I'm in the middle of replacing workstations with new Windows 11 machines. At home, my desktop is W11 compatible, I haven't upgraded yet. I have another 5 computers to replace in the office, and I'm not exactly sure what I'm going to do with my home computers just yet. I have the ability to isolate them to another VLAN and/or limit outside access. I'm not exactly in the mood to spend a ton of money on computers.
OS poll thread.
- Thread starter W2JGA
- Start date
Probably Mint, although have tried numerous. As stated, I hate Windows and would prefer Linux but have never had much luck getting radio software to run on Linux using Wine for windows apps and frankly not worth the time so I just keep a Windows laptop available.
Wife just upgraded her laptop to 11, so I can use that as backup also. Otherwise, rest of my machines are Ubuntu Pro.
I have an old HP ML350 G6 server running Pfsense as a firewall for the house.
Blackswan73
Active Member
One tip for anyone purchasing a new Windows 11 PC. Most of the new PCs sold by the big box stores are sold with Windows 11 installed in “S” or safe mode. This means that you can only install software that is available on the Microsoft store app. In other words, software like ProScan, Sentinel, EZscan,etc. are not going to be able to be installed with Windows in S mode. You have to switch Windows out of S mode to install most 3rd party software. This is easy to do but is non-reversible
B.S.
B.S.
Yes, I had to do this on one for a friend, although my current Asus came without S mode. Another example why I hate Windows😩
BinaryMode
Blondie Once Said To Call Her But Never Answerd
I stripped the crap out of Windows 10 with AtlasOS. AtlasOS is a series of scripts that run from their playbook implementation.
It WILL disable updates and system restore, but system restore can be turned back on. AtlasOS is NOT for everyone but suits me just fine. I run my ship differently and don't pay homage to the patch Tuesday god so updates don't mean anything to me unless I need an update for software or hardware needs. I haven't paid attention to updates since I used Windows 98se. And I've never been magically hacked by some hoodie wearing hacker either or got a virus. Well, Window 98se was my first OS ever and I didn't know anything about computers back then and was installing all sorts of crap and got a virus. At the time I was running AVG no less (everyone's favorite go-to anti-virus crap back in the before times). Today I use no privacy invading updates that do more harm than good or privacy invading anti-virus software (how do you think it protects your web traffic? It's a man in the middle). I mostly use Sandboxie classic for my browser's and scan ALL public downloads at VirusTotal (sometimes images and videos if I can) or check the SHA256 hash at VirusTotal via the right click context menu since 7Zip implements SHA256 hash checking. That's MY personal way of checking for malware. The general consensus is 4 hits and you toss, but it depends on what you have there and knowing how to read YARA rules, Relations and Behaviors offered at VirusTotal. Don't ever scan personal data at VirusTotal. For one, people can buy the API at VirusTotal and see what's been uploaded for research purposes. Two, I once uploaded a canary token at VirusTotal and saw 95% of the hits were from China and Russia. Go figure.
Windows 7 was a fine OS and my two computers that run 24/7 run Windows 7. My older laptop also runs Windows 7. I always liked XP though, it just needed to be refined, but instead Microsoft changes everything for the wrong reason and bloats the hell out of the OS, rather than fixing things. They still to this day use core components that are in older Windows OSs. Windows 8 though 11 are meant for tablets!
If you don't run a stripped down version of Windows 10 or 11 and block the remainder traffic in Pi Hole via a Cloudflare Teams upstream DNS or NextDNS, run a network sniffer like Wireshark or Nirsoft's SmartSniff and be amazed at how much crap, yes crap is pouring out of your computer. No longer is it a PC (Personal Computer). And the "My Computer icon? It's now "This Computer." You see, Epstein Island wild Bill and his company don't think you have a My Computer anymore, it's just This computer and you're now the Redmond cash cow. Now mind you this telemetry is pouring out of your doctor's office and dentist's office computers as well. Just sit there and stare at that Dell Optiplex or thin client and wonder: "Is HIPPA all that's cracked up to be? Especially when hackers and data brokers thieve the data? Let alone Redmond or the Feds.
TPM, special micorcode strapped CPUs... Yeah, that's BS. Next thing you know they'll embed AI in the chip along with the baseband processor. Oh wait...
Why, I remember a time when people were up in arms over BIOS having a unique identifier in circa 1995. Today? HA! The people are MASSIVELY complaisant. Especially when I see everyone hang their arm out the window with cellphone in hand at McCrap scanning that awesome QR code... And who ever thought it be a wise idea to use a phone number to buy groceries?! I digress.
