S2C Forum Archives
Main Section => Workshop Wisdom => 602's Musings => Topic started by: w3526602 on January 10, 2020, 05:26:56 AM
-
Hi,
1. Every day, I struggle to get onto this forum. Sometimes my "remembered" pass-word works, sometimes it refuses, and digs it's heels in. Before fitting the new hard drive to this PC, I could go for days with NO INTERNET SIGNAL ... and then one day, I could log on. Today, one lap-top is getting a signal, but the other isn't. They are less than a metre apart. ???
My new Geek says he has acquired some sort of measuring device, and wants to come and check my house, FOC.
Today I logged straight in to this forum... didn't need a pass-word. Whoever is responsible ... thankyou.
They recently laid fibre-optics in the road. Would that give any advantages (albeit at a cost) to our TV entertainment. Can fibre optics be used for internet connection?
Probably being silly ... but how difficult would it be to fit an S2 PETROL engine into an old Discovery, or Range Rover? We seem to be doing less than 2,000 mils per annum between us. (Barbara's June 2018 Hyundai has only recently clicked over 2,000 miles). So fuel consumption is virtually irrelevant. I am currently car-less. Barbara's knee replacements seem no closer ... I'm about to put my foot down, TELL her she IS going private.
602
-
Your ability and ease to access the forum (or the internet) is nothing to do with me/S2C/forum.
I'm afraid the problems lie at your end of the chain.
What exactly is your PC/laptop spec ?
Make - model, HDD size, memory
What OS are you running ?
What internet browser are you using ?
Who is your internet service provider ?
That you have 2 laptops that behave differently is not surprising - they are set up differently.
Somewhere in the internet browser (on each) will be an option to save and remember passwords.
Every time you do a hard re-boot of the PC you could lose the password store.
That is undoubtedly your problem.
I don't know how many websites you visit on a regular (daily) basis, but you could use the same username - often your email address and password.
I know security experts say don't do this - but really, is your computer full of secret security ID information ???
Maybe, maybe not.
If you bank online keep those details separate from your other surfing info.
You could keep a list of your logins and passwords on your phone.
That would be easier and quicker to refer to, rather than sending a forgotten password request each time you want to login to something.
It is a question of being organised and strategy.
It doesn't matter whether you have fibre or copper wire or string connecting your house to the local telephone exchange.
It's down to what your ISP (internet service provider) is providing with the package you have.
Most ISPs provide a decent download speed and upload speed - more than fast enough to browse the internet.
If you want to download films and TV and music you'll need a faster service and if you are into online real time gaming (which I doubt) the faster the better.
There are many links to websites that can test your internet connection and speed...
For example:-
Broadband speed test (https://broadbandtest.which.co.uk/)
Any download speed over 20 (the units don't matter) is good :first
Any upload speed over 10 is good :first
There are comparison websites that can find the best deal/package for your needs.
Your needs might include Sky, Amazon or Netflix or BT TV channels/packages.
for example:- Compare the Market (https://www.comparethemarket.com/broadband-phone-tv/?SRC=ED69&&SRC=ED69&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3ZqW0eX45gIVSbTtCh2QnwxhEAAYAyAAEgLAX_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds)
As to retro fitting a Series 2 petrol into a Disco or RR :shakeinghead
Forget it - please
Why why why - what would you expect to gain?
In fact it would cost you a shed load of money - better just to buy a half decent model - drive and enjoy it.
:-\
The big problem you'll have is getting an MoT pass.
Emissions tests are based on the age of the vehicle - NOT the engine age.
Another problem is, "Where are you going to get a half decent, reliable Series 2 petrol engine from ?" - a refurbished, rebuilt engine will cost you at least £2500 ???
A £100 eBay punt is just that - you'd be buying a heap of trouble.
Actually fitting the lump would be the least of your troubles.
:geek
-
Hi Wittsend,
Thanks for your reply.
I WAS NOT blaming you. It's just that I find security is a PITA ... the only person it seems to obstruct is me ... frequently.
I am an 80+ year old dyslexic Technowimp. I will answer your questions as best I can.
