I wish I could self destruct...

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

So, I spent a hell of a lot of time preparing my system maintenance and tool of choice and I was so looking forward to reinstalling the OS on my laptop when I discover the bloody network adapter ain't working (Windows PE doesn't like wireless and will only do wired networking) so I can't even access my "terminal server" (another machine with a "quick and dirty" install of XP on it) then.

Of course, I managed to clean up a bit of dust on the laptop, and accidentally broke off one of the keys. I spent nearly six hours doing it, only to finish 15 minutes ago.

Might get one with a touch screen. I have to say, I'm not really looking forward to Windows 7 primarily because of its ridiculous bloat. However, having tried Linux Mint for a bit, may come to the rescue... if it supports hardware and device drivers.

Sometimes I wonder "Why the hell do I do this shit" - maybe I should do more electronics stuff like I did back just after ye olde medievale timese.

I think the only thing I look forward to with upgrading is shitloads of RAM and an uber CPU like the Intel Core i5/i7 (still deciding) and a hard drive (I would rather a laptop with at least 2-3 physical disks) and what not so I can use lots of CPU intensive memory-hogging disk-space-devouring applications (eg. Notepad, Solitaire, Paint) then.

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Only one key went missing, and I didn't use that key too often anyway... although I guess I can say that I did something st00p1d and accidentally (while removing the keys to do a bit of cleanup) managed to break one of the scissorlift style key holders, which exposes a nice rubber button.

Next laptop I get though is 95% likely to be IBM or Lenovo type; they're built like tanks and this one that I am typing this post on right now, through another system via Terminal Server (ie. the one mentioned in the post above) has served me well, despite the accidents I've had with it (eg. slipping off desks, power cord yanked out, etcetera) and what not. And I have been playing around with Linux Mint so maybe the bloat might not be so much of an issue. But I'm just too used to the ease of use and accessibility features of Windows - don't know how to make Linux Mint look anything like Windows Classic unfortunately.

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Wait... there's a Mint 10 now? (I wonder if that is the Debian based Mint I've seen before)

I have to admit, I might even consider a Panasonic Toughbook given the sort of conditions I take it to. I've been hearing about those for at least 3 years.

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Thanks for that stuff. :)

I have to admit, I like the LXDE edition. Nice and lightweight. And actually runs quite decently under a virtual machine too.

[Spud Henley]

JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!

Who? Does screaming out an imaginary name help you pretned that your computer is working?

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

It's an old habit mate. Also, I've seen movie credits where there are stunt doubles whose first name is Jesus so it isn't really an imaginary name. :)

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

it is now:
int Jesus()
{
return 666;
printf("Have you tried turning it off and on again?\n");
printf("Is it definitely plugged in?\n");
printf("OK, then you are fux0r3d!\n");
}

[ClayMonk]

I wonder though, if I can install a hypervisor (eg. Hyper-V) and run OS/2 and what not on that. Sounds also better than dual-boot too.

Wow a geek category, cool.

VMWare Workstation is your friend, it should run OS2 Warp 3/4 and NT 4 (Google check first though). Much better than dual boot, that's rarely done anymore.

You would probably want at least 1GB ram plus though depending on how many OS at once you want to run.

Windows 7 is actually pretty good (don't kill me) and is nowhere near as resource hungry, or just crap in general as Vista.

If it was me; new laptop, 4GB memory, VMWare workstation, whatever OS's you want.

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Wow a geek category, cool.

VMWare Workstation is your friend, it should run OS2 Warp 3/4 and NT 4 (Google check first though). Much better than dual boot, that's rarely done anymore.Well if VMWare Workstation can't run them, I know Sun VirtualBox can run them.

You would probably want at least 1GB ram plus though depending on how many OS at once you want to run.Indeed. I intend on getting at least 4GB given the nature of apps that I run (eg. compilers and build environments as well as some CAD apps) and some decent graphics. Hopefully a mobile workstation.

