The Next Five-Year Plan

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Lady Fitzgerald, wellllllllllllllllllllllll... If you use FireFox from Mozilla, that is the Linux browser that we use under windows in lieu of Explorer, #? -- which has no use for me. So, once you pop up Linux you get FireFox, renamed 'IceWeasal' and it looks the same! No pain, no learning curve, just get with it. Your employer is already miserable over IT expenses with MS, and they are not about to allow "a child off the streets!" into their insecure (emotionally) environment. The little pocket computer might just be your friend. It will take a UBS wireless connection and with BlueTooth. Learn to subvert without detection.

I'm not using Firefox simply because I do not like it (and the recently accelerated update schedule will make me like it even less). I'm still using Win 7 and still prefer IE 11 over Firefox, although I mostly use Brave Browser.

Btw, I don't have an employer anymore. I'm gainfully unemployed (aka, retired).

 

[CFjohnny55]

If you using MS-compatible only browsers them I suppose you are wedded to MS and there is nothing the Linux crowd, and its works, can do. Retirement is a sad state of affairs, I heartily concur. I am not happy with it at all, myself. Best wishes, though!

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

If you using MS-compatible only browsers them I suppose you are wedded to MS and there is nothing the Linux crowd, and its works, can do. Retirement is a sad state of affairs, I heartily concur. I am not happy with it at all, myself. Best wishes, though!

I'm quite happy being retired.

 

[RoWin7]

CFjohnny55--
Programmers are endlessly creative, and the situation isn't just black and white. Other answers to the Firefox debacle are Waterfox 56.2.14 or SeaMonkey. I use WF.

 

[townsbg]

Sadly, based on what MS has been telling us, there will be no whatever after 10. Win 10 is a continuously "evolving" OS that will just continue to receive "upgrades" one or twice a year.

Have you considered switching to a flavor of Linux? Learning to use it shouldn't be much more difficult than learning how to use and civilize Win 10. Most people recommend Mint Cinnamon for people coming to Linux from Windows. That's what I plan on doing soon, once life quits keeping happening a bit.

I don't have any hope for a future version beyond 10 (if there is one) to be anything other what 10 already is. It would in fact shock me if they reverted their ways. They will do what they want because as long as they have 99.99% of the market for PCs they don't care what the minority thinks about it. Face it, the opposers are in the minority. The rest either like it, they don't care, or they think that they don't have an alternative. I still firmly believe that they have something up their sleeve with 10.

 

[CFjohnny55]

townsbg I am learning very quickly about installing Debian Linux, trimmed to down RaspberryPi "Buster-Lite". It is an image that will run in just 1GB of memory and give you a minimal desktop. With more memory onboard the little computing widget, they have additional versions of their little OS tailored for the 2GB and 4GB (biggest) versions of the 'RPi' software. If you order one of these remember to get a 4GB model (don't svrimp on system memory at this level, and a 32GB SOIC for the software storage. Toss in a wireless UBS dongle and you have a decent little system that will need to be weaned of of the cabled Internet (RJ-45 port). A wireless keyboard-&-mouse is pretty much a must have, but the widget has 2 USB 2.0 ports and 2 USB 3.0 ports to accommodate the peripheral needs. This whole thing comes in under budget of $100. Just watch the Big Screen TV and explore it. Then go get on your main machine and do your pretty-much-every-day-stuff. Ease through this migration is my suggestion, but get started now. Our metaphorical throats will be slit on this Win7 issue. Dumping us cold in January was not on the original deal, and so we know that promises from MS are worth the electricity to put them up on the screen, but not much more. Good luck!

 

[CFjohnny55]

OK, I have a bare-bones boot-stapped and customized version of a very lean Debian Linux for this micro-platform (RaspberryPi).
I see "raspberrypi login:" The entire OS run-rime image (i.e., executable code) was only a download and 'Flash Burn' away, at no cost save waiting a few minutes to transfer a whole DVD's worth of stuff, or more. The Linux files that were installed are on top of the Login command line. It looks good, and now I can be exceedingly lazy and do it in bed.

 

[CFjohnny55]

From Little Linux Central: update

My second RaspberryPi single-board computer is on its way. I like these things! I bought in with a low ball and found out just how close to the ground low can truly go. Now I have switched to uptown hardware and software. More memory, bigger ss-disk, more video out, better heat control, and the *exactly right* (custom) toy power supply. All of the software is free, of course, and can be downloaded by the Internet at anytime.
It will be a small Linux machine with a BIG-Screen display and wireless kb/m. And all kinds of Internet: RJ-45 (cable), USB Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. I have a 3TB disk subsystem that communicates via USB plugged in. The little computer-board sits in its clear plastic case on top of the desktop ornament disk drive. That's a big secondary storage to go with that big screen tv. So, the cost of geek-madness is... $125 for "the MAX" RPi 4 (real new from CanaKit). So, the door opens at $58 and $125 is as much as you can spend wisely on the basic and moderately complete system widget.
Now I will use the most elementary model RPi as my 'target' for the fun little project I had decided to use the RaspberryPi on...

