On Sat, 02 May 2015 18:45:03 +0100
Capitol wrote:

Dennis@home wrote:
On 02/05/2015 16:32, Tim Watts wrote:

Er... You just described linux...

And my HP printer worked without installing 400GB of crap. Unlike
windows

So did my Brother, but the scanner didn't, nor the FAX and it only
worked on USB and not the network.

However on windows it downloaded the drivers and all of it worked.



but on Windows, if it'a aything like mine, it won't scan on
all the resolutions available, unlike the Linux scanning app, whose
name escapes me at the moment.

xsane ?

--
Davey.

On 02/05/15 17:30, Bod wrote:

I dunno, but I have access to all of my stuff *all* of the time and even
when the internet is down.
I don't use the cloud etc.

This has 320GB hard drive:

http://chromebooks-review.toptenrevi...ok-review.html

I totally agree with you though.

Chromebooks are a blessing for the likes of schools and parents of
schoolkids.

But if they get some options so you can carry your life around with you,
that will get my vote.

On 02/05/15 17:46, Bod wrote:
On 02/05/2015 17:42, Dennis@home wrote:
On 02/05/2015 13:38, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
since just about the only reason most people buy Windows is to get Word
compatibility,

More bollox.

I'd say the majority of OEM versions of Windows included with laptops
don't include Word.


Most windows laptops come with a demo version unless you go for one with
less than 10" screen which used to come with a full version of office
and may still do. The little one I bought the wife came with office 2013
home and student and only cost £169 last year.

If you buy one then they don't cost anymore than chromebooks and can run
chrome software, windows software and all the office software you can
get for linux.

There isn't really any point to chromebooks unless they are cheaper.

Agreed.

Disagreed. There's a lot of point in the lower buggerage factor. Try
giving a linux or windows laptop to your older relative. You'll get a
call every week.

On 02/05/15 17:49, Fredxxx wrote:
On 02/05/2015 15:12, Tim Watts wrote:

Doesn't really travel to school too well...

Well, and there's me thinking that schools banned mobile phones! What
are they going to allow next?

Last policy I read allows both with carefully worded constraints.

The laptops seem to be encouraged. The mobile policy is very sensible.
No photos or vids in the school without explicit permissions. Don't
flaunt it (or it'll get nicked). Use/don't use in certain areas.

On 02/05/15 18:50, Davey wrote:
On Sat, 02 May 2015 18:45:03 +0100
Capitol wrote:

Dennis@home wrote:
On 02/05/2015 16:32, Tim Watts wrote:

Er... You just described linux...

And my HP printer worked without installing 400GB of crap. Unlike
windows

So did my Brother, but the scanner didn't, nor the FAX and it only
worked on USB and not the network.

However on windows it downloaded the drivers and all of it worked.



but on Windows, if it'a aything like mine, it won't scan on
all the resolutions available, unlike the Linux scanning app, whose
name escapes me at the moment.

xsane ?

simplescan is somewhat better IMHO

set it to a decent res, and just scan

I am not a fan of scan software that has bells and whistles, I prefer to
use the Gimp


--
Everything you read in newspapers is absolutely true, except for the
rare story of which you happen to have first-hand knowledge. €“ Erwin Knoll

In message , Huge
writes
In the recent (last few weeks) I've plugged the following into my Linux
(Mint 17) machine;

- HP OfficeJet 4620
- Blackberry Z10
- Tomtom Satnav
- Garmin Satnav
- External USB disk(s)
- Several USB memory sticks
- Logitech Webcam
- Belkin Wifi dongle
- Bluetooth dongle
- Nikon DSLR (two different ones)

And it's all "just worked". No "downloading drivers", no manufacturers
disk, just plug it in and switch it on.

Well, just in the audio field where I often work, these didn't:

EchoAudio Audiofire 2
Tascam FW-1884
Edirol UA-4FX
Tascam US-144
Various other devices from E-MU, Tascam, Edirol etc.
and the ones that work, including the on-board audio present themselves
via a conglomeration of mixer and routing interfaces that make
productive work a pain to set up.