OSs I run:
Stripped down Winblows 10.
Windows 7.
OpenBSD for the firewall/router in OPNsense. (Got tired of beta DD-WRT and ASUS Merlin).
And many Linux distros and whatnot in VMware Player.
For those wanting to move away from Windows, I hear Linux Mint is better in that regard. Never messed with it. Also, you can use the GUI TwisterOS. Twister OS
Merry Easter.
It WILL disable updates and system restore, but system restore can be turned back on. AtlasOS is NOT for everyone but suits me just fine. I run my ship differently and don't pay homage to the patch Tuesday god so updates don't mean anything to me unless I need an update for software or hardware needs. I haven't paid attention to updates since I used Windows 98se. And I've never been magically hacked by some hoodie wearing hacker either or got a virus. Well, Window 98se was my first OS ever and I didn't know anything about computers back then and was installing all sorts of crap and got a virus. At the time I was running AVG no less (everyone's favorite go-to anti-virus crap back in the before times). Today I use no privacy invading updates that do more harm than good or privacy invading anti-virus software (how do you think it protects your web traffic? It's a man in the middle). I mostly use Sandboxie classic for my browser's and scan ALL public downloads at VirusTotal (sometimes images and videos if I can) or check the SHA256 hash at VirusTotal via the right click context menu since 7Zip implements SHA256 hash checking. That's MY personal way of checking for malware. The general consensus is 4 hits and you toss, but it depends on what you have there and knowing how to read YARA rules, Relations and Behaviors offered at VirusTotal. Don't ever scan personal data at VirusTotal. For one, people can buy the API at VirusTotal and see what's been uploaded for research purposes. Two, I once uploaded a canary token at VirusTotal and saw 95% of the hits were from China and Russia. Go figure.
Windows 7 was a fine OS and my two computers that run 24/7 run Windows 7. My older laptop also runs Windows 7. I always liked XP though, it just needed to be refined, but instead Microsoft changes everything for the wrong reason and bloats the hell out of the OS, rather than fixing things. They still to this day use core components that are in older Windows OSs. Windows 8 though 11 are meant for tablets!
If you don't run a stripped down version of Windows 10 or 11 and block the remainder traffic in Pi Hole via a Cloudflare Teams upstream DNS or NextDNS, run a network sniffer like Wireshark or Nirsoft's SmartSniff and be amazed at how much crap, yes crap is pouring out of your computer. No longer is it a PC (Personal Computer). And the "My Computer icon? It's now "This Computer." You see, Epstein Island wild Bill and his company don't think you have a My Computer anymore, it's just This computer and you're now the Redmond cash cow. Now mind you this telemetry is pouring out of your doctor's office and dentist's office computers as well. Just sit there and stare at that Dell Optiplex or thin client and wonder: "Is HIPPA all that's cracked up to be? Especially when hackers and data brokers thieve the data? Let alone Redmond or the Feds.
TPM, special micorcode strapped CPUs... Yeah, that's BS. Next thing you know they'll embed AI in the chip along with the baseband processor. Oh wait...
Why, I remember a time when people were up in arms over BIOS having a unique identifier in circa 1995. Today? HA! The people are MASSIVELY complaisant. Especially when I see everyone hang their arm out the window with cellphone in hand at McCrap scanning that awesome QR code... And who ever thought it be a wise idea to use a phone number to buy groceries?! I digress.
OSs I run:
Stripped down Winblows 10.
Windows 7.
OpenBSD for the firewall/router in OPNsense. (Got tired of beta DD-WRT and ASUS Merlin).
And many Linux distros and whatnot in VMware Player.
For those wanting to move away from Windows, I hear Linux Mint is better in that regard. Never messed with it. Also, you can use the GUI TwisterOS. Twister OS
Merry Easter.
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Windows 10 Professional is working just fine for me and all my legacy programs work, so if it's not broken, why upgrade? I've turned down multiple "free upgrade offers" from Microsoft. Why would I want to "upgrade" and see some of my programs stop working? Besides, call me foolish if you want, but I believe Microsoft will not offer something for "free" unless there is something in it for them.
Dude111
An Awesome Dude
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2009
- Messages
- 458
No you shouldnt bud... If it works FOR WHAT YOU WANT TO DO,there is no need to change it!
