I Want to Keep Windows 7 Forever

Lady Fitzgerald · 31 Dec 2019

msalton1 said:

I run a business. One serious problem that has kept me from switching over to Linux is that Quickbooks doesn't have a Linux version, nor does my customer/invoicing database (Likely win 10 won't support it either). Linux doesn't have a program that can stack up to QB. I could run QB in a VM, I guess, but I hate VMs. Performance is never satisfactory.

There will be people who will not be able to use Linux for reasons like yours (I don't work for a living anymore oi I'm not tied to those limitations). However, in many of those cases, it may be possible to accomplish what one was doing in Windows but with a completely different work flow.

An example is I create multipage .tif files in Win 7 using a graphics program called Irfranview. I searched all over for a graphics program for Linux but found bupkis. However, I discovered (purely by accident) a word processing program Libre OfficeWriter which I was already using in Win 7, had the ability to export documents you are making into various image files, including multipage PDFs, and is even easier to use. I use a PDF program to read the .tif files instead of Irfanview (again, easier).

The point of that anecdote is, just becasue you can't find a Linux program that is a direct replacement for a Windows program, doesn't mean it can't be done. Often, thinking outside the box and changing your workflow will get you the results you need.

msalton1 · 31 Dec 2019

Lady Fitzgerald said:

There will be people who will not be able to use Linux for reasons like yours (I don't work for a living anymore oi I'm not tied to those limitations). However, in many of those cases, it may be possible to accomplish what one was doing in Windows but with a completely different work flow.

An example is I create multipage .tif files in Win 7 using a graphics program called Irfranview. I searched all over for a graphics program for Linux but found bupkis. However, I discovered (purely by accident) a word processing program Libre OfficeWriter which I was already using in Win 7, had the ability to export documents you are making into various image files, including multipage PDFs, and is even easier to use. I use a PDF program to read the .tif files instead of Irfanview (again, easier).

The point of that anecdote is, just becasue you can't find a Linux program that is a direct replacement for a Windows program, doesn't mean it can't be done. Often, thinking outside the box and changing your workflow will get you the results you need.

I agree that workarounds can be found for most things, and where not, sometimes acceptance is the only solution. My Customer/invoice database is a bit old in the tooth (Lotus Approach) and I've known that I will need to do something different soon regardless. I've been fortunate that I've been able to use it this long (I first installed it on Win 3.1!).

But in the case of QB, there's no getting around it. A switch to Linux will mean a serious reduction in function/features that are mandatory for my business. That is, unless I choose to have an accountant do my books, which I'm not willing to do.

But you're absolutely right in that workarounds are possible for most things in life. One that I can envision is keeping QB on an offline win 7 machine and using Linux to connect to the bank site, download the QBO file to USB key and move it to the Win 7 machine. This isn't possible for all banks (CitiCard, for example, doens't provide downloads, only direct opening into QB or Quicken), but in that case, I just reduce my usage of that card and do manual entries.

Regardless, the inevitability is that I will be married to win 7 for quite some time, even if I have to keep it offline and jump through hoops to make it work.

Thanks for the reminder that we will do what we must. We are limited only by our perspective.

Lance1 · 31 Dec 2019

cornemuse said:

Yeah, and you left your privacy behind, & freedom, among a few other things.

I also forgot to mention that I shut Telemetry down. I have no forced updates. I install only what is needed nothing more I'm in control of that. I disabled Cortana via the registry. Microsoft's little spy girl... I'm still working on some issue but in the end I will be the one who's in control of my system and not M$. Thy'll have only what I give them, if anything at all. And my system will echo the sound of silence to M$. A little poetic I know...

Lady Fitzgerald · 31 Dec 2019

Even if I was willing to jump through the hoops to get Win 10 to behave itself, MS keeps changing Win 10. After all th stunts MS has been pulling the last few years, I just don't trust them any further than I can spit upwind in a Class 5 hurricane anymore.

Also, subtly inch by inch, MS is heading toward a subscription based service with intrusive advertising, not to mention cloud based computing, which are things I will not accept. Adobe went to a cloud based subscription service. Adobe is now dead to me and I've found suitable replacements for their products I had used (heck, the ones I'm using now are even better and a whole lot less expensive).

RolandJS · 31 Dec 2019

LadyF, could you start a thread about the affected adobe products? I will certainly join you there.

Lance1 · 31 Dec 2019

Lady Fitzgerald said:

Even if I was willing to jump through the hoops to get Win 10 to behave itself, MS keeps changing Win 10. After all th stunts MS has been pulling the last few years, I just don't trust them any further than I can spit upwind in a Class 5 hurricane anymore.

Also, subtly inch by inch, MS is heading toward a subscription based service with intrusive advertising, not to mention cloud based computing, which are things I will not accept. Adobe went to a cloud based subscription service. Adobe is now dead to me and I've found suitable replacements for their products I had used (heck, the ones I'm using now are even better and a whole lot less expensive).

But that's the difference between you and me. I find it a challenge.. I love a challenge.. To try my best to counter M$ and there backdoor tactics to get yours and my private information to serve there own means. Don't get me wrong. I'm not that smart but! Since 10's inception I started following it and also certain individuals in the know. If you know what I mean. Cloud Based Computing?? That's a whole new ball game... We're not there..YET! So at my age I won't consider it because WHEN it dose come into play.. I wont be here!

Lance1 · 31 Dec 2019

Lance1 said:

I also forgot to mention that I shut Telemetry down. I have no forced updates. I install only what is needed nothing more I'm in control of that. I disabled Cortana via the registry. Microsoft's little spy girl... I'm still working on some issue but in the end I will be the one who's in control of my system and not M$. Thy'll have only what I give them, if anything at all. And my system will echo the sound of silence to M$. A little poetic I know...

I'm quoting my own post.. WOW.. If your are interested in securing Win 10 look into this little app.

WPD Privacy app for Windows

It has a lot of features and is powerful. I ran it on my laptop for testing and ran everything but the advanced options. My laptop booted faster and responded faster in Windows. It's the peace of mind factor for me. So if you do download and run it. Know what you are doing. Don't touch the Advanced Options till you understand exactly what thy do. Also there are ? that you click on for information under each title .

Knowledge Is Power..

Lady Fitzgerald · 31 Dec 2019

Lance1 said:

...Cloud Based Computing?? That's a whole new ball game... We're not there..YET! So at my age I won't consider it because WHEN it dose come into play.. I wont be here!

Honey, web based computing is here already. Adobe applications are now cloud based. You may have something installed on your computer but its operation is still connecting to the cloud. MS Office has a cloud based version. Google has cloud based applications. Chromebooks are cloud based. I know there are more but I just can't think of them at the moment (I plead Old Timer's disease).

RoWin7 · 31 Dec 2019

Foxit (pdf) Reader and Open Office aren't cloud-based. I don't use Google, Firefox Quantum or Chrome. We can put it off for a while

Jacee · 31 Dec 2019

I started on Win 95....worked my up to Vista Business (couple or more computers later)... I beta tested Win7. I had two computer with Win 7 Ultimate. I don't blame anyone who wants to keep it going forever!! Love that version.

I now have two computers running Windows 10 and I love them almost (I said almost!) as good as Win7. I really think the developers at Windows may want to re-think what they're putting out as opposed to what the consumer really wants. Some of the old features were great and not a security problem!