Dear Uncle Mickeysoft

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

We worry about criminal hackers – what about Microsoft then?

The block below explains my beef with Gates Towers – trying to contact it about the matter, it proved so obstructive, wanting me to create an "Account" and the like, that I turned to what seemed a possible way.

Only to find after a strange e-post exchange with what I think was an automatic response system (AU-I) I was expected then to sign up to some little £1 per question racket. It offered cancelling but no cancel key so I simply closed it.

It seems to invite an e-post exchange with a technician. Fair enough, it is Sunday, so I would not have been surprised to have received an Office Hours message.

It asked what e-post service I used. I replied "Not relevant". It isn't.

I have paragraphed my message, but in the original, you can't, as it explains!

''''

" Sorry about the two Good Mornings but I had pressed [CRLF] not expecting some idiot in California to have turned CRLF into [Send] in this site.

Nowt wrong with my e-post service – if there was this would not work, would it? – but I refuse to form a so-called "account", and this seems the only other way. If it fails I will write…

I object to MS interfering with my computer set-up.

I had my large photo collection in the ready-use list. MS moved it, made it harder to find, and put in an overall thumbnail display system that ignores the folder system. That is interference.

It took one photograph I'd used in an e-post and used it without my permission in that news-opening pop-up: interference.

It sent a pop-up saying it had signed me up to 'Edge' – please CONFIRM or 'Not now' – II had not requested this and I refused to select either option. More interfering. I do not use 'Edge' partly because I do not trust Microsoft Inc.

Then I discovered a lot of my photos have become corrupted or are in formats allegedly not recognised – yes they are, these are all .jpg files among other jpg files that do open. An effect of MS' interfering? I do not know but as I say, I do not trust Microsoft not to have messed things up.

"

''''''

Next step… a letter. Yes, µSoft does publish a British office address! It is a strange irony indeed that among the worst communicators and helpers are the major telecommunications and IT ISP firms…. unless you want to buy something from them.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

I recently used my Adobe reader to open a drawing file, I wanted to rotate the view so went to the rotate arrow only to find it wanted a subscription to allow the function to operate.
Checked when the Program was last modified and it was the same date as Win10 update, what's worse is using the Restore to last version does not work.

Downloaded another FOC non Adobe PDF Reader program that has all functions working.

Unfortunately I believe this is the way Windows systems will be monitorised over a period of time.

Emgee

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

Linux ??

[SamsarandaParticipant @samsaranda]

They seem to be going the way that the big car companies like BMW etc are going, extras are by subscriptions, like heated seats etc where you pay a subscription to have the extras turned on, seems like a big scam and we the poor consumer are milked for everything they can con out of us. Dave W

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Putting "extras" like that in a car is not only a scam by making you pay eventually more than the upfront cost of the fittings would be. It is poor engineering by needless complication and more to go wrong. It probably appeals to the gadget-freakery buyers who like to think themselves "tech-savvy" – a phrase as meaningless as it is illiterate.

Since any car I bought with any such fripperies would be second-hand and way out of warranty I'd want those bits removed or converted to using simple switches!

'

I know many people have gone over to Linux but I'm wary of doing so for two reasons.

Firstly it seems best avoided unless you really understand operating-systems, which I don't.

Also will it allow using third-party programmes and your files developed in them, still to be used fully?

What of all your existing WIN-supported files: 'Word', 'Excel', etc.? Or of programmes like most CAD and photo-editors written for Windows?

.

I found long ago that you can't buy Adobe, but have to subscribe to it at a price ridiculous for any but commercial users needing it frequently and every day – and they put the price on the invoices to their customers. This came about first when in preparing to retire I tried e-posting home various files relating to my company pension (plus a few 'Excel' bunnies like change-wheel calculations!), but the system automatically locked them as strange file-types signified by an 'x', apparently similar to a .pdf. I found a way round this, by re-saving the originals as earlier formats.

Similarly when a club committee-member I could not print the e-post circulated reports as coherent, cohesive sets thanks to them arriving as all sorts of file-types not convertible to standard 'Word' documents.

So I was really surprised to find I could produce a proper alphabetical index in 'Excel' via 'Word', for the TurboCAD manual, from its 'Contents' page – the original opens as a 'pdf! I have not encountered any other pdf file that is so obliging.

[DiogenesIIParticipant @diogenesii]

Nigel, sounds like you might want to disable the "Photos" app in Settings / Apps, it you don't want it to re-organise your pictures and automatically back-them-up-for-you, i.e. send them to a cloud without you asking –

..'though of course you did give permission for all this and more when you installed Windows..