I have to get my computer fixed and I tell ya I do miss it.. I cant ply my games on this mac laptop.. .Some flash games work but not all of them.. I miss playing my emulator stuff (Mame,Atari)
People dont understand why we dont want to change things.. Stuff usually get worse with every newer thing I have noticed... Stuff I can easily do on win98se isnt as easy on this mac laptop..
I have to get my computer fixed and I tell ya I do miss it.. I cant ply my games on this mac laptop.. .Some flash games work but not all of them.. I miss playing my emulator stuff (Mame,Atari)
People dont understand why we dont want to change things.. Stuff usually get worse with every newer thing I have noticed... Stuff I can easily do on win98se isnt as easy on this mac laptop..
BinaryMode
Blondie Once Said To Call Her But Never Answerd
"Dude", since I've known you all across the Internet (think TechIMO, etc, etc, etc) I can't believe you still use 98se. That's dedication, man.
Since you're of the massive privacy type (as am I) why not use Linux Mint?
What browser do you use in 98se? The web technologies have made tremendous changes and I can't believe a browser of modern era would still render things in 98se, even HTML5 in 98se.
Looking at a post of yours on another forum, I agree, things went downhill from I'd say the year 2000.
reloader7sixtwo
Newbie
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2024
- Messages
- 4
Linux Mint 21.3 Cinnamon, stopped using Windows OS when XP went dark. It pretty much does anything I need it to do, including programming all my HT's and two mobile units I use for base stations with Chirp. I only have one HT that Chirp doesn't currently support, so I program it on the wife's Windows 11 PC I put together for her when her old machine finally died.
BinaryMode
Blondie Once Said To Call Her But Never Answerd
I gotta say. People often say "machines die" or "the computer is slow." Not so true if you ask this computer dork. If the PSU died you replace it. If the CPU went South (rare, but can happen) you replace it. If the motherboard died, depending on what is wrong, you could resolder a component, flash the CMOS with a USB CMOS programmer, etc. Or just replace the board (last resort by my standards). If it's just a Windows issue then that can be fixed or you simply reinstall the OS with Windows, Linux, BSD or MacOS.
Computers are like antagonist Skynet - they never die.... and one day they WILL learn to repair themselves. Then we can kiss our collective you know whats goodbye. LOL It's called "the singularity."
This scene is, was very prophetic.
Computers are like antagonist Skynet - they never die.... and one day they WILL learn to repair themselves. Then we can kiss our collective you know whats goodbye. LOL It's called "the singularity."
This scene is, was very prophetic.
Dude111
An Awesome Dude
- Joined
- Aug 8, 2009
- Messages
- 458
Thank you for your kind words buddyBinaryMode said:"Dude", since I've known you all across the Internet (think TechIMO, etc, etc, etc) I can't believe you still use 98se. That's dedication, man.
Since you're of the massive privacy type (as am I) why not use Linux Mint?
What browser do you use in 98se?
I use IE6 and I do OK with it...I get to most sites anyway even if they dont render right...
Xen1 renders fine on IE6 but this here (xen2) does not.. I can still use the site but it doesnt render good..
Yes I am very privacy aware and concerned
The first version of Windows I used on a regular basis was Windows 3.1, and I have a long history of avoiding releases I don't like. I went from Windows 3.1 to 95, then 98, and stuck with it until I moved to Windows XP. After that I used Windows 7 forever, but skipped the 8, and 8.1 varieties because of Microsoft messing up the start menu. I finally moved to Windows 10 when I had to (with Start 10 to take care of the start menu issue) and I'm sticking with it until the cows come home.
My primary mini tower system runs Windows 10 LTSC IoT edition though, which will still receive updates until 2032. My current plan is to pick up one of the newer Mac Mini machines sometime this year and start learning MacOS with the intent of moving to that machine as my primary one. Since I use both an iPhone and an iPad switching to Mac OS would make my technology world flow easier. I'll still keep the Windows laptop & mini tower around for the foreseeable future, but I won't upgrade to Windows 11 on either one at this point.
My primary mini tower system runs Windows 10 LTSC IoT edition though, which will still receive updates until 2032. My current plan is to pick up one of the newer Mac Mini machines sometime this year and start learning MacOS with the intent of moving to that machine as my primary one. Since I use both an iPhone and an iPad switching to Mac OS would make my technology world flow easier. I'll still keep the Windows laptop & mini tower around for the foreseeable future, but I won't upgrade to Windows 11 on either one at this point.
