Windows 7 - after January

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I've been very content with Windows 7, and have no wish to "upgrade" to Windows 10 (the best I've heard said about it, apart from people who are trying to sell it to me, is that "it's not as bad as people say", which is hardly encouraging) - apart from anything else, I don't think that my two elderly Laptops can accommodate such an update.

So I'm starting to wonder about what my options might be after Microsoft stop supporting the OS on Jan 14th. I presume that something as simple as installing "heavy-duty" Virus protetction such as Norton will be any use/substitute? So, I'll have to get a brand-new computer? And will I have to resign myself to Windows10 (Apple stuff being beyond my budget)?

Advice, suggestions very welcome, please.

[Andrew Slater]

You could try ditching Windows and install Linux - it's free, but I think current versions are only suitable for 64-bit machines. (Older machines are 32-bit.)

[oddoneout]

When my PC needed an overhaul in the summer I was asked whether I wanted Windows10 installed rather than reinstalling W7. I opted for the latter and am hoping it will continue to work for a reasonable time post January. As I've mentioned elsewhere I am a basic, to the point of primitive, user of IT, and what I've seen and heard of W10 suggests that it would be at least 90% irrelevant to what I need, necessitating time and energy spent removing/disabling functions( in reality getting my son to do it), and then having to learn the new ways of doing the very few things I want to do.
Consider a second-hand rather than brand-new computer? The PC I have is an ex-office one, at least 5 years old and very overpowered for what I need, and came courtesy of my son, but the local computer fix-it place which did the recent mend for me had a wide range of second-hand options(PC, laptop, tablet etc) at all price levels in addition to new models.

[Braunschlag]

FHG - have you checked if your Sibelius is compatible with W10?. I did and it isn’t, mine is Sib6 (possibly point something or other).
I’m sticking it out on 7 for now. I don’t know anyone who does it but I’m sure there are folks out there still running Vista with few problems.

[Braunschlag]

I do seem to recall somewhere that Sib6 does (or can) work on Windows 10 despite what Avid say on their website. Like all the software robbers they want us to move to a perpetual subscription model and they can sling that hook for me! Anyone had any Sibelius 6/ Win 10 experience out there?

[MrGongGong]

Ditch windows
If you don't want to go to mac
Linux
but Windows is flaky and unreliable IMV

[Braunschlag]

Ditch windows
If you don't want to go to mac
Linux
but Windows is flaky and unreliable IMV

I don’t use it enough to justify ditching it! Odds and sods with Sibelius,Word and mostly internet viewing and a bit of Audacity now and again. Apparently Linux doesn’t do Sibelius (I stand to be corrected though). I’ve found Win7 to be pretty reliable anyway but I (and, I suspect Ferney) am not anything like a heavy user of complex software.

[Bryn]

Ditch windows
If you don't want to go to mac
Linux
but Windows is flaky and unreliable IMV

Planning to migrate at least one PC to Linux over the winter. The trouble is, the audio software on which I have spent more on than I'd like to see go waste runs under Windows, so I would need to keep at least one fast and memory rich machine running Windows 10. As to Apple, their locked-in ethos offends me, as do horrible limitations re. transfer of audio files.

[Frances_iom]

You could try ditching Windows and install Linux - it's free, but I think current versions are only suitable for 64-bit machines. (Older machines are 32-bit.)

Almost all post 2004 machines will be 64bit tho possibly operated in 32 bit mode (lack of memory or more usually limitations on peripheral drivers) - the main Linux distributions are moving to support 64bit systems only - but you can enable 32-bit compatibility - WINE, the program that enables many Windoze programs to run under Linux is currently a 32 bit program but runs ok under my 64bit Debian version of Linux; Mint which is the easiest Linux for someone moving from winXP or win7 have stated they will support 32 bit versions for older systems and is in my experience very easy to install and will happily share with Windoze in that you can read/write windoze files from within Linux tho of course not vice versa! - they give full instructions as to how to resize windoze but my usual approach if windoze might still be needed is to install a new harddrive for Linux (these can be purchased second hand but tested + with a reasonable time guarantee from CEX from £10 upwards) and keep the windoze in case you need to move back.
If you are not into gaming but want a reliable laptop that runs Linux well look at the now 10yr old IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad X200 or X400 series (don't be that tempted by later models as Lenovo started to build in some funnies re replacement batteries etc) - swopping a harddrive + adding extra memory (again very cheap now to max out memory from CEX) is trivial with these models - new batteries cost about £15 and the machines can be found at my local auction house for about £50-£80 depending on condition etc.

