tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post6861121533561818057..comments2024-03-05T10:47:39.661-06:00Comments on Thoughts on Technology: New Job, Old Operating SystemAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17954467314386661328noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-11735288987412155792012-03-25T12:00:39.987-05:002012-03-25T12:00:39.987-05:00If you haven't picked-up a copy yet head on ov...If you haven't picked-up a copy yet head on over to Amazon and get a copy of Windows Annoyances for win7 or visit their website at http://www.annoyances.orgAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-17905736853525981282012-01-21T20:24:43.793-06:002012-01-21T20:24:43.793-06:00I've been retired a while now, and can please ...I've been retired a while now, and can please myself, so we no longer own a Win machine. Still have a friend's old laptop with an old XP partition, just in case he needs his stuff again. T'other partition is Bodhi - the performance comparison is embarassing, particularly since XP benchmarks faster than W7 on all our hardware.<br /><br />When I bought a new box a while back it came with W7, we played with it for several weeks in an attempt to come to terms with it - but like Jeff we were un-delighted.<br />Having said that, I gather from friends/former colleagues that W7 is pretty stable and if you get the right after-market tools it is reasonably web-nasty resistant. That's a vast improvement over both Vista (train-wreck) and XP). So MS have finally done something tolerably good!<br />But the user interface just lacks basic things like workspace switching. <br />Did (re-)learn a lot of the Win short-cuts that had carried over from the earlier versions of NT (NT3.1, NT4, NT5=Win2K, NT5.1==XP, NT6==Vista, NT6.1==W7). But despite giving it a chance it was just too slow and memory-hungry c/w various Linux flavours that have been tried/installed on the machine. Add that to the virus vulnerabilities and the need for after-market stuff to make it safe and it got wiped - after I'd copied some of the rather nice background art across.<br />But then, I can please myself now. Commiserations with all those constrained by unenlightened management.<br /><br />When walking in a cow-pasture be careful not to step in the management!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-5323926508780307242012-01-19T05:02:57.186-06:002012-01-19T05:02:57.186-06:00I feel your pain, Jeff... every day, from 9 to 5.....I feel your pain, Jeff... every day, from 9 to 5...<br /><br />I've been working for the government (Canada) for over a decade, and we're on XP. Up until about a year and a half ago, it was tolerable since the place where I worked gave us local admin rights. You could install software and pretty much admin your own box, so my machine was tweaked to death, all kinds of third-party stuff.<br /><br />I moved... better organization, better position, much better salary, career progression etc.<br /><br />...and a totally locked down XP box.<br /><br />I can change:<br /><br />1. The wallpaper<br />2. The window theme - woo, Classic (with a variety of vomit-inducing colours) and three versions of Luna<br />3. The position of the taskbar on the screen, whether it autohides, stays on top etc.<br /><br />I can't even hide the desktop icons (I demand a clean desktop as it is otherwise distracting!)<br /><br />So, I have a beautiful background of a tropical sunset, I have put as many shortcuts as I can into a folder, and I have the taskbar set to not only autohide but to be on the bottom so I don't have to look at it...<br /><br />I re-educated myself as to the various keyboard shortcuts for Windows XP and try to work with applications full screen as much as possible.<br /><br />It almost makes it tolerable.<br /><br />Almost... still stuck with Internet Explorer 7, we're not allowed to use Portable Apps (they actually monitor for this, believe it or not) so if I want reliable, fast, fully featured web browsing, my Android phone gives me a better experience - seriously.<br /><br />I'm probably going to bring a personal laptop from home to tether to the Droid.<br /><br />I mean, it isn't like I'm surfing all day long on non-work related stuff - I need to use the web for my job, and I'm given the worst tools to do it!Brett Legreenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-28362635080665885822012-01-15T22:00:50.466-06:002012-01-15T22:00:50.466-06:00I get sick every time I have to use windows.I get sick every time I have to use windows.johnstantonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00911529612067680663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-13396819486058857652012-01-15T16:43:16.051-06:002012-01-15T16:43:16.051-06:00install cygwin and mintty to get a decent shell.
