Computer General Discussion Thread

[Nordengrund]

How much do ya guys think it'll cost to clone my laptop onto a new one? I HAve like 4 years of personalization into this and mods and such that i dont even begin to know how i got to work

Clonezilla is free but you need a spare USB Disk to make the live image, an a spare hard disk to transport the data. And the interface is a bit on the advanced side. The tutorial: http://clonezilla.org/show-live-doc-con ... disk_clone

I use Macrium Reflect Home for Windows PCs, since I require frequent backups.

So I am running both Windows 10 and Linux Mint Cinnamon on my laptop. It came with Windows, but I put Mint on there in order to get familiar with Linux, and Mint seemed like a good place to start. I'm still keeping Windows around due to the familiarity I have with it and in case that for whatever reason I decide I don't like Mint.

I plan to go for Archlinux once I am familiar enough with the Linux distros and terminal.

I am considering retrying Ubuntu when it returns to GNOME, but I have lots of Windows-only software that I cannot just give up.

You won't be missing out on much. There is WINE, which is a program that allows you to ring Windows only software on Linux, but it can expose your Linux distribution to same security vulnerabilities on your Windows.

Also, Linux has most of most essential software, or at least its own version of a Windows program.
I think Windows is better for gaming, but there are gaming distros for Linux, and it runs most of the popular games.

[Minoa]

Clonezilla is free but you need a spare USB Disk to make the live image, an a spare hard disk to transport the data. And the interface is a bit on the advanced side. The tutorial: http://clonezilla.org/show-live-doc-con ... disk_clone

I use Macrium Reflect Home for Windows PCs, since I require frequent backups.


I am considering retrying Ubuntu when it returns to GNOME, but I have lots of Windows-only software that I cannot just give up.

You won't be missing out on much. There is WINE, which is a program that allows you to ring Windows only software on Linux, but it can expose your Linux distribution to same security vulnerabilities on your Windows.

Also, Linux has most of most essential software, or at least its own version of a Windows program.
I think Windows is better for gaming, but there are gaming distros for Linux, and it runs most of the popular games.

I know I have been pondering about the future of computing after Windows 7 goes out of support in 2020. It doesn't mean that it will instantly disappear, but security issues is serious business, and I still have reservations on Windows 10 over telemetry and internal advertising.

[Soldati Senza Confini]

It is a bit more clearer to me now so far as what I need to do. Some people on Youtube such as Eli the Computer Guy say that the CompTIA A+ is worthless so far as entering IT as a career goes- are they correct? I've determined the answer is- yes and no.

Yes, it is true that most if not all of the related work that the A+ covers has been outsourced to China or India at this point, in any case- it won't get you above minimum wage. No, I wouldn't say the knowledge is worthless. If you're just starting out and have no IT background at all, then I recommend that you learn the material before moving onto learning the material for Network+ or Security+, and so on. The certifications probably don't have value if you're in a developed country, but the knowledge itself has value.

I don't recommend getting CompTIA certifications because it is primarily entry level stuff and if you really want to break into IT, you're going to need certifications of a higher caliber, whatever is covering more complex topics which are still in demand such as cloud computing. It can't hurt to get Cisco or ITIL certified provided you learn how to market yourself beforehand.

Don't spend money on the entry level certifications (unless a government job requires it, or you'll get reimbursed), save whatever money you get instead for certifications which are more difficult and thus more respected in the industry. If you get a higher level certifications, you can automatically skip over the lower level certification because it'll be obvious that you understand the underlying knowledge for those as well.

The government cares more about you formally having a piece of paper than the private sector does. If you can prove competency without shelling out hundreds of dollars to get qualified, then that is the smarter move. I've learned how to use Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, etc. on my own time using the Internet.

You can definitely get a job eventually if you look at job postings and take note of what requirements there are, and go out of your way to obtain any in demand skills.

Certifications are good for HR and liability issues. A resume without an entry level certification really won't help you if the HR looking at your resume is a hardass about liability. So you always have to think about that. Lots of people hiring, especially non-techie HR departments do not understand what the "prestigious certifications" have that the entry level, that they specifically require in their application on DICE or Indeed don't. So don't try to outsmart HR, you will never win.

Other than that, there's really no worth in certifications after a certain proficiency and experience is achieved in your field since most of the time your experience and a good resume layout of your jobs and roles in said job will carry the resume, or make your certifications entirely redundant.

