So Long! It's Been Fun!

**pauland** · 29 September 2011, 09:57 AM

Well, as someone who's a happy windows user, I don't understand why a bad experience with MSN (haven't hear anyone talk about MSN for some time) would mean ditching the OS too. M$ produced some very poor operating systems at one time, but windows 7 has been a very smooth experience and has MSN been a problem? No. I don't use it.

So, move to linux, by all means, but a ton of workarounds to keep using windows software, because of MSN seems rather pointless. Of course, Brian may simply prefer Linux over windows, and that's a reasonable position, but MSN as a reason to move to Linux? The reasoning baffles me.

**handrawn** · 29 September 2011, 10:41 AM

well if it really is 'MSN'.... actually you can easily remove it [and windows messenger too], under XP at least, which I did a long time ago....

**AntonyF** · 29 September 2011, 01:21 PM

MSN to ditch an OS? Oohkayyy.

Dual boot. Virtual machine. There are options.

Your 19 previous posts will remain here in the TalkGraphics archive for future generations to enjoy though, so do not fear! You will not be forgotten!

**BrianMorin** · 29 September 2011, 04:40 PM

;-) Too late for that, I've ditched it. I would like to give one small example as to why I dislike Microsoft. I was having trouble burning with my drive. Went to driver updates and was told there were no new drives for this driver. Went out and bought another drive. In the mean time I found a program that helped me find driver updates. Found one for my old drive - it was an unauthorized driver - and it worked like a charm. I am still using it with Ubuntu. Now that pissed me off.

- bri

Originally Posted by AntonyF

MSN to ditch an OS? Oohkayyy.

Dual boot. Virtual machine. There are options.

Your 19 previous posts will remain here in the TalkGraphics archive for future generations to enjoy though, so do not fear! You will not be forgotten!

**BrianMorin** · 29 September 2011, 04:34 PM

I will repeat, I am not very good with the terminologies and ins and outs of computin. I was using Windows XP PRO and liked it, but am very disillusioned with Microsoft's greed. There may be other issues too. I can't remember all there is about it, I have been spending all of my energy and personal memory settig up Ubutu, and don't really want to get into my dealings with the Windows system, created and marketed by Microsoft (I guess MSN does not stand for Microsoft)

- bri

Originally Posted by pauland

Well, as someone who's a happy windows user, I don't understand why a bad experience with MSN (haven't hear anyone talk about MSN for some time) would mean ditching the OS too. M$ produced some very poor operating systems at one time, but windows 7 has been a very smooth experience and has MSN been a problem? No. I don't use it.

So, move to linux, by all means, but a ton of workarounds to keep using windows software, because of MSN seems rather pointless. Of course, Brian may simply prefer Linux over windows, and that's a reasonable position, but MSN as a reason to move to Linux? The reasoning baffles me.

**pauland** · 29 September 2011, 04:47 PM

Hi Brian, MSN was the Microsoft Network - something differrent to the OS itself. I used XP Pro a lot and was very happy with it. I never upgraded to vista and bought Windows 7 when I got fed up of issues with software compatibility. Windows 7 had rave comments, I loaded up the beta software for free for almost a year and it's performed very well - much better than XP Pro (or Vista).

I can't say that Windows has been a particularly expensive purchase compared to other software and it's often cost effective to buy a new computer than buy a new copy of Windows.

I'm no fan of M$ but their operating systems are getting better and adopting Linux is a bit like abandoning the open sea for a backwater. I'm not anti linux, but it is limiting in terms of software choices and it seems to be as full of compatibility issues as Microsoft software used to be.

Good luck with your choice, but I don't understand it at all.

**pauland** · 29 September 2011, 04:49 PM

Brian, all my M$ OS upgrades have been downloads from the internet. All free except for major releases.

**handrawn** · 29 September 2011, 05:08 PM

maybe Bri is referring to third party upgrades for example DVD burning [which he mentioned] - if you are not techie you may not see a difference between the operating system and the add-ons....

**The Alien** · 29 September 2011, 05:50 PM

Hi Brian
I know I'm going to sound like a complete jerk (I assure you I don't mean it that way), but the problem you described about finding new drivers for your drive is one of the easiest things to solve. Replacing your old drive with a new one is not the way to deal with the issue. Most people know where to look for driver updates.
But different people have different expectations from their computer and different knowledge thereof, so I'm not blaming you. I just think that switching your OS to overcome said problem(s) is just another radical and unnecessary measure to take, like you did with replacing your drive.

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong (I don't keep tabs on Linux development), but isn't switching to Linux a step backward for you? Because one needs to be more tech-savvy in order to work with/maintain Linux-based OS'es compared to a Windows OS. At least as far as I know.
Windows is becoming more and more user-friendly. Windows 7 is an improvement on XP in this matter. But if you want the most no-hassle OS, you should consider an Apple. I generally advise people to stay as far away from Apple computers as they can, but let's face it: Apple OS'es are the most straightforward ones without worrying about what to update, how to update etc. The problem is that they can only do what they were designed to do and nothing more, but they do those things well.

Again, don't take my comments too personally. Also consider that if you're having problems with your computer (referring to those that made you want to stop using Windows) you can always ask here. I'm sure there are people willing to help

**ckh** · 29 September 2011, 08:50 PM

Microsoft doesn't write the drivers for 3rd party hardware. The hardware manufacturer provides them to Microsoft which MS will make them available. If they aren't available, then most likely the hardware manufacturer isn't supporting the drive any more or didn't provide the drivers to Microsoft. I wouldn't expect Microsoft to write drivers for all the hardware available.

Generally, Microsoft will provide some generic drivers that work with hardware that fit certain specifications, like a mouse for example, which would provide basic functionality and the hardware manufacturer would provide a driver that works with special features/enhancements of the mouse. Same would apply to drives, monitors, etc.