How annoying are computers

[colly]

See above. They're massively overpriced, won't run any useful software 'cos useful's all unfortunately written for windows, and well over half the people I know who've bought one have got rid of it fast, mainly because it won't run any useful software but also because they go wrong. Don't forget, it's Apple so a proprietory system, like windows, with even more tie in to the maker and less software choices.

I long for the day when Linux wins over Windows, but it hasn't happened yet.

Sorry I didn't see that when I posted. Thanks for the warning.

Depends what you do with it. If all you do is web based I actually quite like Chromebooks. If you do more offline stuff I'm afraid Windows still rules the roost for me (and I say this as a Linux user).

I only use it for stuff like this, Cyclechat and for related things like route planning, for pretty basic office functions like quotes, invoices, letters and reports, photos and such, a bit of music. nothing technical.



Oh and porn of course but that's pretty much a given.

 

[PBancroft]

I only use it for stuff like this, Cyclechat and for related things like route planning, for pretty basic office functions like quotes, invoices, letters and reports, photos and such, a bit of music. nothing technical.



Oh and porn of course but that's pretty much a given.

If I were you I would consider either a branded laptop (from Dell, for example) and be prepared to pay a little to get a lappy which would last a fair few years, or grab a new CD drive and fit it... and if your PC is a little old, have a read around what else can be readily and cheaply upgraded (RAM for example) which might make using it a bit better.

Or both, of course. Then you have two computers.

 

[Spinney]

PS it's probably got a bit of dust collected in it - pull the case off the PC, remove the cd unit (if a separate unit) and set the dyson on it.

Our PC needs cleaning out every 6 months or so - it's like a hoover. My fault for building in lots of air flow in it.

I was warned by my local computer repair shop not to put a vaccuum cleaner near the innards of my PC - too much chance of a static discharge damaging components. Use a can of compressed air instead.

(And no, they weren't trying to get more business from me...)

 

[Globalti]

They were probably much more worried about the possibility of you sucking some of the words out of the computer.

 

[summerdays]

I was warned by my local computer repair shop not to put a vaccuum cleaner near the innards of my PC - too much chance of a static discharge damaging components. Use a can of compressed air instead.

Mr Summerdays has been sticking the vacuum cleaner in for years ... probably in a controlled manner. Last week he dismantled the kids computer (for a bit of a reshuffle, clean and trying to reduce power consumption) and discovered the fan was so clogged that the dust fell of the fan in clumps, all fan blade shaped! I would think that compressed air would send the dust further in unless you were taking the computer apart to clean.

 

[colly]

I'll give it a blast with the air line from my compressor.

 

[Red Light]

But only if you want to pay 20 times what it's worth and have even more problems than you would running a PC (or at least that's the experience everyone I know who's bought one has had!).

I switched to a MacBook Air because of its lightness and portability but have found its just as bad as a PC running Windows for bugs and things crashing but in different ways. But you can't mention it on a Mac forum and expect to live.

 

[Archie_tect]

See above. They're massively overpriced, won't run any useful software 'cos useful's all unfortunately written for windows, and well over half the people I know who've bought one have got rid of it fast, mainly because it won't run any useful software but also because they go wrong. Don't forget, it's Apple so a proprietory system, like windows, with even more tie in to the maker and less software choices.

I long for the day when Linux wins over Windows, but it hasn't happened yet.

I've always used Macs in the office and used Macbook laptops which run the 3D modelling architectural software we use- never had one go wrong but the 2 pcs I've had in that time often crashed without any obvious reason.
I suppose it's what you are used to.

 

[Red Light]

See above. They're massively overpriced, won't run any useful software 'cos useful's all unfortunately written for windows, and well over half the people I know who've bought one have got rid of it fast, mainly because it won't run any useful software but also because they go wrong. Don't forget, it's Apple so a proprietory system, like windows, with even more tie in to the maker and less software choices.

