Re: Windows Eight
 

Susie I didn't have any idea they would remove this option in windows starter. That's just how silly M$ is.

You can do it another way. But I don't recommend editing the registry manually unless you know what you are doing.

HTPC just means Home Theatre PC. And XBMC is media center software that started off on Xbox1 Xbox Media Center-- And moved onto PC's 10000000000000000000 times better than Windows Media Center.

Re: Windows Eight
 

Wow Margaret go to the top of the class for at least making a stab at them! I didn't know where to start!

Re: Windows Eight
 

Thanks Rob, and look Margaret - you did get it right!!

PS what's a media center?? PLEEEAASSE don't tell me - I don't really want to know!!

I've got my wallpaper so I'm happy now!

Re: Windows Eight
 

Well you can buy them. But I preferred to make my own. I used to use xbox but though it is HD supported, ram and cpu power is old so...

* B U R N * D O W N * T H E * D I S C O *: Foobar2000 & XBMC4XBOX & more GoGearMuse ranting

Skip past the rant about my ipod and check the xbmc part

Re: Windows Eight
 

It seems that new TV's have the potential to become media centre......they connect up to the internet, you can get films, music...you can look at your picture albums, TV and Radio programs so truly all the media you want in one place.

Anyway Sue glad you got your wallpaper - your needs are simple :)
Hey, and I'm not such a dummy eh!

Re: Windows Eight
 

and best of all most of them are doing it in Linux.... ;)

seriously, My wife(buttonsmum) is not technical and never wants to be so but has been Linux'd for 3 years or so and has never had an issue, never suffers from updates messing stuff up, never has to faff with anti virus/malware/firewall/software updates going wrong, it just "works"....

margaret/Jaysay/anyone in local hyndburn, if you want a demo of Linux I'm more than happy to demo it to prove its not some techo magic geek fest, and I'm sure Restless and SamF would be too... I'll also offer to install it(Ubuntu as a start) ALONGSIDE your Windows system so you can have a play without any risk as you would only need to restart and choose Windows at the new boot menu and you will have exactly what you have now(Restless/SamF please feel free to offer as well and we can no doubt cover the hyndburn area easily between us, any other Linux advocates feel free to shout up here or via PM).

(NOTE, there are a couple of anti-Linux trolls on Accyweb who will obviously be excluded from this offer, I'm happy to spend my time in useful education but have little enough spare time to waste it with people I know are just loooking to take the pee.)

Re: Windows Eight
 

Im relatively new to linux(10.04 was just out when i started) I think unity is better for new users to be honest than the previous gnome2. The only driver I have had to look for/had problems with is on the dell laptop I have; the Inspiron 1520. It installs the wrong driver and there is a bit of messing around to get it working.

I suggested that Margaret try booting from USB stick to see if she likes the look of it.

Entwisi-- are you on the 12.04 beta? Do you install gnome3 rather than keeping to unity?

Re: Windows Eight
 

Thankyou for that offer Ian. It is very kind of you to offer. I am probably going to have a go at installing it alongside Windows Vista(spit) when the tinlids go back to school and I have more time to myself.(I have Ubuntu on a USB stick)
The instructions for doing this seem fairly clear and straightforward.....and don't laugh at me when I say this....it will give my ego a huge boost:) if I manage to do this without any help(other than the instructions).

Re: Windows Eight
 

Margaret-- The only worry I have about you doing this is if you did something wrong and you wiped vista (of course by doing this you would have a better operating system installed) Just make sure no files are on the computer that you need. Make sure they are backed up. That way nothing is lost.

Remember you can't break a computer by installing an OS.

I really doubt this will happen because the easier option on the installer does all the work for you. I think you just use a slider to choose how big you want the vista to be. I am not sure since I use the advanced option.