I understand from others that similar difficulties pop up in their
areas.

I will admit that my testing of these was only on Mint 16 and AVLinux,
but I've been looking at cross dressing software like Harrison Mixbus,
and it's a whole lot easier in Windows even though it has to use Jack
-for-Windows.

I'm not anti-Linux, and I am anti W8 and, so far, 10, but I may have
said here before that setting up a security system using iSpy in Windows
was a doddle compared with the similar Zoneminder system in Linux.

Maybe it's me.
--
Bill

On 02/05/2015 17:40, Huge wrote:
On 2015-05-02, Bill wrote:

My impression remains that Apple is good if you want reliable hardware
and software for a limited range of applications, but it is expensive.
Linux is fine for heavy duty stuff - servers, backups etc., but there
are no drivers for many types of peripheral for the laptops.

I'm afraid your impression is wrong, and has been for several years.

In the recent (last few weeks) I've plugged the following into my Linux
(Mint 17) machine;

- HP OfficeJet 4620
- Blackberry Z10
- Tomtom Satnav

Does it do firmware updates and maps?
Update the sat information for quickfix?

- Garmin Satnav

See above.

- External USB disk(s)
- Several USB memory sticks
- Logitech Webcam
- Belkin Wifi dongle
- Bluetooth dongle
- Nikon DSLR (two different ones)

Does it do firmware updates or just download the pictures?

On 02/05/2015 18:45, Capitol wrote:

but on Windows, if it'a aything like mine, it won't scan on all the
resolutions available, unlike the Linux scanning app, whose name escapes
me at the moment.

It will scan at any reasonable resolution up to its optical one.
I use 300, 600, 2400 most often.

On 02/05/2015 18:50, Davey wrote:


but on Windows, if it'a aything like mine, it won't scan on
all the resolutions available, unlike the Linux scanning app, whose
name escapes me at the moment.

xsane ?


That's terrible software, I never got the auto feeder to work with it.

On 02/05/2015 18:34, Davey wrote:
On 2 May 2015 16:40:17 GMT
Huge wrote:

On 2015-05-02, Bill wrote:

My impression remains that Apple is good if you want reliable
hardware and software for a limited range of applications, but it
is expensive. Linux is fine for heavy duty stuff - servers, backups
etc., but there are no drivers for many types of peripheral for the
laptops.

I'm afraid your impression is wrong, and has been for several years.

In the recent (last few weeks) I've plugged the following into my
Linux (Mint 17) machine;

- HP OfficeJet 4620
- Blackberry Z10
- Tomtom Satnav
- Garmin Satnav
- External USB disk(s)
- Several USB memory sticks
- Logitech Webcam
- Belkin Wifi dongle
- Bluetooth dongle
- Nikon DSLR (two different ones)

And it's all "just worked". No "downloading drivers", no
manufacturers disk, just plug it in and switch it on.

Admittedly I did have to install the drivers for my Epson V300
scanner, which took, ooh, 30 seconds to do. Download the files.
Double click on them. Done.



In just the five or so years that I have been using Linux, I have seen a
huge improvement in the way it recognises stuff, including the inbuilt
NVIDIA card in the PC. It's all getting better and better.

+1

On 02/05/2015 19:28, Bod wrote:
On 02/05/2015 18:34, Davey wrote:
On 2 May 2015 16:40:17 GMT
Huge wrote:

On 2015-05-02, Bill wrote:

My impression remains that Apple is good if you want reliable
hardware and software for a limited range of applications, but it
is expensive. Linux is fine for heavy duty stuff - servers, backups
etc., but there are no drivers for many types of peripheral for the
laptops.

I'm afraid your impression is wrong, and has been for several years.