OpenOffice will supply you, for free, with an Office suite that is about as close to the MS offering in both appearance and functionality as legality will allow – I haven't used MS Office for years, and haven't needed to, in the sense that no-one has asked me to resend anything, and neither have I been unable to open any spreadsheets etc. that I've been sent or downloaded.

HTH

 

Edited By DiogenesII on 14/05/2023 13:47:46

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

If you have an older Office version at home just use the "save as" function on the newer system and select file type as .DOC etc tnstead of .DOCX

[Anthony KnightsParticipant @anthonyknights16741]

Posted by Nigel Graham 2 on 14/05/2023 12:45:54:

I know many people have gone over to Linux but I'm wary of doing so for two reasons.

Firstly it seems best avoided unless you really understand operating-systems, which I don't.

Also will it allow using third-party programmes and your files developed in them, still to be used fully?

What of all your existing WIN-supported files: 'Word', 'Excel', etc.? Or of programmes like most CAD and photo-editors written for Windows?

You can try out linux from a dvd or thumb drive without actually installing it on your machine. The Libre Office programs are all capable of loading and saving Microsoft Office files. GNU image will do everything the Adobe program does, but usually in a different way, so bit of a learning curve.

Personally I use a dual boot machine, with Linux Ubuntu and Windows 10, but I only use windows when I absolutely have to. I have a simple CAD program which runs in windows, but I haven't got round to trying any of the Linux equivalents yet. All important information is backed up to an external drive, which is dis-connected before booting windows,so they can't mess with those files. Give it a try. You don't have to be a computer wizz kid and it won't cost you anything except some of your time.

Regards Anthony

[lee websterParticipant @leewebster72680]

Three points.

One. I believe I read somewhere that when microsoft released win10 the chinese government wouldn't allow it to be released in china, without all the spyware being removed. Microsoft did this. Now, I did get this info from the internet, so take it as you will.

Two. An interesting point that might be a bit off topic. What cad programmes run under Linux? I know you can install a programme that will allow win progs to run under Linux. Not just cad of course, what programmes that we here use, cad and 3D slicers for me, what else runs under Linux?

Three. I installed the trial version of Alibre Atom 3D a few days ago. So my cad computer got connected to the net for the download. Now my Solitair card game suite won't run properly. I think microsoft took the oportunity to install updates and copy all my secret files.

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

"Lets set up your browser" LATER

And oddly later never comes, and my files stay where they are put, can't think why.

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

Nigel Graham
prime example that advertising works – F.U.D. was the message pumped out by MS for years – it’s easier to setup a modern Linux system than Windows try MX

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by lee webster on 14/05/2023 14:46:16:

…

Three. I installed the trial version of Alibre Atom 3D a few days ago. So my cad computer got connected to the net for the download. Now my Solitair card game suite won't run properly. I think microsoft took the oportunity to install updates and copy all my secret files.

Leaving a long gap before allowing an operating system to 'phone home' for updates is a potent source of computer problems. If the last update was a few years ago, the operating system and some applications will have been upgraded many, many times, in a series of relatively small safe steps, each starting from a firm foundation.

Not connecting creates an enormous gap, with a huge list of overlapping interrelated changes waiting in the pipeline. Instead of regular updates keeping it simple, long delays create a convoluted monster, that takes ages to sort itself out, and is liable to misfire, causing incompatibilities within the system such as DLL Hell. Also, the anti-virus and security software will be hopelessly out-of-date making the computer an easy target.

It's not unreasonable to run Windows disconnected from the network, and most commercial installations are set up that way. But IT departments don't just reconnect to internet to get upgrades like home users. Their process is planned and managed, basically upgrading and testing in a sandbox, and then either replacing server and workstation operating systems entirely with a 'gold disc', or by patching an existing system. In this system, the size of the gap doesn't matter, but this method of managing dependencies requires expertise and facilities. It's too difficult for the average Joe.

For ordinary home users, deciding to disconnect is a once only decision. Once off-line, stay off-line! A disconnected system will run for years provided nothing changes. Trouble is, change is almost inevitable, for example by deciding to install new software downloaded from the internet. Then the disadvantages of being horribly out-of-date compared with the rest of the world kick in, and they can be much, much more painful than Solitaire failing!

My preferred O/S is Ubuntu, but I have Windows as well because not everything I need runs on Linux. I keep both operating systems up-to-date.