Not quite true. I switched from PC to Mac and although there is a steep learning curve and the need to buy all new software in the Mac version there is limited stuff that I cannot run equivalents on the Mac and what I can't I run on Windows running in Parallels (not that much after a few months) All that costs though. But the way I got here when deciding whether to replace my old lappie with a new one is Apple have a 14 days returns policy so you can take one away, use it for 13 days and if you don't get on with it return it. Its not a cheap option though - simple cable adapters start at around £25 and spare chargers £65 because you have to buy the Apple ones.

 

[Red Light]

If I were you I would consider either a branded laptop (from Dell, for example)

My daughters' Dells were dreadful. After a year both batteries were completely dead and after two years of mostly desktop use they were falling apart before terminally failing in the same way within weeks of each other.

 

[Dan B]

I only use it for stuff like this, Cyclechat and for related things like route planning, for pretty basic office functions like quotes, invoices, letters and reports, photos and such, a bit of music. nothing technical.

If "a bit of music" is "playing music" (as opposed to "recording/composing music" or "running itunes")[*], you probably wouldn't have much trouble doing any or all of that with Ubuntu Linux. By all means stick to Windows if you'd rather not fiddle with stuff, but the option is there.

[*] which I'm sure is possible somehow but I predict will be a bit of a faff to get going

 

[Melonfish]

PS it's probably got a bit of dust collected in it - pull the case off the PC, remove the cd unit (if a separate unit) and set the dyson on it.

Our PC needs cleaning out every 6 months or so - it's like a hoover. My fault for building in lots of air flow in it.

Good gods NO!

you NEVER vacuum a PC the nozzle builds static elastic trickery and can fry circuits!
as for dell... if i was offered the choice of a free dell pc or having my left testicle removed without anaesthetic or even sharp implements i would in fact choose to have my testicle removed.
nuff said.

 

[XmisterIS]

I tell you one way to really drive somebody mental ...

I did this to my Mother who is a bit of a know-nothing when it comes to computers.

It works very nicely on Windows XP, here's instructions that anyone can follow:

1) Minimise all the windows.

2) Press CTRL + Shift + Print Screen (button to the right of F12 at the top of the keyboard).

3) Go to START -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Paint. The Paint program will open.

4) In Paint, choose edit -> paste. Then choose File -> Set As Background (Centered).

5) Right-click on the taskbar (blue strip at the bottom of the screen, contains the green start menu button).

6) In the dialog box that appears, click properties -> taskbar -> auto-hide the taskbar.

7) Close Paint (click "no" if it asks if you want to save the file).

8) Retire to an innocuous position, and wait for the victim to return to the PC.

9) Remain as straight-faced as possible while the victim goes absolutely mental, hammering the keyboard and mouse, screaming obscenities at the computer because it apparently won't work.

What makes it even better is that the effect remains even after they've ripped the plug out of the wall in a fit of rage, slammed it back in, and sat there, seething, while the computer boots up again ...

 

[coffeejo]

I tell you one way to really drive somebody mental ...

I did this to my Mother who is a bit of a know-nothing when it comes to computers.

It works very nicely on Windows XP, here's instructions that anyone can follow:

1) Minimise all the windows.

2) Press CTRL + Shift + Print Screen (button to the right of F12 at the top of the keyboard).

3) Go to START -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Paint. The Paint program will open.

4) In Paint, choose edit -> paste. Then choose File -> Set As Background (Centered).

5) Right-click on the taskbar (blue strip at the bottom of the screen, contains the green start menu button).

6) In the dialog box that appears, click properties -> taskbar -> auto-hide the taskbar.

7) Close Paint (click "no" if it asks if you want to save the file).

8) Retire to an innocuous position, and wait for the victim to return to the PC.

9) Remain as straight-faced as possible while the victim goes absolutely mental, hammering the keyboard and mouse, screaming obscenities at the computer because it apparently won't work.

What makes it even better is that the effect remains even after they've ripped the plug out of the wall in a fit of rage, slammed it back in, and sat there, seething, while the computer boots up again ...

 

[Red Light]

as for dell... if i was offered the choice of a free dell pc or having my left testicle removed without anaesthetic or even sharp implements i would in fact choose to have my testicle removed.
nuff said.

Here, have two Dells