In the recent (last few weeks) I've plugged the following into my
Linux (Mint 17) machine;

- HP OfficeJet 4620
- Blackberry Z10
- Tomtom Satnav
- Garmin Satnav
- External USB disk(s)
- Several USB memory sticks
- Logitech Webcam
- Belkin Wifi dongle
- Bluetooth dongle
- Nikon DSLR (two different ones)

And it's all "just worked". No "downloading drivers", no
manufacturers disk, just plug it in and switch it on.

Admittedly I did have to install the drivers for my Epson V300
scanner, which took, ooh, 30 seconds to do. Download the files.
Double click on them. Done.



In just the five or so years that I have been using Linux, I have seen a
huge improvement in the way it recognises stuff, including the inbuilt
NVIDIA card in the PC. It's all getting better and better.

+1

The worst thing about windows is the updating, which bloats the OS and
eventually slows the machine to a crawl. Then you need to spend money
upgrading RAM. A mug's game.

On 02/05/2015 19:53, stuart noble wrote:

The worst thing about windows is the updating, which bloats the OS and
eventually slows the machine to a crawl. Then you need to spend money
upgrading RAM. A mug's game.


Is that why you need less RAM for the latest windows than the previous
versions?

On 02/05/2015 18:55, Tim Watts wrote:
On 02/05/15 17:30, Bod wrote:

I dunno, but I have access to all of my stuff *all* of the time and even
when the internet is down.
I don't use the cloud etc.

This has 320GB hard drive:

http://chromebooks-review.toptenrevi...ok-review.html

I totally agree with you though.

Chromebooks are a blessing for the likes of schools and parents of
schoolkids.

But if they get some options so you can carry your life around with you,
that will get my vote.


Alas only 11.6".

Can you not use a USB or portable hard drive?


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

On 02/05/2015 19:02, Bill wrote:


I'm not anti-Linux, and I am anti W8 and, so far, 10, but I may have
said here before that setting up a security system using iSpy in Windows
was a doddle compared with the similar Zoneminder system in Linux.

I thought Linux was a character in Peanuts?



--
Dave - The Medway Handyman www.medwayhandyman.co.uk

"Bill" wrote in message
...
In message , The Natural Philosopher
writes
since just about the only reason most people buy Windows is to get Word
compatibility, if they go libre office they might as well install linux
from the get go.

Not true for many of the people I know. The big argument for Windows is
the flexibility and adaptability, especially when used for anything
slightly outside the box.
I don't know of anything else that has the availability of internal and
external expansion devices with drivers that work, plus the fact that
often someone, somewhere will have written a program that nearly does what
you want.

My impression remains that Apple is good if you want reliable hardware and
software for a limited range of applications, but it is expensive.
Linux is fine for heavy duty stuff - servers, backups etc., but there are
no drivers for many types of peripheral for the laptops.

Most people I know run a Windows desktop or laptop and an Android tablet
or iPad. My Android phablets are great, with GPS, all the normal things
like bluetooth, access to email and newsgroups, plus the ability to text
if the phone is flat.

Do Chromebooks provide a decent newsreader?

No, but neither do any of the tablets either and few use a newsreader.

"DJC" wrote in message ...
On 02/05/15 12:22, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
On 02/05/15 12:15, Davey wrote:

In a nutshell! Although when I moved to Libre Office from Excel, I
found it to be more clunky. But it does all I need.


Agreed. I am no fan of MS office OR libre office.

The word processor is too feature full for most purposes and absurdly
quirky, and I now tend to use it just to generate plain text, and if I
want a well laid out doc use Scribus.

+1

The spreadsheets are also quirky at the UI level and unpleasant. I use
them as little as possible. Frank;y if UI have a complex job to do I
generally reach for a C compiler...

I prefer Gnumeric, just as quirky in its way, but the big advantage for me
is that I can cut-paste text tabbed or csv files into a sheet and it will
treat them as a table.

Lot better to open the file in that format instead.

Open/Libre Office tends to treat them as a
doc regardless.

"Davey" wrote in message
...
On 2 May 2015 16:40:17 GMT
Huge wrote:

On 2015-05-02, Bill wrote:

My impression remains that Apple is good if you want reliable
hardware and software for a limited range of applications, but it
is expensive. Linux is fine for heavy duty stuff - servers, backups
etc., but there are no drivers for many types of peripheral for the
laptops.

