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TheBlackAdder

(29,981 posts)

20. Look at possibly switching to Linux Mint and running LibreOffice, detach from Micro$oft.

Reply to politicaljunkie41910 (Original post)

Tue Nov 21, 2017, 08:36 PM

Nov 2017

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Windows 10 is being pushed because it has enhanced data-mining and sends directory information to Amazon, Microsoft and to the NSA. The Cortana is also another possible security risk and is disabled in shops that have sensitive business needs. Ubuntu runs Microsoft Azure, which also is a collector.

The US Intel couse I took last year named Windows 10 as the most unsecure OS one could install.

I am looking at either a fully-compliant Qubes OS or Purism OS system within the next 6 months. Both of those are based on Linux distros and are severely tightened to prevent malware and intrusion. Qubes and Mint are free.

Granted, I know the switch from Windows to Linux will be difficult at first, but Mint has a easy dual-boot install and you can load up one or the other in a snap--on reboot you will be prompted for the OS to start. Plus, if you are running an older single-core machine, Mint performs very well.

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I need a new computer. Mine is dyng and I don't want to invest any more money into it. I need help. [View all] politicaljunkie41910 Nov 2017 OP

K & R so people might see this. n/t pnwmom Nov 2017 #1

At that price, no way is it legitimate. Kleveland Nov 2017 #2

Macs are way over priced for the average user. n/t USALiberal Nov 2017 #9

Something to think about PJMcK Nov 2017 #26

Go to gainsaver.com for reconditoned Macs and save half and even more. brush Nov 2017 #51

Longevity. I'm running '09 Mac w latest Mac OS. I buy refurbished or used. emulatorloo Nov 2017 #53

I would not get a Windows 7 machine at this point VMA131Marine Nov 2017 #3

Just what I was thinking. Although I love my win7. 10's not too bad, I've heard. lindysalsagal Nov 2017 #13

I presume you've checked out the cost of Office 365 Personal yearly subscription ? OnDoutside Nov 2017 #4

I did which is why I concluded that buying was more cost effective than renewing each year. politicaljunkie41910 Nov 2017 #33

It was my constant fear of losing all my photos/videos/documents that got me to sign up. I use OnDoutside Nov 2017 #83

I use open office. It's free and works great. shraby Nov 2017 #5

Me, too. My wife has been using it for years. dchill Nov 2017 #30

Same here. Jim Beard Nov 2017 #63

K&R Same here. It works exceptionally well and is very reliable. n/t RKP5637 Nov 2017 #77

If you're looking for a computer, look for a nearby University, if there is one htuttle Nov 2017 #6

Valid point UnTied Nov 2017 #15

Or build it yourself. Initech Nov 2017 #55

Yep, that's what I do too! n/t RKP5637 Nov 2017 #78

Absolutely, I'll never buy big box PCs anymore! Initech Nov 2017 #88

pcpartpicker, interesting site, thanks! n/t RKP5637 Nov 2017 #89

I bought an HP with 8 cores and a video processor for $700 Kolesar Nov 2017 #91

Alternative UnTied Nov 2017 #7

Kick for visibility. NCTraveler Nov 2017 #8

I just had to go thru this Bayard Nov 2017 #10

Avoid Chromebooks. You will be sorely disappointed JDC Nov 2017 #11

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2017 #42

I love my Chromebook. I hate babysitting expensive laptops. hunter Nov 2017 #64

You left out your early work on assembly language. JDC Nov 2017 #68

I've used Chromebooks at work crazycatlady Nov 2017 #66

What makes it a "paperweight" when it's offline, any more than other computers? hunter Nov 2017 #72

It is not a traditional computer crazycatlady Nov 2017 #73

That's not true. I don't use the "cloud" for anything. hunter Nov 2017 #74

Used to be true but not anymore Egnever Nov 2017 #76

I last used one in 2014 crazycatlady Nov 2017 #97

They're getting better. sl8 Nov 2017 #85

If you live in the mac world nothing is compatible Egnever Nov 2017 #75

They do well in education because they are dirt cheap JDC Nov 2017 #98

It's much more than dirt cheap Egnever Nov 2017 #100

Is there some reason you need MS Office over a free version like Open Office? blogslut Nov 2017 #12

No. I just had no knowledge of it and am not familliar with it since in the past,I've always bought politicaljunkie41910 Nov 2017 #22

Here's their page blogslut Nov 2017 #27

Libre Office is excellent neeksgeek Nov 2017 #37

I use LibreOffice. No need for MS Office. FarCenter Nov 2017 #56

Unfortunately IT at my work is 100% Windows neeksgeek Nov 2017 #57

I have LibreOffice on a Windows 10 laptop and a Linux Mint desktop - works equally well FarCenter Nov 2017 #65

Theres a reason they wont give me an admin password. neeksgeek Nov 2017 #70

K&R!!!! n/t RKP5637 Nov 2017 #82

Open Office is great if you need don't need a professional product. LeftInTX Nov 2017 #49

You could also use Mint (Linux) for an OS and get out of the whole Microsoft thing. RKP5637 Nov 2017 #81

