• Article: Family computers in the 90s

    From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to All on Thu Aug 9 12:31:49 2018
    I saw this article today, which was a bit nostalgic about shared family computers in the 90s: https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/9/17661466/shared-family-computer
    One thing the article says is "In the 1980s, the term 'computerphobia' cropped up in magazines, newspapers, advertisements, and computer manuals. The condition was accompanied by 'a range of resistances, fears, anxieties, and hostilities'." I don't particularly remember any computerphobia back then.. My dad always had a computer when I was growing up, and I got my own (hand-me-down) computer when I was 12. I think the only thing back then was that not as many people knew how to use computers compared to today..

    That article made me feel a bit nostalgic - I was in high school in the 90s, and I remember writing some research papers on my PC and using Microsoft Encarta (and possibly other electronic encyclopedias) for research. Now we have Google and other search engines, and the internet for research.. And I remember in the 90s when Microsoft had their "Microsoft Home" software collection, which included games like Flight Simulator (and their Windows Entertainment Pack too, I think), and their Encarta encyclopedia may have been part of their "Microsoft Home" collection. It seems a bit quaint now.. And does anyone remember Microsoft Bob? :P https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Bob

    Nightfox

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  • From Chai@VERT/AMIGAC to Nightfox on Thu Aug 9 21:44:00 2018
    Nightfox wrote to All <=-

    Home" collection. It seems a bit quaint now.. And does anyone
    remember Microsoft Bob? :P https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Bob

    I remember Bob. I can't remember using it, however. As far as the computer phobia, there were certain people that were afraid to use a PC, as they had no knowledge of how it operates. They were afraid of blowing something up, and not metaphorically. There was the general perception by some that what you do on the keyboard could cause a PC to catch on fire. With others, it was simply a metaphor.



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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Chai on Fri Aug 10 09:42:55 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chai to Nightfox on Thu Aug 09 2018 09:44 pm

    up, and not metaphorically. There was the general perception by some that what you do on the keyboard could cause a PC to catch on fire. With others, it was simply a metaphor.

    Yeah, if you don't know how to use something, I suppose there can be a nervousness about using it, depending on what it is.

    Nightfox

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  • From JIMMYLOGAN@VERT/OTHETA to NIGHTFOX on Thu Aug 9 09:38:00 2018
    NIGHTFOX wrote to ALL <=-

    I saw this article today, which was a bit nostalgic about shared family computers in the 90s: https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/9/17661466/shared-family-computer
    One thing the article says is "In the 1980s, the term 'computerphobia' cropped up in magazines, newspapers, advertisements, and computer
    manuals. The condition was accompanied by 'a range of resistances,
    fears, anxieties, and hostilities'." I don't particularly remember any computerphobia back then..

    Strange. I don't remember any of that either... I'm a bit older than you,
    I think, as I was in high school in the 80's. :-) Graduated 1985.

    But I remember when computers were 'new' and some thought they were
    toys, but I don't remember any kind of 'phobia' around them... I
    would say that I see more fear TODAY of identity theft and teachers
    at work covering their cameras on their laptops, etc.

    My dad always had a computer when I was
    growing up, and I got my own (hand-me-down) computer when I was 12. I think the only thing back then was that not as many people knew how to
    use computers compared to today..

    I can vouch for that. :-) They might play Solitaire or check their
    stocks, but they weren't actually 'used' for much on top of that,
    at least in the circles I was in, unless it was a business mainframe.

    That article made me feel a bit nostalgic - I was in high school in the 90s, and I remember writing some research papers on my PC and using Microsoft Encarta (and possibly other electronic encyclopedias) for research. Now we have Google and other search engines, and the
    internet for research.. And I remember in the 90s when Microsoft had their "Microsoft Home" software collection, which included games like Flight Simulator (and their Windows Entertainment Pack too, I think),
    and their Encarta encyclopedia may have been part of their "Microsoft Home" collection. It seems a bit quaint now.. And does anyone
    remember Microsoft Bob? :P https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Bob

    Wow - Microsoft Home! I remember that well! Let's see - instead of Word it
    was Works, IIRC, and there was a cool game called Jazzball I think it was?




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  • From Jagossel@VERT/MTLGEEK to JIMMYLOGAN on Fri Aug 10 16:26:54 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: JIMMYLOGAN to NIGHTFOX on Thu Aug 09 2018 09:38:00

    That article made me feel a bit nostalgic - I was in high school in the 90s, and I remember writing some research papers on my PC and using Microsoft Encarta (and possibly other electronic encyclopedias) for research. Now we have Google and other search engines, and the internet for research.. And I remember in the 90s when Microsoft had their "Microsoft Home" software collection, which included games like Flight Simulator (and their Windows Entertainment Pack too, I think), and their Encarta encyclopedia may have been part of their "Microsoft Home" collection. It seems a bit quaint now.. And does anyone remember Microsoft Bob? :P https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Bob

    Wow - Microsoft Home! I remember that well! Let's see - instead of Word it was Works, IIRC, and there was a cool game called Jazzball I think it was?

    Jezzball. My family never had Microsoft Home, but we did have the Microsoft Entertainment Pack 3 that had JezzBall, Rodent's Refenge, Tripeeks, Tetravex, SkiFree, Chip's Challenge, and others. They were fun games, I wonder if it's still possible to get a copy, legally.

    -jag
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to JIMMYLOGAN on Fri Aug 10 13:35:49 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: JIMMYLOGAN to NIGHTFOX on Thu Aug 09 2018 09:38 am

    But I remember when computers were 'new' and some thought they were
    toys, but I don't remember any kind of 'phobia' around them... I
    would say that I see more fear TODAY of identity theft and teachers
    at work covering their cameras on their laptops, etc.

    Yeah, there is a lot of fear of identity theft today. I've seen a couple people covering up the cameras on their laptops.

    My dad always had a computer when I was
    growing up, and I got my own (hand-me-down) computer when I was 12.
    I think the only thing back then was that not as many people knew
    how to use computers compared to today..

    I can vouch for that. :-) They might play Solitaire or check their
    stocks, but they weren't actually 'used' for much on top of that,
    at least in the circles I was in, unless it was a business mainframe.

    My experience was the opposite.. It was true that not as many people knew how to use computers, but I think that also meant that those who know how to use computers really knew how to use them - The people who I knew who were into computers back then also had computers at home, and were familiar with things like the command line and the various parts of a computer (mainly because it was often useful to build your own PC, or at least computer people were curious about that), and were familiar with configuring DOS drivers, etc.. Those who didn't know how to use a computer back then probably didn't have one at home. These days, pretty much everyone has a computer of some kind (these days, it seems people more often mainly use a tablet or smartphone), and many people these days who use computing devices aren't as familiar with how they work compared to back in the day. It seems to me that many people these days aren't familiar with Intel, ARM, or AMD and probably don't know what kind of processor is in their smartphone/tablet, and they probably don't really care.

    Wow - Microsoft Home! I remember that well! Let's see - instead of Word it was Works, IIRC, and there was a cool game called Jazzball I think it was?

    Jazzball sounds familiar. And I remember Microsoft Works.. I think Works was a sort of lite version of their Office suite?

    Nightfox

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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Nightfox on Fri Aug 10 17:36:07 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Nightfox to All on Thu Aug 09 2018 12:31 pm

    and hostilities'." I don't particularly remember any computerphobia back then.. My dad always had a computer when I was growing up, and I got my own (hand-me-down) computer when I was 12. I think the only thing back then was that not as many people knew how to use computers compared to today..

    That article made me feel a bit nostalgic - I was in high school in the 90s, and I remember writing some research papers on my PC and using Microsoft Encarta (and possibly other electronic encyclopedias) for research. Now we have Google and other search engines, and the internet for research.. And I remember in the 90s when Microsoft had their "Microsoft Home" software collection, which included games like Flight Simulator (and their Windows Entertainment Pack too, I think), and their Encarta encyclopedia may have been part of their "Microsoft Home" collection. It seems a bit quaint now.. And does anyone remember Microsoft Bob? :P

    you're lucky to have got your own computer at that age. i wish i had one, it would have helped a lot with school.

    i'm 41 now and got my first computer in 95. i used c64's before that and in school the old apples. i never heard of any computer phobia.

    also i'm not so sure people are less ignorant about computers in today's age when you compare it to the 80s. it might be the same.
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to MRO on Fri Aug 10 16:04:51 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: MRO to Nightfox on Fri Aug 10 2018 05:36 pm

    you're lucky to have got your own computer at that age. i wish i had one, it would have helped a lot with school.

    After a few years or so, I got my first job (I was in high school by that time), and with my first paycheck I bought parts to build a brand-new computer. It helped a bit with schoolwork, though in high school I mainly used it for writing English papers (and otherwise, playing PC games).

    i'm 41 now and got my first computer in 95. i used c64's before that and in school the old apples. i never heard of any computer phobia.

    I used the old Apples in school as well. My elementary school had some Apple II machines that we used sometimes (there were times they'd bring us to the library and they'd have us play things like Logo and Oregon Trail on them). Later, my middle school & high school mostly had Macs. I think my high school also had one or two Windows PCs in the library, along with their Macs.

    also i'm not so sure people are less ignorant about computers in today's age when you compare it to the 80s. it might be the same.

    That might be true. More people use computers these days, but I'm not sure there are more people who understand how they work and what's going on behind the scenes.

    Nightfox

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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Jagossel on Fri Aug 10 16:06:29 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Jagossel to JIMMYLOGAN on Fri Aug 10 2018 04:26 pm

    Jezzball. My family never had Microsoft Home, but we did have the Microsoft Entertainment Pack 3 that had JezzBall, Rodent's Refenge, Tripeeks, Tetravex, SkiFree, Chip's Challenge, and others. They were fun games, I wonder if it's still possible to get a copy, legally.

    Yeah, Jezzball was it. And Microsoft Home wasn't a single thing, it was just a label they put on software products of theirs that were intended for home use. Their Entertainment Packs may or may not have been labeled with "Microsoft Home", I don't remember for sure.

    Nightfox

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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to JIMMYLOGAN on Sat Aug 11 08:31:00 2018
    On 08-09-18 09:38, JIMMYLOGAN wrote to NIGHTFOX <=-

    Strange. I don't remember any of that either... I'm a bit older than
    you, I think, as I was in high school in the 80's. :-) Graduated 1985.

    Oh, I remember a lot of computerphobia (even though it wasn't named as such) in the 90s, as the Internet took hold - people afraid of breaking their system or the Internet. :) I also graduated from high school in 1985. :) I remember my first partner had no idea about computers, but that was simply because of a lack of exposure. He eventually found he had a talent for digital art, was a bit of a missed calling. Give gim a simple image editor (one wonders what he would have done if he had the chance to learn Photoshop) and some raw material, and anything could be created. :)

    But I remember when computers were 'new' and some thought they were
    toys, but I don't remember any kind of 'phobia' around them... I
    would say that I see more fear TODAY of identity theft and teachers
    at work covering their cameras on their laptops, etc.

    I haven't seen any of that myself

    My dad always had a computer when I was
    growing up, and I got my own (hand-me-down) computer when I was 12. I think the only thing back then was that not as many people knew how to
    use computers compared to today..

    True. :) I was the first in my family to really make use of computers, which was no surprise, because I was the tech nerd of the house. :) My parents still use them sparingly, though being in a remote area and stuck on satellite Internet (literally their only option) doesn't help!

    I can vouch for that. :-) They might play Solitaire or check their
    stocks, but they weren't actually 'used' for much on top of that,
    at least in the circles I was in, unless it was a business mainframe.

    While in the circles I was in, computers were well used. I knew a lot of BBSing people in the 90s, and some programmers. And in the latter half of the 80s, I was in university studying electronic engineering, and we made extensive use of computers in our studies, from writing reports, to simulations, to programming, and running everything from the IBM-PC (the original one with cassette BASIC in ROM!) to mainframes, both local and at other universities.

    That article made me feel a bit nostalgic - I was in high school in the 90s, and I remember writing some research papers on my PC and using Microsoft Encarta (and possibly other electronic encyclopedias) for research. Now we have Google and other search engines, and the

    There's a young one. :D At high school, I was using Apple //e computers, playing around with Applesoft and ProDOS in my spare time and doing school work using Turbo Pascal under CP/M (they had Z80 cards installed).

    internet for research.. And I remember in the 90s when Microsoft had their "Microsoft Home" software collection, which included games like Flight Simulator (and their Windows Entertainment Pack too, I think),
    and their Encarta encyclopedia may have been part of their "Microsoft Home" collection. It seems a bit quaint now.. And does anyone
    remember Microsoft Bob? :P https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Bob

    Wow - Microsoft Home! I remember that well! Let's see - instead of Word
    it was Works, IIRC, and there was a cool game called Jazzball I think
    it was?

    The most annoying Microsoft software of the 90s was Microsoft Works, because a lot of people had that preinstalled on their PCs at home, so they'd use it for writing documents. But when they went to bring their documents in to work, we couldn't read them, because Works was totally incompatible with MS Office! That was bizarre and a real pain. So many times, we had to tell people to either save it as RTF or if it was urgent, type it all again on the spot. :)


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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Sat Aug 11 08:38:00 2018
    On 08-10-18 13:35, Nightfox wrote to JIMMYLOGAN <=-

    My experience was the opposite.. It was true that not as many people
    knew how to use computers, but I think that also meant that those who
    know how to use computers really knew how to use them - The people who
    I knew who were into computers back then also had computers at home,
    and were familiar with things like the command line and the various
    parts of a computer (mainly because it was often useful to build your
    own PC, or at least computer people were curious about that), and were familiar with configuring DOS drivers, etc.. Those who didn't know how

    I knew a lot of people like that, and I was one myself. I built all of my computers from 1991 (the first one) right through to the early 2000s - in fact, that first computer I built slowly morphed over time from a twin floppy XT to a Pentium 90 with 32M RAM (I think), 1.2 gig HDD and a number of other addon cards. :) While the computer maintained its identity, not one original part remained. :)

    to use a computer back then probably didn't have one at home. These

    That started to change in the late 1990s as the Internet became popular.

    days, pretty much everyone has a computer of some kind (these days, it seems people more often mainly use a tablet or smartphone), and many people these days who use computing devices aren't as familiar with how they work compared to back in the day. It seems to me that many people these days aren't familiar with Intel, ARM, or AMD and probably don't
    know what kind of processor is in their smartphone/tablet, and they probably don't really care.

    Agree, from an end user perspective, it doesn't matter, and even I find I don't need to pay as much attention to architecture, because Debian on a modern desktop works much like Raspian on a Pi, you either install packages or build from source. Running DOS doors on a BBS is one of the few times I have to consider architecture, as that determines my options.


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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Vk3jed on Fri Aug 10 17:35:09 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Sat Aug 11 2018 08:38 am

    I knew a lot of people like that, and I was one myself. I built all of my computers from 1991 (the first one) right through to the early 2000s - in fact, that first computer I built slowly morphed over time from a twin floppy XT to a Pentium 90 with 32M RAM (I think), 1.2 gig HDD and a number of other addon cards. :) While the computer maintained its identity, not one original part remained. :)

    That reminds me of the "Ship of Theseus" question that I heard about not too long ago.. If you replace all the parts of something (perhaps just one by one), is it still the same thing? :)

    to use a computer back then probably didn't have one at home. These

    That started to change in the late 1990s as the Internet became popular.

    Yep. I remember hearing about more and more people who wanted to get online then, and some were just learning how to use a computer in order to do it. These days, it still doesn't seem like that many people back then compared to now, when many people have many devices that use the internet (smartphone, tablet, smart TVs, etc.).

    many people these days aren't familiar with Intel, ARM, or AMD and
    probably don't know what kind of processor is in their
    smartphone/tablet, and they probably don't really care.

    Agree, from an end user perspective, it doesn't matter, and even I find I don't need to pay as much attention to architecture, because Debian on a modern desktop works much like Raspian on a Pi, you either install packages or build from source. Running DOS doors on a BBS is one of the few times I have to consider architecture, as that determines my options.

    If you're installing binaries from a package, I'd think there might be a chance that there might not be a package for a particular piece of software you might want to install. A pre-built package might be available for that distro for Intel, but perhaps not for Raspberry Pi. I imagine that could confuse someone who doesn't realize there are different processor architectures used in various different devices.

    I remember when Microsoft made a version of Windows NT for DEC Alpha (I think?). You'd have to run software specifically built for that processor (although I imagine that setup would have been run by admins who are probably familiar with that issue).

    Nightfox

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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Nightfox on Fri Aug 10 22:43:18 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Nightfox to MRO on Fri Aug 10 2018 04:04 pm


    That might be true. More people use computers these days, but I'm not sure there are more people who understand how they work and what's going on behind the scenes.


    they can work their phone and look up porn or youtube but they arent proficient with computers nor do they find them facinating like we did.

    my son is 24 and he grew up with computers and still doesnt know shit.

    also, the way these people read and write is atrocious.
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Nightfox on Fri Aug 10 22:43:53 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to Jagossel on Fri Aug 10 2018 04:06 pm

    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Jagossel to JIMMYLOGAN on Fri Aug 10 2018 04:26 pm

    Jezzball. My family never had Microsoft Home, but we did have the Microsoft Entertainment Pack 3 that had JezzBall, Rodent's Refenge, Tripeeks, Tetravex, SkiFree, Chip's Challenge, and others. They were fun games, I wonder if it's still possible to get a copy, legally.

    Yeah, Jezzball was it. And Microsoft Home wasn't a single thing, it was just a label they put on software products of theirs that were intended for home use. Their Entertainment Packs may or may not have been labeled with "Microsoft Home", I don't remember for sure.


    jezzball was so much fun.
    i also had the microsoft arcade pack.
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  • From Jon Justvig@VERT/STEPPING to Nightfox on Fri Aug 10 23:53:05 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to Chai on Fri Aug 10 2018 09:42 am

    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chai to Nightfox on Thu Aug 09 2018 09:44 pm

    Yeah, if you don't know how to use something, I suppose there can be a nervousness about using it, depending on what it is.

    And, if you don't know what you're doing, I suppose a PC could catch on fire, like pouring gasoline on the PC and setting it on fire. :P
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  • From Retro Guy@VERT/RETROBBS to Vk3jed on Sat Aug 11 12:14:17 2018
    Vk3jed wrote:


    The most annoying Microsoft software of the 90s was Microsoft Works, because
    a
    lot of people had that preinstalled on their PCs at home, so they'd use it
    for
    writing documents. But when they went to bring their documents in to work,
    we
    couldn't read them, because Works was totally incompatible with MS Office! That was bizarre and a real pain. So many times, we had to tell people to either save it as RTF or if it was urgent, type it all again on the spot. :)

    I remember that. I worked for a small company that used Microsoft Works
    and did not have office (too expensive). Our interaction with other
    companies always involved saving as RTF, which seemed dumb but it was necessary.

    Retro Guy

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  • From Retro Guy@VERT/RETROBBS to MRO on Sat Aug 11 12:26:05 2018
    MRO wrote:

    Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Nightfox to MRO on Fri Aug 10 2018 04:04 pm


    That might be true. More people use computers these days, but I'm not
    sure
    there are more people who understand how they work and what's going on behind the scenes.


    they can work their phone and look up porn or youtube but they arent
    proficient
    with computers nor do they find them facinating like we did.

    Which is sad but accurate. I'm old and a lot of young people (I work with
    a lot of young people) just assume I don't know anything about computers
    and my first thought is always, "Sit down, shut up and I'll tell you more
    than you ever wanted to know about computers!"

    my son is 24 and he grew up with computers and still doesnt know shit.

    also, the way these people read and write is atrocious.

    Very true. I hire these young people I work with and just wish I could
    find some that even cared about how they appear to others. Just the other
    day I was training someone to count inventory. I said, this tub holds two bags, it's 1/4 full. How many bags do we count? And he couldn't figure it
    out. The applicant pool is weak in my industry it seems (hospitality).

    Retro Guy

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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Retro Guy on Sat Aug 11 09:05:07 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Retro Guy to MRO on Sat Aug 11 2018 12:26 pm

    Very true. I hire these young people I work with and just wish I could
    find some that even cared about how they appear to others. Just the other day I was training someone to count inventory. I said, this tub holds two bags, it's 1/4 full. How many bags do we count? And he couldn't figure it out. The applicant pool is weak in my industry it seems (hospitality).

    well in regards to math, they didnt teach real world application.
    many people would freeze up on that question if put on the spot.

    i can only do math if i write it down, i cant do it in my head. i had a's in math the entire time i was in school. that's what they programmed us to do back then. 'show your work'. when i got into the workforce they acted like i was an idiot because i didnt do math in my head.
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  • From Tim Wray@VERT/BACKWOOD to Jagossel on Sat Aug 11 10:24:31 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Jagossel to JIMMYLOGAN on Fri Aug 10 2018 04:26 pm

    Jezzball. My family never had Microsoft Home, but we did have the Microsoft Entertainment Pack 3 that had JezzBall, Rodent's Refenge, Tripeeks, Tetravex, SkiFree, Chip's Challenge, and others. They were fun games, I wonder if it's still possible to get a copy, legally.

    As far as Jezzball goes, there's this: https://archive.org/details/win3_JezzBall
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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to JAGOSSEL on Sat Aug 11 09:46:00 2018
    JAGOSSEL wrote to JIMMYLOGAN <=-

    Wow - Microsoft Home! I remember that well! Let's see - instead of Word it was Works, IIRC, and there was a cool game called Jazzball I think it was?

    Jezzball. My family never had Microsoft Home, but we did have the Microsoft Entertainment Pack 3 that had JezzBall, Rodent's Refenge, Tripeeks, Tetravex, SkiFree, Chip's Challenge, and others. They were
    fun games, I wonder if it's still possible to get a copy, legally.

    Yeah - that's it!

    Don't know about a legal way to get them... Seems like there's a web
    version of Jezzball at least.

    Did you ever play Sherlock? My sister showed me that years ago. There's
    newer versions, including one for tablet. Very cool logic game. :-)





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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to NIGHTFOX on Sat Aug 11 09:54:00 2018
    NIGHTFOX wrote to JIMMYLOGAN <=-

    Yeah, there is a lot of fear of identity theft today. I've seen a
    couple people covering up the cameras on their laptops.