I'm afraid your impression is wrong, and has been for several years.

In the recent (last few weeks) I've plugged the following into my
Linux (Mint 17) machine;

- HP OfficeJet 4620
- Blackberry Z10
- Tomtom Satnav
- Garmin Satnav
- External USB disk(s)
- Several USB memory sticks
- Logitech Webcam
- Belkin Wifi dongle
- Bluetooth dongle
- Nikon DSLR (two different ones)

And it's all "just worked". No "downloading drivers", no
manufacturers disk, just plug it in and switch it on.

Admittedly I did have to install the drivers for my Epson V300
scanner, which took, ooh, 30 seconds to do. Download the files.
Double click on them. Done.



In just the five or so years that I have been using Linux, I have seen a
huge improvement in the way it recognises stuff, including the inbuilt
NVIDIA card in the PC. It's all getting better and better.

But still not as good with the latest hardware as Win,
essentially because any manufacturer with even half
a clue ensures it works with Win.

On Sat, 02 May 2015 19:53:57 +0100
stuart noble wrote:

On 02/05/2015 19:28, Bod wrote:
On 02/05/2015 18:34, Davey wrote:
On 2 May 2015 16:40:17 GMT
Huge wrote:

On 2015-05-02, Bill wrote:

My impression remains that Apple is good if you want reliable
hardware and software for a limited range of applications, but it
is expensive. Linux is fine for heavy duty stuff - servers,
backups etc., but there are no drivers for many types of
peripheral for the laptops.

I'm afraid your impression is wrong, and has been for several
years.

In the recent (last few weeks) I've plugged the following into my
Linux (Mint 17) machine;

- HP OfficeJet 4620
- Blackberry Z10
- Tomtom Satnav
- Garmin Satnav
- External USB disk(s)
- Several USB memory sticks
- Logitech Webcam
- Belkin Wifi dongle
- Bluetooth dongle
- Nikon DSLR (two different ones)

And it's all "just worked". No "downloading drivers", no
manufacturers disk, just plug it in and switch it on.

Admittedly I did have to install the drivers for my Epson V300
scanner, which took, ooh, 30 seconds to do. Download the files.
Double click on them. Done.



In just the five or so years that I have been using Linux, I have
seen a huge improvement in the way it recognises stuff, including
the inbuilt NVIDIA card in the PC. It's all getting better and
better.

+1

The worst thing about windows is the updating, which bloats the OS
and eventually slows the machine to a crawl. Then you need to spend
money upgrading RAM. A mug's game.

Yes, when I bothered to update my Win7 OS, it would take ages, sometimes
failing to complete the installation of some part or other, requiring
a repeat. Since I only use Windows for one programme that I can't get
to work with Linux, I never connect to the internet while running
Windows, so I don't care about updates.
Simple!

--
Davey.

On Sat, 02 May 2015 19:16:43 +0100
"Dennis@home" wrote:

On 02/05/2015 18:50, Davey wrote:


but on Windows, if it'a aything like mine, it won't scan on
all the resolutions available, unlike the Linux scanning app, whose
name escapes me at the moment.

xsane ?


That's terrible software, I never got the auto feeder to work with it.

Since I use it with a flatbed scanner, an auto feeder is pointless.

--
Davey.

On Sat, 02 May 2015 19:01:53 +0100
The Natural Philosopher wrote:

simplescan is somewhat better IMHO


Maybe, I have never tried it, but xsane does fine for me.

set it to a decent res, and just scan

That's what I do with xsane.

I am not a fan of scan software that has bells and whistles, I prefer
to use the Gimp

Never used the GIMP for scanning, (I didn't know you could), but it is
my picture manipulation programme. And it has lots of bells and
whistles, far more than I could ever learn. I particularly like the
Perspective adjustment feature, Cntrl-P.

--
Davey.