Also. If you managed to use that USB installer program to create the Ubuntu USB installer without accidentally copying it to C drive(some people may actually make that mistake, though the program tries its best to single out the flash drives) I am sure you will be fine :)

Re: Windows Eight
 

UGH used windows 8 for a little while to build a USB installer...to install ubuntu12.04

Here is a video I took of it(apologies for the lower quality--I dont know what went wrong here)
Windows 8 Consumer Preview - YouTube

Re: Windows Eight
 

If I accidentally wiped Vista(it would be serendipity)....then it wouldn't be a great hardship.
I have duplicates of most of my files on an external hard drive......and I don't think there is much of anything in the way of documents because I only use the thing so infrequently.

I will follow the instructions for using Ubuntu alongside a windows program - these are given quite clearly.......so I'm not hoping to get into any trouble......however that doesn't mean to say I won't get into trouble.....and if that happens I know there are folk on here who would (perhaps) smile and then sort me out.

I have to try though.........because you never know what you can do until you try....and as I said it would boost my ego:).

So many people are happy to go through life allowing others to do things for them, and in the process, they miss opportunities to test themsleves and to learn something new.

Not my way.

Re: Windows Eight
 

If you choose an evening to do it that I'm not already out I'll be happy to be "on call" via phone or instant messaging in case you have any questions our just want to check something.

Re: Windows Eight
 

Thank you Ian.......that is really kind.

Re: Windows Eight
 

In regards to this I'm always happy to help people out so by all means if anyone needs any help give me a shout - with me it would have to be via Phone or IM as I've moved to Derbyshire so it would be a bit impractical to make a house call.

Re: Windows Eight
 

most certainly!! :cool:

Yes it would be Serendipity. Perhaps you should just wipe vista completely. If you hate Linux you could always 'borrow' Jaysay's win7 disc :eek: :p

Re: Windows Eight
 

I must have a Win 7 disc somewhere, as my desktop runs Win 7.
Is it legal to 'borrow' a disc from another computer...or is the program registered to your ISP number.......these are the things I am unsure about.

Re: Windows Eight
 

See why I use Linux Margaret ? With all the money people spend on pre built pc's where Vista was part of the package IE you paid for it, there is no justification for m$ to charge so much for their product-- Especially in this stage of the company development.

I just looked at this and apparently you can only install it on one computer. I guess they will have a way of knowing if 2 computers are running at the same time with one Key. Its prob not subjective to IP address. If you had your tower and your laptop on at the same time. Somehow they would know.

They dont even offer a discount. M$ are above themselves.

Re: Windows Eight
 

What features they use does not matter, I want them using the the same thing they use at school, they have enough to learn without needed to use 2 different word processors.

I use other software that is not available for Windows.

Re: Windows Eight
 

I think it sensible to use whatever they are using at school. no point confusing them or making life more difficult than it needs to be.

Re: Windows Eight
 

Hmmm. I see it a different way, that art of writing stories etc is in the mind, the person/child knows what they want to write. The tool that they use is secondary. By sticking with just one option you are re-enforcing that one at the expense of flexibility in your childs mind. what will happen that day that they dont have Office 2010 in front of them, look at the number of people who struggled hugely when MS brought in the "Ribbon" interface... by encouraging use of different tools you bring a natural ability of being flexible into the mind of the person. Word processors are never " a million miles " different. the button might have a slightly different icon, or the option is on a different menu drop down, its 99% likely to be called the same and lets be honest 90% of people dont even know how to use Paragraph formatting properly and that was in the first versions of Word.

in my case my core skill is in IBM WebSphere Application server, yet when asked to work on WebLogic/Oracle application Server/JBOSS etc I'm comfortable in doing so as they do the "same job", config might be stored in a different way, the consoles will be set up differently but thats just fluff around the side, I know what options I want, I just need to find it which might take a couple of seconds to do. Some others I know would run a mile rather than even try and use the alternatives. I want my children to have that "get on and do it" mentality and that comes by not being phased by the tool in front of them.

YMMV of course and we are all entitled to our own opinion and choice, mine happens to be one of encouraging the flexibility and core skill not the fluffy bits of the toolset involved.