[Immoren]

So "would" it be wise move to replace FX-4300 with more some faster/coreful AM3+ processor, or should I just try to overclock it and wait for the moment I can acquire entire PC that's more modern?

[Salandriagado]

So "would" it be wise move to replace FX-4300 with more some faster/coreful AM3+ processor, or should I just try to overclock it and wait for the moment I can acquire entire PC that's more modern?

I'd probably just overclock it and save up, providing you don't need the extra power imminently.

[Minoa]

Microsoft has announced the retirement of Paint: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40705466.

Although I now use Photoshop for the same task, it was honestly great when I needed to created pixelated or low-colour graphics.

Memories?

[Salandriagado]

Microsoft has announced the retirement of Paint: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40705466.

Although I now use Photoshop for the same task, it was honestly great when I needed to created pixelated or low-colour graphics.

Memories?

But... but... it's like genuinely the best piece of software they ever made.

[Minoa]

Microsoft has announced the retirement of Paint: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40705466.

Although I now use Photoshop for the same task, it was honestly great when I needed to created pixelated or low-colour graphics.

Memories?

But... but... it's like genuinely the best piece of software they ever made.

I found the XP version the best in my opinion, with the core web colours as the default palette, that I went as far as to port it to Windows 7 with little to no problem.

[KiraKira Land]

Oh no! Paint is getting retired? But it is legendary! It's been with Windows since the beginning!

Oh well, it isn't as if I actually use the ugly spyware that is recent Windows OS like Windows 10, anyway.

[Minoa]

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40714395

Microsoft hit CTRL+Z, sort of. But I hope they don't cripple it like what they did to Solitaire.

[Soldati Senza Confini]

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40714395

Microsoft hit CTRL+Z, sort of. But I hope they don't cripple it like what they did to Solitaire.

A lot of the features getting the chopping block were kind of redundant, to be honest.

Although I am glad that they decided to stick with paint on this one.

[Minoa]

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40716304

So it's no more Flash by the end of 2020. About 3 years for all Flash media to go Flash-free.

[Saiwania]

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40716304

So it's no more Flash by the end of 2020. About 3 years for all Flash media to go Flash-free.

I don't care how insecure Adobe Flash supposedly is, I remain an ardent and committed fan of the software. I've never had any problems with it, given that I'm always using the latest version. Like with Windows 7, I plan to use Adobe Flash until the very end of support.

The biggest single reason I need Flash is of course- to play legacy games or content on the Internet. One of my favorite haunts over a decade ago- Newgrounds by Tom Fulp. A ton of stuff unfortunately, can't be converted to an HTML5 equivalent and will perhaps be lost on a permanent basis.

[KiraKira Land]

Same here, and I am using a rather old version of it I believe, I'm on Vista (yes I know it's crappy, waiting to downgrade to XP).

There are many old websites I visit with Flash content..

However old versions of Flash will always be floating around the internet, like on oldapps. So we can probably still play these old games, as long as you own an old computer or use a virtual machine.

[Minoa]

Same here, and I am using a rather old version of it I believe, I'm on Vista (yes I know it's crappy, waiting to downgrade to XP).

There are many old websites I visit with Flash content..

However old versions of Flash will always be floating around the internet, like on oldapps. So we can probably still play these old games, as long as you own an old computer or use a virtual machine.

It would be nice if XP was released by Microsoft for free as a legacy system, even with no support.

[Minoa]

I wonder who uses a pen display to post in this forum? Because I have just used it to post this exact message. I could have used handwriting recognition, but the system cannot distinguish between an uppercase or lowercase S. Oh nuts.

At least I can start drawing circles without the ellipse tool.

[Saiwania]

Is there any word yet on if Adobe Shockwave will be going away as well like Adobe Flash is?

Shockwave is different software than Flash, but in my experience- I've rarely ever needed to use Shockwave, but I have it just in case I need it for something. I know there are or were things that used Shockwave but I can't really tell if it has fallen out of favor, while it is more obvious that Flash is dead.

It appears that there is confirmation that Adobe AIR isn't going anywhere, Adobe plans to keep AIR alive for the time being.
(I'm not sure what AIR is used for, but I have it because I assume I'll need it for something.)

[Minoa]

Is there any word yet on if Adobe Shockwave will be going away as well like Adobe Flash is?

