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I do need a new machine, badly. I see that Win 7 can still be purchased, but after they have set, or have, dropped support for XP, I am not sure I can trust that they will maintain support for Win 7 much longer. They are like Zero, trying to force stupid on people. Some have no choice. I do. While I am thinking, now that I have a console and don't need a computer for games, of simply going with Linux, the problem there is going with Linux means going with soon to be obsolete tech, so the need to buy extras remains. Well, and you aren't getting much bang for the buck. It isn't even any more reliable or hack free. As with my cellphone, it may be time to just get out of the system whole hog. Save for blogging. This machine will do that, so long as it lives. And I do have an old, unused actually, back up machine if this fails.
I have been more of a tech trendsetter, in my time. But tech has gone downhill and is pretty much Chinese and NSA made crap these days. It's not really worth the hassle. Even the internet, other than shopping and some very careful research, is pretty much dead in the water. Slowed down by spying and killswitches, hacked to pieces, and just as likely to lead you astray as guide you without a great deal of work on your side... Grumbling, to be sure, but not wrong.
I'll figure something out, I always do. How to get the most while giving the least, when dealing with tech, financials, and personal data. Today, tech is more like banking, you really can't win. It's a matter of how much you lose. Bleh. Later.
If you do get a Win 8 computer, I can direct you to a couple of inexpensive add-ons that make the damn thing look and behave like a Win 7 box again.
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd learn the new stupid Win 8 interface, but the stupidity was overwhelming and I opted to buy the apps that made it look and work right.
In other news, the registration deadline for Burning Man is coming up. Time to make that determination.
ReplyDeleteI'm still left in limbo by da-Boss. No vacation request will be granted until we get closer to the date, since my cow-worker snagged the time slot for his Dragon-Con convention.
I got signed up for the Directed Tickets Sale (thanks to Mayor Clay), so I'm set either way. But I hate the uncertainty, especially since I thought to be the lead contact for a Cirque Roots camp within AEZ.
Heckuva deal if Numero Uno can't even go...
Computers really have become outdated tech. As soon as political correctness took over the gaming industry, all parts started being made in China and under the watch of NSA, and some other things, any real reason to have a personal computer pretty much ended. If you have the money to throw away on pretty much useless tech at this point, or have a profession which requires it, I would recommend most people not just walk away, but run from computers.
ReplyDeleteI may look at building options and old tech that are easy enough to keep secure or know when they have been breached and deal with, by which to post and comment through. But Win 8 simply can't be shoved down my throat. A suite of apps to make a broken OS work? At least until someone updates and none of it works and you have to sweat through trying to make it work again. No thank you.
This is my last smart phone, perhaps my last cellphone, actually, too. Don't even know if I will be getting a landphone to replace it. The world is changing.
As to BMan? Want to just plan on skipping this year? You can still play pointman for the team, and get them hooked up, and just plan on next year? It sure beats the hassle of trying to juggle "yes, no, maybe". It's not the favored option, but might be a better one. Hey, just makes you hungrier for next year.
ReplyDeleteAye, that it will. I will doubtless be inconsolable the entire months of August and September...
ReplyDeleteNo doubts. I still think it would be better than being all set, geared, and ready, only to then not go. Or have to do things so spur of the moment that you go insane.
ReplyDeleteI was actually thinking about holding off on BMan this year, to go next year, because of recovery.
I think the regional burn is reasonable, this year, though. Ah, are you going to that for sure? I'm not sure I could sport a solo trip quite yet, on the one hand.
Ya, we got the tix. It would require a significant upset to prevent this one. It's closer for me, which makes it cheaper. No dust, which is Daisycat's big bugaboo. I expect the vibe to be much like BMan, which should be interesting as an intro for her.
ReplyDeleteI don't expect a vacation problem with this, although that's a reminder to get my request in early, lest my cow-worker snag that week too!
I *am* planning on planning for the main event anyway. Da-Boss says late May he can tell me. I would hate to be able to go and then not have obtained the tix.
These scatterbrained hippies I'm hooked up with may or may not get their act together, but I at least will be ready to host a handful of them that want to in AEZ. And if not? I sell the tix locally or on STEP and plan for next year.
