Most in this group are knowledgeable computer users. But an occasional
reminder to "Beware!" can't hurt.

Some months back I installed the Microsoft compatibility update that allows
Office 2000 programs to read and write XML files (.docs, .xlsx, etc). (It
works fine, by the way.)

The problem is that the new formats appeared with Office 2007. Windows Update
now thought my Office software was the 2007 version. I started receiving
prompts to install security updates for it.

Common sense told me it wouldn't be a good idea to modify Office 2000 programs
with Office 2007 updates. So when updates were needed, I cleared the
checkboxes for these. Unfortunately...

Yesterday, I accidentally clicked the wrong button, and they were installed.
It was particularly annoying that repeated clicks on the "Halt the Update!"
button had no effect.

The result was that Word 2000 (and the other Office components, I assume) were
buggered. The Preview display was screwed up, and I got error messages when I
tried to print.

Fortunately, reversing the updates' installation and restarting the computer
fixed the problem. I was out only 15 minutes' inconvenience.

Don't assume factory-recommended updates are appropriate. Look before you
leap, and all those other clichés.


"We already know the answers -- we just haven't asked the right questions."
-- Edwin Land

On 07/11/2013 11:25, William Sommerwerck wrote:
Most in this group are knowledgeable computer users. But an occasional
reminder to "Beware!" can't hurt.

Some months back I installed the Microsoft compatibility update that
allows Office 2000 programs to read and write XML files (.docs, .xlsx,
etc). (It works fine, by the way.)

The problem is that the new formats appeared with Office 2007. Windows
Update now thought my Office software was the 2007 version. I started
receiving prompts to install security updates for it.

Common sense told me it wouldn't be a good idea to modify Office 2000
programs with Office 2007 updates. So when updates were needed, I
cleared the checkboxes for these. Unfortunately...

Yesterday, I accidentally clicked the wrong button, and they were
installed. It was particularly annoying that repeated clicks on the
"Halt the Update!" button had no effect.

The result was that Word 2000 (and the other Office components, I
assume) were buggered. The Preview display was screwed up, and I got
error messages when I tried to print.

Fortunately, reversing the updates' installation and restarting the
computer fixed the problem. I was out only 15 minutes' inconvenience.

Don't assume factory-recommended updates are appropriate. Look before
you leap, and all those other clichés.


"We already know the answers -- we just haven't asked the right questions."
-- Edwin Land

The other cliche , pertinent to electronic repair, if it ain't broke ,
don't poke

On 11/07/2013 04:10 AM, N_Cook wrote:
On 07/11/2013 11:25, William Sommerwerck wrote:
Most in this group are knowledgeable computer users. But an occasional
reminder to "Beware!" can't hurt.


The other cliche , pertinent to electronic repair, if it ain't broke ,
don't poke

I never update, as a rule. This version of Mint is the 3 kernel but over
2 years old. It never updates automatically. knock on wood.

I update nothing, period.

Lemme tellya a little story that happened to me recently. I had something called zarumba.exe or something like that. It was trying to install someting nasty on my laptop (Vista) and it somehow bypassed UAC. Well maybe not really.

I had been getting hags to update Java for some time but kept telling it no.. Every reboot, and I almost never reboot. However this virus or whatever it was seems to exploit a security hole you may have heard of in a certain Java update.

With this baby there it was nagging me every minute for the Java update.

I run bareback. I do not really suf, and I am not going to get a virus here, or from tvrepairtips or repairwold or americanfreepress or the other fora I haunt. I do not game and I do not facebook. I do not open email attachments unless they are pictures, and even then I am careful. Sometimes I am leery of something so I will download it and if a JPG I'll open it in Paintshop Pro, or other things in Irfanview. Media files if I have ANY doubt I will open them in VLC. I use Office 97 Pro so I doubt any macro type virus can get through that.

When I get bit by something I have not had system restore fail to fix it. That's what happened last time.

I take that back, this is Vista, on an XP box a few years ago system restore would not remove "Secret Crush" or something like that, but I think that is a very sophisticated virus which I believe infects the BIOS. I have my reasons for beliving that, because both PCs that got it had those types opf problems. One in the RAM controller. It would run fine with ½ GB RAM or 1½ GB RAM but not 1 GB (which is what it came with) It was ransdomly rebooting and I pulled a stick out and it ran fine. Put in a different ½ GB stick and same ****. switched them out and found out none of the RAM was bad.

