[EIDXA] Windows 10

[Nelson Moyer]

Jim,

Learning and using two or more systems isn't so bad. My first computer was a
Commodore 64 and home, and I was forced to use a DOS PC at work. I used the
Commodore at home until the second disk drive failed.  I switched to MAC SEs
both places when they first came out. I stayed with MACs through the 2700 at
work and kept the SE at home. My first Windows experience was Windows 95 at
work, and until I retired, I had a 2700 on my desk and a 95 machine on a
table beside the desk. I did all of my work processing and graphics work on
the MAC, and accessed the lab databases on the PC. I was the only MAC user
by the time I retired, and the lab's graphic artist was the only other one.
He resigned a year before me, so I was the go to guy for all his files after
he left. When I retired, I took my MAC home, and the lab became 100% PC. I
got my first home PC (HP Pavilion) with Windows ME when it first came out,
but it died after two years (mother board failed), so I bought a Dell with
XP. I gradually shifted all computer work to the Dell, and took all my MAC
equipment to Goodwill . Ham software was the primary driver for the switch.

The results of my Windows 10 survey were seven for and five against. I've
decided to keep Windows 7 to avoid the headaches of finding drivers, dealing
with com port issues, and besides, I hate the interface introduced with
Windows 8. By the time Microsoft stops supporting Windows 7, the next
iteration of Windows will undoubtedly be released, and it will be time to
buy a faster computer by that time. What really gets me going is the
companies (Microtek comes to mind) that refuse to issue software updates for
their hardware drivers. My flatbed scanner required XP, and no amount of
pleading could get Microtek to issue a Vista driver or anything past XP. So
I keep an XP machine on the ham station, a Vista machine for music and
video, Windows 7 for everything else, and Windows 10 on my laptop, which is
only used on my model railroad and when I travel.

I bought my wife an iPad when they first came out, and she gave it to me as
a hand-me-down when I upgraded her to the iPad II. Now she has the Plus, and
I have the II and the original. My iPads are used sparingly, except for
travel. If you think you would use the camera, and you have the original
iPad, by all means upgrade.

Nelson, KU0A

-----Original Message-----
From: EIDXA [mailto:eidxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Spencer
Sent: Monday, July 11, 2016 11:59 PM
To: Joe Hetrick <jhetrick at bitjanitor.net>; Lew Gordon <k4vx at hughes.net>
Cc: eidxa at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [EIDXA] Windows 10

Joe,

In olden times, Microsoft seemed to have the barn doors wide open compared
to Apple.  You could work on your own hardware and install any program with
the PC.  When I was younger and less wise, I thought that was great.  Now
the idea that everything you install will actually work and has been tested
to prove it is almost worth the price.  I remember going to a Joint Computer
Conference in the 70s way back when Apple was showing their first computer. 
It was strange looking but they had a hell of a booth.  I just followed the
path of least resistance and never tried to figure out which was best. 
Collins made a big study of it and determine the PC was the future and I
believe that is still true for them.  I wasn't going to learn two systems. 
I've wondered about that decision more than once.  Then I look at the
available ham software and genealogy software and the MAC is behind.  That
doesn't mean I couldn't get by and learn something new but so far I haven't.

73,  Jim  WØSR