    I asked one of my principals a couple of days ago why she did it.
    She said she watches CSI - knows people can access her camera.

    own PC, or at least computer people were curious about that), and were familiar with configuring DOS drivers, etc.. Those who didn't know how

    IRC's :-)

    to use a computer back then probably didn't have one at home. These
    days, pretty much everyone has a computer of some kind (these days, it seems people more often mainly use a tablet or smartphone), and many people these days who use computing devices aren't as familiar with how they work compared to back in the day. It seems to me that many people these days aren't familiar with Intel, ARM, or AMD and probably don't
    know what kind of processor is in their smartphone/tablet, and they probably don't really care.

    And I can see that. If they don't have an innate interest in it, and it
    does what it needs to do, then so what? LOL

    Wow - Microsoft Home! I remember that well! Let's see - instead of Word it was Works, IIRC, and there was a cool game called Jazzball I think it was?

    Jazzball sounds familiar. And I remember Microsoft Works.. I think
    Works was a sort of lite version of their Office suite?

    Yeah - and Home had Microsoft Money in it, as well as Organizer I think.

    The place where I was working in the early 90's got a PC for me to do
    some desktop publishing so we could do our own catalog pages (Millwork
    House) and it had Lotus Smart Suite, so my first 'word processing'
    exposure was Lotus, not Microsoft. :-)




    ... I DID IT! I invented the unadoptable tagline! Try it. Won't work.
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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to JON JUSTVIG on Sat Aug 11 10:05:00 2018
    JON JUSTVIG wrote to NIGHTFOX <=-

    Yeah, if you don't know how to use something, I suppose there can be a nervousness about using it, depending on what it is.

    And, if you don't know what you're doing, I suppose a PC could catch on fire, like pouring gasoline on the PC and setting it on fire. :P

    LOL - yeah, I tell my users all the time you can't do anything to it
    that I can't fix. USE the thing, don't be afraid of it. :-)



    ... I! finally! learned! how! to! punctuate! Kirk! sentences!
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Tim Wray on Sat Aug 11 10:33:30 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Tim Wray to Jagossel on Sat Aug 11 2018 10:24 am

    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Jagossel to JIMMYLOGAN on Fri Aug 10 2018 04:26 pm

    Jezzball. My family never had Microsoft Home, but we did have the Microsoft Entertainment Pack 3 that had JezzBall, Rodent's Refenge, Tripeeks, Tetravex, SkiFree, Chip's Challenge, and others. They were fun games, I wonder if it's still possible to get a copy, legally.

    As far as Jezzball goes, there's this: https://archive.org/details/win3_JezzBall


    that's too bad it's so laggy. i only got through 3 tries
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  • From Chris@VERT/DMINE to Nightfox on Sat Aug 11 14:06:38 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to JIMMYLOGAN on Fri Aug 10 2018 01:35 pm

    Jazzball sounds familiar. And I remember Microsoft Works.. I think Works w a sort of lite version of their Office suite?

    Nightfox


    I remember Microsoft Works for DOS back in high schoool. I took a liking to it, but I didn't own a PC at the time (was still running a Coco 3 at home), so I only got to use it at school. Thats also when I was introduced to Wordperfect for DOS which I was also pretty fond of.


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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to MRO on Sun Aug 12 08:07:00 2018
    On 08-10-18 22:43, MRO wrote to Nightfox <=-

    they can work their phone and look up porn or youtube but they arent proficient with computers nor do they find them facinating like we did.

    my son is 24 and he grew up with computers and still doesnt know shit.

    Most people fall into that category - they can use a computer to browse the web, use social media or do what they need in work, but they have no idea what's really happening under the hood, nor do they care. They just call their tech support, whether that's the company helpdesk, computer savvy friends and family or a contractor to fix things, when they get into trouble. That's in contrast with the vast majority of us here who understand our computers and other technology and fix our own problems as much as possible.


    ... Judgement of beauty can err, what with the wine & the dark.
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Jon Justvig on Sun Aug 12 08:10:00 2018
    On 08-10-18 23:53, Jon Justvig wrote to Nightfox <=-

    And, if you don't know what you're doing, I suppose a PC could catch on fire, like pouring gasoline on the PC and setting it on fire. :P

    Well, it could, but that's either accidental (like power supply failure, almost had one catch fire myself that way, luckily I was there to pull the plug), or doing something really nasty with hardware that one shouldn't be doing! :)


    ... Half of conversation is listening.
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  • From Hawkeye@VERT/MASHBBS to Nightfox on Sat Aug 11 21:12:28 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Nightfox to MRO on Fri Aug 10 2018 16:04:51

    also i'm not so sure people are less ignorant about computers in today's age when you compare it to the 80s. it might be the same.
    That might be true. More people use computers these days, but I'm not sure there are more people who understand how they work and what's going on behind the scenes.

    I think the same. Even people who studied for computers are lacking some basic information how it worked and how it works now.

    HAWKEYE

    - MASH BBS - mash4077.ddns.net - The Netherlands -

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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to CHRIS on Sat Aug 11 05:27:00 2018
    CHRIS wrote to NIGHTFOX <=-

    I remember Microsoft Works for DOS back in high schoool. I took a
    liking to it, but I didn't own a PC at the time (was still running a
    Coco 3 at home), so I only got to use it at school. Thats also when I
    was introduced to Wordperfect for DOS which I was also pretty fond of.

    Had a CoCo 2 as my first computer! A friend had a first gen - chiclet
    keys :-)

    Saw the 3 but had moved on to IBM compatible by then...




    ... He who seeks a friend without a fault remains friendless
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  • From Jagossel@VERT/FRUGALBB to JIMMY ANDERSON on Sun Aug 12 00:17:51 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: JIMMY ANDERSON to CHRIS on Sat Aug 11 2018 05:27 am

    I remember Microsoft Works for DOS back in high schoool. I took a liking to it, but I didn't own a PC at the time (was still running a Coco 3 at home), so I only got to use it at school. Thats also when I was introduced to Wordperfect for DOS which I was also pretty fond of.

    Had a CoCo 2 as my first computer! A friend had a first gen - chiclet
    keys :-)

    Saw the 3 but had moved on to IBM compatible by then...

    My family had a CoCo 2 (64KB I believe) and my mom noticed my interests in computers and asked my dad to get it down from the attic and have it hooked it up to our TV, and I was hooked from that point forward. Learned to program on it using the book that my dad got with it. That TRS-80 CoCo 2 computer is how my career in software development was stared, by setting me on the path to it at an early age. When I was in high school, I knew it's what I wanted to do as a career. Yes, I eventually got to QBasic, Visual Basic, and now C#/.NET.

    Granted, I love using FreeBASIC now for side projects.

    ... He who seeks a friend without a fault remains friendless

    Isn't that the truth there. :)

    -jag
    Code it, Script it, Automate it!

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  • From Jon Justvig@VERT/STEPPING to JIMMY ANDERSON on Sun Aug 12 00:07:00 2018
    ... JIMMY ANDERSON scribbled to JON JUSTVIG in the sand ...

    JON JUSTVIG wrote to NIGHTFOX <=-

    Yeah, if you don't know how to use something, I suppose there can be a nervousness about using it, depending on what it is.

    And, if you don't know what you're doing, I suppose a PC could catch on fire, like pouring gasoline on the PC and setting it on fire. :P

    LOL - yeah, I tell my users all the time you can't do anything to it
    that I can't fix. USE the thing, don't be afraid of it. :-)

    All you need to know how to do these days is push a power button, move the mouse around a little and press a few keys. People that are new to PCs
    these days don't know the 'struggle'.

    --- MultiMail/Win v0.51
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Retro Guy on Sun Aug 12 19:22:00 2018
    On 08-11-18 12:14, Retro Guy wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    I remember that. I worked for a small company that used Microsoft Works and did not have office (too expensive). Our interaction with other companies always involved saving as RTF, which seemed dumb but it was necessary.

    I always thought it was stupid on Microsoft's part for their flagship Office products not to be able to open Works formats.


    ... SHIN: A device for finding furniture in the dark!
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  • From Retro Guy@VERT/RETROBBS to MRO on Sun Aug 12 10:34:51 2018
    MRO wrote:

    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Retro Guy to MRO on Sat Aug 11 2018 12:26 pm

    Very true. I hire these young people I work with and just wish I could find some that even cared about how they appear to others. Just the other day I was training someone to count inventory. I said, this tub holds two bags, it's 1/4 full. How many bags do we count? And he couldn't figure it out. The applicant pool is weak in my industry it seems (hospitality).

    well in regards to math, they didnt teach real world application.
    many people would freeze up on that question if put on the spot.

    i can only do math if i write it down, i cant do it in my head. i had a's in math the entire time i was in school. that's what they programmed us to do
    back
    then. 'show your work'. when i got into the workforce they acted like i was
    an
    idiot because i didnt do math in my head.

    I handn't really thought much about that. I know that math is taught differently then when I was in school. I was taught to basically come up
    with the right answer. We didn't have calculators, so it would be hard to cheat.

    It was encouraged to find ways to work it out in your head, as that's what
    we were told would best benefit us once we went out and got jobs.

    I should consider this the next time I feel shocked that someone can't do what, to me, seems simple math. Maybe it's not simple, just a different
    way of working it out.

    Retro Guy

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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Retro Guy on Sun Aug 12 10:50:49 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Retro Guy to MRO on Sun Aug 12 2018 10:34 am

    I handn't really thought much about that. I know that math is taught differently then when I was in school. I was taught to basically come up with the right answer. We didn't have calculators, so it would be hard to cheat.

    It was encouraged to find ways to work it out in your head, as that's what we were told would best benefit us once we went out and got jobs.

    I should consider this the next time I feel shocked that someone can't do what, to me, seems simple math. Maybe it's not simple, just a different
    way of working it out.

    everyone has a cellphone so that means we all have calculators, so doing math in your head probably doesnt help you much at everyday jobs. NOT KNOWING how to do calculations using algebra and adding, subtracking, muliplying and dividing certainly will hinder your work performance.

    another thing about the math in the head thing, when i was in school i actually had a perfect paper marked down to a C when i didnt 'show my work' and i did the math in my head. the teacher didnt provide enough room on the paper to show it all, so i figured it was okay.
    ---
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  • From Digital Man@VERT to JIMMY ANDERSON on Sun Aug 12 13:49:29 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: JIMMY ANDERSON to NIGHTFOX on Sat Aug 11 2018 09:54 am

    NIGHTFOX wrote to JIMMYLOGAN <=-

    Yeah, there is a lot of fear of identity theft today. I've seen a couple people covering up the cameras on their laptops.

    I asked one of my principals a couple of days ago why she did it.
    She said she watches CSI - knows people can access her camera.

    I've always known it's technically possible for someone to spy on you through your own webcam, but never really worried about it until I noticed executives at well-respectied tech companies putting tape over their laptop webcams. They must know something about the corporate spyware that I don't, so now I cover my laptop's webcam too. It seems stupid and paranoid (nobody seems to put tape over their phone's camera lens) - but still, it's a little low-tech insurance against unexpected privacy invasion.

    digital man

    This Is Spinal Tap quote #37:
    David St. Hubbins: We are Spinal Tap from the UK - you must be the USA!
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Digital Man on Sun Aug 12 19:49:45 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Digital Man to JIMMY ANDERSON on Sun Aug 12 2018 01:49 pm

    NIGHTFOX wrote to JIMMYLOGAN <=-

    Yeah, there is a lot of fear of identity theft today. I've seen a couple people covering up the cameras on their laptops.

    I asked one of my principals a couple of days ago why she did it.
    She said she watches CSI - knows people can access her camera.

    I've always known it's technically possible for someone to spy on you through your own webcam, but never really worried about it until I noticed executives at well-respectied tech companies putting tape over their laptop webcams. They must know something about the corporate spyware that I don't, so now I cover my laptop's webcam too. It seems stupid and paranoid (nobody seems to put tape over their phone's camera lens) - but still, it's a little low-tech insurance against unexpected privacy invasion.


    when working on laptops i have always put electrical tape over the camera. also on my own stuff. if i am not using the camera, why have it pointing at me where some program can capture an image?

    this is funny because apparently the myspace user acct database was leaked. i got an extortion email to a throwaway myspace acct telling me my pw and they said they remote desktop'd me and have a video of me wanking while watching a video.
    ---
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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to ROBERT WOLFE on Sun Aug 12 09:13:00 2018
    ROBERT WOLFE wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    JIMMY ANDERSON wrote to JAGOSSEL <=-

    ... Martin Luther King On Dessert..."I Had A Dreamsicle"..

    STOLEN! :)

    I have a ton. :-)




    ... Overmedicated? We have a prescription for that!
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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to DIGITAL MAN on Sun Aug 12 09:14:00 2018
    DIGITAL MAN wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    Yeah, there is a lot of fear of identity theft today. I've seen a couple people covering up the cameras on their laptops.

    I asked one of my principals a couple of days ago why she did it.
    She said she watches CSI - knows people can access her camera.

    I've always known it's technically possible for someone to spy on you through your own webcam, but never really worried about it until I
    noticed executives at well-respectied tech companies putting tape over their laptop webcams. They must know something about the corporate
    spyware that I don't, so now I cover my laptop's webcam too. It seems stupid and paranoid (nobody seems to put tape over their phone's camera lens) - but still, it's a little low-tech insurance against unexpected privacy invasion.

    Executives? What about the IT department? :-)




    ... If this were an actual tagline, it would be funny.
    --- MultiMail/Darwin v0.49
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  • From Digital Man@VERT to MRO on Sun Aug 12 22:46:21 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: MRO to Digital Man on Sun Aug 12 2018 07:49 pm

    this is funny because apparently the myspace user acct database was leaked. i got an extortion email to a throwaway myspace acct telling me my pw and they said they remote desktop'd me and have a video of me wanking while watching a video.

    Yes, I've received some of those same emails and did even notice (until very recently) because they were SPAM-binned. Here's one variant, but they're all mostly the same (all bullshit except for the password):

    It appears to be that, (oldpassword), is your password. May very well not know me and you are probably wondering why you are getting this e-mail, right?

    in fact, I setup a viruses on the adult videos (porno) website and you know what, you visited this web site to have fun (you know very well what I am talking about). During the time you were watching videos, your internet browser started off functioning like a RDP (Remote Desktop) which provided me accessibility of your screen and web cam. and then, my software programs obtained all your contacts from the Messenger, Outlook, FB, along with emails.

    What did I actually do?

    I produced a double-screen video recording. First part shows the recording you are watching (you have got a good taste haha . . .), and 2nd part shows the recording of your web cam.

    what exactly should you do?

    Well, I think, $1600 is really a reasonable price for our little secret. You will make the payment by Bitcoin (if you do not know this, search "how to buy bitcoin" search engines like google).

    Bitcoin Address: 18djMnwXA81xoi8zf1gA8KPFLe7AxVULLz
    (It's case sensitive, so copy and paste it)

    Important:
    You've got one day to make the payment. (I've a special pixel within this e mail, and at this moment I am aware you have read through this email message). If I don't get the BitCoins, I will certainly send out your video recording to all of your contacts including family, coworkers, and so on. Having said that, if I receive the payment, I'll destroy the recording immidiately. If you'd like evidence, reply with "Yes!" and I will certainly send your video recording to your 6 contacts. It is a non-negotiable offer, that being said don't waste my personal time and yours by responding to this message.

    digital man

    This Is Spinal Tap quote #46:
    "Not an Exit" - we don't want an exit. Well that's true.
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  • From Digital Man@VERT to JIMMY ANDERSON on Sun Aug 12 22:47:36 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: JIMMY ANDERSON to DIGITAL MAN on Sun Aug 12 2018 09:14 am

    DIGITAL MAN wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    Yeah, there is a lot of fear of identity theft today. I've seen a couple people covering up the cameras on their laptops.

    I asked one of my principals a couple of days ago why she did it.
    She said she watches CSI - knows people can access her camera.

    I've always known it's technically possible for someone to spy on you through your own webcam, but never really worried about it until I noticed executives at well-respectied tech companies putting tape over their laptop webcams. They must know something about the corporate spyware that I don't, so now I cover my laptop's webcam too. It seems stupid and paranoid (nobody seems to put tape over their phone's camera lens) - but still, it's a little low-tech insurance against unexpected privacy invasion.

    Executives? What about the IT department? :-)

    When I work with IT guys, its usually *my* laptop they're tinkering with. :-)

    digital man

    Synchronet "Real Fact" #59:
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to MRO on Mon Aug 13 09:32:07 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: MRO to Nightfox on Fri Aug 10 2018 10:43 pm

    my son is 24 and he grew up with computers and still doesnt know shit.

    Yeah, I've known people around my age who have a parent who knows more about computers than they do..

    also, the way these people read and write is atrocious.

    That's true. And, that's coming from someone who doesn't capitalize their sentences in their writing....

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Jon Justvig on Mon Aug 13 09:34:58 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Jon Justvig to Nightfox on Fri Aug 10 2018 11:53 pm

    And, if you don't know what you're doing, I suppose a PC could catch on fire, like pouring gasoline on the PC and setting it on fire. :P

    A long time ago I heard about a joke going around about a sign someone posted near a computer that was written to sound German-ish: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blinkenlights
    Part of the sign said:
    "Das Komputermaschine ist nicht fuer der gefingerpoken und mittengraben! Oderwise ist easy to schnappen der Springenwerk, blowenfusen und poppencorken mit spitzensparken."

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to JIMMY ANDERSON on Mon Aug 13 09:37:37 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: JIMMY ANDERSON to NIGHTFOX on Sat Aug 11 2018 09:54 am

    own PC, or at least computer people were curious about that), and
    were familiar with configuring DOS drivers, etc.. Those who didn't
    know how

    IRC's :-)

    Chat rooms? Or do you mean IRQs?

    The place where I was working in the early 90's got a PC for me to do
    some desktop publishing so we could do our own catalog pages (Millwork House) and it had Lotus Smart Suite, so my first 'word processing' exposure was Lotus, not Microsoft. :-)

    I remember hearing that Apple's Macintosh platform was considered by many to be the first platform for easy desktop publishing, due to its GUI (when the IBM PC still had a command-line operating system). I seem to remember hearing that Microsoft developed their Office suite originally for the Mac, before developing it for Windows.

    Nightfox

    ---
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Chris on Mon Aug 13 09:39:01 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chris to Nightfox on Sat Aug 11 2018 02:06 pm

    I remember Microsoft Works for DOS back in high schoool. I took a liking to it, but I didn't own a PC at the time (was still running a Coco 3 at home), so I only got to use it at school. Thats also when I was introduced to Wordperfect for DOS which I was also pretty fond of.

    I didn't use DOS word processors that much, but I remember WordPerfect seemed like a big thing back then. There was a WordPerfet for Windows too, from what I remember, but it seemed Microsoft Office and/or Microsoft Works had already caught on by then and was more popular.

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Hawkeye on Mon Aug 13 09:42:25 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Hawkeye to Nightfox on Sat Aug 11 2018 09:12 pm

    I think the same. Even people who studied for computers are lacking some basic information how it worked and how it works now.

    Yeah.. I got a computer-related degree in college, but I already knew quite a bit about computers. There were a lot of students taking computer-related degrees who didn't really seem to know much about computers, and for many of those students, it seemed the course program was too over their head (or maybe they lost interest when they got more into the program) and they quit the program..

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to MRO on Mon Aug 13 09:46:39 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: MRO to Retro Guy on Sat Aug 11 2018 09:05 am

    i can only do math if i write it down, i cant do it in my head. i had a's in math the entire time i was in school. that's what they programmed us to do back then. 'show your work'. when i got into the workforce they acted like i was an idiot because i didnt do math in my head.

    I'm on the fence about whether this common core math they're teaching now is worthwhile or not. I still don't know a whole lot about it, but some of the things I've seen about it seem a little odd. Such as if the problem is 5 x 3, then 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 15 is wrong but 5 + 5 + 5 = 15 is correct (or maybe it's the other way around?).

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to DIGITAL MAN on Mon Aug 13 05:49:00 2018
    DIGITAL MAN wrote to MRO <=-

    Yes, I've received some of those same emails and did even notice (until very recently) because they were SPAM-binned. Here's one variant, but they're all mostly the same (all bullshit except for the password):

    Someone has been watching Black Mirror... :-)

    At least they didn't ask you to rob a bank. ;-)





    ... There are many Internet scams. Send me $20 to learn how!
    --- MultiMail/Darwin v0.49
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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to NIGHTFOX on Mon Aug 13 07:05:00 2018
    NIGHTFOX wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    own PC, or at least computer people were curious about that), and
    were familiar with configuring DOS drivers, etc.. Those who didn't
    know how

    IRC's :-)

    Chat rooms? Or do you mean IRQs?

    Whoops - IRQ's :-)

    The place where I was working in the early 90's got a PC for me to do
    some desktop publishing so we could do our own catalog pages (Millwork House) and it had Lotus Smart Suite, so my first 'word processing' exposure was Lotus, not Microsoft. :-)

    I remember hearing that Apple's Macintosh platform was considered by
    many to be the first platform for easy desktop publishing, due to its
    GUI (when the IBM PC still had a command-line operating system). I
    seem to remember hearing that Microsoft developed their Office suite originally for the Mac, before developing it for Windows.

    Wouldn't surprise me. :-)

    This was a Windows 3.1 machine - 386sx - so I was able to learn win.ini,
    etc. (already knew DOS stuff).


    ... Can you repeat everything after "Listen VERY carefully!"
    --- MultiMail/Darwin v0.49
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Digital Man on Mon Aug 13 22:06:17 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Digital Man to MRO on Sun Aug 12 2018 10:46 pm

    Yes, I've received some of those same emails and did even notice (until very recently) because they were SPAM-binned. Here's one variant, but they're all mostly the same (all bullshit except for the password):

    It appears to be that, (oldpassword), is your password. May very well not


    yep, that's it. i dropped my filters because i wasnt getting an email from a site and i see this stuff.

    it was for a myspace account i made with an email alias.
    ---
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Nightfox on Mon Aug 13 22:08:52 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Nightfox to MRO on Mon Aug 13 2018 09:32 am

    also, the way these people read and write is atrocious.