Both machines benefitted from a total reset, I mean the kind that gives you the checksum error. You just have to ****up the BIOS bad enough that it reverts to ROM or whatever, and then you're clear.

The stupid **** who put that virus on BOTH my PCs no longer has any access. He has his own to **** up now. After all that, nobody touches my PCs. Where I live now my "server" I guess you would call it is on the network and if anyone wants the media or files off it they can just connect to the network. There are three people here and seven PCs, nobody has to touch mine.

The only thing wrong with the system right now is I got one of those laser printers (recently fixed you may have heard) that I set up to share on the network and that stopped working a few days ago. It prints locally but not from other PCs. Not a big issue.

I am going to continue to run XP on the one box forever. Some say that is going to let me open to fifty million virii and **** but that is bull****. There aren't going to all the sudden be more virii for XP, in fact more likely the opposite. The new bugs will probably be incompatible with XP.

I would go so far to say that you would probably be safe running 98 again because the virii they write now are too advanced to even load in it. Of course I could be wrong, but my **** runs.

And it runs well. I go up to people's PCs, even newer ones, and I cannot believe how damn slow they are. What's more, you shoud see how fast the old software is on newer PCs.

I'm a spoiled brat now when it comes to PC speed. What's more I am a cheap spoiled brat. I am out of the loop they got most people in, which is ; update the software until the hardware won't work, then update the hardware and find the old software won't work. Then update the software until the new hardware won't work, and on and on and on.

I'd run Win 3.11 if I could get it to get online. Technically I think you can but it's really more trouble than it's worth.

On 07/11/2013 16:08, wrote:
I update nothing, period.

Lemme tellya a little story that happened to me recently.

snip

Uninstall Java or block it from running inside the browser. Unpatched
it's dangerous and you very probably don't need it for anything critical
anyway.

Any other security measures are not wholy needed, the original point of
the internet was to allow folks to freely share information without
hinderance. You should allow open access to all (guest account, public
user group etc...), and willingly accept presents left. Don't leave
things on your machine to take if these things are valuable to you, and
don't configure your machine in such a way that it would be an
uncontrollable nuisance to others.

Now the $64,000 question is - can you really do the above trustily with
Microsoft software, especially with outdated unpatched items? I think not.

In two words - buffer overrun. In one word. ****e.

--
Adrian C

On 07 Nov 2013, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote in rec.audio.pro:

Some months back I installed the Microsoft compatibility update
that allows Office 2000 programs to read and write XML files
(.docs, .xlsx, etc). (It works fine, by the way.)

The problem is that the new formats appeared with Office 2007.
Windows Update now thought my Office software was the 2007
version. I started receiving prompts to install security updates
for it.

Common sense told me it wouldn't be a good idea to modify Office
2000 programs with Office 2007 updates. So when updates were
needed, I cleared the checkboxes for these. Unfortunately...

I think you've let a misconception creep in at this point. The "Office
2007" updates are being presented to you to update the compatibility
pack, not your original Office 2000 installation. If Office 2000 is
still eligible for updates, you would still receive those, too.

Yesterday, I accidentally clicked the wrong button, and they were
installed. It was particularly annoying that repeated clicks on
the "Halt the Update!" button had no effect.

I think this is where things went wrong. It sounds to me like you wound
up with half-installed updates.

This isn't to say that updates can't go wrong, but I've accepting
updates for the compatibility pack for years, and the Office 2003 setup
on all the computers I control still work just fine.

"Nil" wrote in message ...
On 07 Nov 2013, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote in rec.audio.pro:

Some months back I installed the Microsoft compatibility update
that allows Office 2000 programs to read and write XML files
(.docs, .xlsx, etc). (It works fine, by the way.)

The problem is that the new formats appeared with Office 2007.
Windows Update now thought my Office software was the 2007
version. I started receiving prompts to install security updates
for it.

Common sense told me it wouldn't be a good idea to modify Office
2000 programs with Office 2007 updates. So when updates were
needed, I cleared the checkboxes for these. Unfortunately...

I think you've let a misconception creep in at this point. The "Office
2007" updates are being presented to you to update the compatibility
pack, not your original Office 2000 installation. If Office 2000 is
still eligible for updates, you would still receive those, too.

I'm not sure about that. There were 8 or 9 updates, not just one for the
compatibility pack.


Yesterday, I accidentally clicked the wrong button, and they were
installed. It was particularly annoying that repeated clicks on
the "Halt the Update!" button had no effect.