 

[NoN]

Looks Nvidia Quadro Pro video drivers are being dropped too by january 2020 for Windows 7 and 8.1...(i'm looking for exact source)

 

[CFjohnny55]

Yeah, the external manipulation of software access is only allowed in non-open source software.
Linux does not have the capacity for non-programmers to control the evolution and availability of all forms of computer programs. Nobody owns my code, and I will write any code I want. str protest = "down with big brother" ;

 

[CFjohnny55]

It is the early hours of November 1st and the latest WU has disabled the USB 3.0 ports on the back of my computer, but the slower Front USB ports will still work. Oh brave new world, and so I have removed the Win7 machines from the Internet and ordered a copy of Win7Pro 32/64 OEM. I have plenty of disks, and Acronis 12. I will allow this old Dell Optiplex 755 to be my presence to the mother software vendor. Win 10 Insider was free when I started in the program, and perhaps I will get to keep it. Once off the network, Win 7 OEM can be installed on all of the machines while they are set up for dual-boot with Debian Linux as the new OS for future use. There is trouble in Linux World, and a new version, "Buster", was released 6 weeks ago. You feel the cool confidence of the designers as they tangle with their unwelcome presence.
I am reminded of my divorce 27 years ago. It was painful, expensive and very ugly. Money meant nothing and the one child meant everything. There is a price for a human life in law. But Linux has no price. It is free.
OK, well then, let's dance!

 

[NoN]

Now Intel is also dropping Wifi support for Windows 7 & 8.1 aswell: Download Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Software and Wi-Fi Drivers

 

[CFjohnny55]

FWIW, Dell has rolled over as well. My particular box is the stunning OptiPlex 755. It was loaded for gaming before gaming became so popular by a rich uncle of a teenage boy. It was also the 'minimally configured' Windows 10 platform I have since learned. Dell is supporting the OptiPlex line, but not this model (mysteriously absent from the 'select list'). Further, Windows 10 is configured to provide all of the -- now very limited list -- of drivers that will install. Notably missing is the Ethernet Controller driver for my secondary network plans.
Clearly, the muscle is being applied from above, or below, and MS Control Central, and with new zeal and enthusiasm. It seems to be a kind of 'cyber cleansing' of the older machines. Fortunately, Linux is booming in response. You can get the complete Debian 10 ("Stretch") build along with 53,000 programs for just the cost of the DVD's alone from Debian. I think it clocks in at around 30 or more DVD's, but you get the entire library of user-written, and free, applications. It has been my experience since NT was introduced that I could not give more than a 'B' to an MS-programmer. They refuse to use C++!! They have their own flavor of an object-oriented compilier, as I recall, something like C#.
From #-minds come inconvenient and annoying very tiny paper cuts.

 

[townsbg]

I wonder why support for 8.1 is being dropped so soon? It's still supported by M$ for over 3 years. 2012 R2 is supported even longer. Are they all caving in to M$? I considered going to 8.1 after 7 EOS but I don't think so.

 

[CFjohnny55]

"Caving in" seems to be the new world order, and it is to be expected. I am surprised it took this long, given the fact that a global 89% market share monopoly can do as it stockholders damn well please. Many will give in, and some will move on. Apple's success is do in large measure to its use of (real) UNIX as the MacOS.

 

[CFjohnny55]

TRUE FAX:
"This download, Intel® USB 3.0 Device Driver for Windows 7* for NUC6i7KYK 5.0.0.32,
will no longer be available after October, 31, 2019 and will not be supported
with any additional functional, security, or other updates."

How sweet -- planned obsolescence... at least it isn't all in my head.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Good grief! Why can't all these companies discontinuing support for Win 7 wait until after Win 7 reaches EOL? This mad rush to bury Win 7 is far worse than when XP reached the second EOL, even though Win 7 has more people still on it than XP had at the same time.

 

[CFjohnny55]

The name of the game is not 'bury Win7'. Rather it is to foist panic onto the stalwart users of Win7 and FORCE THEM to shell-out the cost of buying Win10 and thus set record-breaking sales numbers in the 3rd Quarter of 2019. It is money that matters, and principles are irrelevant.
I have removed my 'best boxes' (I use desktops) from the Internet so licensing in no issue when I re-install Win7 from the OEM-DVD's they came with, and at least get fresh and full Win7 SP1 to use to transfer the data to a 'book' (3TB). Then it's LINUX for all. Now that I understand the LINUX mindset I look forward to it. Linus Thorvalds actually likes INTERRUPTS and so do I. I wrote a sweet little 4,000 line assembly language program for a biomedical monitor 20 years ago and all I/O and real-time scheduling done was using Interrupts (or, Do It Now!). I like Linus -- G.M.T.A.

 

[townsbg]

Good grief! Why can't all these companies discontinuing support for Win 7 wait until after Win 7 reaches EOL? This mad rush to bury Win 7 is far worse than when XP reached the second EOL, even though Win 7 has more people still on it than XP had at the same time.

Maybe that's the point. Get them on 10 so that M$ can get on with their nefarious plans.

 

[CFjohnny55]

In the end, and as I learned 40 years ago as a newbie to microprocessors in the 8080 days, there are "Main Programs" (that loop infinitely) and then there are "Interrupt Service Routines" (ISR's). To the user, the Main program needs to appear to be in control to keep them happy, but in fact the hardware responds to hardware-event interrupts whenever its chain is pulled externally. And so the ISR's have the truly higher authority as the MP gets clocked into a coma when something evokes an interrupt in the hardware. That puts the system programmer in charge as it should be. For insecure and narcissistic control freaks this notion is terrifying. To soothe their psyches we can "turn the interrupts off" but only after a 'hard reset' that includes enabling interrupts at boot time (Execute the instruction at hardware location 000, aka, 'the Origin'). When writing machine code, the panicky software engineer will make "Disable Interrupts" their first instruction!
No guts, no glory -- "I happen to LIKE interrupts!" (It looks like voodoo magic to the Software Manager, but so what? )