    That's true. And, that's coming from someone who doesn't capitalize their sentences in their writing....

    this is casual so i'm not going to capitalize the first letter of the first word of a new sentence after a period and two spaces!
    ---
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Nightfox on Mon Aug 13 22:10:07 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Nightfox to MRO on Mon Aug 13 2018 09:46 am

    I'm on the fence about whether this common core math they're teaching now is worthwhile or not. I still don't know a whole lot about it, but some of the things I've seen about it seem a little odd. Such as if the problem is 5 x 3, then 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 15 is wrong but 5 + 5 + 5 = 15 is correct (or maybe it's the other way around?).


    i went to my step daughter's school and they split us up from the kids and tried to get the parents to do common core. of course i lead a revolt and all parents agreed that the way WE were taught is better.
    ---
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  • From Jagossel@VERT/MTLGEEK to Nightfox on Tue Aug 14 06:18:16 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Nightfox to Hawkeye on Mon Aug 13 2018 09:42:25

    I think the same. Even people who studied for computers are lacking som basic information how it worked and how it works now.

    Yeah.. I got a computer-related degree in college, but I already knew quite bit about computers. There were a lot of students taking computer-related degrees who didn't really seem to know much about computers, and for many of those students, it seemed the course program was too over their head (or may they lost interest when they got more into the program) and they quit the program..

    I've heard that had been the case for any computer-related degrees: a lot of people get in, thinking that's were they'll make some serious money, and then start changing course over a period of time because it was too difficult for them. I have seen similar situations when I went to a technical college to get my degree in computer technology with a focus on software development.

    -jag
    Code it, Script it, Automate it!

    ---
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  • From Jagossel@VERT/MTLGEEK to Nightfox on Tue Aug 14 06:21:58 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Nightfox to MRO on Mon Aug 13 2018 09:46:39

    i can only do math if i write it down, i cant do it in my head. i had a in math the entire time i was in school. that's what they programmed us do back then. 'show your work'. when i got into the workforce they acte like i was an idiot because i didnt do math in my head.

    I'm on the fence about whether this common core math they're teaching now is worthwhile or not. I still don't know a whole lot about it, but some of the things I've seen about it seem a little odd. Such as if the problem is 5 x then 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 + 3 = 15 is wrong but 5 + 5 + 5 = 15 is correct (or maybe it's the other way around?).

    I have heard similar things as well about common core mathematics. I never seen it myself, personally. If it's as ridiculious as people made it out to be, then no wonder some of these students can't get ahead in life.

    -jag
    Code it, Script it, Automate it!

    ---
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to JIMMY ANDERSON on Tue Aug 14 10:23:19 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: JIMMY ANDERSON to NIGHTFOX on Mon Aug 13 2018 07:05 am

    This was a Windows 3.1 machine - 386sx - so I was able to learn win.ini, etc. (already knew DOS stuff).

    I wish Windows still kept its settings in .ini files rather than the registry. It seems that the registry is one thing that can keep growing and growing and become corrupted over the years with software installs & un-installs, and ends up contributing to the machine becoming slower and other problems over time.

    Nightfox

    ---
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Jagossel on Tue Aug 14 10:25:59 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Jagossel to Nightfox on Tue Aug 14 2018 06:21 am

    I have heard similar things as well about common core mathematics. I never seen it myself, personally. If it's as ridiculious as people made it out to be, then no wonder some of these students can't get ahead in life.

    I've heard they created common core teaching methods to actually help the majority of students, because supposedly not enough students in the past were getting it.. And also they wanted to make US students and US education more competitive with other countries. But time will tell if it's actually making a difference.

    Nightfox

    ---
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  • From Jagossel@VERT/FRUGALBB to Nightfox on Tue Aug 14 14:45:26 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to JIMMY ANDERSON on Tue Aug 14 2018 10:23 am

    I wish Windows still kept its settings in .ini files rather than the registr It seems that the registry is one thing that can keep growing and growing an become corrupted over the years with software installs & un-installs, and en up contributing to the machine becoming slower and other problems over time.

    I thought that with the .Net framework, there was no neeed to write to the registry, since there are XML configuration files instead. I get the more native/non-.Nert applications might write to the registry, though.

    -jag
    Code it, Script it, Automate it!

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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Jagossel on Tue Aug 14 12:50:53 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Jagossel to Nightfox on Tue Aug 14 2018 02:45 pm

    I wish Windows still kept its settings in .ini files rather than the
    registr It seems that the registry is one thing that can keep growing
    and growing an become corrupted over the years with software installs
    & un-installs, and en up contributing to the machine becoming slower
    and other problems over time.

    I thought that with the .Net framework, there was no neeed to write to the registry, since there are XML configuration files instead. I get the more native/non-.Nert applications might write to the registry, though.

    I'm not sure, but with recent .NET applications, I've seen XML used for describing/designing the GUI.. That's a separate from what the registry is used for - The registry is typically used to store application configuration settings. I'm not sure that .NET applications now store their settings in XML files, but I could be wrong. There's no reason why they couldn't, but I haven't heard anything about Microsoft phasing out the registry though.. Plus, there is other Windows software written in languages/technologies other than .NET.

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 08:42:00 2018
    On 08-14-18 10:23, Nightfox wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    I wish Windows still kept its settings in .ini files rather than the registry. It seems that the registry is one thing that can keep growing and growing and become corrupted over the years with software installs
    & un-installs, and ends up contributing to the machine becoming slower
    and other problems over time.

    Yes, the registry just hides complexity, and that makes things harder to
    anage.


    ... "Hello, World!" 17 Errors, 31 Warnings....
    --- MultiMail/Win v0.51
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 08:44:00 2018
    On 08-14-18 10:25, Nightfox wrote to Jagossel <=-

    I've heard they created common core teaching methods to actually help
    the majority of students, because supposedly not enough students in the past were getting it.. And also they wanted to make US students and US education more competitive with other countries. But time will tell if it's actually making a difference.


    I see a huge problem with this - everyone learns differently. My own learning profile is at least a little unusual, and I sometimes find alternative approaches more efficient and effective (sometimes way beyond the average person's best abilities in some areas). With a standardised system like you get in school, I'm either way ahead or way behind, rarely in sync.


    ... Romulans, Ferengi, and Borgs. Oh My!!
    --- MultiMail/Win v0.51
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Vk3jed on Tue Aug 14 21:28:50 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 2018 08:42 am

    and other problems over time.

    Yes, the registry just hides complexity, and that makes things harder to anage.


    the registry was created so there wouldnt have to be a bunch of .ini files littering directories. it's also probably faster.
    ---
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  • From Chris@VERT/DMINE to JIMMY ANDERSON on Tue Aug 14 22:31:01 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: JIMMY ANDERSON to CHRIS on Sat Aug 11 2018 05:27 am

    Had a CoCo 2 as my first computer! A friend had a first gen - chiclet
    keys :-)

    Saw the 3 but had moved on to IBM compatible by then...




    ... He who seeks a friend without a fault remains friendless

    My first was a Coco 2 also. Then I made the jump to the 3. I always wanted to get that grey case Coco 1 just to say I had the trifecta and now that I could probably get one somewhat easily, I just don't have the place for it.

    Miss those machines. Thankfully OS-9 led me in some ways to Linux.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------
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  • From Chris@VERT/DMINE to Nightfox on Tue Aug 14 22:40:04 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to Chris on Mon Aug 13 2018 09:39 am

    I didn't use DOS word processors that much, but I remember WordPerfect seeme like a big thing back then. There was a WordPerfet for Windows too, from wh I remember, but it seemed Microsoft Office and/or Microsoft Works had alread caught on by then and was more popular.

    Nightfox

    I remember Wordperfect for DOS being the big thing for a good stretch, but by the time they finally developed the Windows version, MS already had Word out and it was gaining traction pretty fast.
    It's interesting reading modern articles about these packages and looking how things shook out with the advantage of hindsight. I wasn't really following PC apps closely at the time and only noticed them because I saw them in software stores (remember those) or used them in high school.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------
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  • From Chai@VERT/ECBBS to Chris on Tue Aug 14 22:57:00 2018
    Chris wrote to Nightfox <=-


    I remember Wordperfect for DOS being the big thing for a good stretch,
    but by the time they finally developed the Windows version, MS already
    had Word out and it was gaining traction pretty fast.

    And, it was downhill from there for WP. Corel's acquisition didn't do them any favors.

    I still have a copy of Word Perfect for DOS.

    ... Hello?
    --- MultiMail/Linux v0.51
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  • From Jagossel@VERT/MTLGEEK to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 15 06:30:01 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 2018 08:44:00

    I've heard they created common core teaching methods to actually help the majority of students, because supposedly not enough students in the past were getting it.. And also they wanted to make US students and US education more competitive with other countries. But time will tell if it's actually making a difference.

    I see a huge problem with this - everyone learns differently. My own learni profile is at least a little unusual, and I sometimes find alternative approaches more efficient and effective (sometimes way beyond the average person's best abilities in some areas). With a standardised system like you get in school, I'm either way ahead or way behind, rarely in sync.

    I have recently discovered that about myself: I can get through multiple choice problems easily and learn absolutely nothing. I've installed Duolingo last night, and it was just a lot of repition and multiple choice, and after a few lessons, I've still learned nothing.

    -jag
    Code it, Script it, Automate it!

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ MtlGeek - Geeks in Montreal - http://mtlgeek.com/ -
  • From Hawkeye@VERT/MASHBBS to MRO on Wed Aug 15 10:28:47 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: MRO to Vk3jed on Tue Aug 14 2018 21:28:50

    Yes, the registry just hides complexity, and that makes things harder to anage.
    the registry was created so there wouldnt have to be a bunch of .ini files littering directories. it's also probably faster.

    Microsoft wanted to stop the undocumented growth of INIs. As a system administrator this was a mess back then, especially with roving profiles. (roaming profiles called now, there is a minor difference but ok).

    The main reason microsoft came with this because networks became more important and .ini are system wide while registry FINALLY gave us flexibity for multi user environments and system configuration.

    History lesson : Microsoft bought Banyan Vines for their StreetTalk which was kinda a registry for the network working very well, even better than Microsofts Domain. Microsoft integrated it very well. Since WindowsNT microsoft tuned this.



    HAWKEYE

    - MASH BBS - mash4077.ddns.net - The Netherlands -

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  • From Hawkeye@VERT/MASHBBS to Chris on Wed Aug 15 10:31:26 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chris to Nightfox on Tue Aug 14 2018 22:40:04

    I remember Wordperfect for DOS being the big thing for a good stretch, but by the time they finally developed the Windows version, MS already had Word out and it was gaining traction pretty fast.

    The biggest advantage of WP over Word was it's macro power. Lots of companies used this to automate their document flow. That was also the biggest mistake of WordPerfect when the Windows version came out. None of the macros where working on the Windows version. So people had non working systems when migrating from DOS to Windows. Then..... Microsoft came with better pricings for network versions and people switched.

    DOS versio of WP, especially 5.1 was very powerful with macros.

    HAWKEYE

    - MASH BBS - mash4077.ddns.net - The Netherlands -

    ---
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to MRO on Wed Aug 15 19:34:00 2018
    On 08-14-18 21:28, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    the registry was created so there wouldnt have to be a bunch of .ini
    files littering directories. it's also probably faster.

    Linux seems to do fine with a bunch of .conf files. :)


    ... It's okay to stay true to your roots as long as you grow your own leaves. --- MultiMail/Win v0.51
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  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to Chris on Wed Aug 15 09:07:14 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chris to Nightfox on Tue Aug 14 2018 10:40 pm

    I remember Wordperfect for DOS being the big thing for a good stretch, but by the time they finally developed the Windows version, MS already had Word out and it was gaining traction pretty fast.

    The only time I ever used WordPerfect professionally was at a law firm under a managing director who hated Microsoft. They used an HP midrange system running HP-UX, a unix app called Portable Netware that made the UNIX system look like a Netware file server to the clients, Windows for Workgroups and WordPerfect.

    It was a perfect case of choosing a solution to avoid a vendor and was the worst environment I worked in.,

    ---
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 15 09:44:55 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 2018 08:44 am

    I've heard they created common core teaching methods to actually
    help the majority of students, because supposedly not enough
    students in the past were getting it.. And also they wanted to make

    I see a huge problem with this - everyone learns differently. My own learning profile is at least a little unusual, and I sometimes find alternative approaches more efficient and effective (sometimes way beyond the average person's best abilities in some areas). With a standardised system like you get in school, I'm either way ahead or way behind, rarely in sync.

    Yeah, everyone learns differently, and I'm not sure if there's a good one-size-fits-all approach.

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to MRO on Wed Aug 15 09:48:13 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: MRO to Vk3jed on Tue Aug 14 2018 09:28 pm

    the registry was created so there wouldnt have to be a bunch of .ini files littering directories. it's also probably faster.

    I'm not sure it makes things faster.. I've heard the Windows registry can be a cause of the PC slowing down over time. Programs don't always properly remove their registry settings when un-installed, and over time as you install and remove software, the registry can grow and grow, which means whenever Windows or a program needs to read from the registry, it takes longer for them to open and go to the right spot in the registry. I don't think I'd really mind more .ini files on my hard drive if it would mean programs could quickly open and read them.

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Hawkeye on Wed Aug 15 09:52:18 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Hawkeye to Chris on Wed Aug 15 2018 10:31 am

    The biggest advantage of WP over Word was it's macro power. Lots of companies used this to automate their document flow. That was also the biggest mistake of WordPerfect when the Windows version came out. None of the macros where working on the Windows version. So people had non working systems when migrating from DOS to Windows. Then..... Microsoft came with better pricings for network versions and people switched.

    DOS versio of WP, especially 5.1 was very powerful with macros.

    I had a job where we worked in Linux, and I got pretty good with Vim and had set up some macros with Vim.. I wonder how that compares to WordPerfect for DOS.. I never did use WordPerfect for DOS back in the day.

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Digital Man@VERT to Chai on Wed Aug 15 11:11:35 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chai to Chris on Tue Aug 14 2018 10:57 pm

    Chris wrote to Nightfox <=-


    I remember Wordperfect for DOS being the big thing for a good stretch, but by the time they finally developed the Windows version, MS already had Word out and it was gaining traction pretty fast.

    And, it was downhill from there for WP. Corel's acquisition didn't do them any favors.

    I still have a copy of Word Perfect for DOS.

    I still remeber some of the crazy key-combinations. You really needed one of those keyboard templates if you wanted to get the full power of the program as none of the command key combinations were standard or intuititve. CUA was a bleessing for us all!

    digital man

    Synchronet "Real Fact" #11:
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  • From Digital Man@VERT to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 15 11:22:53 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to MRO on Wed Aug 15 2018 07:34 pm

    On 08-14-18 21:28, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    the registry was created so there wouldnt have to be a bunch of .ini files littering directories. it's also probably faster.

    Linux seems to do fine with a bunch of .conf files. :)

    And .rc files and .cfg files and .zone files and conf.d/* files and well... you get my point. And even when the file suffixes are the same, the contents are not necessarily the same (not all .conf files uses the same syntax). It's actually, kind of a mess. We're just so used to it now, we don't notice - like a slowly-growing hoard.

    I'm not a big proponent of the Windows registry either, but it's a solution: a structured database with security/view controls.

    digital man

    This Is Spinal Tap quote #4:
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  • From Digital Man@VERT to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 11:28:54 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to MRO on Wed Aug 15 2018 09:48 am

    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: MRO to Vk3jed on Tue Aug 14 2018 09:28 pm

    the registry was created so there wouldnt have to be a bunch of .ini files littering directories. it's also probably faster.

    I'm not sure it makes things faster.. I've heard the Windows registry can be a cause of the PC slowing down over time.

    I think that's a myth to sell "PC speed-up software" you don't need.

    digital man

    Synchronet/BBS Terminology Definition #47:
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Digital Man on Wed Aug 15 12:29:43 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Digital Man to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 2018 11:28 am

    I'm not sure it makes things faster.. I've heard the Windows registry
    can be a cause of the PC slowing down over time.

    I think that's a myth to sell "PC speed-up software" you don't need.

    I tend to agree, and usually I don't use that stuff. I had tried a registry cleaner a long time ago, and I think it did more damage than good. I noticed some apps weren't working properly anymore after I used it, so I haven't used that type of software anymore.

    I have noticed Windows seems to slow down after a while though, so I wonder if the registry does contribute to slowdown or if it could be something else. Doing a fresh re-install of Windows often helps make the PC feel faster.

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 15 15:36:56 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to MRO on Wed Aug 15 2018 07:34 pm

    On 08-14-18 21:28, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    the registry was created so there wouldnt have to be a bunch of .ini files littering directories. it's also probably faster.

    Linux seems to do fine with a bunch of .conf files. :)



    until one gets junked!
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 15:40:31 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to MRO on Wed Aug 15 2018 09:48 am

    I'm not sure it makes things faster.. I've heard the Windows registry can be a cause of the PC slowing down over time. Programs don't always properly remove their registry settings when un-installed, and over time as you install and remove software, the registry can grow and grow, which means whenever Windows or a program needs to read from the registry, it takes longer for them to open and go to the right spot in the registry. I don't think I'd really mind more .ini files on my hard drive if it would mean programs could quickly open and read them.


    that's what we all assume happens, but i've actually had a weird antivirus created a registry mirror INSIDE MY REGISTRY, essentially doubling it, and i didnt see any performance issues. i've also gone very long stretches with a growing registry. when i have slowdowns, i open up task mgr and it's usually a program with a memory hole.
    ---
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Digital Man on Wed Aug 15 15:41:59 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Digital Man to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 15 2018 11:22 am

    the registry was created so there wouldnt have to be a bunch of .ini files littering directories. it's also probably faster.

    Linux seems to do fine with a bunch of .conf files. :)

    And .rc files and .cfg files and .zone files and conf.d/* files and well... you get my point. And even when the file suffixes are the same, the contents are not necessarily the same (not all .conf files uses the same syntax). It's actually, kind of a mess. We're just so used to it now, we don't notice - like a slowly-growing hoard.



    yes, it's very convoluted. linux isnt a superior operating system; it's just different.
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 15:43:06 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to Digital Man on Wed Aug 15 2018 12:29 pm


    I have noticed Windows seems to slow down after a while though, so I wonder if the registry does contribute to slowdown or if it could be something else. Doing a fresh re-install of Windows often helps make the PC feel faster.


    it's probably the shitty programs you are running. you can get a monitoring tool and see what is really going on. see if it's trying to write to files and being denied, or whatever.
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  • From Digital Man@VERT to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 15:18:03 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to Digital Man on Wed Aug 15 2018 12:29 pm

    I have noticed Windows seems to slow down after a while though, so I wonder if the registry does contribute to slowdown or if it could be something else. Doing a fresh re-install of Windows often helps make the PC feel faster.

    Yes, but I think that has more to do with the number of additional processes (programs/tasks/services) which get installed over the course of using a Windows desktop regularly. I've never seen any evidence that the sheer "size" of the registry plays a role in a slow Windows system.

    digital man

    Synchronet "Real Fact" #58:
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Jagossel on Thu Aug 16 07:46:00 2018
    On 08-15-18 06:30, Jagossel wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    I have recently discovered that about myself: I can get through
    multiple choice problems easily and learn absolutely nothing. I've installed Duolingo last night, and it was just a lot of repition and multiple choice, and after a few lessons, I've still learned nothing.

    Those traits are similar to some of mine. I've known for decades that I'm partiularly good at multiple choice exams, because of a combination of strong recognition abilities and logic. My recall, OTOH is pretty ordinary. I've also found rote learning is inefficient for me. I need to learn the fundamental "rules" for whatever it is that I'm learning, so I can form a mental model of it, before I really start to understand.


    ... My way is not your way, it's possible that we may both be wrong.
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    þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au
  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Thu Aug 16 07:50:00 2018
    On 08-15-18 09:44, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Yeah, everyone learns differently, and I'm not sure if there's a good one-size-fits-all approach.

    I don't believe there is, and good teaching reinforces new knowledge by using a range of approaches, so everyone has a chance to take it in, in their own way.


    ... Hey Dad, are we gonna stop for ice cream? Can we, huh?
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Digital Man on Thu Aug 16 08:02:00 2018
    On 08-15-18 11:22, Digital Man wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    And .rc files and .cfg files and .zone files and conf.d/* files and well... you get my point. And even when the file suffixes are the same, the contents are not necessarily the same (not all .conf files uses the same syntax). It's actually, kind of a mess. We're just so used to it
    now, we don't notice - like a slowly-growing hoard.


    Haha yes, it is all over the place, every application does seem to have its own way.
    I'm not a big proponent of the Windows registry either, but it's a solution: a structured database with security/view controls.

    But it is a bit of putting all your eggs in one basket, and there's no easy way to fix things if it breaks. At least with text files, you can at worst if you've borked a key startup file, you can try booting to single user mode or even take the drive out and put it in another machine, edit the borked file by hand then put it all back and reboot to get out of trouble. Try doing that with the Windows registry. :)

    But the registry is at least a lot more stable now than it used to be and I haven't seen a corrupt registry kill a system for years.


    ... Rugby is played by men with odd-shaped balls!!
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to MRO on Thu Aug 16 08:03:00 2018
    On 08-15-18 15:36, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Linux seems to do fine with a bunch of .conf files. :)



    until one gets junked!

    Can be recreated from backup, by hand or editing a stock one. :)


    ... On-line: The idea that a human should always be accessible.
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Hawkeye on Thu Aug 16 08:13:00 2018
    On 08-15-18 10:28, Hawkeye wrote to MRO <=-

    History lesson : Microsoft bought Banyan Vines for their StreetTalk
    which was kinda a registry for the network working very well, even
    better than Microsofts Domain. Microsoft integrated it very well. Since WindowsNT microsoft tuned this.

    Banyan Vines did work very well back in the day, I saw it implemented across a university campus in the early 90s. Helped to install a server as part of a project, before handing it over to the uni's tech staff.


    ... An optimist is a man who starts a crossword puzzle with a fountain pen.
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Hawkeye on Thu Aug 16 08:19:00 2018
    On 08-15-18 10:31, Hawkeye wrote to Chris <=-

    DOS versio of WP, especially 5.1 was very powerful with macros.

    I remember WP 5.1, though wasn't really a user of it. I was still using Wordstar, which I had been using since CP/M on Apple //s. I jumped straight to Word under Windows not long after that time.


