I manage 400 legacy machines at a medium sized social service agency that provides housing. The newest machines we have are 10 years old. They run Windows 10 and 22 custom apps that are the core of our business operations. We have no internet connection for the network. Locations are connected by a private VPN primarily to allow e-mail. Backups are on tape and performed locally. We dis a cost analysis of replacing the PC's, getting windows 11 licences, installing an domain and an actually Widnows server. Hiring an actual IT manager, testing applications and potentially re-writing a portion of them and adding two support staff instead of me as a 1/2FTE support staff (My other primary 1/2 FTE job is as a social worker as a housing location servicing 400 clients in the building). Final project costs was about 10% of the entire organizations entire budget. So that idea is out the window! Sicne I retire in two years I suggested we do nothing. That was the accepted solution. The Managment has decided to review this issue in five years and will continue with the current situation until that review takes place.
@ Actually its pretty good. Our setup is super easy. The staff know the applications inside and out. I don't have to answer or support the apps. Our hardware is stable. If a machine dies, we have a room full of them and I pre-configured them. I take it to the site swap the old one out and plug the new one in. They do a local machine log in and the apps are there for them and off they go. They don't use Windows at all. We don't have a server or a domain controller. The apps have their own login, and most staff use only one or two in day-to-day work That's why I am only 1/2 FTE for IT support. This system ensure We don't have any work other than replacing a machine. I Create new machines by imaging using Norton Ghost (Its the last version they made ten years ago) and I can always find these old machines in social agency's (Think reboot or Freegeek) refurbishers stores so I order ten at a time and they cost me about $20 a machine. Spend a couple of hours imaging them from my USB key and Boom! put them in the storage room till I need one to swap out.
@ Our system works costs almost nothing and I just have to keep it going till I retire in two years. Sounds pretty good to me. I also get to continue to be a social worker helping people who had an interest in technology.
I havea couple of Win 11 PCs. Frankly, Win 11 is usable, but the menu and right click menu all take an extra click to be useful. In general it's a less intuitive and useful interface than Win 10. I also have a number of PCs that won't run Win 11 officially. If Microsoft wants me to replace my 64 Gb ECC RAM, 8 TB SSD, Xenon processor workstation, than they can buy a new one for me. Otherwise, it works great and I don't have any reason to upgrade, except for the Microsoft blackmail. BTW, I couldn't care less about CoPilot or AI.
Microslop predicts that the most important piece of technology people will look to refresh in 2025 will be their Windoze 10 PCs. That's because Microslurp is MAKING those people refresh! Gimme a break! I wish my software wasn't tied to Windoze because I really wanna cut the cord.
I can't see anyone with an old, working laptop/desktop running Windows 10 getting new equipment for CoPilot when their existing setup handles all their needs. I'm under the impression that most people don't care about using AI apps. I recommend migrating to Linux Mint for those who want to keep a secure system past Windows 10 EOS.
That's what I did and I'm not looking back. Mint with KDE Plasma is so robust and customizable that there's no need to remain with Windows, especially with the adding of AI which is there to collect data and be more like Google.
As you know. It's all about money. Why Microsoft keeps badgering people to buy new computers is for them. If they would continue with minimum security support, this would be a nonissue with broader support for Microsoft products. It's the accountants that have figured out they make something like a million dollars a year more by screwing their loyal customers by making them upgrade no matter what. The people will tell Microsoft what to do in the long run. In the meantime, I wouldn't fret about it. What else can one do? It's Business 101. Thanks, I enjoyed your show. Rob
Thanks for the comment. Consumers can put pressure on MS by going a different way. I read this week that MS is putting out there that the upgrade to Windows 11 is still free for supported devices. This is a threat of money instead of the benefits of Windows 11. Many feel forced into this, and I hope MS makes a change. However, since they haven't made any effort to see Linux as an option, I think that can be a solution. The backlash on recall made them delay that and we will see how they will eventually get that released. The people I help with their computers are frustrated and they ask questions as to why is MS doing this I don't like it, and I am throwing up my hands saying I don't know.
I appreciate your video Graya, but it seems like you believe that MS can still salvage windows. Its a big ship on a crash course with lots of momentum. In all fairness you have been consistent and objective in your windows criticisms over the last 7 years I've been watching you-but obviously MS dont care about users. I'm still waiting for a stripe of linux to either get recognized or enhanced to be a potential jump off form windows. I just haven't had the time to check it out myself, but using Win10 and Win11, I prefer Win10 -especially since few to almost no updates. I actually am playing with a machine that uses Win10Home which gets nothing anymore, so updates aren't an issue. Can you save me some time and review and demo some linux so I don't have? 😁
I know it is a big hope that MS can salvage windows. I try to look at the good side that on day they will care about customers. It might be a long shot. I hope to get to that this year. I want to build a system for gaming that I can test this on that isn't my editing rig.
I jumped from the sinking ship of Windows and went to Linux Mint. There is a learning curve, but with the KDE Plasma desktop, you can make it look and feel just like Windows.
2025 is the year I move to Linux. Screw 11 and Microsoft.
I wiped my win11 laptop and went with Bazzite. It's getting easier each day I use it
Maybe I‘ll have a look at Tiny11.
Otherwise I‘ll just keep using Win10.