Both lap-tops are ACER. They have slightly different cases, so I assume one is older than the other. Spec? Model? HDD size? Memory? OS? Browser? I don't know! ??? I probably don't understand the meaning of those words. I know where to find the "browser bar", and have leaned that keying a subject into the browser bar will link me to Google, and give me an answer ... no need to log onto Google.
Assuming that I understand the question, my ISP is AOL.
I didn't know that my PCs have the ability to store store passwords, other than by me "making notes"
Hard re-boot? What's that?
Thanks for your interest.
602 (Never had a lesson in my life. Somebody gave me an old desk-top, keyboard, and mouse, and I bought a 2nd hand screen)
-
Hi (again) Wittsend.
You are probably right about not putting a Series engine into a Defender/Range Rover. But when I have considered buying an old Defender or Range Rover, the advice is generally ... DON'T! I get the impression that their engines are the deciding factor
I had already considered the questions of "Emissions". Not insurmountable I would have thought, but maybe a "deal breaker". Are emissions dependent on the original spec of the vehicle, or the existing engine? Eg: If you replace the petrol engine in an "Eco-warrior GT" with a diesel, do the emmision requirements remain the same? And vice-versa?
Power? There must be a few 109s running around on 750s and 3.5 diffs, despite their barn-door aerodynamics. Surely the same engine will pull a (albeit heavier) truck, with (presumably) better aerodynamics, 205 tyres, and fitted with Series differentials Fuel consumption is of little consequence to me.
OK, it's probably a non-starter, at my age and location, but might be an interesting discussion over a pint.
My dinner is being offered to the dog. Barbara will need an automatic after her ops. I thought we had settled on a SAAB auto estate (reputedly tidy examples are available for very reasonable bucks) but she is now talking about buying a Hyundai i10 auto, for her period of shame.. I think she will miss her iX20's ability to spin the wheels just by stamping on the loud pedal (OK ... in a low gear from a low speed, but not slipping the clutch). And I don't know for how long she will need to carry her wheel-chair.
Alan, I'm happy for you to close this discussion.
602
-
Hi 602,
There are a couple things you can try that might help. I hate to say it, but it might be good for you to install the latest Chrome browser. It's made by Google and although I hate Google (and Apple) with the passion of a thousand burning suns, their browser installation and use is seamless. It does tend to "take over" your laptop and want to be your software of choice for everything from email to browsing websites to operating your household via Alexis. But they do make a fine browser and it's happy to remember passwords for you. Once you go down this path, it's tough to get out of Google's jaws. But they're relatively benign and appear to be benevolent. So they might be useful to you.
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95346?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
Good luck, and may God have mercy on your soul. :tiphat
-
Just a few observations on your problems.
Regardless of what package you are buying from your ISP, the speed is limited by the capability of the supply down the wires. Until a year ago we had 4 miles of old copper phone cable from the nearest rural exchange. Our maximum possible download speed was 0.5 Mb/s. We were were deluged with wonderful offers from providers who promised 30, 60, the sky, but on further enquiries all were limited by the antique supply cables to 0.5.
Then a local provider started up, which could supply 30 Mb/s by wi-fi disk from a new mast 2 miles away across the valley. To get the signal there has to be a virtually clear line of sight, preferably with very few trees in the way. It is about the same price as we paid before, but with a vastly increased speed. There are very few problems, and if there are the firm are only a few miles away and Dai usually pops round in his van and resets the transmitter at the mast in about half an hour.
BT have now run a fibre optic cable down the lane right past the door - after saying for years there were no plans for doing that. We could switch at minimal or no cost, but we are staying loyal to the local firm and the excellent service response. Wasting hours hanging on at an imbecilic call centre in India to report that the internet has gone off again is not very appealing compared with a friendly man just up the road.
I usually click "remember Log-in" on websites with no financial details (not bank account, obviously), but I find all of them forget that after a week or so, for some unknown reason - it's just one of those irritating things about the internet.
Another is the way the log-in page often jumps a few inches just as I am clicking log-in, so I get an advert or something instead.
Despite what Wittsend says, I have always understood that emissions are tested on the engine's age not the car's, as long as you have written proof for the tester. I understand that a copy of the V5 from the donor vehicle showing an engine number that matches the one in the car is acceptable evidence.
I'm not saying it would be a good idea though - it sounds a bit daft to me.