    ... As a computer, I find your faith in technology amusing.
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Thu Aug 16 08:23:00 2018
    On 08-15-18 12:29, Nightfox wrote to Digital Man <=-

    I have noticed Windows seems to slow down after a while though, so I wonder if the registry does contribute to slowdown or if it could be something else. Doing a fresh re-install of Windows often helps make
    the PC feel faster.

    Windows does definitely slow down over time, and also sometimes develops some other odd behaviour like pauses and uncommanded focus switching, but it's impossible to work out what is doing that. So many things get installed over time, and it's not easy to keep track of it all. Can't always blame the registry, background applications are more likely the culprit in many cases. Virus scanners are a particularly notorious category.


    ... Brecht's Hierarchy of Needs: Grub first, then ethics.
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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to NIGHTFOX on Wed Aug 15 09:55:00 2018
    NIGHTFOX wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    This was a Windows 3.1 machine - 386sx - so I was able to learn win.ini, etc. (already knew DOS stuff).

    I wish Windows still kept its settings in .ini files rather than the registry. It seems that the registry is one thing that can keep growing and growing and become corrupted over the years with software installs
    & un-installs, and ends up contributing to the machine becoming slower
    and other problems over time.

    Oh no doubt there! And there may be a way to view it 'as text' but if
    so I've not done so - at least with .ini files they are raw text...




    ... Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.
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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to CHRIS on Wed Aug 15 10:00:00 2018
    CHRIS wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    Had a CoCo 2 as my first computer! A friend had a first gen - chiclet
    keys :-)

    Saw the 3 but had moved on to IBM compatible by then...




    ... He who seeks a friend without a fault remains friendless

    My first was a Coco 2 also. Then I made the jump to the 3. I always
    wanted to get that grey case Coco 1 just to say I had the trifecta and
    now that I could probably get one somewhat easily, I just don't have
    the place for it.

    Who needs room. :-) Hang it on the wall! LOL

    Miss those machines. Thankfully OS-9 led me in some ways to Linux.

    My buddies had Commodore - one had a Vic20, another a c64, another a c64 but also had disk drive and sound card and all that stuff with it. It was
    nice having access to different systems!

    We were all part of an RPG group as well, so one of the first things
    we all did was take our favorite game system and write a character
    generation program for it. LOL



    ... Either this man's dead, or my watch is stopped. -Groucho
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to MRO on Wed Aug 15 15:57:04 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: MRO to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 2018 03:40 pm

    that's what we all assume happens, but i've actually had a weird antivirus created a registry mirror INSIDE MY REGISTRY, essentially doubling it, and i didnt see any performance issues. i've also gone very long stretches with a growing registry. when i have slowdowns, i open up task mgr and it's usually a program with a memory hole.

    A lot of programs seem to do that. I've noticed that with the popular web browsers and others, they seem to use more memory as they run. But I've seen slowdowns where I'm not sure that's the cause. Simple things like Windows bootup (even after un-installing apps that start on bootup, sometimes it can still seem slower than it should). Also, I've seen times where right-clicking in a folder, which brings up a context menu, the context menu takes a few moments to appear (ideally it should appear pretty much instantly).

    Nightfox

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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Digital Man on Wed Aug 15 16:02:01 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Digital Man to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 2018 03:18 pm

    I have noticed Windows seems to slow down after a while though, so I
    wonder if the registry does contribute to slowdown or if it could be
    something else. Doing a fresh re-install of Windows often helps make
    the PC feel faster.

    Yes, but I think that has more to do with the number of additional processes (programs/tasks/services) which get installed over the course of using a Windows desktop regularly. I've never seen any evidence that the sheer "size" of the registry plays a role in a slow Windows system.

    Un-installing software can help, but often it still seems like the system isn't as fast as it should be. Conventional wisdom has been that a fresh Windows install often helps with speed, and I've noticed that to be true, even after re-installing the apps that I typically use. I've gone long stretches without installing additional software, and I've always thought there was something with just using a PC that can cause it to slow down over time (at least for Windows).

    Nightfox

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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 15 16:08:35 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Vk3jed to Jagossel on Thu Aug 16 2018 07:46 am

    Those traits are similar to some of mine. I've known for decades that I'm partiularly good at multiple choice exams, because of a combination of strong recognition abilities and logic. My recall, OTOH is pretty ordinary. I've also found rote learning is inefficient for me. I need to learn the fundamental "rules" for whatever it is that I'm learning, so I can form a mental model of it, before I really start to understand.

    I think that's why I never really was too interested in history classes in school (and things like geography, etc.). I suppose I was interested in learning about it to a point, but it seemed like a lot of it was just rote memorization of things. With math and science, at least there's (often) some amount of logic to it that you can work out (though it can sometimes need some creativity).

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to JIMMY ANDERSON on Wed Aug 15 16:12:44 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: JIMMY ANDERSON to CHRIS on Wed Aug 15 2018 10:00 am

    My buddies had Commodore - one had a Vic20, another a c64, another a c64 but also had disk drive and sound card and all that stuff with it. It was nice having access to different systems!

    I heard a lot about Commodore, Amiga, and others back in the day, but most people I knew had an IBM-compatible PC. My schools often used Apple computers, but I don't think many people I knew used an Apple at home. Apple seemed to almost disappear in the mid 90s, but they started to do a lot better when Steve Jobs came back to Apple and they started making the iMac and iPod. Now that Steve Jobs is gone, I've heard some people say it seems like Apple is stagnating (and indeed, it doesn't seem like they've done a whole lot on the Mac front), but they're in a lot better position today than they used to be.

    I did meet someone who had a Commodore 64 when I was visiting some of my family out of state once, but other than that, most of the people I knew back in the day had an IBM compatible PC.

    Nightfox

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    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 15 18:41:14 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Vk3jed to Jagossel on Thu Aug 16 2018 07:46 am

    Those traits are similar to some of mine. I've known for decades that I'm partiularly good at multiple choice exams, because of a combination of strong recognition abilities and logic. My recall, OTOH is pretty ordinary. I've also found rote learning is inefficient for me. I need to learn the fundamental "rules" for whatever it is that I'm learning, so I can form a mental model of it, before I really start to understand.



    i can pass multiple choice exams just by noticing patterns.
    i think multiple choice tests are just a lazy cop out. it's not really testing what a person knows.

    i also am good at cramming and passing tests but that doesnt really mean i retain much when i do it that way.

    so just saying i pretty much wasted my time in highschool and tech school because i was lazy.
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 15 18:42:01 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to MRO on Thu Aug 16 2018 08:03 am

    On 08-15-18 15:36, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Linux seems to do fine with a bunch of .conf files. :)



    until one gets junked!

    Can be recreated from backup, by hand or editing a stock one. :)

    i'd rather install windows!
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 15 18:43:39 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Thu Aug 16 2018 08:23 am

    Windows does definitely slow down over time, and also sometimes develops some other odd behaviour like pauses and uncommanded focus switching, but it's impossible to work out what is doing that. So many things get installed over time, and it's not easy to keep track of it all. Can't always blame the registry, background applications are more likely the


    no no no it doesnt. i also dont have uncommanded focus switching. i think the programs you are installing are fucking things up.

    it is NOT impossible to find out whats dragging down a windows os. you can check the task mgr and even use diagnostic tools like i mentioned before.


    none of my windows installs slowed down over time.
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 18:44:46 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to MRO on Wed Aug 15 2018 03:57 pm

    sometimes it can still seem slower than it should). Also, I've seen times where right-clicking in a folder, which brings up a context menu, the context menu takes a few moments to appear (ideally it should appear pretty much instantly).


    that's probably related to a cache.
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to MRO on Wed Aug 15 17:08:21 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: MRO to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 2018 03:43 pm

    I have noticed Windows seems to slow down after a while though, so I
    wonder if the registry does contribute to slowdown or if it could be
    something else. Doing a fresh re-install of Windows often helps make
    the PC feel faster.

    it's probably the shitty programs you are running. you can get a monitoring tool and see what is really going on. see if it's trying to write to files and being denied, or whatever.

    Yeah, I may try that. I just thought it was a fairly common issue that Windows systems slow down over time and that re-installing Windows fresh is the best way to fix it. My PC at home right now is actually running fairly well.. It's not dragging or anything when it's running. Some of the slow down may just be hardware based - I put an SSD in it several years ago to use as the boot drive, and I've heard SSDs tend to slow down over time.

    Nightfox

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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 19:45:24 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Nightfox to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 15 2018 04:08 pm


    I think that's why I never really was too interested in history classes in school (and things like geography, etc.). I suppose I was interested in learning about it to a point, but it seemed like a lot of it was just rote memorization of things. With math and science, at least there's (often) some amount of logic to it that you can work out (though it can sometimes

    you just didnt have the right history teacher. i had the best one after i got out of highschool and he really showed us how interesting history is.
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 19:52:42 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to MRO on Wed Aug 15 2018 05:08 pm

    the best way to fix it. My PC at home right now is actually running fairly well.. It's not dragging or anything when it's running. Some of the slow down may just be hardware based - I put an SSD in it several years ago to use as the boot drive, and I've heard SSDs tend to slow down over time.

    speaking of ssd's there is a sandisk ultra 1 tb drive for
    189 at bestbuy now
    ---
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  • From Static@VERT/SUBCBBS to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 15 21:20:00 2018
    On 08/15/18, Vk3jed said the following...

    the registry was created so there wouldnt have to be a bunch of .ini files littering directories. it's also probably faster.

    Linux seems to do fine with a bunch of .conf files. :)

    They also have their own home rather than being scattered everywhere.

    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A39 2018/04/21 (Linux/64)
    * Origin: Subcarrier BBS
  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Static on Wed Aug 15 21:12:03 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Static to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 15 2018 09:20 pm

    Linux seems to do fine with a bunch of .conf files. :)

    They also have their own home rather than being scattered everywhere.



    do they?
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  • From Chai@VERT/ECBBS to poindexter FORTRAN on Wed Aug 15 21:04:00 2018
    poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Chris <=-

    The only time I ever used WordPerfect professionally was at a law firm under a managing director who hated Microsoft. They used an HP midrange

    Seems like I read online--once upon a time--that the courts used to require documents in Word Perfect format. That obviously is no longer the case. It's apparently good for dealing with legal documents.

    It was a perfect case of choosing a solution to avoid a vendor and was
    the worst environment I worked in.,

    Been there.

    ... Hack the planet!
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  • From Chai@VERT/ECBBS to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 21:10:00 2018
    Nightfox wrote to Hawkeye <=-

    I had a job where we worked in Linux, and I got pretty good with Vim
    and had set up some macros with Vim.. I wonder how that compares to WordPerfect for DOS.. I never did use WordPerfect for DOS back in the day.


    I use VIM. I even use it in Windows. I can't speak for Word Perfect, as I was in high school at the time WP51 was a thing. Writing essay papers hardly counts as production use.

    ... Taglines++
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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to NIGHTFOX on Wed Aug 15 07:50:00 2018
    NIGHTFOX wrote to HAWKEYE <=-

    I had a job where we worked in Linux, and I got pretty good with Vim
    and had set up some macros with Vim.. I wonder how that compares to WordPerfect for DOS.. I never did use WordPerfect for DOS back in the day.

    Personally, I think WYSIWYG made most all of them go the way of the
    do-do.

    Even Google Docs (or Drive, as they call it now) is WYSIWYG.







    ... Enter any 11-digit prime number to continue...
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Thu Aug 16 19:39:00 2018
    On 08-15-18 16:08, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    I think that's why I never really was too interested in history classes
    in school (and things like geography, etc.). I suppose I was
    interested in learning about it to a point, but it seemed like a lot of
    it was just rote memorization of things. With math and science, at

    Oddly enough, for long and complicated reasons, I have actually got a lot out of history as I've got older. Humans are somewhat predictable, frighteningly so in some ways, and looking at historic trends shows up those patterns on a societal level. As I said, I am _extremely_ sensitive to patterms. :)

    least there's (often) some amount of logic to it that you can work out (though it can sometimes need some creativity).

    True, the patterns of maths and schence are usually more readily visible.


    ... Hey! Don't pick up that pho|>>+AEssee+|-? NO CARRIER
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to MRO on Thu Aug 16 19:41:00 2018
    On 08-15-18 18:41, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    i can pass multiple choice exams just by noticing patterns.
    i think multiple choice tests are just a lazy cop out. it's not really testing what a person knows.

    I'm the same.

    i also am good at cramming and passing tests but that doesnt really
    mean i retain much when i do it that way.

    so just saying i pretty much wasted my time in highschool and tech
    school because i was lazy.

    I prefer to understand what I'm learning. For me, it's often easier, paradoxically. :)


    ... Mail waiting, must have said something real stupid.
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to MRO on Thu Aug 16 19:41:00 2018
    On 08-15-18 18:42, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Can be recreated from backup, by hand or editing a stock one. :)

    i'd rather install windows!

    Your loss. :D


    ... Act my age? I've never BEEN my age before!
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to MRO on Thu Aug 16 19:43:00 2018
    On 08-15-18 18:43, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    no no no it doesnt. i also dont have uncommanded focus switching. i think the programs you are installing are fucking things up.

    It usually happens when the system is bogged down.

    it is NOT impossible to find out whats dragging down a windows os. you
    can check the task mgr and even use diagnostic tools like i mentioned before.

    Task Manager doesn't always seem to show everything. Sometimes you can see (and kill) an errant process that's eating up CPU time. Other times, the system seems slow, but no obvious clues in Task Manager.


    ... Don't hate yourself in the morning; sleep till noon
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Static on Thu Aug 16 19:44:00 2018
    On 08-15-18 21:20, Static wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Linux seems to do fine with a bunch of .conf files. :)

    They also have their own home rather than being scattered everywhere.

    Mose live in /etc or /usr/local/etc, which is handy. Some do live in specific application directories, such as when a user has installed an application just for themselves.


    ... And God said, "Let there be light, but make it quick."
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  • From Hawkeye@VERT/MASHBBS to Digital Man on Thu Aug 16 09:26:18 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Digital Man to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 2018 11:28:54

    I think that's a myth to sell "PC speed-up software" you don't need.

    Correct. and those utils also sometimes break a working system or set security to system which is a bad thing, it works but easier to hack. I remember tuneup etc.... I measured the time booting and starting apps and it had no difference. It's better to manualy tune the startup and services than the registry.

    HAWKEYE

    - MASH BBS - mash4077.ddns.net - The Netherlands -

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  • From Hawkeye@VERT/MASHBBS to Nightfox on Thu Aug 16 09:28:23 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to Digital Man on Wed Aug 15 2018 12:29:43

    I have noticed Windows seems to slow down after a while though, so I wonder if the registry does contribute to slowdown or if it could be something else. Doing a fresh re-install of Windows often helps make the PC feel faster.

    It should work faster after a time, as Windows 10 determine which applications and data you used the most. I see people complaining slowing down the machine due to installing weird drivers and applications.


    HAWKEYE

    - MASH BBS - mash4077.ddns.net - The Netherlands -

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  • From Hawkeye@VERT/MASHBBS to Vk3jed on Thu Aug 16 09:32:23 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Hawkeye on Thu Aug 16 2018 08:13:00

    Banyan Vines did work very well back in the day, I saw it implemented across a university campus in the early 90s. Helped to install a server as part of a project, before handing it over to the uni's tech staff.

    I helped a financial company with it. I was Netware expert back then and connecting Windows clients. They had issues with BV doing this (If I remember well v2.52 lol) I tweaked everything and during that project I became also familiar with tokenring. I was in love of BV. Never saw it before that project, read the manuals and said.. I said to the senior sysadmin we can do a lot you would love and want. Very flexible.

    HAWKEYE

    - MASH BBS - mash4077.ddns.net - The Netherlands -

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  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to Nightfox on Thu Aug 16 06:34:49 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Nightfox to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 15 2018 09:44 am

    Yeah, everyone learns differently, and I'm not sure if there's a good one-size-fits-all approach.

    I don't see why there's a need to patent a teaching method, unless your plan is to push an agenda of licensing your *special* brand of teaching to make money
    - not to educate kids.

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  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to Chai on Thu Aug 16 08:19:16 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chai to poindexter FORTRAN on Wed Aug 15 2018 09:04 pm

    Seems like I read online--once upon a time--that the courts used to require documents in Word Perfect format. That obviously is no longer the case. It's apparently good for dealing with legal documents.

    Probably no better than any other program out there, but the Macros probably made it useful.

    More likely it's a case of momentum and critical mass. Lots of calculators do graphing and scientific functions, but most schools standardized on TI calculators and they have a virtual monopoly on the market - how else could they charge what they do for what a $4 iphone app could do?

    ---
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to MRO on Thu Aug 16 09:47:48 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: MRO to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 2018 07:45 pm

    I think that's why I never really was too interested in history
    classes in school (and things like geography, etc.). I suppose I was
    interested in learning about it to a point, but it seemed like a lot
    of it was just rote memorization of things. With math and science, at
    least there's (often) some amount of logic to it that you can work out
    (though it can sometimes

    you just didnt have the right history teacher. i had the best one after i got out of highschool and he really showed us how interesting history is.

    Perhaps.. I'm not sure I ever had a history teacher that made it more interesting than I thought it was though. In college I took a class one term on the history of China, which I thought was interesting, but I thought it was still a lot of learning about events & people. Also, the teacher said as far as he was concerned, we didn't even have to show up for class if we didn't want to, we could just read from the textbook and come to take the tests if we wanted to do that.

    Nightfox

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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to MRO on Thu Aug 16 09:50:30 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: MRO to Nightfox on Wed Aug 15 2018 07:52 pm

    speaking of ssd's there is a sandisk ultra 1 tb drive for
    189 at bestbuy now

    That's not bad..

    Nightfox

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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to JIMMY ANDERSON on Thu Aug 16 09:52:17 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: JIMMY ANDERSON to NIGHTFOX on Wed Aug 15 2018 07:50 am

    Even Google Docs (or Drive, as they call it now) is WYSIWYG.

    I thought Google Docs and Google Drive were separate things..? Google Drive would be basically a network space where you can store files, and Google Docs would be their document editing software, I thought.

    Nightfox

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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Vk3jed on Thu Aug 16 09:55:04 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Thu Aug 16 2018 07:39 pm

    Oddly enough, for long and complicated reasons, I have actually got a lot out of history as I've got older. Humans are somewhat predictable, frighteningly so in some ways, and looking at historic trends shows up those patterns on a societal level. As I said, I am _extremely_ sensitive to patterms. :)

    Yeah, I think that's the good thing about learning history. We need to be able to remember what humanity has done in the past.

    Nightfox

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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to poindexter FORTRAN on Thu Aug 16 09:56:04 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers in the 90s
    By: poindexter FORTRAN to Nightfox on Thu Aug 16 2018 06:34 am

    Yeah, everyone learns differently, and I'm not sure if there's a
    good one-size-fits-all approach.

    I don't see why there's a need to patent a teaching method, unless your plan is to push an agenda of licensing your *special* brand of teaching to make money - not to educate kids.

    Eh, patent a teaching plan? Do they actually do that?

    Nightfox

    ---
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Vk3jed on Thu Aug 16 09:57:27 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to MRO on Thu Aug 16 2018 07:43 pm

    Task Manager doesn't always seem to show everything. Sometimes you can see (and kill) an errant process that's eating up CPU time. Other times, the system seems slow, but no obvious clues in Task Manager.

    Task Manager isn't the only tool out there to watch a Windows system.

    Nightfox

    ---
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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to NIGHTFOX on Thu Aug 16 10:07:00 2018
    NIGHTFOX wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    My buddies had Commodore - one had a Vic20, another a c64, another a c64 but also had disk drive and sound card and all that stuff with it. It was nice having access to different systems!

    I heard a lot about Commodore, Amiga, and others back in the day, but
    most people I knew had an IBM-compatible PC. My schools often used
    Apple computers, but I don't think many people I knew used an Apple at home.

    Oh I'm talking pre-IBM PC age. :-)

    Apple seemed to almost disappear in the mid 90s, but they
    started to do a lot better when Steve Jobs came back to Apple and they started making the iMac and iPod. Now that Steve Jobs is gone, I've
    heard some people say it seems like Apple is stagnating (and indeed, it doesn't seem like they've done a whole lot on the Mac front), but
    they're in a lot better position today than they used to be.

    We don't see the industry changing stuff, but our school is a MAC
    shop and we have no problems with them. :-)




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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Vk3jed on Thu Aug 16 16:17:53 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to MRO on Thu Aug 16 2018 07:43 pm

    it is NOT impossible to find out whats dragging down a windows os. you can check the task mgr and even use diagnostic tools like i mentioned before.

    Task Manager doesn't always seem to show everything. Sometimes you can see (and kill) an errant process that's eating up CPU time. Other times, the system seems slow, but no obvious clues in Task Manager.


    if you have that issue you probably have a performance bottleneck in your hardware. it could be motherboard, harddisk or memory.
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Vk3jed on Thu Aug 16 16:46:42 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Static on Thu Aug 16 2018 07:44 pm


    Mose live in /etc or /usr/local/etc, which is handy. Some do live in specific application directories, such as when a user has installed an application just for themselves.


    rtorrent and a bunch of other programs put their config files in the user's home dir
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Hawkeye on Fri Aug 17 15:29:00 2018
    On 08-16-18 09:32, Hawkeye wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    I helped a financial company with it. I was Netware expert back then
    and connecting Windows clients. They had issues with BV doing this (If
    I remember well v2.52 lol) I tweaked everything and during that project

    I got to know Netware later, oddly enough. Bother were solid network offerings, though from memory, BV had a lot more features.

    I became also familiar with tokenring. I was in love of BV. Never saw

    I never really worked with token ring, all the active networks I had anything to do with were Ethernet.

    it before that project, read the manuals and said.. I said to the
    senior sysadmin we can do a lot you would love and want. Very flexible.

    Yep, that was my impression.


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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Fri Aug 17 15:30:00 2018
    On 08-16-18 09:55, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Yeah, I think that's the good thing about learning history. We need to
    be able to remember what humanity has done in the past.

    Agree, otherwise we're doomed to repeat mistakes of the past.


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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Fri Aug 17 15:31:00 2018
    On 08-16-18 09:57, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Task Manager isn't the only tool out there to watch a Windows system.