Go LINUX. Or if you must have Windows, use LibreOffice, the free MS Office clone. nt Binkie The Clown Nov 2017 #14

+1,673,285 TheBlackAdder Nov 2017 #29

Another vote for Open Office here.... Cal Carpenter Nov 2017 #16

It's definitely worth trying OpenOffice and LibreOffice before making a decision. eppur_se_muova Nov 2017 #17

+1 I've used both and I prefer Libre now. lagomorph777 Nov 2017 #80

is there an org lie this near you? mopinko Nov 2017 #18

Windows 10 is good DavidDvorkin Nov 2017 #19

Having come from Win7, I absolutely detest Win10. If I could have gone back to win7, I would. OnDoutside Nov 2017 #84

I liked Windows 7 a lot DavidDvorkin Nov 2017 #92

Well that's a hopeful story, thanks. I am also having problems with Microsoft Edge OnDoutside Nov 2017 #94

Edge sucks DavidDvorkin Nov 2017 #95

Completely agree. I used to love being able to right click on OnDoutside Nov 2017 #99

Look at possibly switching to Linux Mint and running LibreOffice, detach from Micro$oft. TheBlackAdder Nov 2017 #20

Be careful with deals on MS Office crazycatlady Nov 2017 #21

I once got scammed on an eBay Windows 7 Pro, a Trial packaged as a Full Version. TheBlackAdder Nov 2017 #28

I found a good deal on Amazon crazycatlady Nov 2017 #32

I don't use Amazon because they are now suffering the same fate eBay did a couple of years ago. TheBlackAdder Nov 2017 #59

No, every transaction is protected at ebay. They just don't get to run away with your cash. Kirk Lover Nov 2017 #38

Not several years ago. When I contacted Customer Support, I was told to eat the loss. TheBlackAdder Nov 2017 #58

Did you pay with paypal? I'm shocked. Are you sure the listing didn't have that info in there? Kirk Lover Nov 2017 #60

I think it was PayPal. I was told since it was over 30 days, there was nothing that could be done. TheBlackAdder Nov 2017 #61

Just an FYI about downloadinstant.com teach1st Nov 2017 #23

Thank you for that information. I was just reading some other responses about things bought on politicaljunkie41910 Nov 2017 #41

It could be...I got a professional for very little money...let me see if I can remember where I Demsrule86 Nov 2017 #24

While I don't like Amazon, they have some software for download csziggy Nov 2017 #25

Every time I need a new machine customerserviceguy Nov 2017 #31

I dig referbs. Only way to go IMHO. fleabiscuit Nov 2017 #35

Yep, that means somebody checked it out twice customerserviceguy Nov 2017 #50

I cant offer much about Windows software and the various box venders. Sorry. fleabiscuit Nov 2017 #34

I'd vote for the option of Microsoft Office the way I got it RandomAccess Nov 2017 #36

Open Office is free and seems to work with everything I try. The Wielding Truth Nov 2017 #101

I've never been happy with Open Office myself RandomAccess Nov 2017 #102

I don't use mine that much, but when I do it does the job. The Wielding Truth Nov 2017 #103

I downloaded MS office years ago via a bit torrent site and it's come in Kirk Lover Nov 2017 #39

OpenOffice jberryhill Nov 2017 #40

Message auto-removed Name removed Nov 2017 #43

Libreoffice Progressive dog Nov 2017 #44

+1 dalton99a Nov 2017 #67

You can buy a permanent Office 2016 from Microsoft brooklynite Nov 2017 #45

That was my thought when I read the OP. Blue_true Nov 2017 #104

Wow. Everytime I shopped, I could only find Office as a "subscription" Kolesar Nov 2017 #108

Hubby is a computer tech. He says the Windows deal is GreenPartyVoter Nov 2017 #46

Yep! Exactly!!! n/t RKP5637 Nov 2017 #86

This message was self-deleted by its author brooklynite Nov 2017 #47

newegg ornotna Nov 2017 #48

Thats always my route KTM Nov 2017 #62

You should get the most recent versions that you can afford as Microsoft stops supporting... brush Nov 2017 #52

That is in no way, shape, or form legitimate. Initech Nov 2017 #54

Bought full office download for kids computer for under 50 bucks very happy dembotoz Nov 2017 #69

You can use your old Office 7 license on a new machine ucrdem Nov 2017 #71

p.s. for $88 you can buy a new Intel-Atom 9" tablet + keyboard with Win10 installed ucrdem Nov 2017 #106

Open Office is a great site for those programs SummerSnow Nov 2017 #79

I ditched Office years ago. sofa king Nov 2017 #87

Some thoughts matt819 Nov 2017 #90

I would get a refurbished PC from New Egg. LuvLoogie Nov 2017 #93

I did the same about a year ago through Tiger Direct. bullwinkle428 Nov 2017 #107

Ditch MS Office and get Open Office Downtown Hound Nov 2017 #96

Overstock.com has some refurburished computers you can get for under $200 and they have windows kimbutgar Nov 2017 #105