Shockwave is different software than Flash, but in my experience- I've rarely ever needed to use Shockwave, but I have it just in case I need it for something. I know there are or were things that used Shockwave but I can't really tell if it has fallen out of favor, while it is more obvious that Flash is dead.

It appears that there is confirmation that Adobe AIR isn't going anywhere, Adobe plans to keep AIR alive for the time being.
(I'm not sure what AIR is used for, but I have it because I assume I'll need it for something.)

I've not knowingly used Shockwave for a long time. It's hard to imagine it lasting long.

[Saiwania]

Lots of people hiring, especially non-techie HR departments do not understand what the "prestigious certifications" have that the entry level, that they specifically require in their application on DICE or Indeed don't. So don't try to outsmart HR, you will never win.

Bah, to hell with HR departments!
Many of the most successful people have at one point or another- faked their resumes, such as John McAfee and many other top level executives like Walmart's David Tovar. The fact is that corporations are more unethical than you as a person, could ever be.

I've never used resume fraud before, but I am willing to resort to it if honesty winds up never ever paying off! I will even pay a service such as FakeResume if it will successfully get me in the door if I'm sick and tired enough of getting rejected. Your resume isn't a legally binding document anyways. It can be thought of as being the equivalent of a sales flyer, it is to advertise you.

It matters not, if your resume or application was bullshit- provided you're still able to perform to that job's expectations. One or more people might initially be upset if fraud is discovered, but provided you managed to be profitable for the business and held onto that job all this time undiscovered, they're not going to fire you. Only the money gained or lost matters.

The resume/application game is just an artificially ingrained formality designed to tear people down or to narrow down to a final choice from a much larger pool of choices a business could take a risk on.

[Of Herbshire]

I'm posting this on Windows Vista Ultimate SP2 x64.

[Soldati Senza Confini]

I'm posting this on Windows Vista Ultimate SP2 x64.

That's quite the old Operating System. I'd like to ask, since you're using it in 2017, has the newer software that's been released for Windows given you any problems under Vista?

[Minoa]

I'm posting this on Windows Vista Ultimate SP2 x64.

Unless it is on VMware, I advise against using such an old and unpopular (according to the press) out-of-the-support-cycle operating system. However, I don't advise Windows 10 for anything other than playing around on VMware due to the controversy with telemetry.

[KiraKira Land]

I'm using Vista too. It's not the best older operating system, but it works and that is all that matters to me. Plus, I like the old look. I have it in the Classic theme so it resembles Windows 98. Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but I would rather use Vista over 8 any day. Not to mention 10, which is much too invasive for my privacy loving self.

I'm going to downgrade to XP once I get a disk for it.

[KiraKira Land]

I'm posting this on Windows Vista Ultimate SP2 x64.

That's quite the old Operating System. I'd like to ask, since you're using it in 2017, has the newer software that's been released for Windows given you any problems under Vista?

I can answer that, yes some new software doesn't work. For instance I could not run the Sims 3 without it crashing. Second Life is so slow it is unusable. But I think that's just my computer's low specs. It doesn't do well with complex 3D. For instance IMVU worked well on my old Windows XP netbook. But not on my current laptop.

I don't use much new software, so other than that it seems to work fine for what I do, which is usually use the internet and retro emulators.

Ah, another thing that doesn't work: Any emulator for anything over 64 bits. I'm using the 32 bit Windows Vista actually. Any game system newer than the N64 cannot be emulated from my experience. This is probably because of my computer hardware again, though.

[Saiwania]

Ah, another thing that doesn't work: Any emulator for anything over 64 bits. I'm using the 32 bit Windows Vista actually. Any game system newer than the N64 cannot be emulated from my experience. This is probably because of my computer hardware again, though.

It is a bit of common sense, if you have a 32-bit CPU or hardware and/or a 32-bit OS, you can't run any 64-bit software. It won't have enough memory address space to run any 64-bit instruction set. Nobody manufactures 32-bit hardware anymore, that has been completely discontinued since around 2008 in favor of 64-bit.

The same isn't true for software, for whatever reason- there is plenty of 32-bit software and applications out there and there probably will be for the foreseeable future, but with perhaps 32-bit OSes starting to go away. A 64-bit CPU or OS can run anything 32-bit because 32 bits of binary will fit inside a 64-bit address range.