    Got any good suggestions? Unlike Linux, which generally has top and ps, along with kill and killall installed (for starters), one tends to have to go third party for Windows tools. :(


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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to MRO on Fri Aug 17 15:33:00 2018
    On 08-16-18 16:17, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    if you have that issue you probably have a performance bottleneck in
    your hardware. it could be motherboard, harddisk or memory.

    Still odd that these things never show up early on, but come later. Sure, more software has been installed, but.


    ... Have you checked your smoke detector batteries & Fire Ext, LATELY?!
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to MRO on Fri Aug 17 15:33:00 2018
    On 08-16-18 16:46, MRO wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    rtorrent and a bunch of other programs put their config files in the user's home dir

    Those that have per user configuration options certainly do.


    ... Thesaurus: ancient reptile with an excellent vocabulary
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Fri Aug 17 15:51:00 2018
    On 08-16-18 09:47, Nightfox wrote to MRO <=-

    Perhaps.. I'm not sure I ever had a history teacher that made it more interesting than I thought it was though. In college I took a class
    one term on the history of China, which I thought was interesting, but
    I thought it was still a lot of learning about events & people. Also,

    While events and people have their place, to me the more important thing are the overal social conditions surrounding events. One well known example is the leadup to WWII, which was a direct result of the aftermath of WWI. With that sort of background information, the people and events stuff makes more sense - one can understand why certain people were involved in certain events at that time, because the conditions become known, and this explains why certain types of people feature.


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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Fri Aug 17 15:52:00 2018
    On 08-16-18 09:52, Nightfox wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    @VIA: VERT/DIGDIST
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: JIMMY ANDERSON to NIGHTFOX on Wed Aug 15 2018 07:50 am

    Even Google Docs (or Drive, as they call it now) is WYSIWYG.

    I thought Google Docs and Google Drive were separate things..? Google Drive would be basically a network space where you can store files, and Google Docs would be their document editing software, I thought.

    Sort of. I believe Google Docs are stored on Google Drive these days.


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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to JIMMY ANDERSON on Fri Aug 17 15:56:00 2018
    On 08-16-18 10:07, JIMMY ANDERSON wrote to NIGHTFOX <=-

    Oh I'm talking pre-IBM PC age. :-)

    Most people I knew who had a computer had a C64 or VIC 20 then. I did have one friend with a TRS-80 or related system. I only ever saw Apple at school (Apple //).

    We don't see the industry changing stuff, but our school is a MAC
    shop and we have no problems with them. :-)

    Apple was popular in achools here many years ago, initially Apple //(e), then later, Mac. But today, seems schools have gone PC/Windows.


    ... I took an IQ test, and the results were negative.
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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to NIGHTFOX on Thu Aug 16 08:02:00 2018
    NIGHTFOX wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    Even Google Docs (or Drive, as they call it now) is WYSIWYG.

    I thought Google Docs and Google Drive were separate things..? Google Drive would be basically a network space where you can store files, and Google Docs would be their document editing software, I thought.

    Well they quit calling it Google Docs. Now you just go to Drive (yes, you
    can store stuff there too) and either upload a Word or Excel or what have
    you and it will offer to convert to Google Docs, Google Sheets or Google Slides. Google Docs used to be all of the above.




    ... Do no look into laser with remaining eye.
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  • From ROBERT WOLFE@VERT/OTHETA to JIMMY ANDERSON on Fri Aug 17 09:01:00 2018

    Well they quit calling it Google Docs. Now you just go to Drive (yes, you JA>can store stuff there too) and either upload a Word or Excel or what have JA>you and it will offer to convert to Google Docs, Google Sheets or Google JA>Slides. Google Docs used to be all of the above.

    Well, the entire package is now called "G Suite" and it's a pretty
    impressive lineup. I use them for my robertwolfe.org email as I got
    tired of having to manage an important (to me) email domain and figured
    I would let someone else to the behind the scenes work. I also use
    Google Meet from time to time, which is there Cisco WebEx-alike offering
    which is pretty decent.
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  • From Digital Man@VERT to Vk3jed on Fri Aug 17 08:54:47 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Fri Aug 17 2018 03:31 pm

    On 08-16-18 09:57, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Task Manager isn't the only tool out there to watch a Windows system.

    Got any good suggestions? Unlike Linux, which generally has top and ps, along with kill and killall installed (for starters), one tends to have to go third party for Windows tools. :(

    I use these:
    https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/pstools https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/tcpview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/handle

    ... in addition to netstat and task manager and other built-ins.

    digital man

    Synchronet "Real Fact" #47:
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  • From Digital Man@VERT to JIMMY ANDERSON on Fri Aug 17 08:58:22 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: JIMMY ANDERSON to NIGHTFOX on Thu Aug 16 2018 08:02 am

    NIGHTFOX wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    Even Google Docs (or Drive, as they call it now) is WYSIWYG.

    I thought Google Docs and Google Drive were separate things..? Google Drive would be basically a network space where you can store files, and Google Docs would be their document editing software, I thought.

    Well they quit calling it Google Docs. Now you just go to Drive (yes, you can store stuff there too) and either upload a Word or Excel or what have you and it will offer to convert to Google Docs, Google Sheets or Google Slides. Google Docs used to be all of the above.

    Pretty sure they still call it "Docs". They also have "Sheets" and "Slides", etc. Together they make up the "G Suite": https://gsuite.google.com/
    It's all great until your access to the Internet is gone or spotty.

    digital man

    Synchronet "Real Fact" #78:
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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to ROBERT WOLFE on Fri Aug 17 10:36:00 2018
    ROBERT WOLFE wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-


    Well they quit calling it Google Docs. Now you just go to Drive (yes, you
    can store stuff there too) and either upload a Word or Excel or what have
    you and it will offer to convert to Google Docs, Google Sheets or Google
    Slides. Google Docs used to be all of the above.

    Well, the entire package is now called "G Suite" and it's a pretty impressive lineup. I use them for my robertwolfe.org email as I got
    tired of having to manage an important (to me) email domain and figured
    I would let someone else to the behind the scenes work. I also use
    Google Meet from time to time, which is there Cisco WebEx-alike
    offering which is pretty decent.

    Yeah - G Suite - we use the educational version for free, but I also
    pay $5 a month for it for my website that I use for my podcast. Yes,
    the podcast I've not published in MONTHS! LOL

    I also have a sites for my music page - jimmyandersonmusic.com, but it
    was there before they made you pay for G Suite, so I'm using it
    grandfathered for free...




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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Vk3jed on Fri Aug 17 09:39:12 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Fri Aug 17 2018 03:31 pm

    Task Manager isn't the only tool out there to watch a Windows
    system.

    Got any good suggestions? Unlike Linux, which generally has top and ps, along with kill and killall installed (for starters), one tends to have to go third party for Windows tools. :(

    Process Monitor is fairly good, and is developed by Microsoft (it's part of their sysinternals suite), so it's technically not third-party: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/procmon

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to JIMMY ANDERSON on Fri Aug 17 12:57:05 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: JIMMY ANDERSON to ROBERT WOLFE on Fri Aug 17 2018 10:36 am

    Yeah - G Suite - we use the educational version for free, but I also
    pay $5 a month for it for my website that I use for my podcast. Yes,
    the podcast I've not published in MONTHS! LOL

    That's the reason I generally don't really like the idea of software as a service where you have to pay per month to use it. It may seem cheaper up front, but there's a lot of software I only use occasionally, and I don't feel like it makes sense to keep paying a monthly fee for it when I only use it occasionally. I'd rather buy the software up front and be able to use it whenver I want, even if it may be more expensive up front that way. I may end up still using the software (occasionally) for years, and I like having it there when I want/need to use it.

    Nightfox

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  • From Chai@VERT/ECBBS to ROBERT WOLFE on Fri Aug 17 15:39:00 2018
    ROBERT WOLFE wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    Well, the entire package is now called "G Suite" and it's a pretty impressive lineup. I use them for my robertwolfe.org email as I got
    tired of having to manage an important (to me) email domain and figured
    I would let someone else to the behind the scenes work. I also use


    I wish Google would expand their GMail interface to work with multiple IMAP e-mail accounts from different vendors. Sort of a universal e-mail client built on the web. There is always Thunderbird. I know. I would still prefer a web based solution. You can kind of do this with outlook.com, but I do not like their interface when using multiple accounts.

    --- MultiMail/Linux v0.51
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  • From Chai@VERT/ECBBS to Nightfox on Fri Aug 17 16:09:00 2018
    Nightfox wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    That's the reason I generally don't really like the idea of software as
    a service where you have to pay per month to use it. It may seem
    cheaper up front, but there's a lot of software I only use
    occasionally, and I don't feel like it makes sense to keep paying a monthly fee for it when I only use it occasionally. I'd rather buy the software up front and be able to use it whenver I want, even if it may
    be more expensive up front that way. I may end up still using the software (occasionally) for years, and I like having it there when I want/need to use it.


    I somewhat agree, but I think they should offer both? Let people choose how they want to do it. The reason I say this is that I prefer to purchase most software outright, but sometimes I need to sell off hardware that only has Linux, as a Windows license was never purchased for it. A computer is useless to most people without Windows. If Microsoft quoted a 3-5 seat subscription for $5 a month, I could put that cost on the buyer. As it is, a Microsoft license eats up the entire value of my used machines. Most people are not going to cough up an additional $100 for a Windows license on top of the value of the machine, but $5 a month for multiple seats is less intimidating to them.

    Still, we know that will never happen. And, if it did, MS would prefer a higher subscription rate than $5. Most software should not be SaaS. Operating Systems are the exception, but only if it is two tier (both SaaS and static solutions available for purchase).

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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Digital Man on Sat Aug 18 09:20:00 2018
    On 08-17-18 08:54, Digital Man wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    I use these: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/pstools https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/process-explorer

    https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/tcpview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/handle

    ... in addition to netstat and task manager and other built-ins.

    Cool, thanks. :)


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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Sat Aug 18 09:24:00 2018
    On 08-17-18 09:39, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Process Monitor is fairly good, and is developed by Microsoft (it's
    part of their sysinternals suite), so it's technically not third-party: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/downloads/procmon


    Tanks and true, though it's not quite as easy as "apt-get install..." :D


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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Chai on Sat Aug 18 09:48:00 2018
    On 08-17-18 15:39, Chai wrote to ROBERT WOLFE <=-

    I wish Google would expand their GMail interface to work with multiple IMAP e-mail accounts from different vendors. Sort of a universal
    e-mail client built on the web. There is always Thunderbird. I know.
    I would still prefer a web based solution. You can kind of do this
    with outlook.com, but I do not like their interface when using multiple accounts.

    I'm the opposite. I don't like webmail for heavy duty use. I find the navigation shlower and clumsier. I use Thunderbird, which does the job for me, even though the Gmail interface is available.


    ... That's just common courtesy ..... an uncommon commodity
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Chai on Fri Aug 17 17:32:10 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chai to Nightfox on Fri Aug 17 2018 04:09 pm

    That's the reason I generally don't really like the idea of software
    as a service where you have to pay per month to use it. It may seem
    cheaper up front, but there's a lot of software I only use
    occasionally, and I don't feel like it makes sense to keep paying a
    monthly fee for it when I only use it occasionally. I'd rather buy

    I somewhat agree, but I think they should offer both? Let people choose how they want to do it. The reason I say this is that I prefer to purchase

    It would be nice if they'd offer both for people who want to do it either way. I think some companies have moved to the software as a service model to combat piracy, especially if the software is cloud/web-based. If users can only use an online version, then there is no version they can copy and install on their own computers. Though, I'd still like to be able to buy a copy outright and be able to install and use it on my own machine..

    most software outright, but sometimes I need to sell off hardware that only has Linux, as a Windows license was never purchased for it. A computer is useless to most people without Windows. If Microsoft quoted a 3-5 seat subscription for $5 a month, I could put that cost on the buyer. As it is, a Microsoft license eats up the entire value of my used machines. Most people are not going to cough up an additional $100 for a Windows license on top of the value of the machine, but $5 a month for multiple seats is less intimidating to them.

    If I have a computer I built with Windows on it, I'd probably just opt to include that copy of Windows with that computer. I'd end up buying another Windows license for a new PC I'd build, but I think I'd still end up making money in the end. If I sell one of my used PCs for $500 and the Windows license cost $100, that's still money gained.

    I've been able to sell used PCs with Linux installed on them though.. I've had one or two in the past where I've installed Linux on it and someone bought it.

    Still, we know that will never happen. And, if it did, MS would prefer a higher subscription rate than $5. Most software should not be SaaS. Operating Systems are the exception, but only if it is two tier (both SaaS and static solutions available for purchase).

    I have the feeling Microsoft may be going to a SaaS model with Windows. With Windows 10, Microsoft has been forcing Windows updates on PCs, and even if you turn off Windows Update, I've heard it can get turned back on automatically and Microsoft will force an update eventually. I'm wondering if Microsoft might argue that they're performing a service by keeping peoples' operating systems up to date and so they'd want to charge money for that service. One thing that annoys me is that sometimes when a Windows 10 update gets pushed, some of my Windows settings get reverted back to their defaults. I'd think they would be able to preserve your settings..

    Nightfox

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  • From Chris@VERT/DMINE to poindexter FORTRAN on Fri Aug 17 23:44:42 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: poindexter FORTRAN to Chris on Wed Aug 15 2018 09:07 am

    The only time I ever used WordPerfect professionally was at a law firm under managing director who hated Microsoft. They used an HP midrange system runni HP-UX, a unix app called Portable Netware that made the UNIX system look lik Netware file server to the clients, Windows for Workgroups and WordPerfect.

    It was a perfect case of choosing a solution to avoid a vendor and was the worst environment I worked in.,


    We used to have an HP9000 running our primary application (with HP-UX as the OS). I remember my jaw hit the floor when I saw a manual for the HP-UX version of Wordperfect. I had no idea there was any such version. We never used it, but I'm guessing it just came as part of the system all those years ago.

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  • From Chris@VERT/DMINE to JIMMY ANDERSON on Fri Aug 17 23:51:55 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: JIMMY ANDERSON to CHRIS on Wed Aug 15 2018 10:00 am

    Who needs room. :-) Hang it on the wall! LOL
    Never thought of that lol.

    My buddies had Commodore - one had a Vic20, another a c64, another a c64 but also had disk drive and sound card and all that stuff with it. It was
    nice having access to different systems!

    We were all part of an RPG group as well, so one of the first things
    we all did was take our favorite game system and write a character generation program for it. LOL



    ... Either this man's dead, or my watch is stopped. -Groucho

    I had a friend with a C64 also and I was pretty jealous for a stretch. I found myself wanting to get my hands on all the various systems that were avaiable, even the Apple II's we used in middle school.
    Fortunately we had a Service Merchandise in the center of town so I would hang out down there and play with the C64 (and later C128) on display all the time.

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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to DIGITAL MAN on Sat Aug 18 12:02:00 2018
    DIGITAL MAN wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    Even Google Docs (or Drive, as they call it now) is WYSIWYG.

    I thought Google Docs and Google Drive were separate things..? Google Drive would be basically a network space where you can store files, and Google Docs would be their document editing software, I thought.

    Well they quit calling it Google Docs. Now you just go to Drive (yes, you can store stuff there too) and either upload a Word or Excel or what have you and it will offer to convert to Google Docs, Google Sheets or Google Slides. Google Docs used to be all of the above.

    Pretty sure they still call it "Docs". They also have "Sheets" and "Slides", etc. Together they make up the "G Suite": https://gsuite.google.com/ It's all great until your access to the Internet is gone or spotty.

    Yeah - what I meant is it used to be called "Google Docs" as an
    all inclusive term.




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    --- MultiMail/Darwin v0.49
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  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to NIGHTFOX on Sat Aug 18 12:05:00 2018
    NIGHTFOX wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    Yeah - G Suite - we use the educational version for free, but I also
    pay $5 a month for it for my website that I use for my podcast. Yes,
    the podcast I've not published in MONTHS! LOL

    That's the reason I generally don't really like the idea of software as
    a service where you have to pay per month to use it. It may seem
    cheaper up front, but there's a lot of software I only use
    occasionally, and I don't feel like it makes sense to keep paying a monthly fee for it when I only use it occasionally. I'd rather buy the software up front and be able to use it whenver I want, even if it may
    be more expensive up front that way. I may end up still using the software (occasionally) for years, and I like having it there when I want/need to use it.

    Thing is I NEVER use the software, only the sites part - it's where madhatandmore.com has its web site. It's cheaper to pay the $5 a month
    than to pay a hosting service, at least so far. :-)





    ... Doesanyoneknowhowmuchitcoststogetaspacebarrepaired?
    --- MultiMail/Darwin v0.49
    þ wcQWK 7.0 ÷ Omicron Theta * Southaven MS * winserver.org
  • From ROBERT WOLFE@VERT/OTHETA to CHRIS on Sat Aug 18 07:42:00 2018

    We used to have an HP9000 running our primary application (with HP-UX as the C>OS). I remember my jaw hit the floor when I saw a manual for the HP-UX version
    of Wordperfect. I had no idea there was any such version. We never used it, but
    I'm guessing it just came as part of the system all those years ago.

    HP-UX -- use it every day at work. On a huge HP SuperDome (can't
    remember if it is the 2 or the X, as we have both at work). Gotta love
    all those racks of IOX devices :)
    ---
    þ OLXWin 1.00b þ Back Up My Hard Drive? I Can't Find The Reverse Switch!
    þ wcQWK 7.0 ÷ Omicron Theta * Southaven MS * winserver.org
  • From Chai@VERT/ECBBS to Nightfox on Sat Aug 18 19:58:00 2018
    Nightfox wrote to Chai <=-

    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chai to Nightfox on Fri Aug 17 2018 04:09 pm

    It would be nice if they'd offer both for people who want to do it
    either way. I think some companies have moved to the software as a
    service model to combat piracy, especially if the software is cloud/web-based. If users can only use an online version, then there
    is no version they can copy and install on their own computers.
    Though, I'd still like to be able to buy a copy outright and be able to install and use it on my own machine..

    Yes, I like the idea of having choices, so everyone is happy. I also have to admit, however, if MS did decide to implement SaaS and static licensing at the same time, it would probably only be to get people used to the idea of a Windows subscription (without scaring off customers initially). They would eventually discontinue the full licensing products we enjoy today.

    If I had to choose between having subsciption or static (one or the other), I'd go for static, though.

    If I have a computer I built with Windows on it, I'd probably just opt
    to include that copy of Windows with that computer. I'd end up buying another Windows license for a new PC I'd build, but I think I'd still
    end up making money in the end. If I sell one of my used PCs for $500
    and the Windows license cost $100, that's still money gained.

    I doubt my computers are worth $500. They use AMD FX CPUs. I realize that there is a way around that, though. I can break down the parts individually and sell the components on eBay. I just prefer the simplicity of selling the PC as a unit.

    I have the feeling Microsoft may be going to a SaaS model with Windows.
    With Windows 10, Microsoft has been forcing Windows updates on PCs,
    and even if you turn off Windows Update, I've heard it can get turned
    back on automatically and Microsoft will force an update eventually.

    Yeah, it was supposed to allow them to work on a unified distribution of Windows, without having to support multiple versions. In theory, their development cost would go down, and the OS would be more stable. They've had some bumps in the road with this approach, though.

    I'm wondering if Microsoft might argue that they're performing a
    service by keeping peoples' operating systems up to date and so they'd want to charge money for that service. One thing that annoys me is

    They'll definitely make that argument, at least for updates that support new hardware, such as USB 3.2. I imagine if they do pursue SaaS, there will be some push-back.

    that sometimes when a Windows 10 update gets pushed, some of my Windows settings get reverted back to their defaults. I'd think they would be able to preserve your settings..


    That hasn't happened to me yet. I imagine it will, eventually. Or maybe it has, and I simply haven't noticed.

    --- MultiMail/Linux v0.51
    þ Synchronet þ electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com
  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to CHRIS on Sun Aug 19 07:47:00 2018
    CHRIS wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    Fortunately we had a Service Merchandise in the center of town so I
    would hang out down there and play with the C64 (and later C128) on display all the time.

    I remember the days of going in S/M to check out all the electronic
    'goodies' :-)




    ... Taglines void where prohibited.
    --- MultiMail/Darwin v0.49
    þ wcQWK 7.0 ÷ Omicron Theta * Southaven MS * winserver.org
  • From Hawkeye@VERT/MASHBBS to Vk3jed on Sun Aug 19 18:50:53 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Hawkeye on Fri Aug 17 2018 15:29:00

    I got to know Netware later, oddly enough. Bother were solid network offerings, though from memory, BV had a lot more features.

    BV was in the beginning used in a lot of former mainframe/minicomputer environments withs lots of clients. I remember some tokenring devices were 50k per device, not for small/medium size companies.

    Netware became better and better and so also an option for these companies later on, also thanks to Netware combined with Windows.

    I never really worked with token ring, all the active networks I had anything to do with were Ethernet.

    Yeah, Im speaking about the late 80s. ARCnet, Ethernet, Tokenring and 10base2 (bnc), etc... Tokenring was capable of doing 16/4 mbit in those time without any noticable lag when using lots of devices. The switches became better and better and the new tokenring couldnt cope the speeds anymore. And we should be happy about this because it was a pain in the a$$ when something went wrong, diagnostics was a true hell.

    HAWKEYE

    - MASH BBS - mash4077.ddns.net - The Netherlands -

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ MASH4077.DDNS.NET - MASH BBS - The Netherlands
  • From Clifra Jones@VERT/DOOBBS to Vk3jed on Sun Aug 19 20:06:42 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to MRO on Fri Aug 17 2018 03:33 pm

    if you have that issue you probably have a performance bottleneck in your hardware. it could be motherboard, harddisk or memory.

    Still odd that these things never show up early on, but come later. Sure, more software has been installed, but.



    Comming in a little late here but I've had to support Windows for Corp. users for years and they can dork up their computers pretty bad.