...install cygwin and mintty to get a decent shell.<br /><br />install virtuawin for virtual desktops - it's slow but better than nothing.<br /><br />focus follows mouse can be enabled via a registry setting - not great either but it works.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-925532321872093292012-01-15T15:04:06.198-06:002012-01-15T15:04:06.198-06:00There is certain functionality in windows that is ...There is certain functionality in windows that is extremely limiting (for example: no virtual desktops).<br /><br />But the most important is the command line.samshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07006417179786343133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-36821225922571660882012-01-15T13:13:04.693-06:002012-01-15T13:13:04.693-06:00I've been using Linux for the past 2 years and...I've been using Linux for the past 2 years and have mostly learnt these kind of things from the comments sections such as this one. The specific websites that I go to are mainly about linux and open source news and stuff. I'd suggest just trying to explore your desktop, try out new DE's, customise it and visit a good number of linux blogs as well. DE and distro reviews on youtube might also help in one way or the other. Just telling you how I learntYaseen Nooranihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16982795328802295240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-9185796031405389302012-01-15T13:08:58.979-06:002012-01-15T13:08:58.979-06:00Honestly it all depends on what desktop you are us...Honestly it all depends on what desktop you are using with your Linux. Each one is fairly different. For example if you are using Enlightenment I would suggest starting with the <a href="http://www.bodhilinux.com/e17guide/e17guideEN/" rel="nofollow">Bodhi Guide to Enlightenment</a>.<br /><br />I'm sure there are similar guides for KDE/LXDE/whatever else you may be trying out.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17954467314386661328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-4090374786253194912012-01-15T13:06:32.596-06:002012-01-15T13:06:32.596-06:00Didn't know about the copy-n-paste method you ...Didn't know about the copy-n-paste method you mentioned, should be very handy I guess. Focus follows mouse is also my preferred choice for handling windows. It's strange how this little things can make your ride using an OS so much smoother when they're there.Yaseen Nooranihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16982795328802295240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-12213175904687225132012-01-15T13:01:32.988-06:002012-01-15T13:01:32.988-06:00Yup! It's a relief when you get back to your l...Yup! It's a relief when you get back to your linux boxYaseen Nooranihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16982795328802295240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-9557697879002605602012-01-15T12:57:26.919-06:002012-01-15T12:57:26.919-06:00HAHA! Nice oneHAHA! Nice oneYaseen Nooranihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16982795328802295240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-57419334714858577372012-01-15T12:55:45.035-06:002012-01-15T12:55:45.035-06:00I feel exactly the same on the occasions when I ha...I feel exactly the same on the occasions when I have to use Windows especially the point you made about moving applications to different workspaces. It's like 'OK I have these three windows here, let me go to the next one to open (application name)' Moving the mouse to the bottom right corner you just remember 'Oh..I can't'Yaseen Nooranihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16982795328802295240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-13232468413379449532012-01-15T08:13:24.951-06:002012-01-15T08:13:24.951-06:00WOW it can delete files with no problem!!!
Micros...WOW it can delete files with no problem!!!<br /><br />Microsoft really are at the cutting edge of technology :PMicahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06671932470878894275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-59864253804259211732012-01-15T07:45:27.576-06:002012-01-15T07:45:27.576-06:00Follow-up question: can anyone suggest a website ...Follow-up question: can anyone suggest a website or two where one can learn about such goodies as alt-left-click? I would definitely like to improve my Linux desktop foo, but it's kind of hard to formulate a Google search to ferret out that kind of thing. Tx.DaveL60https://www.blogger.com/profile/04484165722859373517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-16220635522444328592012-01-15T07:18:22.822-06:002012-01-15T07:18:22.822-06:00Personally, I think Win7 is in most ways a vast im...Personally, I think Win7 is in most ways a vast improvement over XP, but there's always room for improvement. I'm a relative Linux newbie and have only barely learned to make use of workspaces so I don't miss things in Win7 that I haven't met yet in Linux (this column and comments can be an education for me), but I sympathize with your general sentiment about missing the things you've come to rely on. Let me add another vote for www.techsupportalert.com: great source of information for freeware and utilities that can really improve the user experience.DaveL60https://www.blogger.com/profile/04484165722859373517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-56033032755606149492012-01-15T00:30:57.935-06:002012-01-15T00:30:57.935-06:00The web-browser one is not, in fact, my experience...The web-browser one is not, in fact, my experience. The difference I've noticed is that the first click highlights in Windows, whereas in Linux versions of the same browser it usually just gives text-focus (by default). Apart from focusing the address-bar, I've found the behaviour consistent across platforms: Single-click positions cursor, double-click selects "word", triple-click selects the whole URL.