I think this is where things went wrong. It sounds to me like you wound
up with half-installed updates.

I don't think so, because it reached the point where "all updates installed"
was reported.


This isn't to say that updates can't go wrong, but I've accepting
updates for the compatibility pack for years, and the Office 2003
setup on all the computers I control still work just fine.

Should these show up again, I'll look at their names and confirm that they
were just for the compatibility pack.

On 07 Nov 2013, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote in rec.audio.pro:

Should these show up again, I'll look at their names and confirm
that they were just for the compatibility pack.

They won't say that. They aren't well-named, but the updates are for
both the compatibility pack and Office 2007.

"Nil" wrote in message ...

I think you've let a misconception creep in at this point. The "Office
2007" updates are being presented to you to update the compatibility
pack, not your original Office 2000 installation. If Office 2000 is
still eligible for updates, you would still receive those, too.

I just checked.

There are 8 updates labeled "Security Update for Microsoft Office 2007
suites", varying in size from 763KB to 7.7MB. There is 692KB "Security Update
for Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007". Their purpose is described thusly:

"A security vulnerability exists in Microsoft Office 2007 suites that could
allow arbitrary code to run when a maliciously modified file is opened. This
update resolves that vulnerability.

There is a 1.6MB "Update for Microsoft Office 2007 suites". "This update
provides the latest fixes to Microsoft Office 2007 suites." Why would I apply
them to Office 2000?

Nowhere is anything said about the compatibility pack.

On 07 Nov 2013, "William Sommerwerck"
wrote in rec.audio.pro:

There is a 1.6MB "Update for Microsoft Office 2007 suites". "This
update provides the latest fixes to Microsoft Office 2007 suites."
Why would I apply them to Office 2000?

You won't be. They will update the Compatibility pack components, not
Office 2000 itself.

On Thu, 07 Nov 2013 03:25:26 -0800, William Sommerwerck wrote:

Most in this group are knowledgeable computer users. But an occasional
reminder to "Beware!" can't hurt.

Some months back I installed the Microsoft compatibility update that
allows Office 2000 programs to read and write XML files (.docs, .xlsx,
etc). (It works fine, by the way.)

The problem is that the new formats appeared with Office 2007. Windows
Update now thought my Office software was the 2007 version. I started
receiving prompts to install security updates for it.

Common sense told me it wouldn't be a good idea to modify Office 2000
programs with Office 2007 updates. So when updates were needed, I
cleared the checkboxes for these. Unfortunately...

Yesterday, I accidentally clicked the wrong button, and they were
installed. It was particularly annoying that repeated clicks on the
"Halt the Update!" button had no effect.

The result was that Word 2000 (and the other Office components, I
assume) were buggered. The Preview display was screwed up, and I got
error messages when I tried to print.

Fortunately, reversing the updates' installation and restarting the
computer fixed the problem. I was out only 15 minutes' inconvenience.

Don't assume factory-recommended updates are appropriate. Look before
you leap, and all those other clichés.


"We already know the answers -- we just haven't asked the right
questions." -- Edwin Land

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

"sctvguy1" wrote in message ...

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

Does Linux run Word? Ventura? Photoshop? Interface with my AIBO? LEGOs? Canon
and Epson scanners?

Over the years, I have had little trouble with Windows. Contrary to what some
people might think, it is not scarier than blueberry pancakes.

On Thu, 07 Nov 2013 12:01:57 -0800, William Sommerwerck wrote:

"sctvguy1" wrote in message ...

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

Does Linux run Word? Ventura? Photoshop? Interface with my AIBO? LEGOs?
Canon and Epson scanners?

Over the years, I have had little trouble with Windows. Contrary to what
some people might think, it is not scarier than blueberry pancakes.

I run Libre/Open Office which has the same functions as Word, and the
same basic interfaces. Also, imports Word documents and reads them.
Same for the other parts of the Microsoft Office suite.
As for Photoshop, there is GIMP, a clone for Linux that is FREE. It has
the same power as Photoshop.
As for laser/inkjet printers, no real problems. I have run HP and am
presently running Brother laser printers(HL-1440). I also run Canon LiDE
20 and 35 scanners, no problems.
Just pick a linux distro from someplace like distrowatch.com, burn it to
DVD or CD, and run it live, see if it works for you.