    1. Check for things you don't recognize in Programs and Features. Google them,
    and if suspect uninstall.
    2. As was suggested. look in the registry in:
    HKLM/Softwar/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run and
    HKLU/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
    Remove things that are suspect. Again google if unsure.
    Note: Some malware will put a reinstaller in here when you uninstall
    After uninstalling suspect softwere check here before rebooting.
    3. MalwareBytes. This is a very good Malware scanner. It is free and works
    quite well
    4. Do you shut down? We see a lot of laptop users who just suspend their
    computers and over time they get real slow. Windows just does not deal
    long term suspend/hybernate.
    5. This is probably a not likely but haveseen it. Large # of items in a folder
    Once you start getting ocver 200-250 items in a folder (I really don't know
    the exact # when this occures) windows will start getting sluggish searching
    for items in that folder.
    6. Lastly, and you have probably have checked. Disk space. Low c: drive space
    will kill performance.


    Clifra Jones
    Sysop, Days of Old BBS
    Hostname: daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
    Protocols: Telnet, SSH (2222), HTTP

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Days of Old BBS Telnet/SSH(2222)/Web daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
  • From Clifra Jones@VERT/DOOBBS to Nightfox on Sun Aug 19 20:17:37 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to JIMMY ANDERSON on Fri Aug 17 2018 12:57 pm

    That's the reason I generally don't really like the idea of software as a service where you have to pay per month to use it. It may seem cheaper up front, but there's a lot of software I only use occasionally, and I don't feel like it makes sense to keep paying a monthly fee for it when I only use it occasionally. I'd rather buy the software up front and be able to use it whenver I want, even if it may be more expensive up front that way. I may end up still using the software (occasionally) for years, and I like having it there when I want/need to use it.

    Nightfox

    As an IT pro i am kind of with you there. With everything going to the cloud and yes my employer is moving in that direction. We are partially there (Email). We have a saying about Cloud services. The Cloud is great, until it is not. Because when it is not you can't fix it. You are dependent of the vendor, i.e Microsoft, Amazon, Google.

    This subscription model works better for business that the individual. It is easier when you need to upgrade your hardware or business software to tell management that they only need to authorize $X.00 / month than to get a capital expenditure approved for 10s or 100s of thousands of dollars. The nice thing for IT is now we know we wil not have computers with Office 2010 installed in 2020.

    For my personnal use, I tend to go with Open-Source software if I can find it and it fits the purpose.


    Clifra Jones
    Sysop, Days of Old BBS
    Hostname: daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
    Protocols: Telnet, SSH (2222), HTTP

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Days of Old BBS Telnet/SSH(2222)/Web daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
  • From Clifra Jones@VERT/DOOBBS to Chai on Sun Aug 19 20:23:20 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chai to Nightfox on Fri Aug 17 2018 04:09 pm

    Still, we know that will never happen. And, if it did, MS would prefer a higher subscription rate than $5. Most software should not be SaaS.

    Actually, a personnal subscription to Office 365 is only $6.99 /mo and a home subscription (5 installs) is only $9.99 /month.


    Clifra Jones
    Sysop, Days of Old BBS
    Hostname: daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
    Protocols: Telnet, SSH (2222), HTTP

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Days of Old BBS Telnet/SSH(2222)/Web daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Hawkeye on Mon Aug 20 19:58:00 2018
    On 08-19-18 18:50, Hawkeye wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    BV was in the beginning used in a lot of former mainframe/minicomputer environments withs lots of clients. I remember some tokenring devices
    were 50k per device, not for small/medium size companies.

    BV was used throughout the university, so yes, it was a big place, multiple campuses, etc. And yes, there were several mainframes too.

    Netware became better and better and so also an option for these
    companies later on, also thanks to Netware combined with Windows.

    I never really worked with token ring, all the active networks I had anything to do with were Ethernet.

    Yeah, Im speaking about the late 80s. ARCnet, Ethernet, Tokenring and 10base2 (bnc), etc... Tokenring was capable of doing 16/4 mbit in those time without any noticable lag when using lots of devices. The switches became better and better and the new tokenring couldnt cope the speeds anymore. And we should be happy about this because it was a pain in the a$$ when something went wrong, diagnostics was a true hell.

    The uni used Ethernet - 10Base2 in each room, and thicknet for the main backbone. And it was always fun when someone dislodged a BNC connector. :) Later when I was working at the training company, they had some 10Base2 (which I eventually got rid of when we installed a managed switch). I remember at the one of the offices, one of the trainers dropped het handbag on a switch accidentally, dislodging the coax that was hanging off the back of it. Needless to say, they phoned that their network wasn't working (which I coulc confirm from head office), but we weren't able to troubleshoot over the phone. So I took a trip out to the other office and discovered the offending handbag and what had happened. Put the connection back together, and all was good.

    From that day on, we had a new term "handbagging the network", meaning to take it offline by dislodging something. :D


    ... Transporter room, beam that Tagline up immediately!
    --- MultiMail/Win v0.51
    þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au
  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Clifra Jones on Mon Aug 20 20:01:00 2018
    On 08-19-18 20:06, Clifra Jones wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Comming in a little late here but I've had to support Windows for Corp. users for years and they can dork up their computers pretty bad.

    Indeed. :)

    1. Check for things you don't recognize in Programs and Features.
    Google them,
    and if suspect uninstall.
    2. As was suggested. look in the registry in:
    HKLM/Softwar/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run and
    HKLU/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run
    Remove things that are suspect. Again google if unsure.
    Note: Some malware will put a reinstaller in here when you uninstall
    After uninstalling suspect softwere check here before
    rebooting. 3. MalwareBytes. This is a very good Malware scanner. It is free and works
    quite well

    Yes, Malwarebytes is something I use a lot. :)

    4. Do you shut down? We see a lot of laptop users who just suspend
    their
    computers and over time they get real slow. Windows just does not
    deal
    long term suspend/hybernate.

    Agree. I have to reboot every now and then. :)

    5. This is probably a not likely but haveseen it. Large # of items in a folder
    Once you start getting ocver 200-250 items in a folder (I really
    don't know
    the exact # when this occures) windows will start getting sluggish searching
    for items in that folder.
    6. Lastly, and you have probably have checked. Disk space. Low c: drive space
    will kill performance.

    Seen that one too. :)


    ... The weirder you're going to behave, the more normal you should look.
    --- MultiMail/Win v0.51
    þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au
  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Clifra Jones on Mon Aug 20 21:01:00 2018
    On 08-19-18 20:17, Clifra Jones wrote to Nightfox <=-

    For my personnal use, I tend to go with Open-Source software if I can
    find it and it fits the purpose.

    I do when I can, but I had to subscribe to Office365 because I was working with documents that required 100% compatibility (not 99.9%). :) And the 1TB OneDrive is also handy.


    ... Truth has nothing to fear from examination
    --- MultiMail/Win v0.51
    þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au
  • From Jagossel@VERT/MTLGEEK to Clifra Jones on Mon Aug 20 09:16:11 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Clifra Jones to Nightfox on Sun Aug 19 2018 20:17:37

    As an IT pro i am kind of with you there. With everything going to the cloud and yes my employer is moving in that direction. We are partially there (Email). We have a saying about Cloud services. The Cloud is great, until it not. Because when it is not you can't fix it. You are dependent of the vendo i.e Microsoft, Amazon, Google.

    This subscription model works better for business that the individual. It is easier when you need to upgrade your hardware or business software to tell management that they only need to authorize $X.00 / month than to get a capi expenditure approved for 10s or 100s of thousands of dollars. The nice thing for IT is now we know we wil not have computers with Office 2010 installed i 2020.

    That, to me, makes more sense. I am not familar enough with the security side things to know if using PaaS, IaaS, or SaaS is safe. I would imagine a great of security is in place for corporate/enterprise use.

    For my personnal use, I tend to go with Open-Source software if I can find i and it fits the purpose.

    I agree with you, and alternativeto.net has served as a great resource to find open-source software as well. The only expection I have made was with Office 365, and the montly rate isn't too bad.I get up-to-date Microsoft Office and 1TB of cloud storage (which I do heavily use on both my personal and corporate accounts).


    -jag
    Code it, Script it, Automate it!

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ MtlGeek - Geeks in Montreal - http://mtlgeek.com/ -
  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Vk3jed on Mon Aug 20 09:59:13 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Chai on Sat Aug 18 2018 09:48 am

    I'm the opposite. I don't like webmail for heavy duty use. I find the navigation shlower and clumsier. I use Thunderbird, which does the job for me, even though the Gmail interface is available.

    I always used to like using a local email app (I used Thunderbird for a long time, and Eudora before that). However, these days I often access my email from multiple places, so I've gotten in the habit of just using the web interface. It used to be that a local email client would download your email to that machine and remove it from the server, but I think there's an option to leave your email on the server. I just have tended to use the web interface though.. Also, I've gotten to like Gmail's email tags, and I'm not sure the same thing would be supported in something like Thunderbird.

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Tue Aug 21 06:31:00 2018
    On 08-20-18 09:59, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    I always used to like using a local email app (I used Thunderbird for a long time, and Eudora before that). However, these days I often access

    Same here. :)

    my email from multiple places, so I've gotten in the habit of just
    using the web interface. It used to be that a local email client would

    That's what laptops are for - yes, you can use a phone, but I find phones have a lot of the usability issues web interfaces have, sometimes worse.

    download your email to that machine and remove it from the server, but
    I think there's an option to leave your email on the server. I just
    have tended to use the web interface though.. Also, I've gotten to
    like Gmail's email tags, and I'm not sure the same thing would be supported in something like Thunderbird.

    You've obviously never used IMAP - that leaves everything intact, and you can use folders for organisation, which will be reflected in webmail as well. POP is primitive and yes, it does cause a lot of issues if not carefully setup. But any half decent mail service supports IMAP, use that instead, it will play nice with both multiple email clients accessing the same mailbox, as well as webmail (which often uses IMAP internally - Google uses its own system that it translates to IMAP for external clients). So for me, I still use Thunderbird for heavy duty mail reading, and the web interface is there for those occasions where I want to check for something specific from somewhere else.


    ... Useless Invention: Ejector seats for helicopters.
    --- MultiMail/Win v0.51
    þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au
  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Vk3jed on Mon Aug 20 17:31:57 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Tue Aug 21 2018 06:31 am

    my email from multiple places, so I've gotten in the habit of just
    using the web interface. It used to be that a local email client
    would

    That's what laptops are for - yes, you can use a phone, but I find phones have a lot of the usability issues web interfaces have, sometimes worse.

    My "multiple places" I meant more like using multiple machines. I could have Thunderbird installed on my PC at home, for checking my personal email account, but I'm not necessarily going to install Thunderbird on my work PC for checking my personal email. Or I might be somewhere else where I have access to a computer but not necessarily my own computer. When I was in college, we had computer labs with computers that we could do our work on. I didn't always have my own laptop at the time (although I had a desktop PC at home).

    You've obviously never used IMAP - that leaves everything intact, and you can use folders for organisation, which will be reflected in webmail as well. POP is primitive and yes, it does cause a lot of issues if not carefully setup. But any half decent mail service supports IMAP, use that instead, it will play nice with both multiple email clients accessing the same mailbox, as well as webmail (which often uses IMAP internally - Google uses its own system that it translates to IMAP for external clients). So for me, I still use Thunderbird for heavy duty mail reading, and the web interface is there for those occasions where I want to check for something specific from somewhere else.

    Yeah, I suppose I haven't used IMAP..

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Chris@VERT/DMINE to ROBERT WOLFE on Mon Aug 20 22:00:48 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: ROBERT WOLFE to CHRIS on Sat Aug 18 2018 07:42 am


    We used to have an HP9000 running our primary application (with HP-UX as t C>OS). I remember my jaw hit the floor when I saw a manual for the HP-UX ver C>of Wordperfect. I had no idea there was any such version. We never used it C>I'm guessing it just came as part of the system all those years ago.

    HP-UX -- use it every day at work. On a huge HP SuperDome (can't
    remember if it is the 2 or the X, as we have both at work). Gotta love
    all those racks of IOX devices :)

    We're still running it too but on newer hardware. We're trying to get everything moved over to Redhat but it will take some time.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------
    CDP
    The Diamond Mine BBS - telnet://bbs.dmine.net ------------------------------------------------------------------

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Diamond Mine Online - bbs.dmine.net - Fredericksburg, VA USA
  • From Hawkeye@VERT/MASHBBS to Clifra Jones on Tue Aug 21 18:05:13 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Clifra Jones to Chai on Sun Aug 19 2018 20:23:20

    Actually, a personnal subscription to Office 365 is only $6.99 /mo and a home subscription (5 installs) is only $9.99 /month.

    There are website (legal) who offer 1 year subscription for less than the 12*9.99... I use them for years now.

    HAWKEYE

    - MASH BBS - mash4077.ddns.net - The Netherlands -

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ MASH4077.DDNS.NET - MASH BBS - The Netherlands
  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Hawkeye on Tue Aug 21 12:43:18 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Hawkeye to Clifra Jones on Tue Aug 21 2018 06:05 pm

    Actually, a personnal subscription to Office 365 is only $6.99 /mo and
    a home subscription (5 installs) is only $9.99 /month.

    There are website (legal) who offer 1 year subscription for less than the 12*9.99... I use them for years now.

    To buy a copy of Office, suppose it costs $100. Then at $6.99/month, it would take about 14 months (just over 1 year) to match the cost to buy it. I would normally keep the software installed longer than that, so I think it would be less expensive to just buy it rather than to keep paying a monthly fee to use it.

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Chai@VERT/ECBBS to Nightfox on Tue Aug 21 21:45:00 2018
    Nightfox wrote to Hawkeye <=-

    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Hawkeye to Clifra Jones on Tue Aug 21 2018 06:05 pm

    To buy a copy of Office, suppose it costs $100. Then at $6.99/month,
    it would take about 14 months (just over 1 year) to match the cost to
    buy it. I would normally keep the software installed longer than that,
    so I think it would be less expensive to just buy it rather than to
    keep paying a monthly fee to use it.

    The $9.99 for 5 users is a better deal, if you have a large family. I agree with you on the $6.99/mo plan, as it is more expensive. If you pay annually though, it comes out to about $5.83/mo.

    Office is one of those things that you can afford to skip versions on. I think Office 2007 is still useful today. You can save a lot of money with just outright buying it, and skipping versions. I'm with you there.

    Chai

    --- MultiMail/Linux v0.51
    þ Synchronet þ electronic chicken bbs - bbs.electronicchicken.com
  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Wed Aug 22 08:29:00 2018
    On 08-20-18 17:31, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    My "multiple places" I meant more like using multiple machines. I
    could have Thunderbird installed on my PC at home, for checking my personal email account, but I'm not necessarily going to install Thunderbird on my work PC for checking my personal email. Or I might

    Thunderbird running IMAP at home would do the trick, and on those other PCs, sure, webmail will still work fine. IMAP and webmail handle the mailbox in pretty much the same way.

    Yeah, I suppose I haven't used IMAP..

    These days, I won't use anything else (besides the occasional webmail when I really need offsite access).


    ... Objects in taglines are closer than they appear.
    --- MultiMail/Win v0.51
    þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au
  • From Jagossel@VERT/MTLGEEK to Nightfox on Wed Aug 22 08:58:44 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to Hawkeye on Tue Aug 21 2018 12:43:18

    There are website (legal) who offer 1 year subscription for less than t 12*9.99... I use them for years now.

    To buy a copy of Office, suppose it costs $100. Then at $6.99/month, it wou take about 14 months (just over 1 year) to match the cost to buy it. I woul normally keep the software installed longer than that, so I think it would b less expensive to just buy it rather than to keep paying a monthly fee to us it.

    Keep in mind that montly rate does include OneDrive 1TB of storage per user (totalling to 5TB for all users) and the latest version of Microsoft Office. To me, that's still worth the $9.99/month. Again, I do use OneDrive heavily on both my personal and business Officr 365 accounts.

    -jag
    Code it, Script it, Automate it!

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ MtlGeek - Geeks in Montreal - http://mtlgeek.com/ -
  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Jagossel on Wed Aug 22 15:39:01 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Jagossel to Nightfox on Wed Aug 22 2018 08:58 am

    Keep in mind that montly rate does include OneDrive 1TB of storage per user (totalling to 5TB for all users) and the latest version of Microsoft Office. To me, that's still worth the $9.99/month. Again, I do use OneDrive heavily on both my personal and business Officr 365 accounts.


    i miss that yunpan360 shit. the mobile interface was better than dropbox and it was just better period. i had about 42tb of space.
    ---
    þ Synchronet þ ::: BBSES.info - free BBS services :::
  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Jagossel on Thu Aug 23 14:29:00 2018
    On 08-22-18 08:58, Jagossel wrote to Nightfox <=-

    Keep in mind that montly rate does include OneDrive 1TB of storage per user (totalling to 5TB for all users) and the latest version of
    Microsoft Office. To me, that's still worth the $9.99/month. Again, I
    do use OneDrive heavily on both my personal and business Officr 365 accounts.

    Agree, I use the OneDrive and Office a lot. Definitely value for money.


    ... Helicopters can't really fly, they are so ugly the earth repels them.
    --- MultiMail/Win v0.51
    þ Synchronet þ Freeway BBS, Bendigo Australia. freeway.apana.org.au
  • From Clifra Jones@VERT/DOOBBS to Nightfox on Thu Aug 23 21:27:18 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to Hawkeye on Tue Aug 21 2018 12:43 pm

    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Hawkeye to Clifra Jones on Tue Aug 21 2018 06:05 pm

    Actually, a personnal subscription to Office 365 is only $6.99 /mo and
    a home subscription (5 installs) is only $9.99 /month.

    There are website (legal) who offer 1 year subscription for less than the 12*9.99... I use them for years now.

    To buy a copy of Office, suppose it costs $100. Then at $6.99/month, it would take about 14 months (just over 1 year) to match the cost to buy it.
    I would normally keep the software installed longer than that, so I think it would be less expensive to just buy it rather than to keep paying a monthly fee to use it.

    Nightfox

    Correct, you will always pay more in the long run with a subscription but unfortunately this is the way it is going. The one up side is you will always have the latest version. Whether that is good or bad is up for debate. But for the vendor, i.e. Microsoft, they don't have to support the old versions. Also a plus for guys like me who have to support it also.
    Clifra Jones
    Sysop, Days of Old BBS
    Hostname: daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
    Protocols: Telnet, SSH (2222), HTTP

    ---
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  • From Clifra Jones@VERT/DOOBBS to Chai on Thu Aug 23 21:32:01 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chai to Nightfox on Tue Aug 21 2018 09:45 pm

    Nightfox wrote to Hawkeye <=-

    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Hawkeye to Clifra Jones on Tue Aug 21 2018 06:05 pm

    To buy a copy of Office, suppose it costs $100. Then at $6.99/month, it would take about 14 months (just over 1 year) to match the cost to buy it. I would normally keep the software installed longer than that, so I think it would be less expensive to just buy it rather than to keep paying a monthly fee to use it.

    The $9.99 for 5 users is a better deal, if you have a large family. I agree with you on the $6.99/mo plan, as it is more expensive. If you pay annually though, it comes out to about $5.83/mo.

    Office is one of those things that you can afford to skip versions on. I think Office 2007 is still useful today. You can save a lot of money with just outright buying it, and skipping versions. I'm with you there.

    Chai


    If you don't need it for work and don't need some of the odd features of word/excel, can use some other mail program and most importantly don't need Power Point you can get by fine with one of the open source alternatives. If you don't mind working in the web interface Google docs is pretty good. Open Office is decent as is Libre Office.
    Clifra Jones
    Sysop, Days of Old BBS
    Hostname: daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
    Protocols: Telnet, SSH (2222), HTTP

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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Clifra Jones on Fri Aug 24 10:10:03 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Clifra Jones to Nightfox on Thu Aug 23 2018 09:27 pm

    Correct, you will always pay more in the long run with a subscription but unfortunately this is the way it is going. The one up side is you will always have the latest version. Whether that is good or bad is up for debate. But for the vendor, i.e. Microsoft, they don't have to support the old versions. Also a plus for guys like me who have to support it also. Clifra Jones

    It just seems like one of those things that's good for the business but worse for the consumer, as the consumer ends up paying more in the long run. It would be disappointing if that ends up being the only choice they offer.

    Nightfox

    ---
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  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to Chris on Fri Aug 24 11:06:03 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chris to poindexter FORTRAN on Fri Aug 17 2018 11:44 pm

    We used to have an HP9000 running our primary application (with HP-UX as the OS). I remember my jaw hit the floor when I saw a manual for the HP-UX version of Wordperfect.

    I ran a SCO/Xenix system back in 1991 that was used as a reportwriter system for Lawson running on an AS/400. Lawson on the 400 would download data to the Xenix box, which would do the reporting.

    Accounting used it, and we needed to use IBM terminals so they could pass through to the AS/400.

    The weirdest part? Multiuser Lotus-1-2-3 for Xenix.

    ---
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Nightfox on Fri Aug 24 16:22:46 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to Clifra Jones on Fri Aug 24 2018 10:10 am

    will always have the latest version. Whether that is good or bad is up for debate. But for the vendor, i.e. Microsoft, they don't have to support the old versions. Also a plus for guys like me who have to support it also. Clifra Jones

    It just seems like one of those things that's good for the business but worse for the consumer, as the consumer ends up paying more in the long run. It would be disappointing if that ends up being the only choice they offer.


    maybe a subscription is an incentive for the mfg to keep improving and updating their product.
    ---
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to MRO on Fri Aug 24 15:44:52 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: MRO to Nightfox on Fri Aug 24 2018 04:22 pm

    It just seems like one of those things that's good for the business
    but worse for the consumer, as the consumer ends up paying more in the
    long run. It would be disappointing if that ends up being the only
    choice they offer.

    maybe a subscription is an incentive for the mfg to keep improving and updating their product.

    Manufacturers haven't really needed subscriptions in the past. Usually, being able to sell new and improved versions has been enough incentive.

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Nightfox on Fri Aug 24 22:23:58 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to MRO on Fri Aug 24 2018 03:44 pm


    maybe a subscription is an incentive for the mfg to keep improving and updating their product.

    Manufacturers haven't really needed subscriptions in the past. Usually, being able to sell new and improved versions has been enough incentive.


    it depends on what you call the past. they've been doing it for a while.
    having a subscription system allows them to have a steady flow of money which can be an incentive to keep improving the product.
    ---
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  • From Jagossel@VERT/MTLGEEK to MRO on Sat Aug 25 08:20:01 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: MRO to Nightfox on Fri Aug 24 2018 22:23:58

    maybe a subscription is an incentive for the mfg to keep improving a updating their product.