Microsoft annoy me for the reasons Nigel listed. Every major upgrade overwrites my privacy settings and tries hard to nudge me into providing personal information by implying it's essential or a normal system feature. You do not need a Microsoft Account, Bing, Edge or Cortana!

So after every big upgrade, I go on the web, find out what the latest release has switched on, and then wade through Settings to kill it. There are usually at least 10 objectionable features that leak personal information and have to be manually disabled. What's annoying is I usually turned off them all off in the previous release, and the fact I don't want it is ignored.

Linux is far better behaved, but unfortunately doesn't support the same range of applications. Does all the ordinary stuff though.

Dave

Edited By SillyOldDuffer on 14/05/2023 16:43:05

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Yes – I've waded through the 'Applications' menu several times.

I do allow up-dates to prevent those accumulating problems; though I don't call them "up-grades" – apart from anti-malware patches I regard most as "down-grades" .

I have noticed that MS' own malware (MS Account, Cortana, etc) cannot be un-installed or even switched off, as some others of MS' parasite programmes can be.

Your only option is not to run them.

I am not sure what MS' business case is nowadays – apart from data-harvesting and maintaining the world-wide near-monopoly that has made life easy for professional attackers.

It used to support primarily genuine computer uses and users hence programmes like its own 'Word' and 'Excel' I used a lot at work. I have the feeling that although it still does that, it has run out of ways to develop them sensibly, let alone improve them; and instead is far more interested in the Facebook-&-Films-by-Fone brigade.

Edited By Nigel Graham 2 on 14/05/2023 17:12:18

[Pete WhiteParticipant @petewhite15172]

Posted by lee webster on 14/05/2023 14:46:16:

T

Two. An interesting point that might be a bit off topic. What cad programmes run under Linux? I know you can install a programme that will allow win progs to run under Linux. Not just cad of course, what programmes that we here use, cad and 3D slicers for me, what else runs under Linux?

I have been on linux for 20 years, since my windows fell out regularly with the help of my 13 year old daughter getting teddy bears dancing down the screen?

Qcad and Librecad work well on Linux. Libreoffice has versions of word and excel, similar in operation and save files with no problem.

There are linux versions of software for most needs. Not sure about slicing things up, do a search on versions of whatever you use now in windows? GIMP is a very good similar program to photoshop IMO.

Have to be carefull about mentioning the vertues of linux, someone got a bit upset a few months ago1?

"There are none so blind as those who don't want to hear" ? lol

pete

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

Well, well, well, someone else who has finally realised just what M$ are, yet feel unable to finally take the plunge and blow them out for good.

At risk of being repetitive, I blew out M$ when they stopped supporting XP quite a few years ago, and finally settled on Linux Mint, and in this respect I note that someone above is using Ubuntu which is what Mint is based on.

Anyway, I do have to say that I don't blame M$ for taking steps to preserve their copyright etc, because, let's face it, file copying, illegal file copying that is, was rife back in the '70's and early '80's, a sort of been there, seen it, done it. Perhaps I shouldn't have said that, but actually this was all at work – at home I was using Uncle Clive's offerings. However, I did not, and do not, like M$'s attempts to dominate the world. Nor did I, or do I, like the tricks they employed to try get their way, and especially when even the EU got in on the act and stopped them doing something. But that's a long time ago now.

Two years ago, I bought two new laptops – one for main use, and one for backup purposes. Both came with W10 partially installed. Now I had absolutely no intention of using M$, but being aware of possible problems with the warranty I completed the W10 installation, and just like the OP, got asked for personal information on the first installation. Now as it happened, I was being harassed by Talk-Talk because I had an email account which somehow they had managed to take over, said harassment being along the lines of "we'll cut you off unless you take out a subscription etc". So what did I do? I gave M$ the Talk-Talk email account as I really couldn't care less. Ironically, on the second installation, I discovered that there was a way round without having to provide this information, but … Once proved ok, I did a backup, wiped the lot and replaced with Mint.

So, where am I today? Well, I use Libre Office. Ok my needs are miniscule, but it was possible to setup Libre Office on XP, and I assume on W10, or 11, or 12 or whatever it is. What's more, the data storage and the Profile was more or less the same for both XP & for Linux. Hey presto, get Libre Office working first on XP, then install Mint and get working, then transfer the data onto the Mint system, start using Office via Mint and bye-bye M$. Ok, I took my time over it. In a similar manner, I installed Firefox & Thunderbird on XP, then transferred that data to Mint, and started using Mint. Easy-peasy when you do it that way. I also used, occasionally, an early version of Paint Shop Pro. And Design Cad Pro 2000. In both instances I managed to get them working using Wine under Linux. I must admit that back then it weren't not that good, not nohow, but… Today, I use Gimp in place of Paint Shop Pro, and I use Design Cad 3D v. 17.2. Ok it's not perfect, but the bits that are iffy, are actually completely unimportant. I also have a DOS database program (yes, really) which works quite well using DOSemu2. Ok, I can't print, not without a lot of faffing about, but frankly I've never actually needed to print anything.