Windows 7 is actually pretty good (don't kill me) and is nowhere near as resource hungry, or just crap in general as Vista.It's definitely better than Vista (which I have known since 2003 when it was known as Longhorn until it got delayed to 2006 and then the year after that) and have tried Vista and Windows 7 too, and I like Windows 7 very much.

Come to think of it, I am thinking of purchasing an entry level edition of Windows Server 2008 R2 for it; I've tried it out as well and it can make a great workstation OS as well. I've tried Windows Server 2008 since it was called "Longhorn" as well as the R2 release.

Now, I am sure many here will do something silly when I say this* but 3 of my favorite features are UAC and the bi-directional Windows Firewall and Flip 3D too.

There are some serious problems though:

DRM (nice shit to help slow down your PC)
Extreme software bloat (16GB for install wut? And uses ~40-60% of 1GB RAM from testing)
WGA Virus (comes with XP too but can be removed easily with a tool)


If it was me; new laptop, 4GB memory, VMWare workstation, whatever OS's you want.I am considering. Of course I will give Hyper-V Server (or probably some other free hypervisor but based on Linux kernel if I can find one) a shot as well.

[Xeno]

FWIW, all my necessary MS Windows use has been under one or another emulator or virtualisation product for about twenty years. For the last few years I have used VMWare and think it excellent. Within the last couple of weeks I have added Linux under VM and it runs very efficiently. I will probably convert one of my older machines to dedicated Linux for fluffing about but under VMWare Linux already looks faster than XP in the same place.

[ClayMonk]

If you're just mucking around have you heard of MS Technet subscription? Pretty much pay a fee (probably less that 2008 server license) and download all
Microsoft products for evaluation purposes, and they do not expire which means you can evaluate them
forever.

[Xeno]

If you're just mucking around have you heard of MS Technet subscription? Pretty much pay a fee (probably less that 2008 server license) and download all
Microsoft products for evaluation purposes, and they do not expire which means you can evaluate them
forever.Hey CM, I thought you were an atheist now? What is this, offering me eternal torture before I am even dead?

[ClayMonk]

but can't update them....

Yes you can update them. The subscription lasts for one year and anything you download in that year is yours forever unrestricted but you can renew your subscription like I do so that it perpetual. From memory it was $400, well worth it if you balls around with different systems all the time.

[ClayMonk]

Hey CM, I thought you were an atheist now? What is this, offering me eternal torture before I am even dead?

Lol I knew I would cop it for advocating Microsuck :p

[ClayMonk]

I'm setting up a brand-new Win7 lappie, not super-spec but nice enough, for its owner, a writer, at the moment.

It's not too shabby, but the Penguin still owns my heart.

Unfortunately I haven't had much to do with Linux other than muck around with Ubuntu. I spent 7 years in IT consulting for SME's and it was all Micosuck.

I'd like to start playing with it when I'm done studying next year, it should be fun.

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

Yes you can update them. The subscription lasts for one year and anything you download in that year is yours forever unrestricted but you can renew your subscription like I do so that it perpetual. From memory it was $400, well worth it if you balls around with different systems all the time.One year? I guess it's worth a full license then, given I intend to use it as a workstation, as opposed to just "mucking around" with it.

I find 1 year of windows updates is not much.

[ClayMonk]

One year? I guess it's worth a full license then, given I intend to use it as a workstation, as opposed to just "mucking around" with it.

I find 1 year of windows updates is not much.

One year to download any current product to use unrestricted forever i.e you could download Windows 7, XP, 2003 Server, 2008 Server, Office 2010, Exchange Server, SharePoint etc.

When I say update I mean download the next version like Windows 8. If your subscription runs out before the release of Windows 8 then you can't download it.

[Sir Patrick Crocodile]

That's the issue there ClayMonk - limited time, and knowing MS delays shalt be happening. It happened with Windows 1.0, Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Code Name "Longhorn" (ie. Windows Vista), and Windows Server 2008 - they have a poor track record of releasing things when they promised, but hopefully they are getting better.

[ClayMonk]

Yes I suppose it depends on what you want. I only want "free" and unlimited life versions of the current systems.