windows – TruXter Tech

Why Was Windows 10 Free?

Posted on2015/08/012015/11/11AuthorTruXterLeave a comment

Why was Windows 10 Free? Why did they give us a free Windows operating system?
Well if you are skeptical like any person who has been duped into a service for longer than they’d like, you’d compare it to a drug dealer at a school giving kids a free sample. because a return customer is always right around the corner.
Look at the free windows 10 as a migration towards reoccurring revenue. If you are just renting the operating system, and just renting the apps, and renting the storage space (cloud) you will have no option but to stay because you’d be kind of stuck.
Once you’ve made a few payments, you’re already invested in this thing that will never pay off. Kinda like reddit Karma. Or world of warcraft addiction. You paid to play, you play because you paid, your score went up you got cool additional stuff for being so invested. Now you have higher score may as well pay to keep your game going, oh look! … an expansion pack, but damn I have to upgrade my tiny little service because it isn’t compatible and people will think I’m cheap.

Meanwhile you will be hogging down bandwidth and your isp will force you to pay more for larger cap.

Now you’re really $%^&ing invested. but you’ll buy a windows phone because it lets you sync your nifty gif making apps with your phone now. Well, it is all apps and cloud based. So you have to up that bandwidth level too.
Now you are super $%^&ing invested.
Now Microsoft made their “scary announcement” today. “This is the last Window Ever” (here on forbes). Then tell you it isn’t over just going to be “different” meaning more like a pay-to-play operating system.

Software makers will get more out of their leases for rights to design items for Microsoft, but instead of paying up front, Microsoft will take it out of each payment from every windows user who uses the purchased APPS. that’s right, apps. Cloud based programs that you can’t use if your internet goes down.

Here’s something I posted up about 5 years ago on the topic telling people it would be like this soon. Yeah the responses I got were pretty hateful.

Microsoft Moving us to the Cloud

Sure some people could enjoy it, but not everyone. Let’s make it a choice please. Just have two brand new Microsoft operating systems at a time. The one made by Microsoft and sold to the public, and the open source one.

Windows 10 Upgrade – How it Went

Posted on2015/07/302015/08/02AuthorTruXterLeave a comment

(Give a like and share with a friend who needs this info please, I don’t have $100000 pr team, it’s just me here)
First I had a friend send me a link to Microsoft’s site where they explain how to install.
So no.. I never got the notification that the update/upgrade said
Here’s the link to the Windows 10 download. Be sure to read everything and make sure you have every piece of requested and required information and meet all requirements before moving on.
I have the end user license agreement available in pdf form.
I followed the instructions on that page, got my serial key ready and plugged in a dvd and a usb (belt and suspenders) and downloaded the media creation tool for my system, and just installed and hit the “next” button maybe three times. If that.

after about 35 minutes of downloading and 20 minutes of finalizing

For your Nvidia video cards, let windows update your drivers, it may take a few minutes but just let windows handle it.

: Download of Windows 10

: Windows 10 Install Screen

: Left screen start menu

: Right Screen Start Menu

Cool thing is I have been running dual monitors for a little while, so when the computer booted up, I had not one but two start menus and it is not a cloned desktop. Desktop icons right where I left them before the upgrade.
I did my run through of tests.
Run:
GIMP
AutoCAD
Photoshop
Adobe CS3

Nothing had a hang up.
Next will be a few more tests (to be added later) and then I will try and uninstall/roll back my operating system back to Windows 7.

The Cons:
windows 10 okay, nothing spectacular other than dual start menus when you have two monitors. after that…. bleh..
Taskbar looks a bit like the fake taskbars we’d put on windows 3.1
Redmond ? Whirling dervish? or Caldera skin? what was it called?
Start menu is a bit lacking. and please let’s not change the word “program” to “App” even if you are trying to force us to buy cloud space for the “apps” that we already paid for, for our 2 tb store bought personal hard drives.