-
No
Emissions are based on the age of the vehicle, the date on the V5C.
And must conform to the VOSA data in the MoT manual relating to that year.
No Series 2 requires an emissions test for the MoT other than a subjective look at any smoke produced.
Therefore a Tdi engine in a Series 2 is never tested, whereas a Series 2 engine in a Disco would be tested.
Whether a 50 year old engine will or could be made to pass modern limits is a mute point.
-
602. I know and appreciate that there are people who, like Nanuq, hate Google and Apple with a deep and abiding passion.
I don’t. I have a MacBook Air laptop, 7 years old now, and never a single days problem during that time.
More to the point, I’m in my mid-Seventies, by no means computer literate, and I struggle a bit with the technical language of information technology.
But if I want to use it, then I need a working knowledge of it. Just as if I want to run a Classic Land Rover, I need mechanical understanding and sympathy with my S2.
And this is where Apple are excellent. When you buy an Apple product from an Apple store, you can get free basic (and later on, also free advanced) training and advice. I found it invaluable. It was also strangely enjoyable, as you meet others in the group and realise you’re not alone and not dumb...
The groups take place in the Apple store, and are often run (in my experience) by young, tattooed and pierced geeks who are, despite appearances, unusually patient, helpful and quite charming.
The big downside is that Apple devices are not cheap. That’s because they work......
-
Sorry 602, meant to add that even if you buy a second-hand Apple device, you can still go in and get the training.
Just talking to SWMBO, and she said “ Just get an i-pad. Very simple to use, light & easy to carry about, and as powerful as many laptops - just better”
Go in an Apple store and ask them to demonstrate one for you.
-
I second that. I started my digital life as a Windows user, DOS even, but eventually, out of sheer exasperation with the user unfriendlyness of Windows, all the virus, adware, firewall, networking annoyances, I made the switch to Apple and MacOS. My only regret is I didn't make the switch earlier. Main reason? Ease of use. It seems to me an iPad could be the right solution. If you'r happy to use a keyboard, just click one in, by wire or wireless. People say Apple is expensive. I don't know if that's true. It costs more money then your average Windows entry model, but that doesn't mean Apples are expensive.
As far as fibre is concerned: do it, yesterday. I live in a little village connected to the internet by copper and relaystations dating from the seventies. We struggled to get 5 MB. Four years ago we got fibre. The ISP promises 350 Mbps, we now are at, one moment, speedtesting, 357 Mbps down and 359 Mbps up…
I love my Discovery 1 300 TDi, but it's a "filthy diesel" (and tax-wise much more epensive) which means I can't go everywhere with a car that is supposed to go everywhere. I considered an engine swap, maybe a Rover V8 of some sort, but decided against it, too much hassle, no environmental gain whatsoever…
Richard
Sorry 602, meant to add that even if you buy a second-hand Apple device, you can still go in and get the training.
Just talking to SWMBO, and she said “ Just get an i-pad. Very simple to use, light & easy to carry about, and as powerful as many laptops - just better”
Go in an Apple store and ask them to demonstrate one for you.
-
No
Emissions are based on the age of the vehicle, the date on the V5C.
And must conform to the VOSA data in the MoT manual relating to that year.
From the 2019 Government MOT Testers Manual:
"Vehicles fitted with a different engine
If a vehicle first used before 1 September 2002 is fitted with an engine that’s older than the vehicle, you must test it to the standards applicable for the engine. The vehicle presenter must have proof of the age of the engine.
If a vehicle first used on or after 1 September 2002 is fitted with a different engine, you must test it to the emissions standards for the age of the vehicle."
-
I fully echo the comments suggesting having a look at an Apple product.
Dad was highly computer literate - probably more so than me. He did O-level computing in the 1980s as an evening class and remained very much up to speed. When he died, Mum needed something she could cope with and bought an Apple laptop. 13yrs on and it is still causing her no problems. I know this because I do not have phone calls asking me to remotely diagnose issues with a computer I know nothing about! She does go to the Apple store (in Bluewater) from time to time and comes away happy, which confirms to me that they are people of infinite patience.