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-25639714224746383882012-01-14T23:13:07.000-06:002012-01-14T23:13:07.000-06:00I must use Windows for about an hour every other d...I must use Windows for about an hour every other day and in addition to the points you've raised (alt-click, workspaces, reliable access to packages), I would add a few niceties that I miss.<br /><br />Middle-click in scroll bars to jump the slider to that position.<br /><br />Horizontal scrolling with the middle button (Z-axis) on a mouse.<br /><br />The X Window System copy-n-paste method (left-drag to select, middle-click to paste). This in addition to the CTL-C/CTL-V permits me to easily move two different selections simultaneously (for example, a URL and its name/description).<br /><br />Focus-follows-mouse - my preferred method of handling window activation. It is an extreme pain not to be able to scroll a "background" window without actually popping that window to the top.<br /><br />Double-clicking on a URL in a web browser's location bar selecting the WHOLE URL (not just a single word in it).<br /><br />BASH!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-70695412718924857182012-01-14T23:01:03.615-06:002012-01-14T23:01:03.615-06:00I'm ashamed to say I only discovered this a we...I'm ashamed to say I only discovered this a week or two...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-33083227936619978392012-01-14T22:58:27.582-06:002012-01-14T22:58:27.582-06:00...please. That's just nonsense. I'm wor......please. That's just nonsense. I'm working on Windows 7 right now and cleaning out my downloads folder. There is no problem deleting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-54327062500543688522012-01-14T22:23:28.360-06:002012-01-14T22:23:28.360-06:00Will take a look at the links - thanks. Honestly I...Will take a look at the links - thanks. Honestly I hadn't searched much as I only had to use the system for less than an hour on my first day.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17954467314386661328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-89856353713462512902012-01-14T22:21:49.366-06:002012-01-14T22:21:49.366-06:00Software for the job I have to do. Crappy, closed ...Software for the job I have to do. Crappy, closed source software.<br /><br />Might fire up Bodhi in a VM - thats a good idea.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17954467314386661328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-19214488823366387812012-01-14T21:46:23.697-06:002012-01-14T21:46:23.697-06:00why even bother working in windows when you can ru...why even bother working in windows when you can run a live linux system from usb or cd? you never have to even worry about installing. windows can stay where it is, stinking in the corner, while you work in the environment you want to, with full access to the windows and linux filesystem. is there a specific reason you have to use the windows system they have on there? university specific software?ander.sonhttp://www.lincolnix.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-37502290666351523212012-01-14T20:03:22.769-06:002012-01-14T20:03:22.769-06:00Use VirtualBox to run Fedora or something under Wi...Use VirtualBox to run Fedora or something under Windows 7. Problem solved :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-47028923210696877002012-01-14T18:55:36.675-06:002012-01-14T18:55:36.675-06:00Have you tried the F1 for help and/or Google your ...Have you tried the F1 for help and/or Google your issues? Tyr this:<br /><br />http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126449<br />for keyboard short cuts.<br /><br />Copy and paste manager is called Clipboard,<br />give this a try<br />http://support.microsoft.com/kb/141310<br /><br />Hope that helps,<br /><br />Thong NgoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1402984000559601283.post-35464007798187059892012-01-14T17:29:00.842-06:002012-01-14T17:29:00.842-06:00Yes Jeff it's the little things (annoyances), ...Yes Jeff it's the little things (annoyances), the missing functionality theat really bugs me when I'm forced to use Windows, (which at the moment is about 10 ours a week). It's always such a pleasure to get back to an OS one can configure to work exactly the way it suits one.<br /><br />Yes going to some 3rd party website (even if carrying a logo that state malware and Virus free etc, is to my mind a rather risky affair. Better tthe package manager here you know the software has been vetted by your distribution packager, and is guaranteed to install only the minimum necessary extra software to amke the application work, and I course it's just so much easier.tracyannehttp://lxer.comnoreply@blogger.com