Microsoft Internet Explorer seems to still be there.
and windows 10 still calls for it

: Explorer gets used

: Open With IE

: Edge is there

Now this could just be because I am on an upgrade instead of a full install of windows 10. Uncertain as of yet. Wait for a few more updates.

Finally found Control Panel type stuff

Just right click the start menu and you will see many of the control panel functions.

Settings for EDGE

Edge Settings

Mostly the same as Firefox, top right of teh browser. You can also change the color of your browser there.

Why was windows 10 free?

Java 8 not compatible with Windows Xp

Posted on2015/06/08AuthorTruXter1 Comment

Xp users, your days are numbered.
You will soon be finding more and more software not working with your computer.
This being said, I have to say the most taboo statement in computer Tech world…. Probably a good idea to stop doing updates to items on your Xp computer.
Java 8 installation now tells you that is no longer compatible with your operating system but still says “if you wanna try it go ahead, don’t blame us though” in a round about way.
To be exact:
Java 8 requires a newer version of Windows. You may continue with the installation, but for Java to work as specified we recommend upgrading your operating system. Please refer to http://java.com/sysreq

Something tells me it will be just a year or two before we start getting this notice on windows vista and windows 7.

Budget Build

Posted on2015/03/13AuthorTruXterLeave a comment

my boss had a customer he needed to make happy so he gave me an exact budget to stay in. I had two stores to pick parts from. But get better office points if I can save time by going to just one for the computer parts.

as you can see I was up to the challenge.
The person already had their Monitors and keyboards and Speakers, Quickbooks, and Windows 7. My duty was to just build a tower that can withstand the daily office use of quickbooks, and other office tasks.
Me being the wiser know there will be some Youtube going on. I build this machine to stand against most office employees.
$750 was the challenge.
I build the ultimate work computer.
On someone else’s budget of course.

DVR-SH-224DB/BEBE	Black Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE 24x SATA Internal DVD Burner, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 12x DVD-RAM, 1.5MB Buffer, w/o Software. OEM	1	16.99
MB-H81M-E	ASUS H81M-E LGA1150 uATX Motherboard, Intel H81 Chipset, Supports Intel 4th Generation Core i7/i5/i3 Haswell CPUs, Dual DDR3 1600, Gigabit LAN, SATA III, USB 3.0, 8ch HD Audio, DVI	1	529.95
CPU-BX80646I54430	*Add Add Processor == Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz 22nm(+189.99)	1
DIMM-997026	*Add DDR3 Memory == One 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600 Mushkin 997026(+45.99)	1
SOFT-T5D-01575	*Add Office Suite == Microsoft Office 2013 Home / Business T5D-01575(+181.99)	1
HD-ST1000DM003	*Add SATA Hard Drive == One 1TB SATA 6Gb/s 3.5in Seagate ST1000DM003(+54.99)	1
CS-PA06-LF	Black Ark Technology PA06-LF Mid-Tower ATX Computer Case, with 500W PS2 Power Supply, Front USB 2.0 and; Audio	1	39.99






Subtotal			586.93
Coupon			-11.74
Subtotal			575.19
Tax			47.45
Total			622.64

Why Microsoft is Heading to windows 8 Direction

Posted on2012/12/292012/12/30AuthorTruXter

Because they can sell Microsoft tablets and phones.
Microsoft was taken to court by Apple/Macintosh years ago for infringement. Microsoft’s saving grace was they said they are only selling software, Windows is an operating system not a computer. So, Microsoft is a software company not a computer company. Notice they didn’t say “Not a hardware company”. A tablet technically isn’t a computer.

So if Microsoft can get you to enjoy their operating system on your pc. Then they have a chance of creating their own “Computer Tablet” and calling it a windows computer.

Now if Microsoft can get rid of the typo issue of touch screen keyboards, and somehow reinventing the scroll wheel function of a mouse on a touch screen monitor, then they have a fighting chance. The main issue is the design software most power users use would be murder on a touch screen without a scroll wheel and a the third button function of a scroll wheel on a mouse.