As far as fibre is concerned: do it, yesterday. I live in a little village connected to the internet by copper and relaystations dating from the seventies. We struggled to get 5 MB. Four years ago we got fibre. The ISP promises 350 Mbps, we now are at, one moment, speedtesting, 357 Mbps down and 359 Mbps up…
We also live in a little village, in Essex, about 1.5miles from the nearest town. Outside my house the pigeons sit along the wires. We are convinced that they are actually there to carry the data packets as that would account for the (lack of) speed. With no options other than the BT lines, we get what we are given. BT switches the lines around at the exchange, downgrading the rate, until enough people complain and we then get some speed back. We have now been 'upgraded' to about a mile away and running a check this morning, we get 2.0MB download, 0.4MB upload, which for here is a big improvement. The fibre lines were put in last year - as soon as they are ready to connect up we will be straight on it. Strongly recommend doing the same!
Alec
-
If a vehicle first used before 1 September 2002 is fitted with an engine that’s older than the vehicle, you must test it to the standards applicable for the engine. The vehicle presenter must have proof of the age of the engine.
Hi Clifford,
That is sort of my understanding ... from reading Kit Car magazines, many years ago. Er ... no mention of pre-2002 vehicles fitted with newer engines, or did I miss something? No doubt there is a logical tree (aka ... Idiot sheet).
Only recently did a main dealer in MK offer a "one owner" 1971 Range Rover with FSH for £1,500. Doh!
I tried to find a piccy of my Austin Champ on Photobucket ... and there it was - GONE, along with a lot of other pics. I hope it is a matter of this Techno-wimp not knowing how to access the pics. I assume that my £6 per month gives me authority to frown at the?
I'm hoping Wittsend may have secreted away, a picture of my Austin Champ (I think about 2000kg ULW ??? and on 750 x 16 tyres). I had removed the B60 (?) engine and gear box, and dropped in a BMC 2.2 LD diesel. Performance was adequate, and it was cheaper to run than Barbara's Hillman Imp, but only because diesel was significantly cheaper diesel.
If an LD can pull 2000kg, then surely a 2286cc pertol enine can pull the same weight?
602
-
It's whichever is the older, car or engine.
-
I'll pass on this.
Either way retro fitting a Series engine into a Disco or RR is a bad move IMHO.
:wooly-jumper
-
602. I know and appreciate that there are people who, like Nanuq, hate Google and Apple with a deep and abiding passion.
I don’t. I have a MacBook Air laptop, 7 years old now, and never a single days problem during that time.
More to the point, I’m in my mid-Seventies, by no means computer literate, and I struggle a bit with the technical language of information technology.
But if I want to use it, then I need a working knowledge of it. Just as if I want to run a Classic Land Rover, I need mechanical understanding and sympathy with my S2.
And this is where Apple are excellent. When you buy an Apple product from an Apple store, you can get free basic (and later on, also free advanced) training and advice. I found it invaluable. It was also strangely enjoyable, as you meet others in the group and realise you’re not alone and not dumb...
The groups take place in the Apple store, and are often run (in my experience) by young, tattooed and pierced geeks who are, despite appearances, unusually patient, helpful and quite charming.
The big downside is that Apple devices are not cheap. That’s because they work......
:ditto
People love to hate the big boys:- Apple, Microsoft, Google etc. but without them the IT "explosion" and the "internet" wouldn't have happened.
Geeks and Geekesses will build their own computers and write the software and the apps (programs) as they will.
For 99.9% of the world's population we need something that works when you switch it on.
Apple are great :mobile
I posted before that there is an Apple store in MK.
Why not pop in and have a look round ???
Please ...
The (young) staff are use to dealing with us old uns.
I would agree with the views above - an iPad might be just the solution for you.
In the Apple store they will show you how it works - tell them what you use the "computer" for.
Instead of passwords you can use face recognition (on the newer models) or fingerprint recognition on the iPad (and iPhone) this should/could save remembering problems. So to go to the forum and login I just have to look at the screen.
If you buy one, they will set it up for you and show you how it works.
Apple stores run "in shop seminars", as mentioned ^^^ OR you can make an appointment on a 1-2-1 basis and have them talk you through a problem.
These are free to attend, but you need to book a slot.