I did have a total failure with a commercial program called TaxCalc, but when I discovered the HMRC online offering I started to use that, and last years Self Assessment took all of 15 minutes. I must say, though, that based on my earlier usage of TaxCalc, I found it a very good and useful program, and had I managed to get it working under Linux, then I doubt that I would have used the HMRC offering.

So, my recommendation to the OP would be to try installing the Windows versions of any programs, then install Linux, dual booting as necessary, install the Linux, or rather Open Source versions of these programs and slowly transfer over.

One final comment. I am well aware that I keep popping up and trying to persuade people to swop to Linux and blow out M$. Probably I do it too much. I would ask though, that you stop and think just how much influence, how much control, these American giants exert over our lives. Just think about some of the reported problems we read about where people, I think children mainly, end up being hooked on these various programs to the detriment of the children, and not a few adults as well. And thus I support the likes of Linux and their attempt to break the M$ hegemony.

Cheers, from a rabid disliker of M$ and all their antics,

Peter G. Shaw

[An OtherParticipant @another21905]

I guess these problems with different OS's and different opinions will always be with us, and I certainly don't want to aggravate the issue, bearing in mind the responses which have appeared in the past in this forum, but I do have one observation I would like to make:

Why is it that posts with complaints aimed at Microsoft seem to vastly outnumber the complaints aimed at Linux? I haven't actually counted them, but it does appear to be the case over time. If I'm wrong, then I'm sorry, but I don't think so.

If I bought a car which turned out to be, as they say, a lemon (and I have, in the past), then as soon as I can, I cut my losses, dump it, and look for something better, subject to available financing, yet people apparently defend non-functional or intrusive software almost to the death, even when the alternative is largely free, and generally non-intrusive due to its Open Source origins.

Of course, I would defend to the death (well, perhaps not) anyones right to use whatever they want.

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

Microsoft has two almost totally distinct markets – 1: the general public and 2: Industry
They are very different in their needs and market – the former buy an O/S as a bundle with their computer and generally are loath to buy support – hence MS business plan is software as a service + selling the marketing info re customers; industry looks to a fully supported product, want specialised networking etc and wants stability so that training costs for local support can be borne over a number of years. This second market can be highly profitable but part of it is built on a widespread acceptance of a single O/S + specialised software such as CAD.

Edited By Frances IoM on 15/05/2023 17:18:51

[Peter G. ShawParticipant @peterg-shaw75338]

It's easy – M$ makes agreements with computer manufacturers that new computers will automatically come with Windows, and since the vast majority of computer users don't know about, or understand, Linux, then it's Windows almost by default.

Yes, there are some computers available without any operating system at all, but what does Mr/Mrs Average do? They go for what they've heard about, or seen elsewhere. Plus, of course, the vast majority of users don't care just as long as it works, even if it only works imperfectly. And neither do they wish to be bothered about installing software. Or even setting it up correctly. And thus the complaints will continue.

Another reason for all the complaints about M$ is the sheer quantity of M$ users as compared to Linux users.

Tootle pip,

Peter G. Shaw

[SamsarandaParticipant @samsaranda]

It is amazing how much penetration that Microsoft has in our everyday lives, I don’t know if it is still the same but Cashpoint Terminals were all run using MS Windows, I was in our local bank one day when the staff had opened the enclosure housing the Cashpoint and low and behold inside the enclosure was a desktop computer and on the screen was the Windows logo. Dave W

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Their older operating systems are very simple and reliable compared to now

My W7 64bit pro is great and never updates

I used XP pro until 32 bit systems fell behind

I suppose it's like having an older Golf GTI or Japanese car, "out of date" but still does a good job

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Posted by Samsaranda on 15/05/2023 18:00:15:

It is amazing how much penetration that Microsoft has in our everyday lives, I don’t know if it is still the same but Cashpoint Terminals were all run using MS Windows, I was in our local bank one day when the staff had opened the enclosure housing the Cashpoint and low and behold inside the enclosure was a desktop computer and on the screen was the Windows logo. Dave W

Maybe it still does but everything else runs on Linux !

[Author]

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