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Windows 10 "Free" Lie
So you see all these new privacy invading things being added to Windows 10 as Microsoft tries to monetize their user base. Sending all manner of information back to Microsoft, forced updating (Which has already led to several rounds of computer bricking from poorly executed updates - bricking that could have been avoided if users were allowed to at least hold off on patches.)
One thing that people keep going on about to defend MS's behavior is that Windows 10 is Free! So they gotta make their money back somewhere amirite?
What people seem to lose in this misdirection is that Windows 10 is NOT a free OS. It's just being programmed to act like one. (Forced advertisements (currently being tested), Forced upgrades, Forced choices (Their desktop search just recently got made Bing-only and MS Edge-only) etc.)
What IS free, is that you can freely exchange your valid, PAID-FOR Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 OS for this data-mining OS. If you don't have a PURCHASED Windows OS, the only way to get Windows 10 is via buying a new PC or BUYING it. I checked amazon.ca to find out the cost, but it was "hidden" unless I put it in the shopping cart. I clicked on their "Why" link for why this was hidden and it's because their price tag for the Home version of Windows 10 was cheaper than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail price. So by law they can't show it on the website unless you show an interest by actually putting it in the cart first.
Their cheaper-than-MS's price tag for Home was over 100 bucks.
In other words, not really much cheaper than any previous paid-for Windows installer. And it's definitely not free. Keep in mind that you're likely paying for Windows 10 on a new PC the same way you were when you were buying a Windows 7, 8, XP, 95, whatever computer. The price is just tacked on to final cost.
One thing that people keep going on about to defend MS's behavior is that Windows 10 is Free! So they gotta make their money back somewhere amirite?
What people seem to lose in this misdirection is that Windows 10 is NOT a free OS. It's just being programmed to act like one. (Forced advertisements (currently being tested), Forced upgrades, Forced choices (Their desktop search just recently got made Bing-only and MS Edge-only) etc.)
What IS free, is that you can freely exchange your valid, PAID-FOR Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 OS for this data-mining OS. If you don't have a PURCHASED Windows OS, the only way to get Windows 10 is via buying a new PC or BUYING it. I checked amazon.ca to find out the cost, but it was "hidden" unless I put it in the shopping cart. I clicked on their "Why" link for why this was hidden and it's because their price tag for the Home version of Windows 10 was cheaper than the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail price. So by law they can't show it on the website unless you show an interest by actually putting it in the cart first.
Their cheaper-than-MS's price tag for Home was over 100 bucks.
In other words, not really much cheaper than any previous paid-for Windows installer. And it's definitely not free. Keep in mind that you're likely paying for Windows 10 on a new PC the same way you were when you were buying a Windows 7, 8, XP, 95, whatever computer. The price is just tacked on to final cost.
no subject
Usually, paid versions of software allow you to disable all the stupid forced bullshit that comes bundled with the "free" versions, but in this case, even if you get the paid version, you'll still get all those "free" bits you mentioned. Or, at least, if all of that unwanted bullshit actually is disabled in the not-"free" versions, I haven't heard a thing about it, and it would certainly surprise me if it was. Hell, for that matter, it wouldn't surprise me if, sooner or later, Windows 10 became subscription based altogether, regardless of how you get it. Even though they've denied that it will, we both know how trustworthy Micro$hit is and how often they tend to backpedal on shit.
At this point in time, I'm about 99.9% certain that Windows 7 will be my final Micro$hit (P)OS. (Well, unless you count the Windows 8.1 that came installed on my laptop, I suppose.) As I've said several times already, whenever they inevitably make it completely impossible to continue using Win7, I'm most likely just going to switch over to Linux and never look back. Hell, at this point, if for some unforeseen reason I can't use Linux, I feel like I'd be more likely even to buy a goddamn Mac than to use a PC with Windows 10 on it, and I fucking hate Macs. I'll still keep my Win7 machine for the old stuff (games mostly) that does work on it, and after I get a Linux box (or Mac, ugh), any software (again, games mostly) that "requires" Windows 10, I'll just ignore, the same way I completely ignore games exclusive to current/next gen consoles that I have no interest whatsoever in ever buying. (http://kane-magus.livejournal.com/tag/x-bone)
no subject
I guess it'll be Linux or bust for me, when that time inevitably comes.
no subject
After all, look at how many sneaky auto-install things and popups they got in Windows 7/8 at this point where a wrong click (or in some cases no click at all) can force an upgrade to Windows 10.
Are those going to be unpacked from Windows 7 and 8 after the free upgrade deadline?
Personally, I don't think so. I expect it to install windows 10, or try to, the way it currently does. And then cripple the system until you make your payment. (bonus points if they use the tracking data they force your computer to hand over to them to find out you now have an "unlicensed" copy of Windows 10 installed, and they send lawyers after you.)
Yeah, Linux does seem to be more and more in my future as well - as in only computer rather than main computer)