The only downside is that they don't serve coffee, but as there's a coffee bar in the foyer outside - not a problem :coffee
Many a time I've wandered into our Apple store and always walked out with a new hint or tip that I didn't know about :first
With the iPad you can buy an Apple keyboard accessory that doubles as a cover.
It really would be worth a visit.
(A blatant plug from Wittsend in the hope of getting a free phone upgrade ;) )
And here's the bonus:-
My iPad can be clamped to the dash and here I can display the UK in OS Explorer mode with real-time GPS tracking.
I can load in a pre-defined route (or record a route) - a green lane trip, say, and follow the map and never miss a turn :first
The routes can be exported in .gpx format for others to upload.
(http://www.series2club.co.uk/gallery/technical/images/iPad-2.jpg)
:geek
-
Hi Wittsend,
Thanks for the thought, I will bear it in mind, do some geographic research ... maybe tomorrow. At the moment I'm composing a letter to our mortgage lender, asking for another £20,000 @ 4% (two new knees, an automatic car, and an invalid buggy).
Also, visits to MK are "disabled parking" critical, although Barbara does have a Blue Badge. My knees are starting to resent pushing her wheelchair ... a full circuit of Morrisons, and I'm crippled for a week.
602
-
Either way retro fitting a Series engine into a Disco or RR is a bad move IMHO.
Hi Wittsend,
I cannot disagree with that statement ... but then again ... I've heard the same said about marriage. It could be argued that using a diesel S2
Defenders are fitted with 2.5TDi engines. I presume some RR are too? What is going to happen to all those trucks when they are banned from living in towns? I'm guessing there will be a demand for petrol conversion kits ...and/or ... a lot of useful trucks being exported to China.
Me? Fuel consumption is irrelevant. I cannot foresee myself ever needing again ... chunky tyres should overcome urban snow.
It seems that the choice of what engine (to transplant) is dependent on whether the receiving vehicle is pre/post 2002.
Whatever, the question is unlikely to arise, unless I find a lo-buck "donee". When I lived in the Swansea and Neath valleys, I knew of a couple of "small mines" that used old Series, worked them to death, then forked them into the skip.
602
-
Oh yes,
My thanks to those who replied to my internet connection problems. I knew I was a techno-wimp. I now suspect that "I'm a techno-wimp with knobs on". An apple is something that I eat after lunch. (OK. I've heard the word in connection to PCs, but have no idea of it's relevance). Where can I buy the relevant GRIMOIRE (sp?)
Er ... when I drove a desk-top, it was connected to my telephone master box. Now I'm using a lap-top, my connection is "wireless". Can I connect my lap-top to my BT master box, and would I want to? Probably an academic question, as my PC repair bloke says I don't have a master box.
602
-
People love to hate the big boys:- Apple, Microsoft, Google etc. but without them the IT "explosion" and the "internet" wouldn't have happened
Hi Wittsend
In 1972, DVLC's was second in size to the US Treasury computer.
I've heard it claimed, that DVLC was responsible for much of the IT development that took place in the late 20th century. I know that some large organisations offered to help DVLC through their teething problems ... but they all withdrew their offers after reading the "spec".
From the IT floor notice board. "Even the dumbest ape is more intelligent than the cleverest computer ... but any computer is far brighter than any programmer".
602
-
Alright, I feel compelled to clarify that I'm not an udder Luddite here in the cold wild extremes of the frigid north. I went down the crimson path of DOS and Windows (look! it's new and cheap and shiny!) and after fighting them for many decades and having to use them in many forms of employment, nay, even having to write software for those *&%^$ environments for the last 30+ years, I finally had a revelation. 22 years ago I found employment in governmental work where a team of 5 of us created the Air Traffic Control system that manages 6 million square miles of airspace. Guess what, it doesn't run under DOS or Windows. Thank God. At the time it was hard weaning myself off the relatively easy DOS environment into the bizarre world of UNIX. Now, it's my playground and I'll never go back.
Apple antagonizes me with its constant "releases" that effect nothing more than breaking software that used to work perfectly fine, as they introduce ever more widgets and toys that keep kids with the attention span of a newt perpetually entranced. Meanwhile, if you know how, deep down underneath that shmarmy Apple interface lies a real (and useful) UNIX. And I find that galling, for many reasons.