So if it comes down to the only way to Microsoft is through a tablet, some of us would have to step down and install linux with WINE so we can still use my programs that currently only work with Windows. Autocad, Magix Music, Etc.

Trying Different Operating Systems

Posted on2012/12/012012/12/08AuthorTruXter

I have had my share of Microsoft operating systems, and I am not about to jump into a 2002 looking os like windows 8
So I am going through 5 different Operating systems on the Linux build. Downloaded them fresh today. Of course I did the Torrent download of each (if available) to prevent any issues of dropped service anywhere.
With the testing of each of these operating systems, I will be testing my every day tasks. and this will be in live boot mode if possible. If not then I will have to snap something together to test the full installation.
Part of this test will consist of me just doing every day in commands. Such as logging into facebook and reddit to comment. Taking a screenshot. Using the calculator button (a button that requests the calculator to pop up) on my keyboard. Email button on the keyboard. Web browser button and volume buttons on my keyboard. To see what is going to work the easiest.
Mint 14 64 bit
Mageia 2 64 bit
Kubuntu 12.04 64 bit
Xubuntu 12.10 64 bit
Fedora 17 64 bit

Trying Linux mint for my first time.

This is a test of Mint live

Not too bad

Mint looks a bit bland, almost Windows vista-ish. Square, no Opaque as far as I have seen yet. but start up was simi fast and drivers right out of the disk run me pretty well.

First linux cut that doesn’t make my mouse act weird (scroll wheel too fast or slow or pointer too fast too slow etc)
Images look right as if latest Nvidia drivers are in disk.
Taskbar menu has many of the usual items found in linux . The items you kind of need . VLC player, G.I.M.P., Libre Office (i guess no one uses open office anymore?)
All of my keyboard shortcut buttons worked.

Review scoring of mint
looks: 6/10
function 10/10
drivers: 10/10
speed: 9/10

Over all scoring of Mint: 8.75/10

fedora

This is a test of fedora live
again, right out of the Live dick, nice fast load. Clean load. a big odd on the mouse but nothing terrible. Images look great, no anti-aliasing issues. Task bar at top with the android looking shortcuts at the bottom of the screen, I don’t like that. Too much real estate wasted when you open a browser and see half an inch of screen not being used. again no Opaque, everything is boxy.

Probably not the operating system for me.
Might do wonders for you but fedora is not what I am looking for.
Libre office again on this one.
None of my keyboard shortcut buttons worked.

Review scoring of fedora
looks: 3/10
function 8/10
drivers: 10/10
speed: 9/10

Over all scoring of fedora: 7.5/10

Kubuntu

This is a test of Kubuntu Live
Now this feels like a complete operating system. Everything has a nice sharp look to it. Mouse movement is a bit slower. and scroll wheel is a tad more sluggish, but that’s only after using two other operating systems first. So my opinion may be swerved from the feel of the others. Menu is a bit empty Lybre is there again. yet another operating system not using open office. Why the sudden disinterest in Open Office? but the whole taskbar in it’s self is very nice. Widgets add with ease and look great.
None of my keyboard shortcut buttons worked. never found the calculator so I could tally my review score.. -1 point. So I used my phone.After a complete install of Kubuntu, it’s hard to get wifi drivers if you didn’t do the install while hard wire lan connected to the internet. If you are not connected to the internet when installing, it’s also hard to connect to the internet. Wifi set up has no useful “scan for nearest connection” option at all.

Review scoring of Kubuntu
looks: 10/10
function 8/10
drivers: 10/10
speed: 9/10

Over all scoring of Kubuntu: 9.25/10

Xubuntu
This is a test of Xubuntu live
Xubuntu has a look and feel. Much better than the first two operating systems. and some o the look and feel of Kubuntu. Menu was easy to navigate, found the calculator right away and the screenshot program right away. Browsing the web, some pages hung up for a moment. Mouse is quick, scroll wheel is quick. If I just wanted a live boot it would have to Xubuntu, the boot up was half the time of the other operating systems.

