RIP Windows XP. It was a good run while it lasted. I'm torn between Windows 8.1 (and all of the new hardware I'm going to have to buy) or learning a version of Linux. Free is my favorite price but I'm not sure I'm ready to surrender my free time to learn how to install and use the latest versions of a Linux OS.
I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you.
"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him; better take a closer look at the American Indian." - Henry Ford
Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges; When the Republic is at its most corrupt the laws are most numerous. - Publius Cornelius Tacitus
I was thinking the same thing LOL, the free OS's that you can get for the time it takes to download them comes with a learning curve. Windows 7 is available but why go there when Windows 8.1 is available for almost the same price?
Linux OS's like Fedora and Ubuntu are free and lightweight so if you are willing to learn the ins and outs you can keep the hardware you have and see how much faster a lightweight OS really is. The trick is the learning curve.
On the other hand, we all know how Windows works and new versions of the OS look and feel close enough to the old ones that you don't need to spend a lot of time to learn the differences and new features. The down side is that a new Windows OS costs money.
The classic problem; time vs. money.
I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you.
"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the Government take care of him; better take a closer look at the American Indian." - Henry Ford
Corruptissima re publica plurimae leges; When the Republic is at its most corrupt the laws are most numerous. - Publius Cornelius Tacitus
"According to the IRS, it has approximately 110,000 Windows-powered desktops and notebooks. Of those, 52,000, or about 47%, have been upgraded to Windows 7. The remainder continue to run the aged, now retired, XP"
If you want to be, press one. If you want not to be, press 2
Republicans are red, democrats are blue, neither of them, gives a flip about you.
Unless you need touchscreen, or you are going to change over to a Mac (I work with both in my business), I think WIndows 7 is the best option right now to buy some time.. 8.x is a game changer for sure and so is 10. Not my cup of tea. Microsoft is getting too intrusive in my opinion.
Linux is a good option but, if you have no Unix/Linux experience, you may need to take a little primer anyway. You may be able to get away with just using a PD shell windowed environment for linux.. Many of them are pretty robust.
But, if you have specialized Apps that are not supported, that is out. If you want to stick with a Windows OS, you can always replace the shell with something aftermarket, if you don't like the default (explorer). The following is a link to a review of shell products available:
You may like one of those above. You have alot of choices out there. This of course is not all inclusive of what is available.
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