But, sometimes it fits.
Especially when it comes to a subject like Microsoft’s current campaign to forcibly upgrade people with older computers to their new OS; Windows 11. It used to be when it came time to upgrade, you’d download the new version, pay a nominal fee and off you’d go. Now, they’re forcing people to either purchase a new computer (not from them, but from computer manufacturers) in order to use their new OS version. If you don’t, then you lose the abilty to receive free upgrades forever. Thus leaving your system open to nefarious consequences, since it won’t be supported anymore.
MS has taken a little pity on people in the last month or so saying that if you want to pay an extra $30 (USD) you can receive support for another year. If you have sufficient Microsoft Reward points (1,000) or acquiesce to back up your system to a MS server (thus giving them another measure of control over you) then you’re able to get the above mentioned support. However, it’s just delaying the inevitable for one more calendar year.
There are alternatives of course. You can continue without support, which is sort of like daily spinning a roulette wheel and hoping for the best. Another option is to abandon Windows/MS completely for another operating system, like Linux or Mac. I dabbled with Ubuntu once before and wasn’t enamored with it, but now that this is looming, with at least one of my computers (my Lenovo Ideapad) I’m going through the process of dual-booting it with a copy of Linux Mint on the other half of my 1 TB hard drive.
Considering within the last year or so I’ve moved from building large computer towers with hardware I barely use anymore (CD-R & DVD+R drives for example) to purchasing old business computers (HP EliteDesks) and repurposing them for my needs (usually beefing up the storage and memory). They nay not be under warranty anymore but they work just fine, are reliable, and have the staying power and are compact and inexpensive. For years I’d been convinced that HP computers were pretty much junk and best to be stayed away from, but over the past 2 years I’ve come to respect them a bit more and would definitely recommend them to someone looking to move on to something else from what used to be the norm.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still miffed with Microsoft for taking this tack with their software. I read an article just this morning that said there are still at least 43% of customers still running Windows 7, 8.1 & 10 on older computers that aren’t going to be able to upgrade to 11. So they’re going to be forced to either upgrade, try something else or just go on without the protection. It’s a lot like what AT&T and Frontier are doing out in California; attempting to disconnect their responsibility to provide customers with landlines because it might cost them a bit more money to maintain the systems, then force them to switch over to cellular. Even if cellular service might not be an option.
As always, it comes down to dollars and sense. I’m sure this isn’t the last post I make about this particular topic.