"Tim Watts" wrote in message
...
On 02/05/15 17:46, Bod wrote:
On 02/05/2015 17:42, Dennis@home wrote:
On 02/05/2015 13:38, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
since just about the only reason most people buy Windows is to get
Word
compatibility,

More bollox.

I'd say the majority of OEM versions of Windows included with laptops
don't include Word.


Most windows laptops come with a demo version unless you go for one with
less than 10" screen which used to come with a full version of office
and may still do. The little one I bought the wife came with office 2013
home and student and only cost £169 last year.

If you buy one then they don't cost anymore than chromebooks and can run
chrome software, windows software and all the office software you can
get for linux.

There isn't really any point to chromebooks unless they are cheaper.

Agreed.

Disagreed. There's a lot of point in the lower buggerage factor. Try
giving a linux or windows laptop to your older relative. You'll get a call
every week.

You will with a chromebook too. Even more if
they have used a conventional laptop before.

On 02/05/15 18:56, Tim Watts wrote:
On 02/05/15 17:46, Bod wrote:
On 02/05/2015 17:42, Dennis@home wrote:
On 02/05/2015 13:38, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
since just about the only reason most people buy Windows is to get
Word
compatibility,

More bollox.

I'd say the majority of OEM versions of Windows included with laptops
don't include Word.


Most windows laptops come with a demo version unless you go for one with
less than 10" screen which used to come with a full version of office
and may still do. The little one I bought the wife came with office 2013
home and student and only cost £169 last year.

If you buy one then they don't cost anymore than chromebooks and can run
chrome software, windows software and all the office software you can
get for linux.

There isn't really any point to chromebooks unless they are cheaper.

Agreed.

Disagreed. There's a lot of point in the lower buggerage factor. Try
giving a linux or windows laptop to your older relative. You'll get a
call every week.

As opposed to one a day with Windows?


--
Everything you read in newspapers is absolutely true, except for the
rare story of which you happen to have first-hand knowledge. €“ Erwin Knoll

On 02/05/15 22:45, Davey wrote:
On Sat, 02 May 2015 19:01:53 +0100
The Natural Philosopher wrote:

simplescan is somewhat better IMHO


Maybe, I have never tried it, but xsane does fine for me.

set it to a decent res, and just scan

That's what I do with xsane.

I am not a fan of scan software that has bells and whistles, I prefer
to use the Gimp

Never used the GIMP for scanning, (I didn't know you could), but it is
my picture manipulation programme. And it has lots of bells and
whistles, far more than I could ever learn. I particularly like the
Perspective adjustment feature, Cntrl-P.

No, you misunderstand. I means that scanner software that tries to do
what Gimp does is a waste of time IMHO.

scan with simple scan to a raw image THEN process.


--
Everything you read in newspapers is absolutely true, except for the
rare story of which you happen to have first-hand knowledge. €“ Erwin Knoll

"stuart noble" wrote in message
...
On 02/05/2015 19:28, Bod wrote:
On 02/05/2015 18:34, Davey wrote:
On 2 May 2015 16:40:17 GMT
Huge wrote:

On 2015-05-02, Bill wrote:

My impression remains that Apple is good if you want reliable
hardware and software for a limited range of applications, but it
is expensive. Linux is fine for heavy duty stuff - servers, backups
etc., but there are no drivers for many types of peripheral for the
laptops.

I'm afraid your impression is wrong, and has been for several years.

In the recent (last few weeks) I've plugged the following into my
Linux (Mint 17) machine;

- HP OfficeJet 4620
- Blackberry Z10
- Tomtom Satnav
- Garmin Satnav
- External USB disk(s)
- Several USB memory sticks
- Logitech Webcam
- Belkin Wifi dongle
- Bluetooth dongle
- Nikon DSLR (two different ones)

And it's all "just worked". No "downloading drivers", no
manufacturers disk, just plug it in and switch it on.

Admittedly I did have to install the drivers for my Epson V300
scanner, which took, ooh, 30 seconds to do. Download the files.
Double click on them. Done.



