I NEED HELP FROM A PROPELLER HEAD OR A TECH FAST!!!

[OldSchool]

Why would you even remotely consider using a Windows computer for web surfing if you have Linux computers available? I don't think Windows offers any positives for web surfing, only negatives.

Like I said: "Back-ups" Please read in context before you criticize.

If a primary computer or laptop has a hard drive go bad or a power supply goes south.... I can still get online, without using my phone. I have some dinosaurs that keep going and going. A couple in particular hold five hard drives are are handy for transferring and sorting files, for consolidation and creating back up files on hard drives and updating them periodically. I like Win7 for that, I know it so damn well.

 

[Magus]

Win7 is the last 'edition' I used. Played with Win10.... then gave it the boot and been using Linux ever since.

I keep a couple computers with Win7 ready to go as back-ups. I recently looked into virus and malware protection programs for them. They're sill available (that will work with Windows 7) and get updates but some of newer features won't work. I figure that would make them safe enough for web surfing without crashing or getting infected, but I wouldn't use one for business or forum posting.

I've used clamwin for twenty years, it's a free open-source bug cruncher, it saved my butt on multiple occasions. it works on ANY Windows OS.

 

[Haertig]

Like I said: "Back-ups" Please read in context before you criticize.

I wasn't criticizing. I was asking what I thought was a reasonable question. You have said you are a Linux person. So asking why your "backup computers" are Windows 7, especially since you mentioned specifically using them on the web, seems a reasonable question to me. Even more so since Windows 7 reached end of life (no more security updates) ten years ago for normal consumers. You could pay for subscription updates for a longer period (businesses could - I don't know if individuals could), but even those paid upgrade subscriptions ended a year ago.

Having an antivirus program is one thing, but having an OS known for security issues that is unpatched for an extended period is a whole different ballgame. Running such a computer offline is fine, but connecting it to the internet is like chumming the waters in the middle of an existing shark feeding frenzy.

 

[OldSchool]

I wasn't criticizing. I was asking what I thought was a reasonable question. You have said you are a Linux person. So asking why your "backup computers" are Windows 7, especially since you mentioned specifically using them on the web, seems a reasonable question to me. Even more so since Windows 7 reached end of life (no more security updates) ten years ago for normal consumers. You could pay for subscription updates for a longer period (businesses could - I don't know if individuals could), but even those paid upgrade subscriptions ended a year ago.

Having an antivirus program is one thing, but having an OS known for security issues that is unpatched for an extended period is a whole different ballgame. Running such a computer offline is fine, but connecting it to the internet is like chumming the waters in the middle of an existing shark feeding frenzy.

I did quit using Win7 when normal unpaid update support from Microsoft ended. As a general rule: If any operating system is no longer getting security update support - I won't go online with it. But what rule isn't made to be broken? lol

Another general rule is: If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Look at the problems Magus had with a new computer for something as simple as transferring files and printing.

FWIW: I lost two external hard drive enclosures in one year. The hard drives are still fine, just the just the enclosure's electrons bit the dust. Having a proven computer to test the hard drives came in handy.

Another handy thing with having a working windows system is printer compatibility. If a Linux system doesn't play well with your printer, just move files with a thumb drive to the Win system with a functioning printer. I'm about ready to see if a new Linux OS with play nice with my printer - Fingers crossed.

 

[Haertig]

Over the last decade or so I have had much better luck using Linux for printing than Windows. I definitely remember the days when I used to have to manually fiddle with CUPS and install drivers in Linux. But I haven't seen that in forever. Boot Linux, point it to a printer (which it probably already found on its own anyway) and everything just works. Not installation of anything - it just works. My wife's Windows computers often times take a lot more than that to get them printing.

Granted, I don't buy new printers that have only been on the market for 17 hours. And I run Linux kernels that are recent. Those two steps probably help as much as anything. I also run Linux distros on my desktop that are usually termed "beginner friendly" (e.g., LinuxMint, MX Linux, etc.) even though I am far from a beginner. I've run Slackware and Gentoo and the like on many computers, but generally those are my servers, not my desktops. Why not accept the ease and convenience of Mint/MX/etc. if it's available to you?

 

[OldSchool]

I worry about my computer hardware and peripherals being too old, rather than too new. I've researched plenty of distros and the desktop software used. I go for the lighter packages, stripped down, just the basics and easy on computer resources. All recent distros are available to download in iso format and easy enough to find.