A thought about Microsoft
 

This has come about because I have bought a new laptop and there is very little with it by way of software - just some trial stuff and then after so many days you have to buy it.

Now if I buy a new hifi I don't have to buy new CDs to play on it. If I buy a new TV I don't have to buy new DVDs to watch on it. But I buy a new PC and I have to buy all new software. I can't use the software I already possess and have used on the old PC.

With CDs I can play them upstairs, downstairs, in the car, even if I'm out for a walk but I must not use the Microsoft Office on more than one PC. :mad:

I'm also miffed that the flippin thing has AOL PRE-INSTALLED.

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

Hmmm,
Look at the screenshot, 23151 packages available and all free
OK, there not all programs but there free

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/a...1&d=1198948470

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

This could be the reason Mr Microsoft is a billionnaire, don't you think?

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

I'm not over chuffed with xl (I reluctantly upgraded to it after it had been out for a few years), but when I finally upgraded my P.C. last April the choice was visterror? or xl thank goodness I wasn't adventurous xl still has it's own problems but nothing like what it would appear vista has.

By the time xp is no longer cared for by microsoft hopefully, I will have fully converted to linux, I'm not doing an entwisi and trying to convert others to linux people should be able to run a reliable version of windows, I just don't think it will ever happen, the only way they can possibly improve their stuff is to go back to DOS and start again.
:o

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

If you can't staay away from Windows why not use both, I used to dual boot until I got more used to Linux then found it was easiest for me to run a virtual machine, I run Linux 99% of the time but if there is something I want to do or look at in Windows I boot it up using VMware, and have the benefit of both operating systems running at the same time, both connected to the internet and I can share files between them.
(You can also use VMWare in Windows to run other OS's)

http://www.accringtonweb.com/forum/a...1&d=1198949965

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

Not a problem to me that, but some folk just want to use the goddam P.C. with what it came with, usually windows, they don't want to get involved with what they consider to be all this techy' stuff and is it too much for them to ask? They had to pay through the nose for their unreliable bit of windows, Bill Gates will never have to worry about upgrades he'll get his free! So why doesn't windows do what it says on the box and work without constant updates and fixes?

If I bought a car and along with several thousand others found that the brakes don't work the car companies would have to fix the problem not tell me, trade it in for a more expensive version that not only has faulty brakes, but also your lights and windscreen wipers don't work, oh and by the way don't trust the inbuilt cd player it always ejects itself through the window whenever it thinks there's going to be an crash!
;)

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

LOL, you have a way with words, why didn't I put it that way :)

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

That has to be the best analogy I have read or heard in ages....karma sent :D

Ok cue jokes of the word analogy and Less :p

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

I didn't get that, I must be getting old :rolleyes:

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

This has the makings of a very long thread because you also get a little bit of money back when you trade up for a newer model, but not with windows even if the disk is in perfect conditon, (physically not contents-wise).
:p

Anal jokes and Less? HR is getting a bit delusional, me thinks, what has anal, or jokes got to do with me?
:confused:

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

I don't try and convert anyone, I just point out how crap windows is

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

Once someone has used windows they know that's true!
:laugh8:

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

But if people have not used, and do not know how to use anything else, it is like sticking somebody who only has an automatic driving licence into an aeroplane cockpit and telling them to drive it, isn't it??

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

Nope, its quite friendly nowadays.

Have a shufty at Ubuntu.

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

I will assume that is a website and take a peek, thank you Ian.

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

Ubuntu Home Page | Ubuntu

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

But you could read the manual supplied, ask a friend and if you have a laptop with you in the plane visit a forum for help
Just like you can when trying out a new operating system
Now's the time to insert a sarcy smilie but I don't like then new black and white ones so I'll not bother

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

Ok, I will write it as it is, I was keeping what I meant short, but here goes, I have 4 computers (active anyway), all on microsoft software, they run a database for work, 2 of the computers are vista, they had to be doctored to accept the database which runs on office 2000, I am a lowly plumber and don't have the time, the money, the knowhow or the brains to install another type (more friendly) of system which we could transfer the database to completely intact and immediately usable. I will however see if I can put linux on the lesser used laptop, (this goes out on the road and updates the main database on return daily), and have a play with it. The system as it is has been used for this for a long time, I have used it for the last 5 years, but eventually it slows down and a friend who knows more than I do sorts it out for me, the system could and needs to be made better, so anything I can try will be worth a go, but will take me a while.

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

heh, now for the benefits of Linux ownership - Support

Whats your database run in? Access or something else (Sql server?)

You'll find thousands of people who will happily help you for nothing in the Linux community. You will also find that people share their experiences freely and if they find a solution to a problem often fully documnent it so others don't suffer the same fate.

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

Good morning Ian, it runs in access, see that is how numb I am, forgot to mention that, I am going to try it later on the less used laptop, the website seems to infer that the server option is prefferable, I don't even know what the difference is, I am working today, (someone has to keep the ship afloat), but should be able to sneak back later.

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

Personally use the 'normal' version. The server CD has more server packages on the disc at the expense of 'user' stuff. Its all in the software repository anyway so makes no real difference once your up and running as it will always download from the online repos first to make sure its got the latest version.

With regards to your database, as you probably know Access is MS proprietry software which is not just a database. It includes a application front end ( the forms etc ). Depending on the access database you use will depend on if/how easy it is to migrate to linux. In all honesty, if what you have works for you then you should be wary of change for changes' sake. If what you have has flaws that you are finding hard to live with then look at changing.

May I ask who wrote the database app for you? is it an off the shelf package or bespoke for you?

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

Don't know that it was written as such, just the ms access blank, with the bits filled in, but there are about 6,500 clients in and multiple entries for each client, some of the history for older clients is 4 pages long, which is another problem, you cannot just print 1 page of a client history.

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

Can I ask what you use it for?

I'm certainly not offering to do owt ( been there, still got the scars) but sounds like its not really the right tool for the job. You need queries that allow you to set date ranges for reports and some tools to archive old data (Access isn't good when it gets over a certain size)

I guess its a bit like me doing my own plumbing, I'd be all hammer and pliers :D

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

Yes, It is a database with customer name, address etc, when an installation, service, breakdown call or query is made, each call is then typed up on that clients own profile page (for want of a better description), when a client calls, we can have that clients complete history in front of us both in the office and on the road, so, all past problems, advice given, costs given, installation dates (for guarantees) etc is instantly available, we also log type of appliance and accessories, so if a call is for a breakdown, we don't always need to visit, and can just take the correct part, this saves them money, we also use it to bring up all the clients who are due annual service in a particular month, trouble is, we then have to manually go through them to put them in areas, then type letters for areas with dates allocated, all this as you can imagine is time consuming, and we are so busy now that the system, and the girls have difficulty keeping up, given that we have 3 teams, 6,500 clients, and about 30 phone calls per day at this time of year, it can be quite stressful.

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

NOt being funny but what you need is a proper CRM solution. Access is not the right tool for this for a business the size you describe.


I'll do some digging of what alternatives you have

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

Good man, thank you, I tried contacting a fellow at work who knows more about it than I do, but he is unnavailable.

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

Found teh following

opentaps Open Source ERP + CRM - Home

looks superb, runs on Windows or Linux and is open source so its free to use.

I had a play with the demo site

opentaps Open Source ERP + CRM - opentaps ERP+CRM Online Demo

have a play yourself

Re: A thought about Microsoft
 

Thank you very much Ian, Karma for you mate when I have some to give!!