New Computer

[TsgtRet]

Well went and bought a new computer; my old Dell Latitude 610 was getting tired and got maxed out easily (even with memory expansion). Bought an ASUS X551M at Wallyworld for $250. 4GB RAM, Intel 2830 processor. Windows 8.1 (ehh :doh: ) but I'll get used to it. Most of my old XP programs aren't compatible so I'm going to have to find some SIMPLE graphics programs so I can make decals on it. Any suggestions? Average learning curve on it in general, the one negative I've found is the internal speakers aren't a matchfor the ones in my old Dell. Generally, pleased so far. Can't speak to the touch pad, I always use a mouse ;)
Any info/suggestions would be welcome.

[TuscoTodd]

If you get any good suggestions on the simple graphics programs - I would love to hear as well I only upgraded to Win 7 - but similar to you the stuff I really liked using is XP only... :-\

[TsgtRet]

[Dodgefarmer]

I have Paint in the more apps. screen under windows accessories. MS flag lower lft. corner = apps screen . Arrow down = more apps, scroll to paint in windows accessories.

HTH
Randy

[MrAdept]

Try paint.net, http://www.getpaint.net/.
I have used it on Windows 7, but not yet on Win 8.1.
I use it to create decals and blueprints.

Mark

[SRQSloter]

[TsgtRet]

Randy, thanks! :text-thankyouyellow: Found "Paint" (and wordpad, notepad and all the other stuff I thought it didn't come with)!

Mark, I already downloaded paint.net, initially seemed a bit more complex than I wanted but I will play with it a bit.

[demether]

You can also use GIMP, wich is professional but free software and also open source ;)

The good thing with gimp is the hundreds of tutorials if you want to create graphics.

[TsgtRet]

[TuscoTodd]

Thank you for the info guys!
Will have to DL the paint.net as wordpad, notepad, etc won't do all the stuff I want. :think:
Thanks!

[Flytoo]

Any updates on your progress? This is a subject of high interest for me. I use a laptop, and have for many a year now. However, the PC versions, would last a maximum of 2 to 3 years, before they puked. Over the years, I tried taking a couple of them to different repair shops. Each shop, had it for a week or so, charged me $100, and they worked for a couple of days, and then they bit the dust again. I got to the point, that when one died, I just went, and bought a new one. I did some research, prior to my last purchase, and discovered that a lot of folks ranted and raved about Apple. They said they were easy to use, and lasted a long, long time. So, my last purchase was a MacBook Pro. As for the easy to use part...I discovered that pretty much every computer is easy to use, if you know how. It was a painfully lengthy, learning curve for me. And for the longevity...well, the jury is still out, as I've only had this mac for about a year. But, for what we paid for this thing, it needs to last a minimum of nine years for us to break even. Then, I was in the Apple store a few weeks ago, and just happened to notice, that the new MacBook's don't have a CD/DVD drive. I asked about that, and the dude told me that those drives are no longer needed. I said "really"? (I was thinking that I still use mine. Although, it is only once in a while these days but, when ya need it...ya need it!) He went on to say, that if you do need a drive, Apple will sell you an external drive. Of course, I'm thinking, (but I didn't say it), "whoa! Back the bus up. You just told me that I didn't need one but yet, you have one that you can sell me......why? If I don't need one, why would I buy one? Anyhoo, I don't know if the new PC's have eliminated those drives or not? AND, my last unpleasant experience came when I learned that Ultimate Racer, will not run on a Mac (or at least it won't unless I want to spend money for additional software, and I don't). Of course, now you guys have got me wondering if UR will run on Windows 8? Can't believe, that some of the old Windows XP stuff will not run on 8? I thought everything with Windows, was upward compatible?

[HomeRacingWorld]

Well that debate can get ugly fast :)

Some love the MAC, I don't. Am I fan of Windows Ate? No. But have learned to get around.

Like anything else, the screen in front of you is a tool. What you buy depends (or should) on what you intend to use it for. Like a wrench. There are good wrenches, and not so good ones. But do my less expensive Stanley wrenches work for me? Oh yes.