None of my keyboard shortcut buttons worked.
Which is kind of a let down for me. After a complete install of Xubuntu, it’s hard to get wifi drivers if you didn’t do the install while hard wire lan connected to the internet. If you are not connected to the internet when installing, it’s also hard to connect to the internet. Wifi set up has no useful “scan for nearest connection” option at all.

Review scoring of Xubuntu
looks: 7/10
function 8/10
drivers: 10/10
speed: 7/10

Over all scoring of Xubuntu: 8/10

Mageia
This is a test of Mageia live
Web browsing, default fonts, wow, not from the typical/traditional choice.
Never found the calculator. So I am using my phone to tally up the score this one -1 point. Libre office again.

For what it’s worth this is a decent operating system.
I mean I could let my mother use Mageia and not have to worry about showing her much, but same with the rest of the operating systems listed on this page. but it does look better than most here. Some of it is a bit bland. pages freeze up from time to time, and editing in wordpress is a nightmare. Kept placing bold font in places I didn’t even ask for bold font.
Didn’t do that with any of the other operating systems tested.

Review scoring of Mageia
looks: 9/10
function 5/10
drivers: 8/10
speed: 7/10

Over all scoring of Mageia:7.25/10

Of the five operating systems. I find it kind of a toss up between Mint and Kubuntu. Mint seems to have all that I need, but Kubuntu has the nice sharp look I want in an operating system. Let’s see what happens when I throw a hard drive in one of the spare computers laying around and I get to test out Mageia.
*update, found the live disk for Mageia*

Mageia. Seems okay, looks nice. KDE version
bit of a load issue when switching apps . some drivers not found.

Looks like Kubuntu for the win. just a bitch locating anything in the menu.
even over mint. Mint is fast and has excellent drivers, just looks somewhere pre-windwos 95 and that bugs me

So. Mageia, not there yet. but looks great. just don’t do anything or you will see the issues.
Something I do like though.

What is Windows 8

Posted on2012/11/06AuthorTruXter

Windows 8 is an operating system that is the beginning and the open door to a future of apps based entertainment. The bandwidth using type of apps. Apps that half of the software is instal;ed on your computer while the rest of the “program” is served in the cloud (on multiple servers, functioning sort of like how Kazaa worked. Sort of how a torrent worked. but not really.

Windows 8 is promoted sold as a revolutionary design that is about to change the way we use computers.

but that is far from the truth
The look of windows 8, screams the colors of windows XP. Very cartoonish. The look is a bit of a step back from Windows 7.
The missing taskbar, should have been the alternative option, since back when 3.1 moved to windows 95. Oddly enough, over the past three patches to windows xp, Microsoft has removed the program-manager (aka progman.exew has been stripped and neutralized), so you can’t even mimic Windows 8 on a computer that can actually work the exact same tasks.
The squares instead of shortcuts on the desktop, a bit Brady Bunch .
Windows 8 is designed to mimic the failed operating system of a failed cell phone. My only true gut feeling is windows 8 is designed for the ignorant and not tech savvy, and for the promotion and sell of their windows phones and tablets.

Are you ready to jump to Windows 8 yet?

Posted on2012/10/232012/10/23AuthorTruXter

[poll id=”26″]
What measures have you taken to prepare yourself for the best Windows 8 transition experience possible?
Have you purchased a touch screen capable monitor?
Have you bought the latest motherboard,processor,memory and Solid state hard drive?

Yeah, me either.
Maybe I will wait a couple years for the computers to start shipping with windows 8 already on them. Not the ones that say “Windows 8 ready” or “windows 8 upgrade for free”. The machines built for Windows 8.