In just the five or so years that I have been using Linux, I have seen a
huge improvement in the way it recognises stuff, including the inbuilt
NVIDIA card in the PC. It's all getting better and better.

+1

The worst thing about windows is the updating,

Trivially avoidable by not updating.

which bloats the OS and eventually slows the machine to a crawl.

Fantasy.

Then you need to spend money upgrading RAM.

Not if you have enough of a clue to have plenty in the first place.

A mug's game.

On Sat, 02 May 2015 22:56:42 +0100
The Natural Philosopher wrote:

On 02/05/15 22:45, Davey wrote:
On Sat, 02 May 2015 19:01:53 +0100
The Natural Philosopher wrote:

simplescan is somewhat better IMHO


Maybe, I have never tried it, but xsane does fine for me.

set it to a decent res, and just scan

That's what I do with xsane.

I am not a fan of scan software that has bells and whistles, I
prefer to use the Gimp

Never used the GIMP for scanning, (I didn't know you could), but it
is my picture manipulation programme. And it has lots of bells and
whistles, far more than I could ever learn. I particularly like the
Perspective adjustment feature, Cntrl-P.

No, you misunderstand. I means that scanner software that tries to do
what Gimp does is a waste of time IMHO.

scan with simple scan to a raw image THEN process.



Ok. I use scanner software to scan, and GIMP to manipulate. Makes sense
to me.

--
Davey.

On 30/04/2015 11:47, Bod wrote:
On 30/04/2015 11:21, Simon Brown wrote:


"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...
On 29/04/2015 22:16, Simon Brown wrote:


"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...
On 26/04/2015 12:22, The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after
some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.

I'm looking for something around 16". I don't play games (only
solitaire) I don't watch films or download music. Don't want a
touchscreen, much prefer keyboard/mouse.

I use Word & Excel frequently, sometime quite big documents. I surf
the
net often & use e-mail a lot. We have 4G WiFi at home, probably
won't
ever take it out, but will use upstairs in the office, on the deck &
downstairs in the lounge.

Reluctant to change from MS Windows simply because I know how to
use it.

Any advice on processor type, memory, make, supplier much
appreciated.


Another probably daft question.

What do the panel think of Chromebooks?

Much more limited than a laptop.

Could you elaborate please :-)

You can't run most of the software that will run on a laptop.

They are basically web browsing machines, very limited.

This is kind of the selling point...

A very simple to use device, that works - does all the basics, and you
don't need to worry about keeping software up to date, running anti
virus software etc or any of the other drudgery associated with "more
capable" platforms.



--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 02/05/2015 16:30, Bod wrote:
On 02/05/2015 16:21, Tim Watts wrote:
On 02/05/15 15:17, Bod wrote:

Can one do schoolwork properly on a Chromebook?

Primary and secondary school work is mostly:

Type some essays;
Do some online work;
Make a picture;
Read the Internet.

The last one is actually a gain over my day when it meant "go to the
library". Otherwise the rest could just as well be on paper. But the
modern schools seem to like pupils having easy access to computers and
optionally their own which they may take in.

It's also a danger of time wastage too as my library did not have 63
billion pictures of cats, rude jokes (except on the wall in the bogs)
and a free-for-all video section.

Apropos of not much, did you know that if you go to www.oed.com, you can
look stuff up on the full OED without a subscription by stuffing your
library card number in instead...?




--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 02/05/2015 17:23, The Medway Handyman wrote:
On 02/05/2015 14:11, Tim Watts wrote:
On 02/05/15 13:38, Bod wrote:

What do I do when all of a sudden I need an important document in the
cloud and I am not connected to the internet? Very frustrating.

That's not really the Chromebook's fault though - apples and oranges.
This could happen with any laptop and you left your stuff a) on a work
server; b) on your home server; c) in the cloud.

Can you not save from a Chrome Book to a USB stick?