I bought a new desktop 6 months ago. A Dell system with Windows Ate, came with your CD/DVD drive which I DO need, a good graphics card, etc for about 500 bucks. It's a fast machine that does all I need it to do. In fact it has allowed me to work more with video now, which I like.

Next to that is an older Dell with a great graphics card and running Windows 7. Another well running machine that I have had for 4 years as the HRW Back Up.

The Dell HRW was mainly on is still going strong. Just was time to upgrade. Sitting right here and I still access it to get older files when I need them.

My laptops are also Dells. Work fine. One has been going since 08 and still does all I need it to do.

It is always popular for people to be anti-microsoft/anti-pc. Truth is they are just as good as any other system if you treat them right.

[demether]

You should take a look on Ubuntu. No viruses, great stability, great security, and really easy to use.

http://www.ubuntu.com/




The great news is that it's FREE (like free of charges AND opensource), it works on any PC (even the older ones), from any brand, and you can still use a lot of windows programs too (using WINE software).

All of the apps you like (chrome, firefox, thunderbird, open office) are available. Most of the apps are free and are downloadable from inside the system, using some kind of secured official "market" software. No more risk of virus, bloatware, or spyware like when you were downloading things directly from internet.

If you don't find an app you had on windows or mac, 99% of the time you'll find some equivalent (or better). A lot of apps and games from windows can work too using WINE (available in the "market" app).

You don't need to find the correct drivers for your graphics card, sound card, keyboard or printer. Everything is installed automatically, and ready to use.

Flash, video formats, music formats, everything is also installed. No need to install codecs from suspicious sources.

If you"re a gamer, STEAM is available officially on linux now. STEAM OS (new standalone version of steam) is based on a similar core you find in UBuntu.

Personaly, I switched to UBuntu in 2006. I never went back on windows or mac. Now I install it on friends and family computers when they have problems, instead of other systems. Once they lost their bad habits, they never call me again for computer problems.

The great thing is that once it's installed, it works, and a few years after, IT STILL WORKS like the first day. That's because of the OS architecture and filesystem (to make it simple). Because of the way the system is made, you virtually (if you use the system the way it has to be) cannot brake anything, or have viruses.

Last but not least, you can TRY it using the live DVD. Download ubuntu, burn it on a DVD (or install it on a usb stick, it's explained how on the official website), and boot your PC on this dvd to try it without installing it, to see see if you like it first.

[waaytoomuchintothis]

demether is right. I've been exclusively Linux, using Umbutu, GIMP, Firefox, Thunderbird and more for many years (almost 20), and the various MS software that ruined two laptops in a row is almost forgotten, but that MS attitude is not forgotten. The very idea that something I pay for isn't mine to do with as I please is enough to wipe them off my list forever. I pay for it, its mine. Any other interpretation they try to put forward is just fraud. I build my own computers so I don't have to waste time dumping the unwanted Windows crap, besides its cheaper and its interesting to build them.

[Flytoo]

Harry wrote: "Some love the MAC, I don't. Am I fan of Windows Ate? No." .....Windows Ate!! Too funny!!! :laughing-rolling:

Yeah, I'm not a fan of anything, 'cept a computer that works! Not sure what my problem with PC's was/is? I thought I took pretty good care of them. I didn't download a ton of crap, and I kept Windows updated along with my anti virus SW. Other than that, I ran the Windows disk tool programs i.e., Refrag and the other one, (can't remember it's name), on a weekly basis. They rarely, and I mean very rarely, ever left my house. I use laptops because I can carry them from room to room. Although, these days, 99% of the time, they reside on my desk. Again, not sure what I did to kill mine, but kill them I did.

demether thanks for all of that good information! If, or I guess I should say "when" this Mac gives up the ghost, I just might get another PC and give Umbutu a try. Now I wish I would've asked you guys before I took the Mac plunge. Oh well, if this Mac lasts me another 8 years, I will declare total victory!

waaytoomuchintothis, I totally agree with ya!