Re: Windows Eight
 

Ya no problem with that Restless:D

Re: Windows Eight
 

I've been using Word for ten years, for the first five of those I used it constantly in my job so I could almost use it in my sleep. I've just got Windows 7 and I find that damned ribbon irritating in the extreme - it takes me longer to find the functions than to write anything. I resent being slowed down like that by something I did not ask for and saw no reason to change. OK I'm an old fart but I'm sure I'm not the only one who's frustrated by it.

Re: Windows Eight
 

Are you now using Office 2010 and that is what you find frustrating? That is not down to Windows 7, its the application you are using.

Re: Windows Eight
 

Yes of course you're right Neil, it's Office 2010, came loaded on my new netbook along with Win 7. Sorry... it's getting late!

Re: Windows Eight
 

Why not try Libre office then Susie? It's free so at worst it will cost you a hour or two of your time.

Re: Windows Eight
 

Could do but... My point is, just because I have a new computer, I don't want to have to cope with a new word processor when I was happy with my old one.

I see your point in a previous post about being open to new things but in this case it's not for me.

Re: Windows Eight
 

Many of the new operating systems fail to recognise/will not run some older programs.
I had a program to make my own greetings cards...it was brilliant, easy to use and easy to navigate. I updated my computer, got a new OS and even these saved projects cannot be opened anymore because the new OS doesn't run the old program.

When they bring out something newer it is always more complex...even though the old stuff was perfectly adequate, and did the job........see, Susie....I'm turning into a BOF too!

Re: Windows Eight
 

@Susie, Libre office is like the old version you miss, proper menus and buttons.

@Margaret, you can often run these old programs in a compatibility mode, have you tried that?

Re: Windows Eight
 

I haven't Ian, but the program I wanted to run, was not compatible with Windows 7 when I checked on the Microsoft website.

Re: Windows Eight
 

There will be ways around it - even if it means running it through a Virtual machine - would I be right in guessing the program you are referring to is Greetings Workshop ?

Re: Windows Eight
 

No it was a Microsoft publishing program....I forget the name of it now....but it was really good in that you could incorporate your own pictures, change the sizes of the cards and do all manner of things.....it worked perfectly well with XP......but not with Windows 7.

Hang on it has just come back to me...it was part of Picture It publishing (which was part of Works Suite 2001- I told you it was old) It did all the things I wanted.
I saved lots of projects and now they cannot be opened.(I did lots of stuff for the Hospital when I was working.......memorial cards and such...all different and personal to the parents of lost babies)

I know things move on, but you would think that there would be some kind of program that would allow for backwards continuity. Perhaps I expect too much.

I have never heard of Virtual Machine.

I bought a Hallmark Greetings Card program and it isn't a patch on the Microsoft Picture It Publishing.

Re: Windows Eight
 

Thanks for that Ian I have downloaded Libre Office and it does look more like what I am used to. No sign of that pesky ribbon!

Haven't used it yet but I'm sure it will be fine. Thanks again.

Re: Windows Eight
 

Margaret, a virtual machine is a program you instal that pretends to be a computer"within" your computer. The benefit is that it can run any other OS within it. So you can have a windows XP "computer" running within win 7. Thus you could have your picture it program running on XP within your new win 7 laptop.

I use Oracle Virtualbox https://www.virtualbox.org/ at work to practice stuff on so I can't break anything real. In my case I run a Linux virtual machine on my works windows laptop.

Re: Windows Eight
 

Thanks Ian...that is worth knowing. I will look into it.

Re: Windows Eight
 

Grrrrr where my cpu fan clips onto the board; part of it broke off when I was downstairs :( Decided 2 days later to have a look at accyweb on my HTPC via the 40" TV(if you use windows on TV try KYLO Browser-- Its great!)....

...so back on topic.

Yeah virtualbox is a cool program. Margaret-- Its another option you could use to try linux and see if you like it.

Also anybody can use it to perhaps try windows8(truly back on topic) on whatever machine they have; since its cross platform.

Re: Windows Eight
 

I am going to have a look at it when the tinlids go back to school...it is hard to concentrate and follow instructions when a six year old and an eight year old are also trying to press the letters on the keyboard.......that kind of help I don't need.

