 - 06:05 AM

FYI - This is what my tame expert said in response to Win 10

No I have done what I always do with a new release from MS, I ignore it until its SP1 is released to fix all the bugs.

The nag icon can be removed by uninstalling a Windows 'update' installed automatically recently. (KB3035583)
Then hide the update so it doesn't come back in again.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 14 Jun 15 - 06:35 AM

"But if you have built a suite of automation based on MS VBA (macros), you may well (I did) come up with subtle differences with no simple work around. Compatibility is not complete, and may be mediated by Micro$oft patents or copyright. So you ask yourself, do I want to play at programming and re-aquainting myself with decisions I made 10 years ago"

I agree on that one, I think I gave that as the example of getting locked into a system above.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Nick
Date: 14 Jun 15 - 07:21 PM

My experience with using windows 10 so far is very positive. I have been testing a load of stuff on 32 and 64 bit versions of windows 10 with various versions of office installed (both desktop and 365) and I have had no difficulties with it being backwardly compatible with even 16 bit programs written 20 years ago.

I have yet to come across a machine crash and have very little difficulty navigating my way round or making it do the things I want. I have only once so far consulted google and that was to find out whther the new 'print anything to pdf' function could be configured to automatically open the document created if desired. It is easy to navigate and set up things and its search facilities are very good. Edge, the new browser, is clean and appears ok.

So far I am thinking that I may upgrade even before Service Pack 1 comes out :)

I have bought a laptop today for my wife which has windows 8.1 on so I will either stick with that for a while or upgrade to 10.

To be honest I can't really see why people get that bothered about operating systems. I use anything from XP to server 2012 at work and there is not that steep a learning curve for what most people use computers for. For my part that is mostly browsing, emailing, photography and photoshop, web site stuff, running various software (who really cares what the o/s is once the program is open?), a bit of SQL and database stuff, recording and editing/mixing music and stuff with spreadsheets. Personally if it works and runs what I want then I couldn't care whether it is XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 or even Linux (I use Knoppix occasionally).

Why do people get so excited (positively and negatively) by operating systems?

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 14 Jun 15 - 10:07 PM

As I understand, Win 10 will be a free upgrade for only 12 months.

My guess is the free offer period in which to be decisive about upgrading to Win 10
will expire before Service Pack 1 is released...???

At the moment my plan is to only upgrade computers loaded with Win 8
as I don't like it,
and have a hunch Win 10 might be an improvement.

But my Audio recording PCs will remain Win 7.

Though I will keep an open mind... especially closer to the free offer expiry date...😜

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jun 15 - 12:29 AM

I always choose the "Classic" interface for Windows, and I've seen very little difference between the versions I've used, which is everything from 95 to 7. I heard very bad things about Vista before I tried it, but I don't understand what the fuss was all about. Maybe it has something to do with the "non-classic" interface, whatever that may be. Certainly the Windows 8 interface that I see on display models would be out of the question, but I assume that 8 has a "Classic" option too.

Still, I've always wanted to switch to Linux just because I dislike monopolies. In the past, the problem has been finding .dwg format CAD software that will run on Linux. But now Bricscad is developing a Linux version, which will probably be as good as their Windows version in another year or two.

Bricscad is my first choice even on Windows, and would be my first choice even if it cost the same as Autocad (the monopolistic equivalent of Windows in the CAD world). But in fact it costs many times less.

So if Windows 8 is as bad as it's cracked up to be, or if some later version is that bad, I'm ready to switch to Linux. It looks like Linux is getting to be very similar to Windows Classic, and you can buy computers with Linux already installed, so I won't have to pay for a copy of Windows that I'm not using.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,Shimrod
Date: 15 Jun 15 - 03:07 AM

I remember reading about tablet computers 10 or 15 years ago and also remember being fascinated by the concept. Eventually, the i-Pad came out - and its Android competitors - but they just seemed to me to be more like toys than computers. Then Microsoft brought out the Surface Pro and I bought one. This was much closer to what I had been hoping for but the battery life was crap and there was only one USB port. Nevertheless, I enjoyed playing with it and had very little difficulty mastering the, much maligned, Win 8.1.