    Manufacturers haven't really needed subscriptions in the past. Usually, being able to sell new and improved versions has been enough incentive.

    it depends on what you call the past. they've been doing it for a while.
    having a subscription system allows them to have a steady flow of money whi can be an incentive to keep improving the product.

    As far as software goes, I wonder how much of it is an attempt to control priacy. I remember when Adobe's software was a one-time fee and their software was heavily pirated. Now that most of Adobe's software is on a subscription model, it seems more reasonable to afford it and I would imagine that cut down the piracy.

    -jag
    Code it, Script it, Automate it!

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ MtlGeek - Geeks in Montreal - http://mtlgeek.com/ -
  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Jagossel on Sat Aug 25 16:20:36 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Jagossel to MRO on Sat Aug 25 2018 08:20 am

    As far as software goes, I wonder how much of it is an attempt to control priacy. I remember when Adobe's software was a one-time fee and their software was heavily pirated. Now that most of Adobe's software is on a subscription model, it seems more reasonable to afford it and I would imagine that cut down the piracy.



    people still steal stuff like that, though. they crack where it communicates with the server.
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  • From Jagossel@VERT/MTLGEEK to MRO on Sat Aug 25 18:31:37 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: MRO to Jagossel on Sat Aug 25 2018 16:20:36

    As far as software goes, I wonder how much of it is an attempt to control priacy. I remember when Adobe's software was a one-time fee and their software was heavily pirated. Now that most of Adobe's software is on a subscription model, it seems more reasonable to afford it and I would imagine that cut down the piracy.

    people still steal stuff like that, though. they crack where it communicates with the server.

    Yea, that is true: if they are that desperate or persistent enough, they will find a way to do it.

    -jag
    Code it, Script it, Automate it!

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ MtlGeek - Geeks in Montreal - http://mtlgeek.com/ -
  • From JIMMY ANDERSON@VERT/OTHETA to MRO on Sat Aug 25 04:26:00 2018
    MRO wrote to NIGHTFOX <=-

    maybe a subscription is an incentive for the mfg to keep improving and updating their product.

    Manufacturers haven't really needed subscriptions in the past. Usually, being able to sell new and improved versions has been enough incentive.

    it depends on what you call the past. they've been doing it for a
    while.
    having a subscription system allows them to have a steady flow of
    money which can be an incentive to keep improving the product.

    For reference, see Patreon.com




    ... No Purchase Required. Details in package.
    --- MultiMail/Darwin v0.49
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  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to MRO on Sat Aug 25 11:28:00 2018
    MRO wrote to Nightfox <=-

    maybe a subscription is an incentive for the mfg to keep improving and updating their product.

    What happened in Microsoft's case is that due to diminishing returns,
    people stopped upgrading to the newest Office.

    Office 2000 was a huge leap from 97. Office XP was a nice upgrade. Between 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016, there didn't seem to be a lot of improvements to merit upgrading your enterprise to the newest version. Outlook did keep up
    with back-end changes, and 2016 integrates with O365 and has the cool
    lookup feature, but the former ties into the next point.

    So, they started hammering on EOL notifications and selling a subscription product with online tools, to ensure a steady revenue stream. They made a
    few changes, but they're mostly to enhance the subscription product.

    They've recently announced that upcoming versions will be subscription
    only. For an enterprise, you're tying in software assurance, email, cloud storage
    and a suite of enterprise tools like Sharepoint and Teams, but for the home user, I'd move to Google One for $1.99/month (100 GB) or $2.99 (200 gb
    storage)




    ... You're one of them, aren't you?
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  • From Chai@VERT/ECBBS to Jagossel on Sat Aug 25 22:05:00 2018
    Jagossel wrote to MRO <=-

    As far as software goes, I wonder how much of it is an attempt to
    control priacy. I remember when Adobe's software was a one-time fee and their software was heavily pirated. Now that most of Adobe's software
    is on a subscription model, it seems more reasonable to afford it and I would imagine that cut down the piracy.

    Month to month subscription models are kind of nice, because you can choose
    to pay for it only on the months you need it. OS is a different ball game,
    ho.
    Using the OS is a bit more mandatory.

    I'm just kind of watching to see Microsoft's next move.
    --- MultiMail/Win v0.51
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to poindexter FORTRAN on Sat Aug 25 20:41:50 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: poindexter FORTRAN to MRO on Sat Aug 25 2018 11:28 am

    maybe a subscription is an incentive for the mfg to keep improving
    and updating their product.

    What happened in Microsoft's case is that due to diminishing returns, people stopped upgrading to the newest Office.

    Office 2000 was a huge leap from 97. Office XP was a nice upgrade. Between 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016, there didn't seem to be a lot of improvements to merit upgrading your enterprise to the newest version. Outlook did keep up with back-end changes, and 2016 integrates with O365 and has the cool lookup feature, but the former ties into the next point.

    Without real significant improvements in newer versions of Office, I wouldn't really see much point in having to continually pay for it. I'd rather just buy it outright and use it as long as it's useful.

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Jagossel@VERT/MTLGEEK to poindexter FORTRAN on Sun Aug 26 09:05:30 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: poindexter FORTRAN to MRO on Sat Aug 25 2018 11:28:00

    They've recently announced that upcoming versions will be subscription
    only. For an enterprise, you're tying in software assurance, email, cloud storage
    and a suite of enterprise tools like Sharepoint and Teams, but for the home user, I'd move to Google One for $1.99/month (100 GB) or $2.99 (200 gb storage)

    What a way to drive the market, wouldn't you say? I like Office 365 and Microsoft Office, but this drive to "stear" users to be cloud-based only is going to cause them to move away from it (more traffic towards LibreOffice and the like). I believe that there are companies that would prefer on-prem over cloud simply for security reasons.

    So, I'd imagine not every one will want a cloud-based solution.

    -jag
    Code it, Script it, Automate it!

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ MtlGeek - Geeks in Montreal - http://mtlgeek.com/ -
  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to Jagossel on Sun Aug 26 11:02:47 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Jagossel to MRO on Sat Aug 25 2018 08:20 am

    priacy. I remember when Adobe's software was a one-time fee and their software was heavily pirated. Now that most of Adobe's software is on a subscription model, it seems more reasonable to afford it and I would imagine that cut down the piracy.

    Adobe made a big mistake, though - they took their registration infrastructure down not realizing that some clients still used it. I don't know which client they pissed off, but you can download the entire CS2 suite and serial numbers for Mac and Windows from their site - with the caveat that you already have a license (that won't validate against their decomissioned servers)

    I still use CS2, works like a charm under WINE.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ realitycheckBBS -- http://realitycheckBBS.org
  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to Nightfox on Sun Aug 26 11:07:30 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to poindexter FORTRAN on Sat Aug 25 2018 08:41 pm

    Without real significant improvements in newer versions of Office, I wouldn't really see much point in having to continually pay for it. I'd rather just buy it outright and use it as long as it's useful.

    Microsoft agrees to disagree, and you'll be paying a subscription fee soon enough. They're playing the long game, they'll wait until 2016 goes EOL and stop publishing security patches for it.

    It took me a while to get the hang of GSuite - I've been using Word and Excel since OS/2 1.3. Now, after using it at home for a year I'm much more comfortable with it than Office365.

    The only holdover from Office is OneNote - it's hard to beat.

    I can get Home Use Program licenses from work (I have one for 2016). When that one runs out, if perpetual licenses are no longer available, I'll look at LibreOffice and G Suite.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ realitycheckBBS -- http://realitycheckBBS.org
  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to Jagossel on Sun Aug 26 11:10:18 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Jagossel to poindexter FORTRAN on Sun Aug 26 2018 09:05 am

    What a way to drive the market, wouldn't you say? I like Office 365 and Microsoft Office, but this drive to "stear" users to be cloud-based only is going to cause them to move away from it (more traffic towards LibreOffice and the like). I believe that there are companies that would prefer on-prem over cloud simply for security reasons.

    There's a lot to be said for having someone outside with much bigger security budgets and who sets best practices for cloud security to take the fall when there's a breach.

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ realitycheckBBS -- http://realitycheckBBS.org
  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to poindexter FORTRAN on Sun Aug 26 16:51:19 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: poindexter FORTRAN to Nightfox on Sun Aug 26 2018 11:07 am

    It took me a while to get the hang of GSuite - I've been using Word and Excel since OS/2 1.3. Now, after using it at home for a year I'm much more comfortable with it than Office365.

    Interesting, I didn't know Microsoft made any of their Office apps for OS/2. I looked it up, and it looks like it's available for download here (though I'm not sure if this download was made legally, if Microsoft opened it up as freeware or abandonware):
    https://winworldpc.com/product/microsoft-word/10-os-2

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Chai on Sun Aug 26 16:54:08 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chai to Jagossel on Sat Aug 25 2018 10:05 pm

    Month to month subscription models are kind of nice, because you can choose to pay for it only on the months you need it.

    I'd think it might be a bit of a hassle sometimes though. I have Microsoft Office, but I only use it occasionally. I might use it once and then again months later. I'd rather not have to to go pay $5 again just to be able to use it again a couple times. I just want to be able to open the software and use it. Having to go online and pay again also would mean it would rely on me having an interenet connection. I might be using a laptop somewhere where I don't have access to wi-fi.

    Nightfox

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Digital Distortion: digitaldistortionbbs.com
  • From Chai@VERT/ECBBS to Nightfox on Sun Aug 26 22:45:00 2018
    Nightfox wrote to Chai <=-

    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chai to Jagossel on Sat Aug 25 2018 10:05 pm

    Month to month subscription models are kind of nice, because you can choose to pay for it only on the months you need it.

    I'd think it might be a bit of a hassle sometimes though. I have

    Yes, I could see how it could become problematic.

    Microsoft Office, but I only use it occasionally. I might use it once
    and then again months later. I'd rather not have to to go pay $5 again just to be able to use it again a couple times. I just want to be able
    to open the software and use it. Having to go online and pay again

    Yeah, that's why I'm in favor of both methods existing at once. Otherwise, you screw one type of customer to the favor of others. I want everyone to
    be happy.

    also would mean it would rely on me having an interenet connection. I might be using a laptop somewhere where I don't have access to wi-fi.

    I see your point.
    --- MultiMail/Win v0.51
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Mon Aug 27 21:20:00 2018
    On 08-26-18 16:54, Nightfox wrote to Chai <=-

    @VIA: VERT/DIGDIST
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chai to Jagossel on Sat Aug 25 2018 10:05 pm

    Month to month subscription models are kind of nice, because you can choose to pay for it only on the months you need it.

    I'd think it might be a bit of a hassle sometimes though. I have Microsoft Office, but I only use it occasionally. I might use it once
    and then again months later. I'd rather not have to to go pay $5 again just to be able to use it again a couple times. I just want to be able
    to open the software and use it. Having to go online and pay again
    also would mean it would rely on me having an interenet connection. I might be using a laptop somewhere where I don't have access to wi-fi.

    The subscription auto renews and the software is installed on your PC. I don't know how often it "phones home" to check the subscription is valid. Updates have been smooth too. I was originally using OpenOffice, but I had to edit an old Word document that the free suites (including GSuite) couldn't format correctly, so I subscribed to Office365. I've also found the 1TB OneDrive to be handy. Now, a few years down the track, the free suites seem to handle .docx files perfectly, as well as .xlsx, but I'm not sure how compatible they are for the older .doc format, which was the one giving trouble.


    ... Swimming: the worse you are at it, the more exercise you get.
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  • From Clifra Jones@VERT/DOOBBS to Nightfox on Mon Aug 27 08:01:10 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to Clifra Jones on Fri Aug 24 2018 10:10 am

    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Clifra Jones to Nightfox on Thu Aug 23 2018 09:27 pm

    Correct, you will always pay more in the long run with a subscription
    but unfortunately this is the way it is going. The one up side is you
    will always have the latest version. Whether that is good or bad is up
    for debate. But for the vendor, i.e. Microsoft, they don't have to
    support the old versions. Also a plus for guys like me who have to
    support it also. Clifra Jones

    It just seems like one of those things that's good for the business but wors for the consumer, as the consumer ends up paying more in the long run. It would be disappointing if that ends up being the only choice they offer.

    Nightfox

    You can count on it. We are seeing this from all the major software vendors. Microsoft, Adobe, even Autodesk on the CAD/Engineering side. Office 2016 is still available for single license purchase and I've seen it for a low as $70.00 but I have the feeling Microsoft would like to discontinue offering this licence option.

    Clifra Jones
    Clifra Jones
    Sysop, Days of Old BBS
    Hostname: daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
    Protocols: Telnet, SSH (2222), HTTP

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Days of Old BBS Telnet/SSH(2222)/Web daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
  • From Clifra Jones@VERT/DOOBBS to Jagossel on Mon Aug 27 08:07:51 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Jagossel to MRO on Sat Aug 25 2018 08:20 am

    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: MRO to Nightfox on Fri Aug 24 2018 22:23:58

    maybe a subscription is an incentive for the mfg to keep improving
    a MR> updating their product.

    Manufacturers haven't really needed subscriptions in the past.
    Usually, being able to sell new and improved versions has been enough incentive.

    it depends on what you call the past. they've been doing it for a
    while. having a subscription system allows them to have a steady flow of money whi can be an incentive to keep improving the product.

    As far as software goes, I wonder how much of it is an attempt to control priacy. I remember when Adobe's software was a one-time fee and their softwa was heavily pirated. Now that most of Adobe's software is on a subscription model, it seems more reasonable to afford it and I would imagine that cut do the piracy.

    -jag

    I love how software companies cry about piracy. Photoshop would not be the defacto standard in that industry of it were not for all those pirated copies of Photoshop that those design school students had on their computers. Same goes for AutoDesk. They get out of college, get jobs and then tell thier employers they need this software and the employer buys multiple licenses. 3 or 4 pirated copies results in many more licensed copies sold.

    Clifra Jones
    Clifra Jones
    Sysop, Days of Old BBS
    Hostname: daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
    Protocols: Telnet, SSH (2222), HTTP

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Days of Old BBS Telnet/SSH(2222)/Web daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
  • From Clifra Jones@VERT/DOOBBS to Jagossel on Mon Aug 27 08:16:59 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Jagossel to poindexter FORTRAN on Sun Aug 26 2018 09:05 am

    What a way to drive the market, wouldn't you say? I like Office 365 and Microsoft Office, but this drive to "stear" users to be cloud-based only is going to cause them to move away from it (more traffic towards LibreOffice a the like). I believe that there are companies that would prefer on-prem over cloud simply for security reasons.

    So, I'd imagine not every one will want a cloud-based solution.

    I like LibreOffice but unless you have some Linux exposure most people have no idea it exists. What I see now is that a lot of schools require the kids to use some kind of Microsoft Office and of course they provide a student version but at my Grandson's school district you only get 30 days and then have to re-apply.

    I get asked a lot about getting office for home and I tell them about
    the subscription from Microsoft but also direct them to Google which is free or a much cheaper subscription rate.

    Clifra Jones
    Clifra Jones
    Sysop, Days of Old BBS
    Hostname: daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
    Protocols: Telnet, SSH (2222), HTTP

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Days of Old BBS Telnet/SSH(2222)/Web daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
  • From Clifra Jones@VERT/DOOBBS to poindexter FORTRAN on Mon Aug 27 08:28:44 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: poindexter FORTRAN to Jagossel on Sun Aug 26 2018 11:02 am

    Adobe made a big mistake, though - they took their registration infrastructu down not realizing that some clients still used it. I don't know which clien they pissed off, but you can download the entire CS2 suite and serial number for Mac and Windows from their site - with the caveat that you already have license (that won't validate against their decomissioned servers)

    I still use CS2, works like a charm under WINE.

    They pissed of a bunch of clients. We had mutiple licensed copies of Adobe software and then BAM, sorry you need a subscription now. We have moved PDF creation to a tool called BlueBeam now. It is a great product and more targeted towards out industry Heavy Construction.

    Clifra Jones
    Clifra Jones
    Sysop, Days of Old BBS
    Hostname: daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
    Protocols: Telnet, SSH (2222), HTTP

    ---
    þ Synchronet þ Days of Old BBS Telnet/SSH(2222)/Web daysofoldbbs.wilhartsolutions.com
  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to Nightfox on Mon Aug 27 08:36:56 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to poindexter FORTRAN on Sun Aug 26 2018 04:51 pm

    Interesting, I didn't know Microsoft made any of their Office apps for OS/2. I looked it up, and it looks like it's available for download here (though I'm not sure if this download was made legally, if Microsoft opened it up as freeware or abandonware):

    My first corporate gig was at a large home goods store/mail order retailer. We had AS/400s and S/38s running all of the back-end systems, and the front-end, which I helped managed, was all Microcomputer-based. (wow, there's a term from the 90s!)

    The desktops in IT ran OS/2 1.3, the first version with Presentation Manager, the early GUI. We had Excel and Word for OS/2, a 3290 terminal app, and I used Microcom with a modem to connect to a PBX to administer (and to call BBSes when no one was watching...)

    We could run multiple sessions connecting to an AS/400 over Twinax, connect to a MS Lan Manager network and Novell Netware network over Token ring, and have a modem session and office apps running - all on a 386/25 with 8 megs of RAM.

    I was amazed at what we could do, compared to the systems running Windows 3.1, which were mostly able to run Office, a terminal app, and then crash.

    The store setups were more fun - an OS/2 box with a digiboard 16-port serial board, 16 14.4 modems, and a piece of store-and-forward software called excellenet that managed sending PLU files to the stores and receiving time
    card and sales info.

    The stores ran DOS or OS/2, and had timed batch files that connected to the home system to send/receive files, perform maintenance, pass email messages, and restart.

    It all seemed like deja vu, you could have done the whole thing with FTN mailers like Frontdoor or BinkleyTerm of and a private FTN. Except it cost thousands of dollars. :)

    ---
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  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to Clifra Jones on Mon Aug 27 08:46:30 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Clifra Jones to Jagossel on Mon Aug 27 2018 08:16 am

    I get asked a lot about getting office for home and I tell them about
    the subscription from Microsoft but also direct them to Google which is free or a much cheaper subscription rate.

    It might be worth asking them if their companies have a Home Use Program as part of their Microsoft agreement. With those programs, companies who have a microsoft licensing agreement can offer cheap perpetual copies of Office to their employees. I bought a copy of Office 2016 for my home use for $9.95.

    ---
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to poindexter FORTRAN on Mon Aug 27 09:42:03 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: poindexter FORTRAN to Nightfox on Mon Aug 27 2018 08:36 am

    and the front-end, which I helped managed, was all Microcomputer-based. (wow, there's a term from the 90s!)

    Lately on Pinterest, I've seen some vintage computer ads that use the term "microcomputer" and it seems funny now.

    The desktops in IT ran OS/2 1.3, the first version with Presentation Manager, the early GUI. We had Excel and Word for OS/2, a 3290 terminal app, and I used Microcom with a modem to connect to a PBX to administer (and to call BBSes when no one was watching...)

    We could run multiple sessions connecting to an AS/400 over Twinax, connect to a MS Lan Manager network and Novell Netware network over Token ring, and have a modem session and office apps running - all on a 386/25 with 8 megs of RAM.

    I was amazed at what we could do, compared to the systems running Windows 3.1, which were mostly able to run Office, a terminal app, and then crash.

    Yeah, I was sometimes surprised that Windows was the OS that became more popular..

    The stores ran DOS or OS/2, and had timed batch files that connected to the home system to send/receive files, perform maintenance, pass email messages, and restart.

    It all seemed like deja vu, you could have done the whole thing with FTN mailers like Frontdoor or BinkleyTerm of and a private FTN. Except it cost thousands of dollars. :)

    And they want to pay for the expensive solution because if it costs more, it must be better, right? :)

    Nightfox

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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Clifra Jones on Mon Aug 27 09:47:13 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Clifra Jones to Jagossel on Mon Aug 27 2018 08:16 am

    I like LibreOffice but unless you have some Linux exposure most people have no idea it exists. What I see now is that a lot of schools require the kids to use some kind of Microsoft Office and of course they provide a student version but at my Grandson's school district you only get 30 days and then have to re-apply.

    One time someone was asking me about making some flyers on their computer to print out, and they didn't have an office suite. I downloaded & installed LIbreOffice for them, since it's free, and showed how they could use the document editor to arrange graphics and text. If you don't often need full compatibility with MS Office, I think things like LibreOffice and OpenOffice are just fine. I think it's pretty cool that there are things like that available that are free.

    Nightfox

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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to JIMMY ANDERSON on Mon Aug 27 16:11:06 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: JIMMY ANDERSON to MRO on Sat Aug 25 2018 04:26 am

    while.
    having a subscription system allows them to have a steady flow of money which can be an incentive to keep improving the product.

    For reference, see Patreon.com


    isnt that a site for internet beggars?
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Clifra Jones on Tue Aug 28 07:11:00 2018
    On 08-27-18 08:07, Clifra Jones wrote to Jagossel <=-

    I love how software companies cry about piracy. Photoshop would not be
    the defacto standard in that industry of it were not for all those
    pirated copies of Photoshop that those design school students had on
    their computers. Same goes for AutoDesk. They get out of college, get
    jobs and then tell thier employers they need this software and the employer buys multiple licenses. 3 or 4 pirated copies results in many more licensed copies sold.

    Not to mention that's how Windows came to dominate the world - millions of pirated copies of Windows 3.x. :) Today, the only thing that has been able to offer any resistance has been free software (Linux), which has come to dominate the Internet server space, and many niche markets.

    Remember when Internet servers ran OSs like Solaris, BSDi and other flavours of UNIX. Today it seems Linux is the most common one, with a fair number of Windows servers and a bit of *BSD.


    ... Back Up My Hard Drive? I Can't Find The Reverse Switch!
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Clifra Jones on Tue Aug 28 07:16:00 2018
    On 08-27-18 08:16, Clifra Jones wrote to Jagossel <=-

    I like LibreOffice but unless you have some Linux exposure most people have no idea it exists. What I see now is that a lot of schools require

    LibreOffice is very good. I use it on my Linux desktop, and at a non profit, I installed it on the admin desktop, because someone wanted a word processor and spreadsheet, and it certainly wasn't worth getting MS OFfice or Office365.

