On 2017-06-27 11:02, fred roller wrote:
This link will get you the win10 .iso image to burn, should be free of charge.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO
Virtual software on Fedora is free of charge. For simple programs you should not need a stand alone system. If, however, you do need a full system then there are plenty of refirbs for cheap.
-- Fred
Cool! I just downloaded and installed it. It installed without a hitch with Virtualbox, though Microsoft insisted I create an account -- which I've never done before. I didn't know that Win 10 was free from Microsoft.
It's funny, I started using Linux back 20 years ago or so. Back then, you always had to have a copy of Windows on your box because there was always *something* that wouldn't work or run or whatever. Over the years, I've slowly used Windows less and less, and this last time I installed, I didn't bother making my machine dual boot -- I never "have" to go to Windows, except for font issues in presentations and such for compatibility at meetings. My brother-in-law was having problems with his laptop the other day and asked me to help him.
It was running Windows 10. I turned it on and could hardly recognize it. I didn't know where anything was. It took me over two hours of reading tutorials and doing searches to make enough sense of things and get him going (after all, tasks are tasks no matter what your OS is...) . And even then I still don't know how to do a number of system things that I used to be able to do as late as Windows 7. I told myself I really ought to get a book on Windows 10 administration and get on the ball, but my eyes just glazed over. I thought systemd was adding too much complexity and too many layers of BS. It's got nothing on Microsoft. Windows 10 seems pretty opaque to me.
But there it is, sitting in a window. Thanks for the link.
billo
On Tue, 2017-06-27 at 13:59 -0400, vendor@billoblog.com wrote:
Cool! I just downloaded and installed it. It installed without a hitch with Virtualbox, though Microsoft insisted I create an account -- which I've never done before. I didn't know that Win 10 was free from Microsoft.
It will work for a time, then demand you activate. If you don't it will go to a degraded mode where some things don't work and eventually limit how long it runs. Word around the campfire is a Windows 7/8 license key of the same type (home/pro) will still activate Win10.
And as for the earlier recomendation to get a Windows license off eBay, be very careful. I tried that for a machine I was repurposing as a beater for one of the grandkids. It never had a Windows COA (built to run Linux) so I needed a license so he could dual boot to play games. Got a sealed Win7 Pro OEM "system builder" pack for <$40 from a U.S. seller that looks identical in every way to a known good one (bought from NewEgg) but it required phone activation so it probably isn't kosher. eBay has a serious problem with counterfeit merchandise of all kinds.
Allegedly, on or about 28 June 2017, John Morris sent:
And as for the earlier recomendation to get a Windows license off eBay, be very careful. I tried that for a machine I was repurposing as a beater for one of the grandkids. It never had a Windows COA (built to run Linux) so I needed a license so he could dual boot to play games. Got a sealed Win7 Pro OEM "system builder" pack for <$40 from a U.S. seller that looks identical in every way to a known good one (bought from NewEgg) but it required phone activation so it probably isn't kosher.
My understanding was that only an Original Equipment Manufacturer can sell/supply those OEM versions of the OS, and only to go with a particular PC (one of those "not to be sold separately" conditions). With only a retail package being something that could be sold as standalone.
Not that I give a damn, any time I've used Windows, it always gave me so much grief that I just don't want to have anything to do with using it. It's the perfect counter-example to: Look it it this way, it can't possibly get any worse.
On Wed, 2017-06-28 at 22:18 +0930, Tim wrote:
My understanding was that only an Original Equipment Manufacturer can sell/supply those OEM versions of the OS, and only to go with a particular PC (one of those "not to be sold separately" conditions). With only a retail package being something that could be sold as standalone.
That is the official line. But NewEgg will openly sell it so I doubt Microsoft doesn't know and at least quietly approve of the practice. After all, they sell motherboards, cases, etc. People building up their own computer ain't going to pay full boxed set retail price for Windows and NewEgg would like to be the one who sells them their copy of Windows. Everybody knows these facts so Microsoft doesn't say anything. They don't even force them to only sell a copy on the same ticket with a motherboard.
Microsoft knows their model is busted. That is why they are still letting everyone with Win7/8 to upgrade to Win10 for free. That is why they basically gave away Windows for free on netbooks until they could quietly kill the whole product category. The fake copy I bought forced phone activation but that was just some friction in the gears to discourage it, they still want to get the activation. They know their only hope is moving Windows to an Android model where they give away the OS and rake off thirty thick and juicy points from all content sales in the Store.
For work we bought a few from them to run our accounting VMs on. Just system builder Windows packs, nothing else on the invoice; no problem. Not playing with eBay stuff when a BSA audit is possible. I just wasn't willing to personally pay as much for a Windows license as the machine it was going onto was probably worth. So I rolled the dice and for now it counts as a win.
On Wed, Jun 28, 2017 at 6:47 PM, John Morris jmorris@beau.org wrote:
My understanding was that only an Original Equipment Manufacturer can sell/supply those OEM versions of the OS
When I was building the "legal" requirement for OEM was mobo+processor. That said, a ways back a Microsoft official said (paraphrasing 'cause I can't find the reference) that they didn't mind Office, OS and the like being loaded illegally. Eventually the user will have to purchase the software as they become more dependent on it.
Allegedly, on or about 28 June 2017, fred roller sent:
a ways back a Microsoft official said (paraphrasing 'cause I can't find the reference) that they didn't mind Office, OS and the like being loaded illegally. Eventually the user will have to purchase the software as they become more dependent on it.
Drug pusher tactics...
But it's right, the more a person uses the software, the more they paint themselves into the corner to continue using it. Best to start off with something that isn't onerous.
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fred roller -
John Morris -
Tim -
vendor＠billoblog.com