[MrGongGong]

Planning to migrate at least one PC to Linux over the winter. The trouble is, the audio software on which I have spent more on than I'd like to see go waste runs under Windows, so I would need to keep at least one fast and memory rich machine running Windows 10. As to Apple, their locked-in ethos offends me, as do horrible limitations re. transfer of audio files.

I hear this a lot
BUT, like many people working in music, I switched to using Mac several years ago
none of the programmes I use for the vast majority of things are Apple products, I often run Windows applications and am working with several projects that are involved in making software etc
I really don't see what is "locked in" ? You don't have to use iTunes (I don't) and there are many other things.
There ARE irritating things about Mac OS but it does seem to be much more reliable and stable.

What is the audio file limitation you talk about ?

[Bryn]

I hear this a lot
BUT, like many people working in music, I switched to using Mac several years ago
none of the programmes I use for the vast majority of things are Apple products, I often run Windows applications and am working with several projects that are involved in making software etc
I really don't see what is "locked in" ? You don't have to use iTunes (I don't) and there are many other things.
There ARE irritating things about Mac OS but it does seem to be much more reliable and stable.

What is the audio file limitation you talk about ?

Eschewing of FLAC, mp2, lack of native USB support on many models additional (third-party) software costing around £30 required to simply import audio files to iPad Air etc. Then there are the generation-specific connectors . . . Apple locks one in even more than the old Commodore products. My old Macbook's DVD drive would not even read DVD-Rs recorded on other devices, only those created on Macs! Perhaps you hear it a lot because it reflects many peoples' experience.

[MrGongGong]

Eschewing of FLAC, mp2, lack of native USB support on many models additional (third-party) software costing around £30 required to simply import audio files to iPad Air etc. Then there's the generation-specific connectors . . . Apple locks one in even more than the old Commodore products. My old Macbook's DVD drive would not even read DVD-Rs recorded on other devices, only those created on Macs!

I don't have any problems with FLAC, mp2 etc ?

Yes, the iPad is irritatingly without connectivity
What software are you using to try to read the DVD ?

I'm NOT at all an enthusiast for lots of Mac things (the lack of ports on the new machines, for example) but I don't recognise many of the problems that some seem to have.

I know my use isn't typical but I don't have fond memories of endless faffing about with audio drivers and defragmentation etc

[Bryn]

I don't have any problems with FLAC, mp2 etc ?

Yes, the iPad is irritatingly without connectivity
What software are you using to try to read the DVD ?

I'm NOT at all an enthusiast for lots of Mac things (the lack of ports on the new machines, for example) but I don't recognise many of the problems that some seem to have.

Re. FLACs and (back in the days of saving DAB mp2s), if I want to send such files to friends who are Mac users, none times out of ten I have to convert them to CODECs which Macs can accept directly (since such Mac users all too often fail to grasp they can convert FLAC and mp2 with the appropriate third-party software. Ever tried loading or playing FLACs or mp2 on an iPod?

Off to Scratch Orchestra 50 workshops now.

[MrGongGong]

Re. FLACs and (back in the days of saving DAB mp2s), if I want to send such files to friends who are Mac users, none times out of ten I have to convert them to CODECs which Macs can accept directly (since such Mac users all too often fail to grasp they can convert FLAC and mp2 with the appropriate third-party software. Ever tied loading or playing FLACs or mp2 on an iPod?

Off to Scratch Orchestra 50 workshops now.

You sent me some Great Learning FLAC files that work fine here
iPod was always cr*p

Enjoy the Scratch (seen the things on Stalkerbook)

[Bryn]

You sent me some Great Learning FLAC files that work fine here

Recognised directly and played by your O/S, or relying on additional software? The people I mentioned sending FLACs to are not even slightly geeky and expect stuff to play without further intervention on their part. One threw up her hands in horror at the suggestion that she might benefit from peace of mind if she installed and used the free version of Malwarebytes. Why? Because it contained the word malware. You have to remember that many Mac users are technophobic. That fact contributed to their falling for the Apple propaganda.