    I get asked a lot about getting office for home and I tell them about
    the subscription from Microsoft but also direct them to Google which is free or a much cheaper subscription rate.

    I subscribed to Office365 for 100% Office compatibility, which only Microsoft could gusrantee, and I needed at a particular time. If I don't need that, I'll use LibreOffice. In the past, I used to use OpenOffice, but I find LibreOffice seems to be just that bit better.


    ... The computer made me do it!
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  • From Hawkeye@VERT/MASHBBS to Nightfox on Mon Aug 27 19:47:21 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to Hawkeye on Tue Aug 21 2018 12:43:18

    To buy a copy of Office, suppose it costs $100. Then at $6.99/month, it would take about 14 months (just over 1 year) to match the cost to buy it.
    I would normally keep the software installed longer than that, so I think it would be less expensive to just buy it rather than to keep paying a monthly fee to use it.

    That is a Home Premium subscription, which is valid for 5 PCs/5 Macs and unlimited iOS and Android devices. 5 users also have 1 TB OneDrive. I share the account with my wife, parents and sister/brother-in-law. I have PCs and Macs... so... for me it's a no brainer. Also, always up-to-date... I started with 2010/2013 and now running 2016. I like it.

    HAWKEYE

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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Vk3jed on Mon Aug 27 17:10:11 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Clifra Jones on Tue Aug 28 2018 07:11 am

    Not to mention that's how Windows came to dominate the world - millions of pirated copies of Windows 3.x. :)

    I'm not sure software piracy can be fully attributed to why a piece of software comes to dominate the market. I always imagined there were still a lot more paying users than pirate users. Businesses especially need to be careful to have a legitimate paid copy, and there are a lot of businesses using Windows and other popular software. If too many people pirate the software, the company making the software would go out of business. But I have heard anti-piracy is one reason some companies want to go to a model of online use and regular subscription fees. If the user can't physically install the software on their own machine, then they would be forced to pay to use it online.

    Today, the only thing that has been able
    to offer any resistance has been free software (Linux), which has come to dominate the Internet server space, and many niche markets.

    Remember when Internet servers ran OSs like Solaris, BSDi and other flavours of UNIX. Today it seems Linux is the most common one, with a fair number of Windows servers and a bit of *BSD.

    Free software is even easier to copy and use, since you don't have to worry about paying for it. Though, there are companies (such as Red Hat) that offer paid commercial support for some Linux distros, which some companies actually do pay for. I think part of the reason is they consider it worth paying for someone else to continually patch and update the OS so it's updated and protected against the latest security threats, etc.

    Nightfox

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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Vk3jed on Mon Aug 27 17:11:31 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Clifra Jones on Tue Aug 28 2018 07:16 am

    I subscribed to Office365 for 100% Office compatibility, which only Microsoft could gusrantee, and I needed at a particular time. If I don't need that, I'll use LibreOffice. In the past, I used to use OpenOffice, but I find LibreOffice seems to be just that bit better.

    I remember reading that LibreOffice is a fork of OpenOffice, made by a group who wanted more or different features, perhaps faster than the OpenOffice team could provide.

    Nightfox

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  • From Chai@VERT/ECBBS to Hawkeye on Mon Aug 27 20:36:00 2018
    Hawkeye wrote to Nightfox <=-

    That is a Home Premium subscription, which is valid for 5 PCs/5 Macs
    and unlimited iOS and Android devices. 5 users also have 1 TB OneDrive.
    I share the account with my wife, parents and sister/brother-in-law. I have PCs and Macs... so... for me it's a no brainer. Also, always up-to-date... I started with 2010/2013 and now running 2016. I like it.

    $6.99 is the single seat, I believe. It costs us $9.99 for a 5 seat subscription.
    I get Office 365 free of charge (legally), so I use Office for that reason,
    and all the reasons you listed above.


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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Nightfox on Mon Aug 27 22:27:29 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to Vk3jed on Mon Aug 27 2018 05:10 pm

    I'm not sure software piracy can be fully attributed to why a piece of software comes to dominate the market. I always imagined there were still a lot more paying users than pirate users. Businesses especially need to be careful to have a legitimate paid copy, and there are a lot of businesses using Windows and other popular software. If too many people pirate the software, the company making the software would go out of business. But I have heard anti-piracy is one reason some companies want to go to a model of online use and regular subscription fees. If the user can't physically install the software on their own machine, then they would be forced to pay


    it's been studied and proven that people who 'pirate' music and software are also the people who are BUYING the most stuff.

    so with music they also want physical copies and with software they are probably usually trying it before they buy it.
    ---
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Tue Aug 28 19:55:00 2018
    On 08-27-18 17:10, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    I'm not sure software piracy can be fully attributed to why a piece of software comes to dominate the market. I always imagined there were
    still a lot more paying users than pirate users. Businesses especially need to be careful to have a legitimate paid copy, and there are a lot
    of businesses using Windows and other popular software. If too many

    But think about it from a different perspective. Users pirate Windows at school/university, then get a job, and they bring this Windows idea to the workplace. Company looks and thinks it's a good idea and then decides they'd better purchase it. I'm sure that's how it happened in some smaller businesses. Larger companies would have more likely been courted by sales execs who convinced them they needed Windows to boost their productivity. :)

    people pirate the software, the company making the software would go
    out of business. But I have heard anti-piracy is one reason some companies want to go to a model of online use and regular subscription fees. If the user can't physically install the software on their own machine, then they would be forced to pay to use it online.

    From a cost point of view, cloud based apps have the advantage that someone else pays for the maintenance and to fix things if they go wrong. This doesn't apply so much to Office365, because that IS installed on your PC (unless you just use the web version). It looks and feels just like the "standalone" product, except you have to keep paying the subscription fee to be able to keep using it.

    Free software is even easier to copy and use, since you don't have to worry about paying for it. Though, there are companies (such as Red

    Yep, anyone can legally download a copy of Debian, CentOS, Lint, Fedora, etc and install it for free. :)

    Hat) that offer paid commercial support for some Linux distros, which
    some companies actually do pay for. I think part of the reason is they

    Yes, having someone to call when things break is important to larger companies.

    consider it worth paying for someone else to continually patch and
    update the OS so it's updated and protected against the latest security threats, etc.

    For the right businesses, that is worth it.


    ... Chuck Norris can kick a fart back into an ass.
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Tue Aug 28 19:56:00 2018
    On 08-27-18 17:11, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    I remember reading that LibreOffice is a fork of OpenOffice, made by a group who wanted more or different features, perhaps faster than the OpenOffice team could provide.

    That sounds about right, from what I recall.


    ... Brecht's Hierarchy of Needs: Grub first, then ethics.
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Hawkeye on Tue Aug 28 19:59:00 2018
    On 08-27-18 19:47, Hawkeye wrote to Nightfox <=-

    That is a Home Premium subscription, which is valid for 5 PCs/5 Macs
    and unlimited iOS and Android devices. 5 users also have 1 TB OneDrive.
    I share the account with my wife, parents and sister/brother-in-law. I have PCs and Macs... so... for me it's a no brainer. Also, always up-to-date... I started with 2010/2013 and now running 2016. I like it.

    Yep, correct. I think I'm using 3 licenses of my 5 ATM. :) And yes, I like Office365. I've had several updates over the past few years.


    ... The advantage of exercising every day is that you die healthier.
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Vk3jed on Tue Aug 28 09:36:16 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Tue Aug 28 2018 07:55 pm

    But think about it from a different perspective. Users pirate Windows at school/university, then get a job, and they bring this Windows idea to the workplace. Company looks and thinks it's a good idea and then decides they'd better purchase it. I'm sure that's how it happened in some smaller businesses. Larger companies would have more likely been courted by sales execs who convinced them they needed Windows to boost their productivity. :)

    Yeah, I can see how that would work.

    Nightfox

    ---
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  • From Hawkeye@VERT/MASHBBS to Chai on Tue Aug 28 20:46:38 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chai to Hawkeye on Mon Aug 27 2018 20:36:00

    $6.99 is the single seat, I believe. It costs us $9.99 for a 5 seat subscription.
    I get Office 365 free of charge (legally), so I use Office for that reason, and all the reasons you listed above.

    Here in NL you can buy legal the 5 user version for 85 USD (73 euros) which is a bargain for me as we have PCs, Macs, iOS, android devices.

    HAWKEYE

    - MASH BBS - mash4077.ddns.net - The Netherlands -

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  • From Hawkeye@VERT/MASHBBS to Vk3jed on Tue Aug 28 20:52:26 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Hawkeye on Tue Aug 28 2018 19:59:00

    up-to-date... I started with 2010/2013 and now running 2016. I like it.
    Yep, correct. I think I'm using 3 licenses of my 5 ATM. :) And yes, I like Office365. I've had several updates over the past few years.
    I just checked the price I paid.. not 12x9.99 USD but 1 time 85 USD. Legally. I don't auto renew. I use this for the 3rd year I think. Many webshops offer this at least in the Netherlands.

    HAWKEYE

    - MASH BBS - mash4077.ddns.net - The Netherlands -

    ---
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Wed Aug 29 08:40:00 2018
    On 08-28-18 09:36, Nightfox wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Yeah, I can see how that would work.

    I had a similar impact with Linux. I picked up Linux in my own time and brought it to places where I worked afterwards. Two big selling points: 1. It was free, which kept the bean counters happy, and 2. It worked and worked well, especially on older hardware that would otherwise be retired.


    ... Straighten up the house? When did it become tilted?
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  • From Chai@VERT/ASIRTA to Hawkeye on Tue Aug 28 22:31:00 2018
    Hawkeye wrote to Chai <=-

    Here in NL you can buy legal the 5 user version for 85 USD (73 euros) which is a bargain for me as we have PCs, Macs, iOS, android devices.


    That is a good deal.
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  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 29 10:03:08 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Clifra Jones on Tue Aug 28 2018 07:11 am

    Not to mention that's how Windows came to dominate the world - millions of pirated copies of Windows 3.x. :)

    Lots of free copies of SDKs meant lots of Windows developers. Getting an OS/2 SDK took a s-ton of red tape.

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  • From poindexter FORTRAN@VERT/REALITY to Nightfox on Wed Aug 29 10:08:47 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Nightfox to Vk3jed on Mon Aug 27 2018 05:11 pm

    I remember reading that LibreOffice is a fork of OpenOffice, made by a group who wanted more or different features, perhaps faster than the OpenOffice team could provide.

    Sun bought StarOffice, released the open source version as OpenOffice. Oracle bought Sun, started messing with the license and the funding for OpenOffice. Libreoffice forked and has jumped ahead of OO's features.

    Apache is now supporting OpenOffice instead of Oracle, so it'd be nice if they de-fork (?) and join forces.

    ---
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  • From Digital Man@VERT to poindexter FORTRAN on Wed Aug 29 12:12:55 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: poindexter FORTRAN to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 29 2018 10:03 am

    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Clifra Jones on Tue Aug 28 2018 07:11 am

    Not to mention that's how Windows came to dominate the world - millions of pirated copies of Windows 3.x. :)

    Lots of free copies of SDKs meant lots of Windows developers. Getting an OS/2 SDK took a s-ton of red tape.

    I can attest to that. Getting their driver development kit and documentation (thick physical manuals) was a costly pain as well.

    digital man

    Synchronet "Real Fact" #98:
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to poindexter FORTRAN on Wed Aug 29 12:48:02 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: poindexter FORTRAN to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 29 2018 10:03 am

    Not to mention that's how Windows came to dominate the world -
    millions of pirated copies of Windows 3.x. :)

    Lots of free copies of SDKs meant lots of Windows developers. Getting an OS/2 SDK took a s-ton of red tape.

    That was probably a big mistake. An OS needs plenty of good software written for it in order for users to want to use the OS. Also, I had heard that since OS/2 was able to run Windows 3.x software, developers tended to write their apps for Windows so it could run on both platforms, and that helped Windows become more popular.

    Nightfox

    ---
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to poindexter FORTRAN on Thu Aug 30 09:26:00 2018
    On 08-29-18 10:03, poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    Not to mention that's how Windows came to dominate the world - millions of pirated copies of Windows 3.x. :)

    Lots of free copies of SDKs meant lots of Windows developers. Getting
    an OS/2 SDK took a s-ton of red tape.

    Sounds like a good marketing strategy on the part of Microsoft.


    ... Chuck Norris can kick a fart back into an ass.
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Vk3jed on Wed Aug 29 20:11:47 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to poindexter FORTRAN on Thu Aug 30 2018 09:26 am

    Lots of free copies of SDKs meant lots of Windows developers.
    Getting an OS/2 SDK took a s-ton of red tape.

    Sounds like a good marketing strategy on the part of Microsoft.

    I would agree. For an OS to be popular, you want there to be a good choice of software available for it.

    Nightfox

    ---
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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Thu Aug 30 09:36:00 2018
    On 08-29-18 12:48, Nightfox wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-

    Lots of free copies of SDKs meant lots of Windows developers. Getting an OS/2 SDK took a s-ton of red tape.

    That was probably a big mistake. An OS needs plenty of good software written for it in order for users to want to use the OS. Also, I had

    Agree, and lack of apps was the reason I ended up having to drop OS/2 after several years.

    heard that since OS/2 was able to run Windows 3.x software, developers tended to write their apps for Windows so it could run on both
    platforms, and that helped Windows become more popular.

    Most Windows 3.1 apps would work, only those that used VXDs wouldn't run on OS/2. I did that a lot myself. The advent of Win32, with Windows 95 and the resulting conversion of Windows apps to 32 bit was the death knell, because OS/2 couldn't run those.


    ... Chuck Norris can kick a fart back into an ass.
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  • From Matthew Munson@VERT/IUTOPIA to NIGHTFOX on Sat Sep 8 08:54:00 2018
    NIGHTFOX wrote to JIMMY ANDERSON <=-

    I wish Windows still kept its settings in .ini files rather than the registry. It seems that the registry is one thing that can keep growing and growing and become corrupted over the years with software installs
    & un-installs, and ends up contributing to the machine becoming slower
    and other problems over time.
    Planned obsolecence that forces people to buy a new computer over time?
    ... You Can't Fix STUPID, But You Can VOTE IT OUT!
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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Matthew Munson on Sun Sep 9 08:55:14 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Matthew Munson to NIGHTFOX on Sat Sep 08 2018 08:54 am

    you should do a carriage return after your replies.
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Matthew Munson on Sun Sep 9 17:17:50 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Matthew Munson to NIGHTFOX on Sat Sep 08 2018 08:54 am

    I wish Windows still kept its settings in .ini files rather than the
    registry. It seems that the registry is one thing that can keep
    growing and growing and become corrupted over the years with
    software installs & un-installs, and ends up contributing to the
    machine becoming slower and other problems over time.

    Planned obsolecence that forces people to buy a new computer over time?

    You don't have to buy a new computer just to fix that.. You can just re-install Windows.

    Nightfox

    ---
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  • From Digdug@VERT/REALMOI to Vk3jed on Tue Sep 11 06:19:37 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Vk3jed to Nightfox on Mon Aug 27 2018 09:20 pm

    On 08-26-18 16:54, Nightfox wrote to Chai <=-

    @VIA: VERT/DIGDIST
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Chai to Jagossel on Sat Aug 25 2018 10:05 pm

    Month to month subscription models are kind of nice, because you can choose to pay for it only on the months you need it.

    I'd think it might be a bit of a hassle sometimes though. I have Microsoft Office, but I only use it occasionally. I might use it once and then again months later. I'd rather not have to to go pay $5 again just to be able to use it again a couple times. I just want to be able to open the software and use it. Having to go online and pay again also would mean it would rely on me having an interenet connection. I might be using a laptop somewhere where I don't have access to wi-fi.

    The subscription auto renews and the software is installed on your PC. I don't know how often it "phones home" to check the subscription is valid. Updates have been smooth too. I was originally using OpenOffice, but I had to edit an old Word document that the free suites (including GSuite) couldn't format correctly, so I subscribed to Office365. I've also found the 1TB OneDrive to be handy. Now, a few years down the track, the free suites seem to handle .docx files perfectly, as well as .xlsx, but I'm not sure how compatible they are for the older .doc format, which was the one giving trouble.


    ... Swimming: the worse you are at it, the more exercise you get.

    Great line: the worse you are at it, the more excercise you get. ..well said Vk

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  • From Digdug@VERT/REALMOI to Clifra Jones on Tue Sep 11 06:21:40 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Clifra Jones to Jagossel on Mon Aug 27 2018 08:16 am

    Re: Re: Article: Family computers

    Libre Rules

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  • From Digdug@VERT/REALMOI to Clifra Jones on Tue Sep 11 06:23:53 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Clifra Jones to poindexter FORTRAN on Mon Aug 27 2018 08:28 am


    Bluebeam Revu looks amazing

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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Digdug on Tue Sep 11 20:24:00 2018
    On 09-11-18 06:19, Digdug wrote to Vk3jed <=-

    ... Swimming: the worse you are at it, the more exercise you get.

    Great line: the worse you are at it, the more excercise you get. ..well said Vk

    Haha gotta giggle. ;)


    ... Bugs are sons of glitches
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  • From Matthew Munson@VERT/IUTOPIA to NIGHTFOX on Fri Sep 14 11:23:00 2018
    Planned obsolecence that forces people to buy a new computer over time?

    You don't have to buy a new computer just to fix that.. You can just re-install Windows.
    My old Pentium 4 box from 2002 got real stale around 2008. 1gb of ram
    was way too little for most applications after 6 years.

    ---
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  • From Nightfox@VERT/DIGDIST to Matthew Munson on Mon Sep 17 17:12:33 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Matthew Munson to NIGHTFOX on Fri Sep 14 2018 11:23 am

    You don't have to buy a new computer just to fix that.. You can just
    re-install Windows.

    My old Pentium 4 box from 2002 got real stale around 2008. 1gb of ram
    was way too little for most applications after 6 years.

    You can add RAM. But I suppose after that time, you might start wanting to just buy a whole new PC. That said, my current desktop PC is about that old.. I built it in 2011 (I upgraded the processor and put in an SSD a year later), and it still works just fine for what I do. I've thought about building or buying a new desktop PC, but I still don't feel much need to.

    Nightfox

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  • From Vk3jed@VERT/FREEWAY to Nightfox on Wed Sep 19 08:20:00 2018
    On 09-17-18 17:12, Nightfox wrote to Matthew Munson <=-

    You can add RAM. But I suppose after that time, you might start
    wanting to just buy a whole new PC. That said, my current desktop PC
    is about that old.. I built it in 2011 (I upgraded the processor and
    put in an SSD a year later), and it still works just fine for what I
    do. I've thought about building or buying a new desktop PC, but I
    still don't feel much need to.

    I think all I need to do in the near to mid term is upgrade to SSD and maybe add RAM, but that's about it. :)


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  • From Matthew Munson@VERT/IUTOPIA to NIGHTFOX on Sat Nov 10 04:13:00 2018
    You can add RAM. But I suppose after that time, you might start wanting to just buy a whole new PC. That said, my current desktop PC is about that old..
    I built it in 2011 (I upgraded the processor and put in an SSD a year later),
    and it still works just fine for what I do. I've thought about building or buying a new desktop PC, but I still don't feel much need to.
    The box capped out at 1gb of ram. :(
    The one I have now I think can do 64gb max of ram.
    I had a real propritary box where when the power switch wore out it was basically useless. Proporitary mother boards suck.

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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to Matthew Munson on Sun Nov 11 22:20:27 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Matthew Munson to NIGHTFOX on Sat Nov 10 2018 04:13 am

    I had a real propritary box where when the power switch wore out it was basically useless. Proporitary mother boards suck.


    you could have rigged something. the pins for the power connector can accept a switch of some sort.
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  • From apam@VERT/SANDWICH to MRO on Wed Nov 14 00:45:00 2018
    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Matthew Munson to NIGHTFOX on Sat Nov 10 2018 04:13 am

    I had a real propritary box where when the power switch wore out it basically useless. Proporitary mother boards suck.


    you could have rigged something. the pins for the power connector can accept a switch of some sort.

    My PC that has windows on it, it's a generic pc, i built it a while ago.
    But the power switch doesn't work to turn it on, yet it works to put it
    to sleep or turn it off. I can turn it on sometimes if I make the power
    cord arc a bit. I don't know what's going on.

    So I thought I'd share that. Perhaps there is a simple solution.

    Andrew

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  • From MRO@VERT/BBSESINF to apam on Tue Nov 13 17:15:09 2018
    Re: RE: Article: Family computers
    By: apam to MRO on Wed Nov 14 2018 12:45 am

    Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Matthew Munson to NIGHTFOX on Sat Nov 10 2018 04:13 am

    I had a real propritary box where when the power switch wore out it basically useless. Proporitary mother boards suck.


    you could have rigged something. the pins for the power connector can accept a switch of some sort.

    My PC that has windows on it, it's a generic pc, i built it a while ago.
    But the power switch doesn't work to turn it on, yet it works to put it
    to sleep or turn it off. I can turn it on sometimes if I make the power
    cord arc a bit. I don't know what's going on.


    get a new power supply
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  • From Bezelgroth@VERT to MRO on Tue Nov 20 22:24:30 2018
    Re: RE: Article: Family computers
    By: MRO to apam on Tue Nov 13 2018 05:15 pm

    Re: RE: Article: Family computers

    Yes. Getting a new power supply may not be a bad idea.
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  • From apam@VERT/SANDWICH to Bezelgroth on Sat Nov 24 07:59:00 2018
    Re: RE: Article: Family computers
    By: MRO to apam on Tue Nov 13 2018 05:15 pm

    Re: RE: Article: Family computers

    Yes. Getting a new power supply may not be a bad idea.

    I'll try it. The computer runs fine once it's started, it's just getting
    it started that's the problem. I even tried shorting the power button
    pins on the motherboard with a screw driver and it didn't start.

    Andrew

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  • From Starbase@VERT/THEHELIC to Digdug on Tue Dec 18 23:48:11 2018
    Re: Re: Article: Family computers
    By: Digdug to Clifra Jones on Tue Sep 11 2018 06:21 am

    Haven't use libre. Use microsoft office

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