On Thu, 7 Nov 2013 22:28:54 +0000 (UTC) "sctvguy1"
wrote in article

On Thu, 07 Nov 2013 12:01:57 -0800, William Sommerwerck wrote:

"sctvguy1" wrote in message ...

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

Does Linux run Word? Ventura? Photoshop? Interface with my AIBO? LEGOs?
Canon and Epson scanners?

Over the years, I have had little trouble with Windows. Contrary to what
some people might think, it is not scarier than blueberry pancakes.

I run Libre/Open Office which has the same functions as Word, and the
same basic interfaces. Also, imports Word documents and reads them.
Same for the other parts of the Microsoft Office suite.
As for Photoshop, there is GIMP, a clone for Linux that is FREE. It has
the same power as Photoshop.
As for laser/inkjet printers, no real problems. I have run HP and am
presently running Brother laser printers(HL-1440). I also run Canon LiDE
20 and 35 scanners, no problems.
Just pick a linux distro from someplace like distrowatch.com, burn it to
DVD or CD, and run it live, see if it works for you.

GIMP's ok - I've used it quite a bit, but I use Photoshop almost every
day and GIMP is by no means a clone.

I have Linux on one machine here and use it for tinkering. If some of the
major Windows apps ran on it I'd happily toss Windoze, but they don't.

Lots of Adobe customers have asked for Linux versions. There actually was
an early version of Photoshop for Unix, but the Adobe developers
concluded that X wasn't an adequate windowing platform and gave up rather
than develop their own. Now that the Adobe products are subscription-
based you'd have to get Adobe to port not only the applications but the
Creative Cloud manager to Linux. They seem not to be interested :-(

sctvguy1 wrote:

On Thu, 07 Nov 2013 12:01:57 -0800, William Sommerwerck wrote:

"sctvguy1" wrote in message ...

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

Does Linux run Word? Ventura? Photoshop? Interface with my AIBO? LEGOs?
Canon and Epson scanners?

Over the years, I have had little trouble with Windows. Contrary to what
some people might think, it is not scarier than blueberry pancakes.

I run Libre/Open Office which has the same functions as Word, and the
same basic interfaces. Also, imports Word documents and reads them.
Same for the other parts of the Microsoft Office suite.
As for Photoshop, there is GIMP, a clone for Linux that is FREE. It has
the same power as Photoshop.

That is disupted by several excellent photogs I know, though they say
it's close.

One has said this is fully equivalent:

http://www.pl32.com/

I've been using it buy needs, and skills, are paltry. It is much easier
for a non-geek to manage that is GIMP, which I used for several years
before finding Photoline.

As for laser/inkjet printers, no real problems. I have run HP and am
presently running Brother laser printers(HL-1440). I also run Canon LiDE
20 and 35 scanners, no problems.
Just pick a linux distro from someplace like distrowatch.com, burn it to
DVD or CD, and run it live, see if it works for you.


--
shut up and play your guitar * HankAlrich.Com
HankandShaidriMusic.Com
YouTube.Com/WalkinayMusic

On 11/07/2013 12:01 PM, William Sommerwerck wrote:
"sctvguy1" wrote in message ...

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

Does Linux run Word? Ventura? Photoshop? Interface with my AIBO? LEGOs?
Canon and Epson scanners?

Over the years, I have had little trouble with Windows. Contrary to what
some people might think, it is not scarier than blueberry pancakes.


Canon has very good Linux support. Do you really need Photoshop? GIMP
works fine for me and the price can't be beat. Linux productivity apps
are as good as they get. You just don't get DirectX, which ****es me off.

dave Inscribed thus:

On 11/07/2013 12:01 PM, William Sommerwerck wrote:
"sctvguy1" wrote in message ...

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

Does Linux run Word? Ventura? Photoshop? Interface with my AIBO?
LEGOs? Canon and Epson scanners?

Over the years, I have had little trouble with Windows. Contrary to
what some people might think, it is not scarier than blueberry
pancakes.


Canon has very good Linux support. Do you really need Photoshop?
GIMP works fine for me and the price can't be beat. Linux
productivity apps are as good as they get. You just don't get
DirectX, which ****es me off.

I agree ! You can still play with your Lego toys. But why DirectX ?

--
Best Regards:
Baron.

On Thu, 7 Nov 2013, William Sommerwerck wrote:

"sctvguy1" wrote in message ...

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

Does Linux run Word? Ventura? Photoshop? Interface with my AIBO? LEGOs? Canon
and Epson scanners?