So yes, I hate Windows and Apple with the passion of a thousand burning suns. And I adore HP/UX 10.03 like a lover with a bottle of fine wine and a thick collection of Mahler. And out of 100 people that read this, maybe two will "get it". And that's just fine with me... we're all cut from different fabric. And thank God for that.
-
Computers and software is my day job, and has been for 30 years. For work I use Linux and Windows, and a bit of IOS (Apple).
Nanuq, I agree with many of your points, but....
For my parents and inlaws, providing them each with an Apple ipad a few years ago has reduced my support calls from one a month to nothing.
For 'it just works' browsing and reading forums, I don't think anything beats them.
(interestingly, 25 odd years ago I was also involved in writing an ATC system, but it was approach radar displays for the UK?)
-
I get al that except for the wine part ;)
sudo -i
cd /Richard/cellar
find *beer*
:cheers
Richard
So yes, I hate Windows and Apple with the passion of a thousand burning suns. And I adore HP/UX 10.03 like a lover with a bottle of fine wine and a thick collection of Mahler. And out of 100 people that read this, maybe two will "get it". And that's just fine with me... we're all cut from different fabric. And thank God for that.
-
Sometimes my "remembered" pass-word works, sometimes it refuses, and digs it's heels in.
As has already been mentioned, a handy feature of google's Chrome browser is that it can remember all of your passwords for you. You need only remember your logon password and your google password.
Another option is a dedicated password manager - 1Password, for example. I've been considering setting this up for my dad - he's not great with computers at the best of times, and has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's so I can't see his password retention getting any better :(
-
I think all the main players that provide browsers have a "remember password" feature and you can get a super password manager whereby you have but one password for all your internet access.
:-\
However, I would still have unique passwords for mission critical and privacy protection on things like PayPal, eBay, Facebook etc.
I use Mozilla's FireFox (free) and developed in the Unix world - as is the software that hosts this forum and most severs. Unix is there but with user friendly portals over it.
With this "remember password" feature of browsers you can go in and edit the passwords, or delete/change them - well you can in FireFox.
:RHD
-
@martinrh, I couldn't agree more. I had a brain fart or something, I meant to close my rant saying Apple devices are fantastic for relatives that need a lot of tech support. I set my mom up with an iPad and stylus, and gave her just a little hands-on training, and away she went. The beauty of those things is the intuitive interface.
Another trick for passwords is to use patterns on the keyboard. Then you don't have to remember what the actual password is. Example, try these patterns:
!1@2#3$4%5^6&7
q1!w2@e3#r4$t5%
zaq1!QAZxsw2@WSX
!QW@1qw2@WE#2we3
See? Those are quite complex and they're easy to remember. There are dozens of ways to do patterns like that.
:tiphat
-
I get al that except for the wine part ;)
sudo -i
cd /Richard/cellar
find *beer*
:cheers
Richard
Hi Richard, would that be a ................. (wait for it) ............................
...............root cellar?
:thud
-
100% not a tech nerd and not one just to hate the big boys but.....
Apple pull you in with their fancy minimalist design and white colour schemes and pow they have you in a closed environment where you have to use their software and related hardware, next then you have to use their apps. Want to share a file ohh yeah it's a one where joe average with his PC now needs to jump through hoops to do.
Now should you accidently break your apple device it'll cost you two arms and three legs plus a heard of camels to repair.
ohh you went out without your charging lead, ohh it's not a common USB it's a fancy specific cable.
IMHO an android based mobile device will do the job just fine and have enough commonality with the rest of interwebs to talk to them.
Don't get me wrong google are not saints, 99% of web browers use a save password function not just chrome which is a bulky Memory hungry programme which likes more megs of memory than a fat kid in a sweet shop.
And yes i'm fully aware that at idle a Win 10 machine will use about 1.3 gig of ram doing in essence sweet FA.
IMHO have a basic windows machine, update it regularly, hardware will be superceeded at an alarming pace and figure at a new machine say every 7 years, Write all your passwords down in a book next to your machine and make them as obscure as you can, then change them every 4 months. You don't need anything fancy to browse the interwebs.