Oh? So it's not definitely off the books? In Nevada? Okay, I had thought it was a definite no-go... or mostly definite. I'll plan for the one coming up and consider the other. Talk more then.
ReplyDeleteOf course, this time will be a lot easier. I would just be driving to BMan and meeting up there. I still don't have the circle map down... in camp, something about the place is baffling, to me. Probably meant to be. Still, having been there once, and with a map printed out, finding camp wouldn't be too bad.
Oh, is Daisy Cat going to Nevada, or is that a wait and see? And... Are you taking Ginger? Or, planning on those if it all works out?
To reiterate and/or clarify, Daisycat is going to Saguaro Man, the regional burn near Snowflake, AZ. She is still adamant against joining me at Burning Man, BRC, Nevada.
ReplyDeleteGinger is going this time if all works per plan.
Tickets have been ordered. Only on-call remain. Bleh. It means I have to stop at the front office, after who knows how long of a wait, to get in line, to wait to get back into traffic to wait at the gate. Oh well. But it is done.
ReplyDeleteI am leaning to wait a year for BMan itself, though when down, it's hard to make decisions other than in the negative. I'll give it some time.
Wait, you mean for Saguaro Man, right? And "will call", right?
ReplyDeleteThere should not be a big deal of a line, if so. We're only talking maybe 500 to less than 1000 attendees. Way smaller scale than the Main Event. Eight hours in line should *not* remotely be a possibility.
Anyway, way cool. Review my last email regarding Saguaro Man and see if there is anything else we need to discuss. I think you're well equipped, based on what you pulled together for BMan. But...maybe a smaller grill? ;P
Just a heads-up--the concentration of genuine hippies will be higher, as will the "Cacophony Society" sorts. There are a lot more "regular folk" at BMan just along for the ride.
ReplyDeleteOh, no problems with hippies. I sort of expected that. I realized quickly that hippies weren't the thing at BMan, not as they once were. Fussy as I seem, I honestly don't mind them. It's vastly the other way around. To be honest, I think they were merely the first riders, not really the makers any more then the normals who now show in larger numbers. As to the smaller numbers, too bad in one sense, all good in another!
ReplyDeleteYeah, and I have a smaller grill sitting in my kitchen, unopened so far. I think that will work. Oh, and I will be arriving with a much lighter load. From clothes to grill to... everything. Way overpacked that first time. This time? I might be able to fit everything but the grill, bike, one or (two smaller) coolers of food, and water in that pack I had. It's a big pack, but there won't be boxes and boxes and roof carrier and... Gah!
I will look over the email again, soon. My friend talked me into getting out today. I need to know about the suite of apps you discussed, for Win 8. He bought a machine today, and that is all that was available. I would like to reconfig his machine for him... Or at least look into it. So, email or whatever, the names of the apps and I'll get cracking on research and development for installing and accurizing the programs. If I don't hear from you soon, I'll be replying to your email anyway, either way, so will ask in that about the apps.
There are two pieces of software, each $4.99 from a company called Stardock:
ReplyDeleteStart8 restores the missing Start button from Windows 7, and ModernMix, which restores the normal functioning of programs and "apps" in traditional windows.
There are more tips to restore the familiar Win7 feel HERE.
Super! Thanks. I'll dig into those and how to set them up, if necessary. I also want to be able to tell him exactly what he will be getting, so that he can choose. And I will be thinking of why he should bother, myself, since he is a total computer noob. Fair enough though.
ReplyDeleteI'll probably just buy them myself, as he doesn't like to spend money. :) I don't care. I just want to see how they work, and tinker, as well as help him out, so... it's all good.
There is a free trial period, so nothing risked.
ReplyDeleteAh, rereading I need to add one more clarify: I did get tickets in the Directed Sale for the Main Event in Nevada. Pending my vacation request, of course.
ReplyDeleteAnd plans with my scatterbrain hippies are probably going to morph organically into summer sometime when they come out of their haze long enough to "OMG! We gotta plan!"
I kid. I love 'em, but they really do live up to the hippy stereotype sometimes. :D
Of course you do. It's the difference between directed and non-directional that makes you different from them. Teach them while you learn. It's... the only way.
ReplyDeleteTime.