I've had a Canon scanner for years, have never had a problem.

The reality is, most people (like the type who crosspost off-topic threads
like this to their favorite newsgroups rather than find the right place to
post it) experience Windows and nothing else. Hence everything has to
compare to it.

The one time I used Word was on a Mac Plus 19 years ago, it had a driver
for a plain printer rather than an Imagewriter, so I could use my old dot
matrix printer, using my Radio Shack Model 100 laptop as a serial to
parallel converter. I also bought it cheap at a garage sale.

I haven't a clue what Ventura is, and only know of Photoshop because
people talk about it.

Yes, I'm the odd one, I've never run Windows. I've dabbled in it, someone
else's computer or getting a "new" computer before I erase Windows. It's
really odd, I can't find things, I have no idea how to do specific things.
Sure, the general motions are the same, but people fit Windows because
that's what they know.

Since I've never really used WIndows, I have no comparison. GIMP works
for me, it does what I need. If it's missing something, I have no idea
since I've not used the overloaded Photoshop. There was a whole period,
fifteen years ago, when people would send me Word files that I couldn't
rad, but that's simmered down, they've caught on that files should be in a
more universal standard. Just because "everyone runs Windows" doesnt'
mean I should be seen as riffraff.


Over the years, I have had little trouble with Windows. Contrary to what some
people might think, it is not scarier than blueberry pancakes.

I never bought into it in th first place, barely used MSDOS for that
matter. I have absolutely no argument with WIndows, since I really know
little about it. I do have a big argument with people assuming the whole
world uses Windows, and if we don't, we are the problem.

Michael

"Michael Black" wrote in message
xample.org...
On Thu, 7 Nov 2013, William Sommerwerck wrote:
"sctvguy1" wrote in message ...
I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

Does Linux run Word? Ventura? Photoshop? Interface with my AIBO? LEGOs?
Canon and Epson scanners?

I've had a Canon scanner for years, have never had a problem.

The reality is, most people (like the type who crosspost off-topic threads
like this to their favorite newsgroups rather than find the right place to
post it) experience Windows and nothing else. Hence everything has to
compare to it.

The one time I used Word was on a Mac Plus 19 years ago, it had a driver
for a plain printer rather than an Imagewriter, so I could use my old dot
matrix printer, using my Radio Shack Model 100 laptop as a serial to
parallel converter. I also bought it cheap at a garage sale.

I haven't a clue what Ventura is, and only know of Photoshop because
people talk about it.

Yes, I'm the odd one, I've never run Windows. I've dabbled in it, someone
else's computer or getting a "new" computer before I erase Windows. It's
really odd, I can't find things, I have no idea how to do specific things.
Sure, the general motions are the same, but people fit Windows because
that's what they know.

Since I've never really used WIndows, I have no comparison. GIMP works
for me, it does what I need. If it's missing something, I have no idea
since I've not used the overloaded Photoshop. There was a whole period,
fifteen years ago, when people would send me Word files that I couldn't
read,

Even then there were Linux programs readily available to read Word docs and
Photoshop images. No idea about Ventura.


but that's simmered down, they've caught on that files should be in a more
universal standard. Just because "everyone runs Windows" doesnt' mean I
should be seen as riffraff.

Just because people don't need to care what you choose to do, doesn't mean
they have any opionion of you one way or the other.


Over the years, I have had little trouble with Windows. Contrary to what
some people might think, it is not scarier than blueberry pancakes.

I never bought into it in th first place, barely used MSDOS for that
matter. I have absolutely no argument with WIndows, since I really know
little about it. I do have a big argument with people assuming the whole
world uses Windows, and if we don't, we are the problem.

Nope, not the whole world, but 90% makes for a fair majority. Just as
English is the default language on the internet, many people can and do
choose to stick with what they know instead. And since English is not the
first language of 90% of computer users, a far better case can be made for
some people using another one! Doesn't mean you have to learn it though.
Thankfully or the whole world would do nothing but learn dozens of
languages. Same goes for companies who choose to support only the majority
operating systems, and users who prefer a mainstream "standard".

Trevor.

If Windows (and to a lesser degree, the Mac OS) didn't exist, there would
likely be a plethora of operating systems, and people would be complaining
"Why can't we have a single standard?".

I do not grovel in front of Windows. I use it because it's what I started with
when I worked at Microsoft, and it has the widest range of available
applications. It also works well.