You can. You can "download" from say google docs sheet into a excel
format file on your machine.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 02/05/2015 13:38, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
since just about the only reason most people buy Windows is to get Word
compatibility,

More bollox.

I'd say the majority of OEM versions of Windows included with laptops
don't include Word.

I think you are missing the point, that if you plan to buy Word, then in
general you need windows.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 02/05/2015 18:57, Tim Watts wrote:
On 02/05/15 17:49, Fredxxx wrote:
On 02/05/2015 15:12, Tim Watts wrote:

Doesn't really travel to school too well...

Well, and there's me thinking that schools banned mobile phones! What
are they going to allow next?

Last policy I read allows both with carefully worded constraints.

The laptops seem to be encouraged. The mobile policy is very sensible.
No photos or vids in the school without explicit permissions. Don't
flaunt it (or it'll get nicked). Use/don't use in certain areas.

OK, I'm genuinely surprised. I just know of one local school where
mobiles are banned and even confiscated.

Some years ago I know of a school that requested phones weren't brought
in, and with caveat if one was lost or stolen at school, there would be
no investigation by staff.

It sounds a sensible policy, but I would be concerned over the
ruggedness laptop when taken into school seeing how things can be
treated. I might expect tears at some point!

On 03/05/2015 00:18, John Rumm wrote:
On 02/05/2015 13:38, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
since just about the only reason most people buy Windows is to get Word
compatibility,

More bollox.

I'd say the majority of OEM versions of Windows included with laptops
don't include Word.

I think you are missing the point, that if you plan to buy Word, then in
general you need windows.


I run Windows Word on a Linux Distro.

On 02/05/2015 20:14, Dennis@home wrote:
On 02/05/2015 19:53, stuart noble wrote:

The worst thing about windows is the updating, which bloats the OS and
eventually slows the machine to a crawl. Then you need to spend money
upgrading RAM. A mug's game.


Is that why you need less RAM for the latest windows than the previous
versions?

Wait till the "updates" start

On 03/05/2015 00:12, John Rumm wrote:
On 02/05/2015 16:30, Bod wrote:
On 02/05/2015 16:21, Tim Watts wrote:
On 02/05/15 15:17, Bod wrote:

Can one do schoolwork properly on a Chromebook?

Primary and secondary school work is mostly:

Type some essays;
Do some online work;
Make a picture;
Read the Internet.

The last one is actually a gain over my day when it meant "go to the
library". Otherwise the rest could just as well be on paper. But the
modern schools seem to like pupils having easy access to computers and
optionally their own which they may take in.

It's also a danger of time wastage too as my library did not have 63
billion pictures of cats, rude jokes (except on the wall in the bogs)
and a free-for-all video section.

Apropos of not much, did you know that if you go to www.oed.com, you can
look stuff up on the full OED without a subscription by stuffing your
library card number in instead...?





We also get the Times Digital Archive from 1785, and a few other useful
things, with a library card. Not very well promoted though. For Which
and Ancestry you need to be at a library computer

On 02/05/15 22:48, Simon Brown wrote:

You will with a chromebook too. Even more if
they have used a conventional laptop before.

We'll put that to the test - the kids have had access to a laptop before
so I have a baseline.

They use a pad too and I almost never get asked about that.

I'm expecting a chromebook to be nearer the pad than the laptop.

On 03/05/15 09:45, stuart noble wrote:

We also get the Times Digital Archive from 1785, and a few other useful
things, with a library card. Not very well promoted though. For Which
and Ancestry you need to be at a library computer

That's interesting - might get a library card...

On 02/05/2015 23:59, John Rumm wrote:
On 30/04/2015 11:47, Bod wrote:
On 30/04/2015 11:21, Simon Brown wrote:


"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...
On 29/04/2015 22:16, Simon Brown wrote:


"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...
On 26/04/2015 12:22, The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after
some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.

I'm looking for something around 16". I don't play games (only
solitaire) I don't watch films or download music. Don't want a
touchscreen, much prefer keyboard/mouse.