Re: Windows Eight
 

LOL you certainly don't want a 6 year old touching mouse when you are using USB installer deluxe to copy an OS to USB stick. One wrong click and your copying it over ur C Drive :P

Re: Windows Eight
 

When I am doing that bit of work they will be at home with their Ma and Pa......nowhere near the mouse(please God).

Re: Windows Eight
 

call me old fashioned but I still like burning a CD of my Linux installs......


Always thought that USB creators under Windows should specifically block C drive unless you jump through at least 4 hoops of pain... there is so little chance of wanting to splat a C drive that its surely better to block it and make those who really know what they are doing jump through a few hoops that have the pain of an accidental wipe of a OS



:D

its part of the ritual dont you know.... ;)

A bit like I prefer

a pot of tea with milk in the cup first....

Re: Windows Eight
 

I might just do that :)

But. Why bother to burn them when you could buy them cheap; good deal too

£5 for this--

x2 Ubuntu 11.10 Desktop Edition CD
x2 Ubuntu 11.10 Server Edition CD
x1 Kubuntu 11.10 Desktop Edition CD

You can give a copy away to somebody for xmas :)

Re: Windows Eight
 

Now you are making me nervous........:eek:

Re: Windows Eight
 

They do block the C drive but there is an option to show all drives-- I suppose they have to do this because the odd drive doesn't show up in there(it did that with me on the 8GB one i have)

Re: Windows Eight
 

No need to be nervous afterall if it went over our C drive vista would be gone. Perhaps then you could put another HDD in your pc and then use the HDD that was already in there as an installer (not sure if that would work...it prob would).
:hehetable

Re: Windows Eight
 

Margaret, don't panic, it's me being as you would say "of advancing years" I like being old fashioned in so many things. burning a CD to me is how it always was so I'm just like you, I do stuff how I always did it

Re: Windows Eight
 

I was burning CD's till I got the "disc is dirty" message off one of my ubuntu discs(also I have tried that many distros lately-- Burning them all to disc is not an option! lol)

Re: Windows Eight
 

stick win7 on yer lappy in 99.9% of cases anything with vista can take win7

the only time i have not been able to do so was with a fijitsu laptop and that was because fijitsu were stubborn and refused to fix a glitch with the keyboard that occured when you put win7 on their laptop.

by rights anyone with vista should have got a free download of win7 as an appology but hey ho downloading a copy elsewhere and calling it even will have to do ;)

Re: Windows Eight
 

A good video showing how horrific 8 looks

Windows 8 Final Version - YouTube

Re: Windows Eight
 

I've just got a Dell Inspiron this week with Windows 8, accyman was good enough to set it up for me although I had managed to get on line prior to his visit, at first I though what have I done:eek: but after playing about with it and learning more about its capabilities I really like it, all my fans from jaysayism web site will be pleased to hear there is an inbuilt spellchecker which actually corrects any mistakes as your going along a bit like Microsoft Word:) its also like grease lightening, can recommend it to anyone

Re: Windows Eight
 

Just a message to mods I've noticed that on two posts this morning, there has been an automatic link inserted in my post, it wasn't done by me, will try and find out if I can stop this in anyway

Re: Windows Eight
 

I know the feeling John. I am slowly getting used to windows 8,although my 7 year old grandchild will teach me this weekend as I think windows 8 is on her I pad

Re: Windows Eight
 

The links are inserted when you type in keywords, e.g. Asda
Just another way of advertising.


:D

Re: Windows Eight
 

Glad you like it. Goes to show that my assumption that the older generation might have difficult to move to the new windows style.

Did you have ad blocking program before?

Re: Windows Eight
 

I actually think it was designed for I phones with a touch screen Frank, but its certainly interesting, am still tripping over things that were standard and out in the open on previous systems

Re: Windows Eight
 

It was designed for.... Well everything I suppose. Not for Iphones though. Apple make that.

Perhaps you are thinking of windows phones which are similar to the new start menu on w8. Also some tablets... 'Surface' for example.

I can't see myself at home with a touch screen monitor.

Re: Windows Eight
 

Didn't know who makes what R and I'm with you on touch screen monitor either

Re: Windows Eight
 

When did you get windows 8, John? I was asked if I wanted a touch screen monitor with it but I declined.