The basic problem with Windows is that it's designed to be a more or less
universal OS that meets just about anyone's needs. Unfortunately, Microsoft
has never put out the effort to minimize the amount of "fussing" a serious
user has to go through to get the most out of the system.

I strongly recommend the book "Windows 7 Annoyances". It has good chapters on
security and networking that are almost worth the price of the book.

On 11/07/2013 07:35 PM, Trevor wrote:


Nope, not the whole world, but 90% makes for a fair majority. Just as
English is the default language on the internet, many people can and do
choose to stick with what they know instead. And since English is not the
first language of 90% of computer users, a far better case can be made for
some people using another one! Doesn't mean you have to learn it though.
Thankfully or the whole world would do nothing but learn dozens of
languages. Same goes for companies who choose to support only the majority
operating systems, and users who prefer a mainstream "standard".

Trevor.


How do you justify paying $200 for a computer operating system that does
nothing but send you places that ask for money? The Windows world is
like North Las Vegas. It is crass, commercial and everyone has to get
their hands dirty. I have a netbook with XP that I need to talk to my
iPod. Next year I plan to buy a Windows7 refurb from a Windows reseller.
They go for between $50 and a $100 n eBay, less than half what a
builder pays for the OS alone. This is only so I can run the Apple crap
and maybe some LT spice. My main surfing machine and my ham radio
machines are 100% open source and commercial free..

On 11/7/13 14:01 , William Sommerwerck wrote:
"sctvguy1" wrote in message ...

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

Does Linux run Word? Ventura? Photoshop? Interface with my AIBO? LEGOs?
Canon and Epson scanners?

Over the years, I have had little trouble with Windows. Contrary to what
some people might think, it is not scarier than blueberry pancakes.



I had an uncle killed by blueberry pancakes.

D. Peter Maus wrote:

On 11/7/13 14:01 , William Sommerwerck wrote:
"sctvguy1" wrote in message ...

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

Does Linux run Word? Ventura? Photoshop? Interface with my AIBO? LEGOs?
Canon and Epson scanners?

Over the years, I have had little trouble with Windows. Contrary to what
some people might think, it is not scarier than blueberry pancakes.



I had an uncle killed by blueberry pancakes.

It was the antioxidants.

--
shut up and play your guitar * HankAlrich.Com
HankandShaidriMusic.Com
YouTube.Com/WalkinayMusic

hank alrich forklarede:
D. Peter Maus wrote:

On 11/7/13 14:01 , William Sommerwerck wrote:
"sctvguy1" wrote in message ...

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

Does Linux run Word? Ventura? Photoshop? Interface with my AIBO? LEGOs?
Canon and Epson scanners?

Over the years, I have had little trouble with Windows. Contrary to what
some people might think, it is not scarier than blueberry pancakes.



I had an uncle killed by blueberry pancakes.

It was the antioxidants.

Or the free radicals.
"Oh James, _do_ be careful"

Leif

--
Husk kørelys bagpå, hvis din bilfabrikant har taget den idiotiske
beslutning at undlade det.

sctvguy1 wrote:

I dropped Windows years ago. Run Linux. No problems.

I'm sure if OP had let things do themselves without interference he wouldn't
had had the slight 15 minute inconvenience that he he. Hardly a reason to
ditch an OS and all the applications he knows and loves ....

geoff

"geoff" wrote in message
...

I'm sure if OP had let things do themselves without interference he wouldn't
had had the slight 15 minute inconvenience that he he. Hardly a reason to
ditch an OS and all the applications he knows and loves ....

See the newer posting in which I claim that the installation appeared to have
completed.

On 11/07/2013 12:17 PM, William Sommerwerck wrote:
"geoff" wrote in message
...

I'm sure if OP had let things do themselves without interference he
wouldn't
had had the slight 15 minute inconvenience that he he. Hardly a reason to
ditch an OS and all the applications he knows and loves ....

See the newer posting in which I claim that the installation appeared to
have completed.

Windows mocks the user incessantly. It is the Trabant of operating systems.

I'm so glad I dumped Windows and switched to Linux back in 05.

Scott


On Thu, 07 Nov 2013 03:25:26 -0800, William Sommerwerck wrote:

Most in this group are knowledgeable computer users. But an occasional
reminder to "Beware!" can't hurt.

Some months back I installed the Microsoft compatibility update that
allows Office 2000 programs to read and write XML files (.docs, .xlsx,
etc). (It works fine, by the way.)