I await Simon M to come on extolling the virtues of Linux :-X
-
Well said, Devon2a. In the case of my favorite wife, she has a habit of installing the latest iOS release the moment it comes out. Then her apps quit working right, or they lose their settings, or Apple turns on iCloud and Location settings again in the background (which we specifically turn off) and it sucks up all our bandwidth and privacy. Until we catch it and kill it again.
Oh, then I hook up her phone to the laptop and it requires the latest iTunes software, so there's a monstrous download. What's this? The new iTunes won't run on my Windows version any more? I need to download a Microsoft Update and reboot half a dozen times. But that used up all my disk space, so I have to move a bunch of photos off to an external device.
And can you buy the cheap Lightning cables on Amazon to plug it in? Oh no, you have to buy the "MFI compliant" cables that cost 3x as much, or your iDevice will refuse to charge itself.
And remember that really neat app you had that worked so well with the last iOS? It's gone now, it won't work in this iOS. You can't restore it from a backup. You can only get it from the App Store. IF the developer decides to uplevel it again.
It's maddening, it's never ending and absolutely unnecessary.
-
True ...
If you take the Apple shilling then you are committed to stay with them.
Best advice is NOT to upgrade the iOS as soon as new version is released.
I do, and so far never come a cropper - there was one app that didn't upgrade and wasn't compatible, but I don't miss it.
Apple care is a good insurance policy.
For cables and chargers you do need the authentic Apple accessories. Your device is guaranteed to work, even if it costs more.
For example, the cheapo USB/cigarette chargers don't put out enough amps to charge your device(s) - they need around 2.2 amps whereas the cheap stuff doesn't.
If you are tied into the Apple family, then you do get free help and assistance from the Apple stores which if they are in your town that's a big bonus in my view.
Where as I not sure if the same level of global customer support is available for Android devices ???
Swings and roundabouts ???
I'm happy with my Apple devices and I'm very happy with my Windows 10 PCs (just upgraded to the latest version of Windows 10 and it works great for me).
I buy an annual license for Office 365 and stuff just gets upgraded. I agree about the bloatware nature of upgrades - loads of "features" that I'll never need to use :shakeinghead
I also use Open Office and Gimp (open source & free) I use the cloud to access stuff and move things around and (hopefully) my critical stuff is also backed up on 2 separate HDD units. I also have Linux on a laptop.
In theory I can run this forum, website and manage our server from any PC/device that can connect to the internet ...
:geek
-
Hi,
Thanks for all the PC advice.
When I met Barbara (1964), it was her job, in Customs & Excise, to access the value of goods for Purchase Tax (pre-VAT). Her areas were "cosmetiics" and "toys", both taxed at 25%.
She spent a whole morning arguing with a Japanese businessman who wanted to bring a number of posh abacus (abacuses? aberci?) into the UK, as gifts for his customers.
Barbara declared they were toys, and demanded 25% purchase tax.
The nice gentleman spent an entire morning convincing her that they were not toys, they were scientific instruments.
Eventually, she accepted his arguments ... and suggested he walked down the corridor, where he would find the Officers dealing with Stationary and Office Equipment ... who would demand Purchase Tax at 25%. :thud
Our tax collectors do have hearts. Barbara told me that babies' feeding bottles, and STs (ask your gran) were Purchase Tax exempt. I don't know if those exemptions were carried over to VAT. Car seat belts were PurchaseTtax exempt, but I'm pretty sure they are not VAT exempt.
602
PS ... I would argue that an abacus is a primitive computer, so the above is "on topic".
-
Don't assume that passwords made from random characters and numbers are strong. Three or four English words are easier to remember and usually stronger.
https://xkcd.com/936/
Malcolm
-
John, if you are leaning towards apple products, I am happy to pop round with my son Mike who is a professional photographer and uses lots of apple products and he can chat about the options available. My father who is now in his nineties takes his iPad everywhere with him. He lives in Buckingham, but takes himself off all over the country on the bus and even up to Manchester for the annual microscope conference. He uses it for navigation and mapping when he is walking around cities and then uses it as a camera as well.
-
I am happy to pop round with my son Mike
Hi Dave,
Thank for the offer, but from what I've read, Apple is a "black art". My PC skills are virtually all self taught, and have huge holes.
I have did have some small ability in programming in COBOL.
However, you and your kin are very welcome to call at any time. As is everybody.
602