Re: Windows Eight
 

Monday Frank, but its a laptop and I bought it direct from Dell at a special knockdown price, well it was a tad cheaper and no postage

Re: Windows Eight
 

I've had mine for two weeks now but still not used to it.I have to keep going online with my laptopon windows 7 to find how to use it

Re: Windows Eight
 

I upgraded to Windows 8 on the tenth of January this year and like everyone found it hard at first to get to grips with could not even find the off button, so I went and purchased the book Windows 8 for dummies and now I am slowly getting the new ways to find things.
Most of the things you need to use are hidden and only come in from the sides, top and bottom when you require them, you have to go into the corners and click. As I only use my laptop for emails, listening to music, and things like booking hols, buying online it does everything I need but I am always discovering new things. In the last week or two I have found (no joke) thousands of songs old and new big bands, jazz, pop all at no cost so if like me you enjoy your music as they say you can fill your boots, but can only to be used on your own laptop. I have also found a microphone where you can speak and the speech is changed into words. I have tried that and hoped to write this that way but it takes a lot of practice to get it to understand your speech, at the moment it is thrown into the corner.
Hopefully more practice and I may be able to write the next by just speaking into the microphone.
Yes Restless us oldies will come through but it may take a little longer. Half

Re: Windows Eight
 

I cling to my old OS like a child to a security blanket.......well except for Vista, which was absolutely awful.
I can't see me using Windows 8 anytime soon.......I think it was originally formulated for touch screen devices....or at least I read that somewhere.

Re: Windows Eight
 

I had a play about last night while I was waiting for the footy to start, you just keep coming across things time after time, fun really

Re: Windows Eight
 

It's a challenge and keeps us on our toes.As you say John we can still learn something new.I am still trying to get my photos edited and loaded to put on Accy Web.I'm sure Ill find the way and then forget it when I need to do it again.

Re: Windows Eight
 

I know the feeling Frank:eek: :rolleyes:

Re: Windows Eight
 

when you find out how to do it ...write it down......it will help you to remember.

Re: Windows Eight
 

Well I've had real problems with 8 over the last fortnight, its started swapping to news updates all on its own some, so much so its been driving me round the twist, had a chat with accyman yesterday and he suggested me ringing Dell to ask if swapping back to windows 7 would affect my warranty and if not he'd swap it for me. I rang Dell last night and got a result, not sure how though. Their engineer took over my computer and told me to sit back, at the end he'd inserted a start button and now I don't go anywhere near the Windows 8 Start Up page to log on, its also sorted the problem out as it hasn't switched to a news feed all day

Re: Windows Eight
 

And I thought that mod was being banned by Microsoft( I presume you mean start menu on the desktop mode ?)

Re: Windows Eight
 

Ya that's right, to me 8 has been devised for touch screen and doesn't work very well with a mouse operated device:mad:

Re: Windows Eight
 

Totally agree!. Though the has been great improvements to windows explorer I still won't touch it

Yeah M$ are saying that they are going to remove the ability to add start menu to the desktop... don't be surprised to fund it gone after an update

Re: Windows Eight
 

There is a mag called computer active I get now and again
on the last one I got there was a DVD with software for windows 8 on
one of the programs is a "shell" that puts a startup/shutdown and gives access to all programs and folders but still has the icons on the right if you put your mouse on the top right corner.
I have installed it on my windows 8 laptop and its great
anyone that wants to borrow this DVD is welcome as long as I get it back
its all freeware so no copyright

Re: Windows Eight
 

I still get the Icons down the side if I point the mouse to the top right, I just keep the little rascal away from it mick:D

Re: Windows Eight
 

Think you can get over that Rob by just turning your computer back if needbe

Re: Windows Eight
 

I Still cannot irritate the point more that System restore is Evil and is never a solution. Ive seen people use it just because their taskbar went to the top of the screen and they didnt know why

Re: Windows Eight
 

The only time I use restore is if something major goes wrong, think I've used it about 3 times in five years.