Typically when the new operating systems come out, we find later that current hardware is less than able to run the operating systems and soon after come new and improved hardware. Most often is ram/memory. but the inevitable is processor. with a new CPU it’s usually a good idea to get a new motherboard also. or you will be left behind.

The part you have to prepare for is, what is available now, at it’s max is usually just barely above minimum requirements of what ever software or operating system that has just been released. Like say, ddr2 memory was the highest we had when Vista came out. That memory capped out in it’s time at 2 gigs per stick. many motherboards have only two slots. Wouldn’t you know it, 4 gigs memory is optimal for windows 7. That’s not how it was announced but that’s what we have come to learn on our own. This will be the same case with windows 8. Now with Windows 7 out we have DDR3. Which has a cap of what I think is 8 gigs per stick. Count on DDR5 becoming the common with in the next year, and the first bloat pack (service pack) coming out and everyone realizing that new optimal for windows 8 will be crazy high like 8 gigs. best performance 32 gigs.

So hold out on your upgrade to any new operating system for a few months. let the new hardware come out. Let the first few updates come out. Let the internet swell with complaints. Don’t buy parts until you see the crying stop. Prices should level out to a fair cost. If you buy any parts or computers now, you are basically buying off the junk that the stores are trying to get off their shelves. They too know how it works. Every single time.

Fear Monger
Basically, based on past experience, if you are running DDR2 or older, you will be left behind. That mouse of yours is antiquated, and that video card you have that is the top of the line, is now ….. just cute. That 250 gig spinning hard drive will be pointless. Of course because the numbers are higher on everything, we will bloat out our videos and music. Count on songs becoming 1 gig minimum. So that one TB hard drive you have in the external case, will be antiquated, 50 TB hard drives coming with in the next two years. Easily. (not easy task, but is a must). Well at this rate . What does this mean? It means your 250 gigs a month cap from Comcast, will easily be reached. Your 2 gig cap from at&t is less than laughable now. Just wait until ALL of your software is apps based and you begin to agree that cloud storage is the only logical option. That 250 gigs a month will be less than a week to break.

This of course is one hundred percent plausible fiction.

but as always. Software should always excel hardware. That’s how we evolve. If not for something to push the hardware to be better, faster, stronger, we would be complacent. We would not innovate. When we have greater speeds and storage, we can then come up with ideas that seemed farfetched and impossible.

I admit that I am currently satisfied with Windows 7, fearful of what Windows 8 could mean, and skeptical of any positive claims we see in the next 5 months of Windows 8.

So no.. I am not ready.

About Windows Patches and Service Packs

Posted on2012/03/05AuthorTruXter

Windows Update has always been a great offer from Microsoft. You can just click a shortcut and install teh latest drivers that have been accepted by Microsoft, for your computer. Along with driver updates, you also get software patches and security patches. Many of these updates could very well be needed. And with lots of Microsoft software, You can not use the software without having automatic updates turned on.

The issues I have, is that your computer is constantly checking for update, or on set specific dates you have automatic updates configured to always check. Usually found control panel, but labeled differently depending on what version of windows you are using. If you have an internet provider with a limited monthly bandwidth, automatic updates could cause some issues. I have been using windows since 3.11, and since updates came about, I found that my computers always run their best and their fastest when I do a fresh install, turn off automatic updates and personally go to all manufacturer sites and get the drivers myself. So far the only operating system service pack I have ever used that worked well, was xp service 3. The first two patches nearly left my computers (at the times) crawling and needing upgrades just to continue being useable.

I don’t believe that every security patch scare is for the reason they claim. Otherwise they would fully announce that windows genuine advantage, actually gave you a genuine advantage.

If I can’t use software I paid for, with updates turned off, then I will not buy any products form that provider again. Easier explained, I have wine installed to my Linux partition so I can run some tools along side of some of the Linux tools I have, and well, without some of what the software may be looking for, it will not run.

I claim that from here on out, I will never buy software that forces me to turn on automatic updates. I enjoy my computer running at full speed. You can do what ever you feel safe with.