I use Word & Excel frequently, sometime quite big documents. I surf
the
net often & use e-mail a lot. We have 4G WiFi at home, probably
won't
ever take it out, but will use upstairs in the office, on the deck &
downstairs in the lounge.

Reluctant to change from MS Windows simply because I know how to
use it.

Any advice on processor type, memory, make, supplier much
appreciated.


Another probably daft question.

What do the panel think of Chromebooks?

Much more limited than a laptop.

Could you elaborate please :-)

You can't run most of the software that will run on a laptop.

They are basically web browsing machines, very limited.

This is kind of the selling point...

A very simple to use device, that works - does all the basics, and you
don't need to worry about keeping software up to date, running anti
virus software etc or any of the other drudgery associated with "more
capable" platforms.



Oh you're no fun any more!
Lots of people seem to be addicted to the drudgery.

On 02/05/2015 23:59, John Rumm wrote:
On 30/04/2015 11:47, Bod wrote:
On 30/04/2015 11:21, Simon Brown wrote:


"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...
On 29/04/2015 22:16, Simon Brown wrote:


"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
...
On 26/04/2015 12:22, The Medway Handyman wrote:
Time has come to replace the tower PC with a laptop, so I'm after
some
advice from the learned people here, since I'm a computer numpty.

I'm looking for something around 16". I don't play games (only
solitaire) I don't watch films or download music. Don't want a
touchscreen, much prefer keyboard/mouse.

I use Word & Excel frequently, sometime quite big documents. I surf
the
net often & use e-mail a lot. We have 4G WiFi at home, probably
won't
ever take it out, but will use upstairs in the office, on the deck &
downstairs in the lounge.

Reluctant to change from MS Windows simply because I know how to
use it.

Any advice on processor type, memory, make, supplier much
appreciated.


Another probably daft question.

What do the panel think of Chromebooks?

Much more limited than a laptop.

Could you elaborate please :-)

You can't run most of the software that will run on a laptop.

They are basically web browsing machines, very limited.

This is kind of the selling point...

A very simple to use device, that works - does all the basics, and you
don't need to worry about keeping software up to date, running anti
virus software etc or any of the other drudgery associated with "more
capable" platforms.




You are just relying on google doing a good job at avoiding software
problems.. a shame there has been more exploitable code in chrome than
in IE for the last couple of years.

On 03/05/2015 08:36, Bod wrote:
On 03/05/2015 00:18, John Rumm wrote:
On 02/05/2015 13:38, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
since just about the only reason most people buy Windows is to get Word
compatibility,

More bollox.

I'd say the majority of OEM versions of Windows included with laptops
don't include Word.

I think you are missing the point, that if you plan to buy Word, then in
general you need windows.


I run Windows Word on a Linux Distro.

Which version?

On 03/05/2015 10:26, Dennis@home wrote:
On 03/05/2015 08:36, Bod wrote:
On 03/05/2015 00:18, John Rumm wrote:
On 02/05/2015 13:38, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article ,
The Natural Philosopher wrote:
since just about the only reason most people buy Windows is to get
Word
compatibility,

More bollox.

I'd say the majority of OEM versions of Windows included with laptops
don't include Word.

I think you are missing the point, that if you plan to buy Word, then in
general you need windows.


I run Windows Word on a Linux Distro.

Which version?

Zorin 9.

On 03/05/2015 09:26, stuart noble wrote:
On 02/05/2015 20:14, Dennis@home wrote:
On 02/05/2015 19:53, stuart noble wrote:

The worst thing about windows is the updating, which bloats the OS and
eventually slows the machine to a crawl. Then you need to spend money
upgrading RAM. A mug's game.


Is that why you need less RAM for the latest windows than the previous
versions?

Wait till the "updates" start

They started years ago but it hasn't made any difference.
The thing that has made a difference is the auto updaters that people
install, like google, apple, adobe, and everyone else.
Just turn them off and let avast keep them up to date.
If everyone used windows update it would be a lot better.
Its the main user advantage of having an APP store, all the updates come
via one route.