Computer problems and/or advice 2012

[monocotman]

Hi Ian,

thanks for the advice - I've tried to post photos once last night and then twice today at different times.
Still the same problem. The computer has been off inbetween times.
I cannot open the 'attachments and other options'.
Any other possibilities?

Thanks,

David

[David Pilling]

Hi David,

Which browser and version are you using?

Does the pointer change to a little hand (or whatever) when you mouse over 'Attachments and other options'?

[monocotman]

Hi,

Thanks for all the comments - I've managed to get round the problem by refreshing the site and page several times,

Regards,

David

[Maggi Young]

Good to hear that David. It's odd how these things just happen at times. Similar thing happened to me at work today- only had the problem with one newspaper site, no idea why!

[Alan_b]

I hear tell that Windows 8 is a fundamental change to Windows that will involve people having to relearn how to do things from scratch.  From what I have heard it is not at all straight forward.

I have to learn Windows 8 but I'm not finding it an enjoyable experience.  If in future you find yourself forced to buy a computer with Windows 8 then if you pay a little extra for the "Professional" version then you get "downgrade rights"; the option to install Windows 7 instead at no extra charge.  I think that is a worthwhile insurance policy.  Please note that downgrade rights are not available with the Home Premium version of Windows 8.   

[Paddy Tobin]

What's so different about it, Alan?

[Paul T]

Paddy,

From what I've heard elsewhere on the Net.... just about everything.

[Paddy Tobin]

Challenging for an old chap like me so.

[Martin Baxendale]

Here's a link to a demonstration and review of Windows 8, on the BBC Click programme (it's right at the beginning, one minute in to the programme):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01nr47n/Click_27_10_2012/

Looks like the main problem is that Windows 8 is designed for tablets and mobile phones, which Microsoft obviously sees as the future of consumer computing.

[Martinr]

Thanks Martin, I don't think I'll be rushing out to upgrade/downgrade* anytime soon.

* delete as appropriate

[Alan_b]

But when your old computer gives up the ghost and you are obliged to buy a new one, if you want a PC you are liable to get whatever version of Windows is around at the time.

Paddy, basically the new version of Windows tries to do-away with windows so all the new headline programs run full-screen.  Access to many of the controls is achieved by poking the mouse/cursor into the corners of the screen.  But if you fiddle around a bit and buy some cheap ancillary software you can set it up to look and act like the cheap basic "Starter" version of Windows 7, which I suppose isn't too bad.  If you had a touch screen or a gesture-sensitive touch pad then you would have access to a host of other controls and it wouldn't seem so bad. 

[johnw]

I got a new laptop at work last year and it came with Windows 7 and I am ready to toss it into the ocean.  It's a pleasure to come home to a Mac.

johnw   - a bit of a breeze here, drizzly.

 

[Maggi Young]

I got a new laptop at work last year and it came with Windows 7 and I am ready to toss it into the ocean.  It's a pleasure to come home to a Mac.

johnw   - a bit of a breeze here, drizzly.

I thought with the east coast storm raging you'd be suffering worse than that, and be in danger of having the ocean come in to grab you and the laptop? 

[Martin Baxendale]

My new desktop from Dell bought about three years ago was chosen because it came as a business machine with XP installed and an upgrade disc for Windows 7 as and when required (which I haven't - XP does everything I need it to).

[Alan_b]

Martin, on Windows XP, right click the Task bar (that's the bar that usually resides along the bottom of the screen).  Click Toolbars then click 'Quick launch' if it does not already have a tick against it.  That gives you a small selection of icons towards the left of the Task bar that can be used to launch programs with a single click.  Once you get used to that then Windows 7 should hold no terrors.

I also find the look and feel of Windows 7 very similar to that of Apple's OSX.  Windows 7 generally runs promptly and trouble-free so  I can only assume that JohnW's employer cut costs to the bone and gave him an under-powered laptop whereas with Apple (at their prices) there is no such thing.

Maggi, according to the latest map, Sandy should miss JohnW's part of the east coast.   That is just as well; they have had several direct hits over the last few years.