Maybe I‘ll go with a dual system solution. (Win10+linux) 😅
I manage 400 legacy machines at a medium sized social service agency that provides housing. The newest machines we have are 10 years old. They run Windows 10 and 22 custom apps that are the core of our business operations. We have no internet connection for the network. Locations are connected by a private VPN primarily to allow e-mail. Backups are on tape and performed locally. We dis a cost analysis of replacing the PC's, getting windows 11 licences, installing an domain and an actually Widnows server. Hiring an actual IT manager, testing applications and potentially re-writing a portion of them and adding two support staff instead of me as a 1/2FTE support staff (My other primary 1/2 FTE job is as a social worker as a housing location servicing 400 clients in the building). Final project costs was about 10% of the entire organizations entire budget. So that idea is out the window! Sicne I retire in two years I suggested we do nothing. That was the accepted solution. The Managment has decided to review this issue in five years and will continue with the current situation until that review takes place.
Glad I'm not you.
@ Actually its pretty good. Our setup is super easy. The staff know the applications inside and out. I don't have to answer or support the apps. Our hardware is stable. If a machine dies, we have a room full of them and I pre-configured them. I take it to the site swap the old one out and plug the new one in. They do a local machine log in and the apps are there for them and off they go. They don't use Windows at all. We don't have a server or a domain controller. The apps have their own login, and most staff use only one or two in day-to-day work That's why I am only 1/2 FTE for IT support. This system ensure We don't have any work other than replacing a machine. I Create new machines by imaging using Norton Ghost (Its the last version they made ten years ago) and I can always find these old machines in social agency's (Think reboot or Freegeek) refurbishers stores so I order ten at a time and they cost me about $20 a machine. Spend a couple of hours imaging them from my USB key and Boom! put them in the storage room till I need one to swap out.
@ Our system works costs almost nothing and I just have to keep it going till I retire in two years. Sounds pretty good to me. I also get to continue to be a social worker helping people who had an interest in technology.
Some of my machines are ancient Sandy/Ivy Bridge that run virtual environments just fine. Don't need AI or Windows 11.
All dictators fall those of us cannot possibly all my pcs
I havea couple of Win 11 PCs. Frankly, Win 11 is usable, but the menu and right click menu all take an extra click to be useful. In general it's a less intuitive and useful interface than Win 10. I also have a number of PCs that won't run Win 11 officially. If Microsoft wants me to replace my 64 Gb ECC RAM, 8 TB SSD, Xenon processor workstation, than they can buy a new one for me. Otherwise, it works great and I don't have any reason to upgrade, except for the Microsoft blackmail. BTW, I couldn't care less about CoPilot or AI.
Microslop predicts that the most important piece of technology people will look to refresh in 2025 will be their Windoze 10 PCs. That's because Microslurp is MAKING those people refresh! Gimme a break! I wish my software wasn't tied to Windoze because I really wanna cut the cord.
I can't see anyone with an old, working laptop/desktop running Windows 10 getting new equipment for CoPilot when their existing setup handles all their needs. I'm under the impression that most people don't care about using AI apps. I recommend migrating to Linux Mint for those who want to keep a secure system past Windows 10 EOS.
That's what I did and I'm not looking back. Mint with KDE Plasma is so robust and customizable that there's no need to remain with Windows, especially with the adding of AI which is there to collect data and be more like Google.
As you know. It's all about money. Why Microsoft keeps badgering people to buy new computers is for them. If they would continue with minimum security support, this would be a nonissue with broader support for Microsoft products. It's the accountants that have figured out they make something like a million dollars a year more by screwing their loyal customers by making them upgrade no matter what. The people will tell Microsoft what to do in the long run. In the meantime, I wouldn't fret about it. What else can one do? It's Business 101. Thanks, I enjoyed your show. Rob
Thanks for the comment. Consumers can put pressure on MS by going a different way. I read this week that MS is putting out there that the upgrade to Windows 11 is still free for supported devices. This is a threat of money instead of the benefits of Windows 11. Many feel forced into this, and I hope MS makes a change. However, since they haven't made any effort to see Linux as an option, I think that can be a solution. The backlash on recall made them delay that and we will see how they will eventually get that released. The people I help with their computers are frustrated and they ask questions as to why is MS doing this I don't like it, and I am throwing up my hands saying I don't know.
Already switched to Mac because I hated Windows 11.
I use Linux mint. No windows for years.
I appreciate your video Graya, but it seems like you believe that MS can still salvage windows. Its a big ship on a crash course with lots of momentum. In all fairness you have been consistent and objective in your windows criticisms over the last 7 years I've been watching you-but obviously MS dont care about users.
I'm still waiting for a stripe of linux to either get recognized or enhanced to be a potential jump off form windows. I just haven't had the time to check it out myself, but using Win10 and Win11, I prefer Win10 -especially since few to almost no updates. I actually am playing with a machine that uses Win10Home which gets nothing anymore, so updates aren't an issue.
Can you save me some time and review and demo some linux so I don't have? 😁
I know it is a big hope that MS can salvage windows. I try to look at the good side that on day they will care about customers. It might be a long shot.
I hope to get to that this year. I want to build a system for gaming that I can test this on that isn't my editing rig.
Give linux mint cinnamon a try. VERY user friendly, plus, with steam installed and proton GE I play my entire steam library with zero issues.
I jumped from the sinking ship of Windows and went to Linux Mint. There is a learning curve, but with the KDE Plasma desktop, you can make it look and feel just like Windows.
2025 the year of Windows 7/8
Windows XP is up next
Not xp but rather 2000
I moved to Linux mint 3 months ago and it's fine, Windows 10 was excellent but 11 is a no.