Posted on 08/15/2016 5:46:00 PM PDT by Fai Mao
Microsoft is doing everything it can make me an Apple customer - except that Apple, in my experience is just as bad with customer service and more expensive.
I turned on my main computer, not the old laptop I am typing on now, this morning and was greeted with a request for a user name and password for a Microsoft Live account. I didn't even know I had a Microsoft live account. Something in the updates must have activated it. So, I powered up the trusty Acer Aspire with Windows 7 laptop and tried to look up the unwanted Microsoft Live account so that I could reset the password. The message I received was: "Your account has been temporarily suspended due to suspicious activity." I beg your pardon? How can there be activity on an account I didn't know I had? There was no way that I could reactivate the account without having a text sent to a cell phone and using that text message to unlock the account. I am of the firm belief that message texting (rather than money) is the root of all evil and do not even own a cell phone so I can't get a text. I called a friend and used his cell phone number. I entered everything and the computer booted, then restarted, froze, restarted again and then crashed. The disk is unrecoverable.
Not being an idiot I do not keep important documents on the internal hard-drive so I won't lose anything important but what a pain! The end result of two hours of calling a friend and going through the rigamarole and virtual hoops that I had to electronically jump through was that Microsoft Live took a machine that was working well, and did everything I needed it to do, and caused it to need a new hard drive. Thanks Microsoft, a new hard drive is just what I wanted to buy today anyway!
Years ago I took several online courses and became a certified Red Hat Linux technician because the school where I worked was talking of switching the school's machines to Linux. The switch would have saved a not inconsiderable amount of money on OS and WP programs. They didn't switch but I had the certificate anyway. I've not moved my home server to Linux because of, well; (smirk) computer games. Since most of my games are now on Steam and Steam is compatible with a Linux system that wouldn't be a problem and, other than games there is almost nothing I can do on a Microsoft platform that I can't do just as easily on a Linux program for less money. I could also setup a dual boot system with a Windows XP or Windows7 for the few things that Linux won't do. It may be time for Unbutu in my home system.
There are days I miss my Commodore-64
The default browser is Edge and lots of people have had similar complaints about connecting to their web-based email accounts through Edge.
You can access IE by clicking the Start button and typing Internet Explorer into the box. Or install Firefox or my personal favorite Pale Moon.
My first Mac lasted 15 years until the electric company sent a spike that killed the power supply. I could replace the PS fer cheap, but bought an iMac. love it! Easy user machine. My lady friend has a Dell running Windows. It’s a PITA!
You will need to wait for Apple to sell a computer that isn’t 5 years or older technology at a high price.
At this point, the MacBook is a really overpriced iPad that doesn’t have a touchscreen
http://qz.com/756330/at-this-point-the-macbook-is-a-really-overpriced-ipad-that-doesnt-have-a-touchscreen/?utm_source=YPL&yptr=yahoo
One thing that I learned the hard way with Win-10 is to establish a local account that isn’t tied to Microsoft. This will always give you a backdoor into your machine no matter what shenanigans Microsoft pulls.
Make sure it has admin rights and make sure you don’t forget the password.
I bought a reburbished Apple MacBook from Apple recently for my wife, to replace her 2006 MacBook (still going strong but she wanted the newer O/S). We saved a lot of money, even then the refurbished laptop was completely wrapped and boxed just like a new product off the shelf. As mentioned, covered by full warranty. And it works great. I have purchased used Macs from 3rd parties at great discounts, bundled with software, and have nothing but good experiences with the items. My go-to machine is a Mac Mini Server fully loaded, also came with $1800 worth of software, and I paid $600 for it. You can save a lot of money buying refurbished from Apple, or buying used machines from sellers upgrading to newer machines (my seller left the software intact for my use when he wiped personal data).
Turn OFF Windows Update.
Right click on the Start button then click on Control Panel> Administrative Tools> Services> Standard tab (at bottom) > Windows Update> double click to open> Startup type: Disabled then Apply
When you have a backup of your files you can turn on Windows Update and check if the updates cause any issues.
I would want NEITHER the benz nor the apple, for many reasons.
I don’t really have that much problem with Apple other than the attitude of some apple users. They are a bit pricey and they don’t really last any longer but if they float your boat then great. I do know having used them in an educational setting that their customer service is no better than Microsoft
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