In the course of time MS brought out the SP2 and SP3. When the latter appeared, I bought a SP 2 at a reduced price. I also bought a keyboard cover and a Belkin tablet dock (the MS dock wasn't available in the UK).
Now I have a fully portable computer which I can dock and, with a second monitor, wi-fi keyboard and mouse, also use as a desktop. Mind you, the battery life still isn't brilliant and I might be very tempted by the SP 4 when it comes out later this year. I don't really NEED one but I'm sure that I'll really, really WANT one!

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 15 Jun 15 - 06:15 AM

"It looks like Linux is getting to be very similar to Windows Classic"

I think that will depend on the desktop you use. I think KDE is very similar. I wouldn't have thought Unity (the default on Ubuntu) is anything like? Mate on Linux Mint seems popular but I've not used it, etc.

These desktops come with their own set of applications so your default file browser, text editor, perhaps even disk burner and photo management, etc. vary from desktop to desktop. In general I find the KDE ones sort of "more advanced" and more to my taste but again it's personal choice. That and I doubt many of us wind up with a system just using the applications from one Desktop. I use KDE but run a couple of Gnome apps.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 15 Jun 15 - 08:34 AM

I've got no pressing urge to try linux just for the 'fun' of it.

I still don't actually like computers that much - they're a not particularly reliable tool.

But I am aware of the Audio Linux 'all in one' installation downloads
like KXStudio and AVLinux;
and another I just found out about today - Audiophile Linux.

So when I've got more time and inclination, I have a few older PCs and laptops,
which might be refurbed and brought back into use as linux audio machines.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 15 Jun 15 - 08:48 AM

I've still to have a proper play with audio on Linux. I get so far and then drift away... I think part the trouble is Audacity does what I need...

An audio distribution should set up Jack and "real time" processing up for you.

The most advanced program for Linux is probably ardour. It's (for me anyway) not the type of program you pick up in 5 minutes.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: treewind
Date: 16 Jun 15 - 08:44 AM

My studio runs nicely on Ardour and AV Linux.
You can use Audacity on Linux too, but once you've learned to drive Ardour, Audacity is only worthwhile for very simple WAV file tweaks. Any trickier editing gets to be a headache in Audacity.

I like multi platform software. Much of the time I almost forget whether I'm using Windows (at work, mostly) or Linux (at home, mostly) because Chrome, Firefox, Libre Office and Thunderbird are near enough the same on both.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: Stanron
Date: 16 Jun 15 - 09:32 AM

I've just downloaded Ardour and it looks quite impressive. How would you compare it to Wavelab?.

Subject: RE: Tech: Computer Jargon Buster Needed
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 22 Jun 15 - 11:35 PM

cruel life.. innit...!!!???

couple of days ago my PC suddenly died;
might probably be a sudden death hard drive.
if so, that's too much stuff lost since the last emergency back up
a few months ago.

Anyway, as it transpires I ordered the cheap Lenovo PC I linked to earlier
[http://www.ebuyer.com/658956-lenovo-e50-desktop-pc-90bx0018uk ]
as I need a simple basic working PC to google info
and download & burn any rescue disks as might come in handy.

So it was delivered this morning and I've only just more or less finished
customising win 8.1 to look as much like XP as possible:
plugged into an old overheating 17" CRT monitor.
[Bloody annoyed I can't find a correct VGA cable to use it with the 21" LCD widescreen]

So far for £119, it's not a bad little PC.
Even if it is a budget box built with components more usually found in laptops and tablets...
and not too much preloaded Lenovo blot-ware to delete, which is a bonus.
It's definitely faster than the expired Pentium 4 I'm trying to salvage data from.

So tomorrow I need to determine if the old PCs hard drive is completely ****ed.

Then this cheap Lenovo will be updated to win 10 asap just to see what it works like...???