The problem is that the new formats appeared with Office 2007. Windows
Update now thought my Office software was the 2007 version. I started
receiving prompts to install security updates for it.

Common sense told me it wouldn't be a good idea to modify Office 2000
programs with Office 2007 updates. So when updates were needed, I
cleared the checkboxes for these. Unfortunately...

Yesterday, I accidentally clicked the wrong button, and they were
installed. It was particularly annoying that repeated clicks on the
"Halt the Update!" button had no effect.

The result was that Word 2000 (and the other Office components, I
assume) were buggered. The Preview display was screwed up, and I got
error messages when I tried to print.

Fortunately, reversing the updates' installation and restarting the
computer fixed the problem. I was out only 15 minutes' inconvenience.

Don't assume factory-recommended updates are appropriate. Look before
you leap, and all those other clichés.


"We already know the answers -- we just haven't asked the right
questions." -- Edwin Land

"Side Job Scooter" wrote in message ...

I'm so glad I dumped Windows and switched to Linux back in 05.

My situation has nothing whatever to do with Windows. Or any other operating
system. That should have been clear from what I posted.

Side Job Scooter wrote:
I'm so glad I dumped Windows and switched to Linux back in 05.

Scott


I find it amusing that some peoples' OSs appear to give them stiffies.

Unless the OS is actually a (real, not just perceived or religous) problem,
the whole point is the APPLICATIONS !

geoff

"geoff" wrote in message
...

Unless the OS is actually a (real, not just perceived or religous)
problem, the whole point is the APPLICATIONS!

Which is why I've stayed with Windows.

"geoff" wrote in message
...

I find it amusing that some peoples' OSs appear to give them stiffies.

Yeh, I find it amusing too, just like those who get stiffies whenever Apple
comes out with an expensive new product. :-)


Unless the OS is actually a (real, not just perceived or religous)
problem, the whole point is the APPLICATIONS !

Dead right. I'm not only amused but annoyed they find it necessary to mess
with the desktop interface every time they bring out an update, when all I
want is the fastest way to get to the applications (with support for all the
new hardware technolgy since the last release).
Windows 8 sure aint it IMO :-(

Trevor.

Trevor wrote:
"geoff" wrote in message
...

I find it amusing that some peoples' OSs appear to give them
stiffies.

Yeh, I find it amusing too, just like those who get stiffies whenever
Apple comes out with an expensive new product. :-)


Unless the OS is actually a (real, not just perceived or religous)
problem, the whole point is the APPLICATIONS !

Dead right. I'm not only amused but annoyed they find it necessary to
mess with the desktop interface every time they bring out an update,
when all I want is the fastest way to get to the applications (with
support for all the new hardware technolgy since the last release).
Windows 8 sure aint it IMO :-(

Fortunately it's mostly easily-fixable for free.

www.classicshell.net .

geoff

"geoff" wrote in message
...
Trevor wrote:
"geoff" wrote in message
...

I find it amusing that some peoples' OSs appear to give them
stiffies.

Yeh, I find it amusing too, just like those who get stiffies whenever
Apple comes out with an expensive new product. :-)

Unless the OS is actually a (real, not just perceived or religous)
problem, the whole point is the APPLICATIONS !

Dead right. I'm not only amused but annoyed they find it necessary to
mess with the desktop interface every time they bring out an update,
when all I want is the fastest way to get to the applications (with
support for all the new hardware technolgy since the last release).
Windows 8 sure aint it IMO :-(

Fortunately it's mostly easily-fixable for free.

www.classicshell.net .


Yes, not from MS of course, even the Win 8.1 update is pathetic, and Classic
shell is just a patch for a problem that should never have existed IMO. Give
touchscreen users the option by all means, but no need to remove what
already works for everybody else.

Trevor.

On 11/10/2013 12:22 PM, geoff wrote:
Side Job Scooter wrote:
I'm so glad I dumped Windows and switched to Linux back in 05.

Scott


I find it amusing that some peoples' OSs appear to give them stiffies.

Unless the OS is actually a (real, not just perceived or religous) problem,
the whole point is the APPLICATIONS !

geoff


For me it is more economic than anything else. (I guess I'm a bad
American because money doesn't give me a stiffie.) I build my own
machines and I do not appreciate MSFT charging me over $200 for a crappy
OS that only has one workspace. Windows is slow and not inspiring.

The Mac fanbois are the worst. I will agree about them.